Full disclosure – I might be a little biased when I say that The Beacon wedding venue is probably my favourite in Kent. After all, I did get married there myself! I was so excited about returning for Laura & George’s wedding just 10 days after my own big day. This Tunbridge Wells wedding venue certainly offers something special!
Morning Preparations at an AirBnb
Whilst The Beacon does have a room available for getting ready, Laura chose to get ready at a nearby Airbnb instead so that she could have a little more room for her family and bridal party. I thought this was a great alternative, as Laura booked a light and spacious modern house for everyone to get ready. (Your makeup artist will thank you for this, believe me!)
The Billiard Room
The Beacon’s option for getting ready onsite is The Billiard Room, ideal for both bridal prep and groom prep. I actually got ready here myself, and I really enjoyed being able to see my guests begin to arrive – it certainly adds to the excitement! The room also doubles as a dining room for those looking for a super intimate wedding breakfast (up to 20 guests).
Outdoor Wedding Venue in Kent
With its almost infinite gardens and ample space for celebrating, options for wedding photography at The Beacon are endless. Decent outdoor space is really a must for weddings, and The Beacon Tunbridge Wells certainly has it in spades with its country house set within an incredible 17 acres. If you’re lucky you might even spot a deer or two!
Unique Amphitheatre Wedding Ceremony
The unusual yet gorgeous outdoor ceremony area was up there as one of the main reasons we booked this wedding venue – and that probably goes for a lot of other couples as well. A beautiful wooden pergola perched on the edge of a grass verge with the most amazing views over the grounds would on it’s own be enough, but the amphitheatre-style seating for your wedding guests makes for a unique feature that I haven’t seen at any other Kent wedding venue. The perfect place to start forever!
Surprise Mariachi Band Drinks Reception Entertainment for Unsuspecting Guests
After the ceremony, the Bride, Groom and wedding guests made their way back up to the top lawn for confetti and the start of the drinks reception. Unbeknownst to everyone, Laura & George had booked a mariachi band to surprise their guests – you should have seen the reaction when the music started! Such a fun and cool idea, and something a little different to your typical wedding day background music that’s for sure!
Wedding Breakfast in The Grand Pavilion
Time for speeches and dinner, which at The Beacon means a trip to the Grand Pavilion. I absolutely adored Laura & George’s amazing choice of bright and bold flowers for their wedding breakfast decor! One of the great things about this space is the various different configurations for tables and seating which allow for lots of flexibility. It can even offer a back-up ceremony space for larger weddings in bad weather, where the amphitheatre can’t be used. I love that this isn’t just your average marquee or tent, but the team at The Beacon have carefully considered the overall look of the Grand Pavilion – like with the floral pattern all around the inside.
Speeches over and bellies full, it was time to head up to the main house for the first dance and evening party. What I love most about The Beacon is the way it allows for a flow for the whole day, with the use of its various spaces. I particularly liked that on my wedding day, our DJ could be setting up whilst we were still finishing our meal in the gardens meaning that there was absolutely no disruption for us. The team have really thought about every detail, and it shows in the photos!
The Beacon Wedding Photography
Are you getting married at The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells and still looking for your photographer? Ask them yourselves – I’m one of their recommended suppliers! Let me capture your wedding story. For obvious reasons, I’d love any excuse to go back to this lovely venue. So get in touch with me here and tell me all about your wedding plans!
Wedding Supplier Love
Venue: The Beacon
Flowers: Colonnade Florist
Make-up: Millie Weddell MUA
Dress: Pronovias via Amore Brides
Bride’s Shoes: Asos
Bridesmaid Dresses: Coast
Suits: TuxLux London
Entertainment: Mariachi King
Band: Tropic Band
