The wedding team at Penshurst are well established and very experienced and everyone is really friendly and helpful. They work closely with wedding suppliers to make sure that everyone can deliver the wedding of your dreams.

I’ll tell you a little more about photographing weddings at Penshurst Place below, but first let’s catch up with the Penshurst wedding team themselves who tell us why the venue is a perfect choice for your wedding.

What’s special about Penshurst Place?

The whole village of Penshurst has a very tangible feeling of calm. It’s such a quaint and peaceful place and marrying at Penshurst Place is the best of both worlds – hidden amongst the hills of the Weald of Kent, but still just 10 minutes from Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells. We’re surrounded by a collection of formal gardens which have a mixture of sweet little nooks and sweeping vistas for a huge variety of photography opportunities.

What makes it the perfect wedding venue?

The team are brilliant, they work so hard and get so excited by every wedding it’s always a delight to see them chatting away about the next upcoming ceremony. They really get to know all our couples and are very committed to making that couple’s day as perfect as can be. The setting is also really unique, with an historical building, original medieval hall, Elizabethan rooms and now the opportunity for ceremonies in the gardens or the parkland.

What makes it different from other wedding venues?

The variety of settings and flexibility of the venue. We have hosted a huge variety of weddings at Penshurst Place, from elegant and formal to quaint and folksy, and even a few film-themed weddings thrown in for good measure! When couples book their wedding with us, they book Penshurst Place as a whole, there’s no set price per room, and all ceremony and reception spaces are available to make use of how each couple wants to use them for their big day.

What wedding options are available?

Your ceremony can be hosted in the upstairs Elizabethan Sunderland Room, in the intimate Buttery, outdoors in the private Inner Courtyard or in the magnificent medieval Baron’s Hall. Ceremonies can also now be hosted in the gardens or parkland. Your reception can be hosted in a marquee if you wish, as well as the Sunderland Room, or Baron’s Hall. You can also host a drinks reception in any of the rooms or outdoors immediately after your ceremony.

How do you ensure your couples get the wedding of their dreams?

Listening, and hearing. Planning a wedding is a great deal of work, and wherever we can we like to take some of the stress out of the process. Couples can bounce ideas off of us, ask us for advice, ask for help with scheduling etc. We also take over looking after suppliers in the lead up to the big day, arranging the logistics of their arrival, who will be meeting them and what they might need from us. A member of our team is on-site throughout the whole day, from set up to seeing you off so if you need anything at all we are always here for you.

What tips would you offer couples to ensure a stress-free wedding?

Don’t fret too much about the little things, because it goes so quickly! Invest in the things that will last or create lasting memories and make planning these your priority – a fantastic photographer (such as Penny!), a videographer if you want one, a great menu and of course, your dress or suit! Invest in suppliers who can help you capture memories that will last a lifetime first, and then look into table decorations, wedding favours and other smaller elements.

Thanks to the Penshurst team for their words of experience and wisdom!

Wedding photography at Penshurst Place

I’ve been lucky enough to shoot many weddings at Penshurst Place and can honestly say that I’ve loved every one of them. The team are organised, helpful and friendly which makes my job so much easier.

The gardens are stunning and they bloom in different areas at different times of the year giving a lovely floral element to incorporate into photos whatever the month of the wedding. You can also see Penshurst Church from the gardens which is lovely if you have your ceremony there and it’s also the side that the sun sets. There’s always something magical to find in the grounds which are set against the backdrop of the beautiful house. No two weddings are ever the same at Penshurst. I love taking couples for a walk around the gardens after their ceremony as it gives them a little quiet time to themselves before the party really begins.

I love the contrast between the gardens and the architecture of the house, it creates so many different opportunities for photos. If it rains, there’s no need to worry as Penshurst is a venue that’s photogenic on the outside but also works really well on the inside, it really is a venue for all seasons. There’s arches to stand under, there’s the grandeur of the Barons Hall or there’s umbrellas in the gardens, it’s up to you!

If you are considering getting married at Penshurst Place or have already booked, I’d love to hear from you. Please do get in touch and I’ll send you some more information.

Getting Ready

Both Allie and Sam got ready on site at Chafford Park.  The Long Barn is a gorgeous 16th century barn which easily sleeps 10 and is big enough for them both to get ready without seeing one another. It made it nice and easy for me to capture both the girls and the boys getting ready.

