NEARLYWED NEWS

Award-winning local wedding florist Emily&Me specialises in creating floral designs for weddings and has decorated most of the major wedding venues across the county. And now to add to its achievements this year will see the launch of its sister company, Timeless Flower Preservation. Originally a service offered exclusively for Emily&Me’s couples, it’s now striking out as a business all on its own. The new venture will preserve flowers in crystal clear resin no matter who the original florist was.

The big-day blooms will be handled with love and care by the team of floristry professionals before being handed over to the in-house resin artist. Timeless Flower Preservation makes high quality pieces that are a beautiful way to remember your wedding day and make perfect presents too.

Find out more at www.timelessflowerpreservation.co.uk

A RINGING SUCCESS

As a bespoke jeweller, Natalie Towell of Ashford-based Navette Jewellery specialises in creating the perfect designs for her clients, incorporating their wishes and ideas, and takes great pleasure in witnessing their joy and excitement as she brings the pieces to life. Continuing this passion for creating individual jewellery and personalised, sentimental pieces recently saw Navette claim the accolade of Wedding Jeweller of the Year in the prestigious Kent Wedding Awards 2021/2022. Winning this award highlighted the care and variety of service Natalie and her team give to their couples, ranging from custom created engagement and wedding rings that hold sentiment and legacy, to the joy of creating their own wedding rings as couples are guided through the process in the Make Your Own Wedding Ring Workshop, bringing their love to the fore.

Navette Jewellery Studio continues to focus on its designer wedding range, and in spring 2022 will incorporate necklaces within its growing collection of rings and earrings. To find out more check out www.navettejewellery.co.uk

NEWS Nearlywed

Catch up on the latest from around the county

A SCENE-STEALING SETTING

There’s super-exciting news from Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, which has announced two incredible new wedding spaces for 2022. Already offering an impressive array of show-stopping locations in which to say “I do” the venue has now introduced The Pergola and The Orangery.

The Pergola will be able to accommodate 120 of your loved ones for a seated ceremony. Set among 14 acres of perfectly manicured gardens, it offers a breathtaking backdrop to your vows. The stunning new glass Orangery and terrace, which has been designed as a creative salute to the theatrical entertainment style of the Gatsby era can host 160 for a seated ceremony or wedding breakfast. A truly private area, it’s available for exclusive use only and includes a dancefloor, cloakroom and luxury washrooms. It also features a fully-incorporated kitchen to suit all dining requirements and there’s the option to add a marquee or food station on the adjoining lawn.

Find out more at www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/weddings

BIGGER AND BETTER

Canterbury-based independent jewellers, Fitzgerald Jewellers has opened new premises more than four times larger than their current shop. Designed to expand on its award-winning formula the new site combines an on-site workshop with a host of curated jewellery and watch brands in a new department-style store offering the perfect place to shop for your big-day bling or all-important wedding rings. The move comes as Fitzgerald Jewellers celebrates its 20th anniversary

The four-month refit has been designed in house and completed by a team of local, independent tradespeople. Manager Olivia StewartStead says, “Shopping needs to be so much more of an experience now. People need a reason to leave their houses after months of shopping online. With our new and improved in-store offering, we’re giving customers a reason to visit us.”

For further information head over to www.fitzgeraldjewellers.co.uk

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Lordswood Wedding Fayre Sunday 30th January 2022, 10.30am-3pm Check out www.lordswoodweddingfayre.co.uk

County Wedding Events Signature Show at Wembley Stadium Sunday 20th February 2022, 11am-4pm Register at www.countyweddingevents.com

Hythe Imperial Hotel Wedding Show Sunday 6th March 2022, 11am-3pm Register at www.countyweddingevents.com

West Heath Wedding Show Sunday 13th March 2022, 11am-3pm Register at www.countyweddingevents.com

NEW VENUE ALERT

Chapel House Estate in Thanet, East Kent, once a private family home, has been redesigned as an exclusive-use luxury wedding venue due to open in the spring. The Estate blends seamlessly into the surrounding Kentish farmland, less than a mile from the picturesque coast. The reinstated north drive will provide the main access via a private, gated entrance and the team will greet guests at reception where they’ll be able to check in to their accommodation before heading off to explore. Offering a limited number of exclusive, destination weekend and intimate weekday weddings, Chapel House will provide a memorable experience for couples and guests alike.

Just picture it: as part of the private stay on the eve of the wedding, you and your immediate guests will be served drinks in the courtyard before enjoying supper together from one of the seasonally designed menus, showcasing the very best of Kentish produce for an inclusive vegan, vegetarian dining experience at the chef’s table.

The Estate offers varied opportunities for the wedding ceremony itself, including the Wild Apple Orchard and the Walled Courtyard, which can seat up to 60 guests, while the former is large enough for 120. The Old Malt Granary is licensed for indoor weddings. A banqueting barn is being built next to it, a few steps from the ceremony to the drinks reception and wedding breakfast. For those wishing to take advantage of more intimate “I dos,” Chapel House’s vaulted receiving room is licensed for 15 people.

Chapel House itself is a Grade II listed building dating back to 1290, and is the centrepiece of the Estate. It now provides a beautifully styled master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, complemented by a dressing room with bathroom and two attic bedrooms also with en suites. A large modern kitchen and two lounge areas offer the perfect spaces for entertaining. In addition, the south west paddock will house 10 private lodgings and a 24-hour on site concierge service will ensure guest needs are catered for, no matter the hour.

Discover more at www.chapelhouseestate.co.uk

Located within an amazing setting in the heart of the Kent countryside, The Lost Village of Dode is available for exclusive intimate and private smaller weddings & blessings…the perfect micro wedding venue.

Kent’s best kept secret.

Secluded, Silent, Sacred

www.dodevillage.com

enquiries@dodevillage.com

FULL OR TWILIGHT WEDDING PACKAGES

STARTING FROM AS LITTLE AS £3,250!

A WEDDING AS UNIQUE AS YOU ARE... Your wedding is one of the most exciting and important days of your life – one that you will cherish and remember forever. If you are looking for a dream wedding venue in Kent, St Augustine’s is where dreams come true. At St Augustine’s we believe that every wedding is different. With a wide variety of rooms and spaces from which to choose, St Augustine’s is a truly unique venue and can offer: Weddings perfectly tailored to your needs whether an intimate gathering or 200+ guests • Huge flexibility with many function rooms to choose from for your big day • Elegant outdoor ceremonies in our beautiful gazebo • Deconsecrated chapel for religious, civil ceremonies, wedding breakfasts or reception • Spacious banqueting hall with capacity for 215 guests • Late licence until 1.00 am • Stylish bridal dressing room • Fabulous wedding cuisine, sumptuous banquets and deluxe buffets • A dedicated wedding co-ordinator • It’s your day and we promise it will be perfect, right down to the last tiny, exquisite detail. *Registrar fees are not included.