Rising majestically from the still waters of its moat, surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and gardens, Leeds Castle in Kent is an idyllic setting for the most romantic of weddings and civil partnerships, whatever the season.
Create your own history
Our choice of historic venues and wedding packages will be tailored to meet your requirements by our experienced Wedding Co-ordinators. From your initial enquiry to the day itself, our team will provide a superb level of service to ensure you have the perfect wedding at “the loveliest castle in the world”. During its 900 year history, Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold, the private property of six of England’s medieval Queens and a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. More recently, the Castle was an elegant early 20th century playground for the rich and famous, as Lady Baillie, the last private owner, entertained high society down from London for the weekends.
David Fenwick
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Make your entrance While you prepare for your day in one of the Castle bedrooms, your guests will be captivated by their first glimpse of the magnificent Leeds Castle, as they drive through the estate. The Castle wedding is available for up to 100 guests who can gather in the Library as anticipation builds. Once your guests are seated in the dining room, make your way with your bridesmaids and bridal party down the medieval style stone staircase, through the grand Inner Hall and into your ceremony.
Alfie and Trish
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David Fenwick
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Your Castle Ceremony As you enter the Castle Dining Room, the daylight streaming in through the beautiful long French window and soft colours of the room bring a sense of calm.
At the end of your ceremony, your friends and family will be able to watch you sign the marriage register and take stunning photographs.
The room fills with your chosen music as you make your way towards the Registrar to say your vows.
As you walk back down the aisle and into the Castle Library, our staff will greet you with a glass of chilled champagne.
Dining Room
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David Fenwick
Library
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TheWedding Breakfast After your ceremony, relax with your guests before the Castle Butler calls you to be seated for dinner in the impressive Banqueting Hall. Your guests will be in awe on entering the largest room in the Castle, which boasts a grand 16th century French Caen stone fireplace and magnificent ebony floor. Your tables will be beautifully decorated with personal favours, flickering candlelight and your chosen arrangements of fresh flowers from our Castle Florist.
Once seated, enjoy impeccable service, exquisite dining and fine wine from the Castle’s Norman cellar before the speeches. The large bay window, offering views of the estate across the moat, provides a superb backdrop for the cutting of the cake. Retire after dinner with your guests to the opulent 1920s Castle Drawing Rooms or continue your celebrations with dancing or your choice of evening entertainment.
Banqueting Hall
Thorpe Hall Drawing Room eight
David Fenwick
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Accommodating your every wish Your special day at Leeds Castle does not need to end with the last dance of the evening. Stay overnight in one of the State bedrooms; the principal rooms situated on the first floor of the Castle. During Lady Baillie’s ownership, these grand rooms were used as guest accommodation for Hollywood film stars, musicians, politicians and members of royalty.
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Anneli Marinovich
There are twenty bedrooms in the Castle, including eight luxurious State bedrooms, each uniquely furnished with period antiques and large original en-suite, art deco marble bathrooms. Many of the rooms offer traditional four poster beds and breathtaking views across the moat and surrounding parkland. The twelve Battlement bedrooms are all named and styled around the members of the Castle’s housekeeping staff during the 1930s.
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The Maiden’s Tower The Maiden’s Tower is an elegant, exclusive hire venue adjacent to the Castle, available for up to 80 guests. The 16th century stone building, used for weekend house parties in the 1920s, is now a glamorous self-contained venue perfect for your wedding ceremony, evening celebrations and overnight accommodation. Prepare in one of the five en-suite bedrooms, all beautifully decorated in period style with a contemporary twist, offering views across the moat to the golf course and surrounding parkland.
Make your way down the oak staircase, or for something different, enter through French doors leading into your ceremony room from the charming walled garden. Following your ceremony, take your seats for a delicious fine dining experience. You and your guests can continue the celebrations in the photogenic garden on a fine evening. Your photographer can also capture stunning photographs in the grounds of the Castle. Your choice of entertainment will provide the perfect end to your evening.
Olivia Mann
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Fairfax Hall
Marquee Receptions
The Fairfax Hall, a 17th century Kentish timber-framed barn, is the ideal reception venue if you are getting married in the Maiden’s Tower or at another location and wish to celebrate with 100 to 200 evening guests.
If you are planning a wedding with more than 200 guests, a marquee on the Cedar Lawn offers additional space and added flexibility for your celebration, with stunning views.
Offering some of the most spectacular views of the Castle, with doors leading outside to a large terrace where your guests can mingle on a fine evening.
Our Hospitality team will help you to create a bespoke wedding reception, tailored to your personal requirements. The magnificent view of Leeds Castle at night from across the moat, will make your evening even more memorable.
You and your partner can have stunning wedding photographs taken in the grounds and gardens while your guests enjoy the hospitality of our staff and evening entertainment.
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A J Williams
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At your service The perfect backdrop
At Leeds Castle, we feel privileged to be part of your wedding day. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, attention to detail and personal touch led by the Castle Butler. We will do everything we can to ensure your wedding exceeds your expectations.
Holding your wedding at “the loveliest castle in the world” provides infinite possibilities for breathtaking photography, to help ensure that your day at Leeds Castle is a memorable experience for you and your partner.
Your wedding breakfast is an important part of the day. To help with your preparations we will invite you to attend a food tasting evening in the Fairfax Hall, where you will be guided through a delicious range of canapés, starters, main courses and desserts from the Chef’s Table.
Take some time whilst your photographer captures stunning images of you both in the delightful grounds of the estate. Group photographs with your guests can be taken in front of the Castle.
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David Fenwick
Our experienced Chefs delight in developing exciting and mouth-watering dishes combining simplicity, quality and only the very best ingredients to create an imaginative and flexible menu for your wedding. When booking your wedding at Leeds Castle, you can be sure that you will receive the very best in fine dining and unrivalled hospitality. The Castle’s Norman Cellar houses a carefully selected choice of fine wines to complement your food choices. For those looking to really celebrate in style we also offer a selection of Champagne and sparkling wine.
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The finishing touches... After a perfect day, how better to round off the experience than breakfast in the Castle Dining Room with friends and family. If you are looking for additional convenient accommodation for your guests, the Stable Courtyard Bedrooms, just a short walk from the Castle and Maiden’s Tower and adjacent to the Fairfax Hall, offer comfortable en-suite rooms furnished to the highest standard. Leeds Castle also has five historic cottages located within the estate. The properties provide all modern facilities, whilst retaining their original charm and comfort. Leeds Castle also offers a scenic 9-hole, par 33, pay and play golf course, on-site falconry experiences, hot air balloon flights over the Castle and stunning Kent countryside (subject to weather conditions), classic afternoon teas, Go Ape! and Segway tours. Our Hospitality Team will be happy to discuss additional activities with you at the time of booking. Dining events in the Castle are also available throughout the year, ideal for celebrating your first wedding anniversary.
Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL t. +44 (0)1622 767877 e. hospitality@leeds-castle.co.uk leedscastleweddings.com Photography courtesy of: David Fenwick – davidfenwick.co.uk, Alfie and Trish – alfieandtrish.co.uk, Anneli Marinovich – annelimarinovich.com, Olivia Mann – oliviamann.com, A J Williams – ajwilliamsphotography.co.uk Nicki Macfarlane – nickimacfarlane.com Designed by Zest thinkzest.com
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