Allie looked amazing in her Madi Lane gown from Isabella Grace Bridal and both her dad and her bridesmaid shed tears when they first saw her.

Floral Filled Barn

The couples ceremony was held in the Hop Barn which was filled with floral decorations.  Helen from Wild Botanical had created a gorgeous hoop of fresh foliage and flowers as a backdrop for the vows and the aisle was lined with wine crates full of country garden blooms and herbs.  It was a beautiful setting for a ceremony.

A Day of all Weathers

During the morning and throughout the ceremony there had been rain so the drinks reception was also held in the Hop Barn.  After some family groups it seemed as though the weather was easing up so I took the couple outside for a few photos. However, it soon started raining again quite heavily so we grabbed the brolly and ran for the Granary Barn for a few pics with the twinkle lights that surround it’s walls.

They entered the barn a second time to cut their cake to waving napkins  followed by their wedding breakfast.  The weather had cleared a little by the time their speeches were over so we took the opportunity to head into the fields for a few more photos. It was still grey but we were really pleased to be able to get outside.

Finally at the end of the day just before I left we got sunshine, and a sunset and then finally a rainbow as I was leaving!  It truly was a day of all weathers.

A Relaxed Fun Day

I loved capturing Allie and Sam’s wonderful day for them. It was such a relaxed and chilled day, they wanted nothing more than to have a good time and not worry about anything, it was magical.

They left me this wonderful Google review.

“So, firstly if you are reading this review just know that you need to book Penny. She is an incredible photographer with a real passion for what she does. Asides from talent she is just a lovely kind person. With so many photographers availabile it can be overwhelming choosing. However, from the moment we spoke to Penny she put us at ease and we knew we need not look further. She captured the day perfectly really focusing on a natural story telling approach which is exactly what we wanted. She is professional and efficient and we have had so many comments on how many people love the photos. Penny has captured all the perfect memories and moments from the special day of which we are so grateful. Sam and Allie Xx”

The Suppliers

Venue – Chafford Park

Brides Gown – Madi Lane from Isabella Grace Bridal

Hair and Make-up – Catherine Samuelson & Chloe Cooper from The Hair and Make-up Bar

Florist – Wild Botanicals

Catering – Tandem Catering

Cake Maker – The Little Cake Company

Their day was filled with love and joy surrounded by all their nearest and dearest and they were one of the most chilled couples I’ve worked with.

A Surprise Ceremony

Gail and Ben were already married as they’d gone through the legal bit the previous year but only a couple of their guests already knew this.  They had one of their good friends perform the ceremony which they knew would let the cat out of the bag pretty quickly!

Confetti was thrown in the Drawing Room after the ceremony and the guests congregated in the bar for drinks.  It was still raining so we couldn’t do their group photos outside but used the Gold Room for these which was lovely.

Indoor Bride and Groom Portraits

It was a shame we couldn’t venture out into the grounds as they are gorgeous, but everywhere was so wet so we opted to stay indoors for their couple photos.  There’s plenty of rooms to choose from at Salomons including the terrace beyond the Gold Room so almost outside!

The Chefs Table

The wedding breakfast was a sharing roast option so one person on each table was designated the meat carver and had to wear a chef’s hat and apron! On the top table it was Gails dad who had the honour. There was some great moments to capture!

After speeches, the room was prepared for the evening when the couple cut their cake and kicked off the dancing along with all the children getting very excited!

All credit to Gail and Ben for taking the weather in their stride, they just relaxed and made the most of it and it was a wonderful day.

Congratulations Gail and Ben, I so enjoyed spending the day with you!

The Suppliers

Venue – Salomons Estate

Hair and Make-up – Kate Waller Hair and Make-up

Cake Maker – Crumbs & Treacle

DJ – Mint DJ’s

I loved the sense of fun and joy that oozed from Anna and Nigel from the first moment I met them. They had such wonderful plans for their day from a floral extravaganza to Disney music and a champagne sobrage performed by the bride!

The Preps

It was a music filled bridal suite as Anna and her girls got ready in the morning.  Nigel and his grooms party arrived around 12.30 and I was able to capture some shots of him with his best man during a brief spell of dry weather.

