As a London wedding photographer, I like to think I’ve seen my fair share of weird and wonderful venues all around the capital, so I’m always pleasantly surprised when I’m asked to photograph a wedding at a truly unique venue that I’ve never visited before. When Billie and Alex asked me to be their Port Lympne wedding photographer, I was both excited and a little apprehensive. Located right next to the Aspinall Wild Animal Experience, I honestly had no idea what to expect.
When I arrived at Port Lympne Mansion, all that apprehension disappeared completely. The venue was stunning. Unlike many wedding venues in London which play to tradition and sophistication, Port Lympne is completely the opposite. While not being over-the-top, it’s certainly not simple or basic in design, either. It has a very bold design that appeals to those with a love of vibrancy and nature. I had no worries at all about photographing at Port Lympne. Well, just one – it was too sunny! But if that’s my only complaint, I’m a happy photographer!
Billie and Alex were married under the watchful eyes of rhinos, snakes, and tigers in the form of wall murals. These murals were present throughout the mansion, allowing for rather unique photographs of the wedding party – certainly like nothing I’d ever done before. The venue booked for this wedding was the Long Meeting Room, which holds 100 guests for the ceremony. However, there are other wedding venues available – the Spencer Roberts Room, for smaller parties, and the Southern Terrace for larger parties.
Being such a glorious day, I was able to get the wedding party outdoors to take photographs in the 15 acres of Port Lympne Gardens surrounding the mansion. There is a certain Italian charm to the gardens, which boast geraniums, poinsettias, and hydrangeas throughout the year. There is also a classic Trojan stairway that I felt was perfect for photographing the bride in her gown. The views from here are spectacular, reaching all the way to the English Channel.
For brides and grooms looking for a wedding venue in London, or nearby, that has a very distinct feel, a natural focus, and the wow factor, then Port Lympne is ideal. I really hope to have the chance to photograph at this unique venue in the future, perhaps getting to explore some of the other events rooms in this grand mansion.
