PRESTON COURT WEDDING VENUE

A glorious and unique wedding venue, Preston Court has got to be on your shortlist if you are currently searching for that dream wedding venue. Here's my guide to Preston Court Wedding Venue.

Preston Court Wedding

Preston Court Wedding Venue in Canterbury is one of those wedding venues I’ve really wanted to shoot at for a long time! So I was over the moon when Tamasina and Dave booked me as their wedding photographer for their summer wedding this August.

I have to say, my first time at Preston Court definitely did not disappoint and provided a stunning backdrop for Tammy and Dave’s wedding.

So here’s a bit of Tammy and Dave’s story plus what I hope are some useful titbits of information for any of you who may be planning or looking at booking a Preston Court Wedding.

“Paul, these are so wonderful. Thank you so so much!. We’ve had so many wonderful compliments about you and the way you approached the photos on the day. So happy to have you there and work your magic!” - Tammy and Dave

As a wedding photographer in Kent I’ve shot at lots of different wedding venues, some amazing, some not so much! So I’ve compiled my own guide to what in my experience are some of the Best Kent Wedding Venues for you to consider along with some tips on the kind of things you should consider when booking and considering your wedding venue

Tammy and Dave's Highlight Slideshow from their Preston Court Wedding

Preston Court Wedding Venue - The Location

Preston Court Wedding Venue can be found in the gorgeous village of Preston, a roughly 20 minutes drive away from the historic town of Canterbury.

Tammy spent her wedding morning with her friends and mum at The Dog in Wingham where they had stayed the night before. Being only a 7 minute drive away from Preston Court it was a great place for the morning prep!

Tammy had her hair and make up done by Louise Owen and Charlotte Reardon and and was wearing a stunning dress from Blush Bridal and how about those gold boots from Sophia Webster! : )

Preston Court Wedding Ceremony

Tammy and Dave held their wedding ceremony on Julianas Island which as you can see from the pictures is just beautiful. It’s a small little island surrounded by beautiful gardens and a stunning Georgian house. There's a pagoda which is really pretty (some of them can look a bit like a shed!) and your main guests sit next to that whilst the majority of your guests are seated on the other side of the water. To reach Julianas Island Tammy was dropped off in a gorgeous vintage VW Camper van and then walked over the bridge with her dad. It’s a really amazing location for a wedding service and frankly a photographer's dream!

After the wedding ceremony there’s a perfect set up for a great confetti shot as Tammy and Dave walked back over the bridge to the gardens where they were able to hold their drinks reception and capture a few photos with their family.

Tammy and Dave had great weather for their day but should the British weather not play ball the Barn at Preston Court is an indoor option and I’m sure would make an absolutely stunning location for a wedding ceremony.

In addition to the Barn, St Mildreds Church is literally next door to the barn so it’s a perfect option if you’d like to get married in a church.

Preston Court Wedding Photos

After capturing a few family group shots and most importantly, hugs, drinks and canapes with their wedding guests, myself, Tammy and Dave went for a walk around the gardens to capture a few relaxed photos of the two of them. Preston Court is a dream for a photographer with loads of beautiful spots of light to take advantage of.

Preston Court - Your Wedding Breakfast

At the centre of Preston Court is The Kentish Barn and WOW! The first thing that stands out is the two vintage mechanical organs at either end of the barn which just totally changes the atmosphere of Preston Court when compared to other barn type venues. The Barn has large doors all the way along one side which when opened fills the barn with natural light which is a huge plus when it comes to your wedding photos. These doors open up onto a large yard which Tammy and Dave filled with fairground games for their guests while they enjoyed some more canapes. As a parent of 3 kids I’d bloody love this kind of thing at a wedding to just give them something to do. You also can’t miss the vintage carousel which is in the corner and Tammy and Dave used for their wedding speeches, definitely a unique and standout feature of Preston Court Wedding Venue and you even get the option to have a ride on the carousel if you like : )

Preston Court - The Evening Wedding Reception

After a lovely meal the guests took in the warm evening sun as it began to set over Preston Court. The light was gorgeous and I knew Tammy and Dave loved those golden hour photos so we slipped away for 15 minutes to capture photos as they chatted about their day. The surrounding fields are another great location for photos.

As the sun set the festoon lights in the middle of the barnyard provided a great ambiance for some acoustic music before the cake cutting and the evening party with The Wedding Crashers.

I’d have to say, Preston Court has definitely become one of my fave venues in Kent and if Tammy and Dave’s wedding was anything to go by I’d definitely say it’s one that you should consider as your wedding venue if it fits your vision for your wedding day!

Preston Court - Useful Information

Address

Preston Court, Preston

Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1DH

Telephone Number

+44 (0)7595 190326

Email

susie@prestoncourt.co.uk

Venue Capacity

Julianas Island

120 People

Kentish Barn

120 seated guests for the ceremony/wedding breakfast

180 guests for evening reception

Preston Court Venue Pricing 2024

As with every venue, the price will vary depending on a number of factors (time of year, day of the week, added extras etc.) but as a rough guide a wedding at Preston Court Wedding Venue in 2024 will cost between £9015 - £1672. Given the quality and the options available at Preston Court, in my experience that represents really good value for money.

Here is a link to Preston Courts Pricing Brochure which has a full pricing breakdown.

Preston Court Weddings - Accommodation Options

Glamping at Preston Court

An absolutely brilliant and convenient option for you and your guests is the Glamping Site at Preston Court. Proper beds, feather duvets, after an evening of partying these bell tents would be bliss! Here’s a link to the Glamping at Preston Court Website which helpfully has its own Wedding Hub Page to help manage your guests stay.

The Dog at Wingham

8 rooms available from £99 per person and only a 7 minute drive away from Preston Court.

https://www.thedog.co.uk/rooms

The Pig

12 rooms, and 15 minute drive from Preston Court, bit pricey but oooh it looks nice!

https://www.thepighotel.com/at-bridge-place/hotel-kent/

Can You Use Your Own Suppliers?

Yes, except for their approved caterers. This is one of the most important things you need to check with your venue before putting down a deposit. Some venues insist you use their suppliers (usually suppliers who pay a fee to the venue to be on their list) . Preston Court rightfully allows you to use the wedding suppliers you really love and connect with.