Anna was soon in her beautiful bead covered dress and wearing a special headdress that was commissioned and adapted from Annas Grandmother’s 100 year old bridal crown. Sections of which were also used to make the bridesmaids combs.  She looked stunning.

A Wet Ceremony

Anna had set her heart on the Spa Hotel Temple in the beautiful grounds for their ceremony and the floral display which surrounded it was incredible and not to be missed. There was light drizzle by the time the ceremony was due to start so they opted for the outside option. The bride entered under a brolly to a live rendition of ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ sang by Ben Hills.

It was a shame that the weather got worse as the ceremony progressed so after the couple had exchanged their vows the registrar suggested that everyone decamp to the Chandelier Suite for the final readings and the signing of their marriage certificate.  By then the rain was fairly heavy and everyone was hunkered down under brollies so it was a welcome interlude to the ceremony.

From a photography perspective, rain is not the greatest during an outside ceremony, but you have to admit the wet weather really makes the colours pop!

A Jungle Exit to the Reception

The singer Ben Hills sang for the guests as the couple signed their certificate and then completed the ceremony music by singing ‘The Bare Necessities’ as the couple exited for the drinks reception.

The afternoon was filled with laughter. Neither Anna and Nigel or their guests let the weather dampen their spirits.  We weren’t able to get out into the wider gardens for any couple photos but we did pop to the temple under a brolly for a few then headed back inside for a few more before the couple headed into dinner.

The Royal Suite

The Royal Suite was covered in blooms of pinks, blues, greens and peacock feathers, it was beautiful and the most flowers I had ever seen in that room. The table names were all from places that the couple had been together and enjoyed.

Funny and poignant speeches were given by Anna’s mum, Anna herself, Nigel and the best man.

Champagne Sobrage and Prince Ali

Before the evening party kicked off, Anna took a sabre and dramatically performed a sobrage on a bottle of champagne much to everyones delight.  This was followed by a wonderful first dance which kicked off with the slow song Unintended by Muse and quickly morphed into Disney’s Prince Ali from Aladdin.

Anna and Nigel were a bundle of fun from beginning to end and I loved every minute of their day!

Here’s a lovely message of thanks I received from them.

“The final element (the photo box) arrived yesterday, and we are again absolutely delighted with it.

Thank you so much for everything you have done to record our magical day. Right from when we first spoke with you last year we have been impressed with your professionalism, talent, design-eye, and good humour. Thank you.

The photographs (digitally, in the albums, and in the photo box) are all superb and very much capture the mood on the day. You ensured that as many as people as possible were included and that we hardly needed any formal photographs. You caught the fun, the drama, the emotion, and the tone of the day. Again, thank you.

The quality of the albums and box was spot on and ensured that we received very good value for money for the whole wedding photo experience package. Our respective mothers were each delighted with their mini-wedding album too.

We now have many ways to remember our special day and we will always remember, and be grateful for, the part you played in it.

Thank you. Nigel & Anna”

The Suppliers

Venue – The Spa Hotel Tunbridge Wells

Entertainment – Ben Hills Music during the ceremony and reception and Mint DJ’s for the party.

Brides Headdress – Alterations to vintage bridal crown by Victoria Fergusson Accessories

Florist – Perinda from Flower and Glory in Sevenoaks

Wedding Stationery – Lynda Loves

Hairdresser – Rianna Michael

Make-up – Dee Fenner

Diana and Jimmy had the most beautiful day for their intimate wedding at Highley Manor in Sussex in mid June.

An International Wedding

I’d met them both via Zoom as they were living in the US. They had already gone through their legal ceremony in the US itself but were planning another celebration in the UK for Diana’s family.  Although Jimmys parents couldn’t make the trip he was supported by his two sisters and his friends on his big day.

Documentary Wedding Photography

The couple were keen for me to focus as much on their guests and the love and laughter shared on the day as they were for me to capture the two of them, which is perfect as that’s exactly how I like to work!

They chose a wine theme for their day with bottles and grapes for their table centres and a beautiful sage green for their chair sashes.  Their cake was surrounded by corks which they’d be collecting for some time and topped with a novelty cork bride and groom.

A Beautiful Summer Wedding

Both Diana and Jimmy were getting ready at Highley Manor, Diana in the bridal getting ready room and Jimmy in the Bridal Suite.

