Carly and Dan’s gorgeous Spa Hotel wedding was a true highlight in my Tunbridge Wells wedding photography career, it was a beautiful elegant and fun celebration!

The Spa Hotel is a lovely 18th century mansion set in 14 acres of stunning grounds with views across the Kent countryside and is a perfect blend of grandeur and modern luxury which makes it a fantastic Kent wedding venue.

On the morning of the wedding I caught up with Carly before the ceremony as she was getting ready in one of The Spa Hotel’s gorgeous suites. As is tradition, she had her bridal party on hand to help her to get ready and organised and of course there was a little bit of bubbly to ease the nerves! My second shooter for the day Claire spent an hour or so with Dan and the boys during the morning and captured them getting ready.

The bridesmaids were dressed and soon it was time for Carly to get into her wedding gown, helped by her mum. Carly looked beautiful in her Delco by Pronovias wedding dress with her hair done by Jo Elizabeth and makeup by Alicia Shepherd. She looked every inch the gorgeous elegant bride.

Carly and Dan had wanted an outdoor ceremony in the newly built Spa Temple which was part of the hotels recently refurbished landscaped gardens. Unfortunately the weather was so unpredictable, first it was sunny and then heavy rain which ultimately prevented a temple ceremony. The decision was made at 1pm that their 2pm ceremony would be held in The Spa Hotel’s Orangery. The staff at the Spa are great at managing these types of situations and making last minute updates to plans without any fuss. The Orangery was by no means a lesser choice as it is a beautiful space with ceiling to floor glass windows and doors which means it’s flooded with lots of natural light (music to the ears of all Kent wedding photographers!). The ceremony was perfect, a great mix of beautiful, funny and personal.

Flowers on the day were the clever creation of Elishas Floral Design and were a classic white and green theme that was perfect for the style of the wedding and the venue.

As the rain had stopped and the sun had made an appearance, the guests headed out in to the gardens after the ceremony to enjoy a drinks reception and to greet the newly married couple. As part of the entertainment, Carly and Dan had hired a roving band called ‘The Wanderland Band’ who created a party atmosphere during the drink’s reception and we were able to capture Carly and Dan’s guests enjoying an impromptu singalong throughout the ceremony up until they sat for the wedding breakfast!  During their drinks reception I whisked Carly and Dan away for some romantic portrait shots set around the hotel grounds.

The wedding reception was held in The Spa Hotel’s Royal Suite.  A grand chandeliered room with tables that had been dressed exquisitely.  After a sumptuous wedding breakfast provided in house by the talented chefs at The Spa Hotel there were some funny and well received speeches.

Later in the afternoon after their meal we were lucky to get some beautiful early evening light so I quickly whisked Carly and Dan outside to get some romantic portraits shots of them in the Spa Temple.  I worked with the pretty and low evening light to create some atmospheric and romantic images.

Carly and Dan’s evening party was such a lot of fun and everyone was in high spirits. They really didn’t need any coaxing to get on the dancefloor, they were really up for a party, it was a huge amount of fun!

I absolutely loved shooting Carly and Dan’s stylish and fun wedding. Congratulations on getting married and creating an amazing wedding day for yourselves, your family and your friends to remember.

Venue – The Spa Hotel Tunbridge Wells

Brides Gown – Delco by Pronovais from Matchmaker Bride

Brides Shoes – Jimmy Choo

Bridesmaids Dresses – Assos

Hair – Jo-Elizabeth

Make-Up – Alicia Shepherd

Flowers – Elisha’s Floral Design

Venue Dressing – Bows Hire

Videography – Modus Films

Roaming Band – Wanderland Band

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