Diana looked like a princess from a fairy-tale in her gorgeous full skirted dress arriving at the ceremony in the outdoor pavilion to her groom and 43 guests.  The Pavilion is a gorgeous spot for a ceremony which perfectly overlooks the view from Highley Manor.

After group photos, the couple headed inside so that Diana could don her shades and throw her bouquet from the Bridal Suite balcony.  After this we headed into the grounds for a few minutes of quiet time and some couple photos.  It was so lovely to find the last of the rhododendron flowers to add some lovely colour to their photos.

Speeches were fun and the guests relaxed before the evening celebrations started.

Before leaving I took some shots of the couple in the low light in the Pavilion. The Pavilion makes for an interesting feature in the backdrop of the natural trees and vista.

I loved spending the day with Diana and Jimmy, it was a wonderful, relaxed and joyful wedding day.

The Suppliers

For some couples, engagement shoots are an essential part of the experience of getting married and well worth the investment. Other couples, not so much. In the same way, you’ll find photographers that will tell you that it’s a must as a preparation for your wedding day and other photographers who say it’s nice but not essential. I personally believe that there’s no right or wrong here, every couple and every photographer is different, and it’s very much a personal choice for them.

In my experience, even though most couples are nervous about having an engagement session, in the end, they are often glad that they did it, mainly because an engagement shoot results in some fantastic photos. Whether they think the shoot was a benefit to them on their wedding day is another question entirely.

Here are a few thoughts which may help you to decide what’s right for you.

Getting to know you

I love shooting engagement sessions. I find them a great way to spend a couple of hours of quality time getting to know a couple. We can chat about all things weddings, have a lot of fun and get some beautiful relaxed photos of the two of you.

Also, bear in mind that you may book your wedding photographer a year or so in advance of your big day so, the engagement shoot can be the perfect ice-breaker. For couples who are nervous about having their wedding photos taken, this can be a really helpful dress rehearsal.

Love them as I do; I don’t believe engagement shoots are an essential part of the wedding process. I don’t need to do an engagement shoot to create beautiful wedding photos for you. Some say it’s useful for couples to get to know the poses, but I don’t really do poses; instead, I like to keep things as natural as possible. I might give you some tips on the best way to stand and what to do with your hands, but generally I prefer to encourage you to be yourselves in the moment, and I can do that just as easily on your wedding day as I can on an engagement shoot.

Engagement sessions aren’t representative of your wedding day quite simply because there are no time constraints, and you’ll be in your everyday clothes. There will be many people and many distractions on your wedding day, and most probably tight timelines, which is everything an engagement session is not. Remember, on your wedding day, you’ll be the centre of attention, and because of this, you will, without doubt, feel much more relaxed about being photographed. The key here is to make sure that you find the right photographer for you, one you can trust and feel comfortable having around.

Just the two of you

Your wedding day passes by in a whirlwind filled with your family, friends, and lots of distractions, making it challenging to be present and in the moment. An engagement shoot, on the other hand, is entirely about you.

It’s a time that you can enjoy a couple of hours away from the wedding planning to be together and savour the moment in this special time of your lives. A time to reconnect with each other and celebrate just the two of you.

Engagement shoots can feel a little intimidating and pretty awkward! After all, it’s not every day that you’ll get romantic in front of a camera! For this reason, some say engagement shoots are not very authentic. That may be true for some couples, but it’s really not for others. Some couples relax quite quickly and can be themselves, whilst others never quite feel comfortable. Only you’ll know how you’ll be.

The best thing to do is to embrace the awkward feelings, just run with it and have a good giggle, you’ll soon get into the swing of it!

Calm the nerves

The chances are that you won’t have had professional photos taken before as a couple.

Nearly all of my clients think they look bad in pictures, but that’s often because they judge themselves against random shots taken by friends and family on phones or something similar. A professional photographer knows how to photograph people well, how to put them in the best light and how to get the best interaction from them.

From my perspective, my job is to capture you ‘in love’, and that love shows itself in many different ways, from the biggest of gestures to the smallest of glances. I only ask that you be present and focus on each other and know that I’ll never ask you to behave in a way that doesn’t feel like you.

An engagement session can help you feel confident in your choice of photographer and build your comfort in front of the camera, so afterwards, you may even look forward to having your wedding photos taken!

It’s not just about the here and now

Your wedding journey may be a short period of time in your life together but what happens during this time is huge. It’s about love, and it’s about commitment, both of which will have a massive impact on the rest of your lives.

This chapter of your life starts from the moment your partner proposed, and being engaged is an integral part of that wedding journey and your love story as a whole. Photographs will preserve that time forever. Photos aren’t just for today; they are memories for the rest of your lives and for generations to come.

Why not make the most of it, enjoy it and immortalise this unique time forever.

My final thoughts

When it comes to an engagement shoot, don’t overthink it. If you can relax and enjoy the session, then go for it, it can be a tremendous amount of fun. If you want some beautiful pictures of you both to use as details for your wedding or just because you want them, then a session is a great idea.

On the other hand, if you think you’ll be uncomfortable or can’t see the point, then don’t feel that your wedding will be any the less for it.

Do what feels right for you!

The hotel is a mix of grand country house style and modern luxury which makes it the perfect one-stop location for a wedding. It has a lovely atmosphere and the staff are very professional and incredibly friendly. The events team are always very helpful and work with wedding suppliers to make sure that every wedding day is perfect and runs smoothly.

One of my favourite and newest locations for photography at The Spa Hotel is the Spa Temple which sits majestically in the stunning grounds. It’s a gorgeous setting for your ceremony but it’s also in the perfect spot for sunsets which makes it magical for wedding photos!

I’ll tell you a little more about wedding photography at The Spa Hotel further down, but first here’s a few words from the Spa Team themselves.

What makes The Spa the perfect wedding venue?

The Spa Hotel is a beautifully unique and diverse wedding venue. The hotel is nestled within 14 acres of glorious ground and gardens including three picturesque, spring-fed lakes and the stunning Spa Temple. With such spectacular surroundings, The Spa provides the perfect setting for your special day as well as beautiful backdrops for your important wedding photos.

What makes it different from other venues?

The Spa offers so much flexibility in its spaces, packages and extras. Our beautiful wedding suites are so varied and can be adapted to suit couples personal tastes and preferences, we have modern spaces, and spaces with grandeur and elegance in a range of shapes and sizes. Our packages and menus can also be tailored to match your exact visions and we also have a wide range of add-ons to make your day that little bit more special.

What wedding options are available?

Whatever you are planning for your big day – whether it’s a small, intimate affair or a large celebration – we have a fantastic selection of elegant suites available to hold up to 250 guests. The Spa Hotel is licensed to hold civil ceremonies both inside the hotel and outside in The Spa Temple, overlooking the stunning lakes. We offer a range of flexible wedding packages which you can tailor to suit your budget and individual requirements.

How do you make sure your couples get the perfect wedding day?

Our wonderful Wedding Coordinators will work closely with you from enquiry and at every stage on the way to the big day itself. Our team will truly go above and beyond to ensure our couples have the most enjoyable day possible with every aspect they envision included.

What tips would you offer couples to ensure a stress-free wedding?

Everyone says your wedding day goes so quickly, so savouring and enjoying every single moment is so important. Our operational team are highly experienced in running seamless and stress-free weddings, working closely with your coordinator they will put any and every measure in place to ensure that your day runs without a hitch.

Wedding photography at The Spa Hotel

The gardens and grounds at The Spa are gorgeous and perfect for natural light photos especially for summer weddings. There’s the landscaped garden areas which are very pretty, the lake and the bridge which is popular with many couples as well as an area of natural meadow, so there’s lots to choose from.

One of my favourite places for photos are the beautiful trees and shrubs along the path leading to the lake. There’s rhododendrons that create interesting shapes and colour in the spring time and beautiful fir trees with their warm coloured bark. It goes without saying that I love the Spa Temple and the fact that it is in the perfect spot for a gorgeous sunset. Even if we aren’t lucky enough to get a sunset, I can always do something creative with lighting to make the most of the setting!  See some of these locations used for photos below.

If you are getting married at The Spa Hotel or hosting your wedding reception there then I’d love to hear from you. Please do get in touch using the contact button below and I’ll send you some more information.

Each photographer will have their own style of shooting, editing and way of telling your wedding story on the day so do your homework. Look at lots of photographer websites, their about pages, blogs, galleries and testimonials. See what images draw you in and try to understand what it is that you like about them. Good photography should speak to you and make you feel something.

Here’s my top tips for choosing your photographer.