Chiddingstone Castle was delighted to win the award for the Best Kent Wedding Venue (Heritage) at a glittering Oscar-style ceremony at the Kent Wedding Awards at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel, Maidstone last week attended by 400 guests.
Ali Ditzel, Castle Director, and Natalie Wilkins, Weddings Coordinator, collected the trophy from the evening’s host, the comedian Hal Cruttenden and Chris Milton of Brilliant Marketing.
The Castle was chosen as the winner of this prestigious award by a wide panel of judges that included Chambers of Commerce, other wedding venues and suppliers and a selection of future bridal couples. The Kent Wedding Awards are sponsored by Kent County Council and A Kentish Council.
With the Castle offering every bridal couple exclusive use of the historic building and 35 acres of grounds for their special day, every wedding is unique; attention to detail is very evident, flexibility is key and the whole team is there to make everyone feel calm, relaxed and at home. Natalie Wilkins, Weddings Coordinator, works with the bride’s choice of florist, photographer and stylist, and her team of experienced, knowledgeable, friendly staff work professionally behind the scenes to make every occasion run seamlessly.
Chiddingstone Castle has been licensed to conduct wedding ceremonies for many years, but interest as an exclusive fairytale wedding venue has been enhanced with the relaunch of The Victorian Orangery in the grounds. With its award-winning glazed roof, the Orangery is a stunning Grade II* listed building that commands spectacular views of the farmland that surrounds the Castle.
The Castle has three separate areas licensed for the ceremony. During summer months most couples opt for a ceremony in the grounds, followed by drinks on the formal raised lawn above the haha, before coming inside to the Great Hall and the White Rose Drawing Room for the wedding breakfast and evening reception.
Every wedding is tailor made to suit the vision of the couple for their perfect day. The wedding breakfast can be held either in the Great Hall, the White Rose Drawing Room or in a marquee which can be sited either on the north or south lawns or attached to the Castle. The Castle’s externally-based sole caterers, Kalm Kitchen, attend to every detail of the catering. Their food is delicious and creative, and they work closely together with the couple to design each individual menu.
Chiddingstone Castle is one of Kent’s finest Historic Houses. There has been a house on the site since the 15th Century and over the centuries the building has undergone many architectural changes. In the late 18th Century it was altered from High Street House by the architect William Atkinson to become Chiddingstone Castle, with its towers and crenellations. The Castle is situated on the edge of the idyllic 14th Century village of Chiddingstone with the ancient parish church of St Mary’s often used by couples for a traditional marriage service – followed by a short romantic stroll across the lake to the Castle for the reception.
Ali Ditzel, Castle Director, commented after receiving the trophy,
“The whole team at Chiddingstone Castle is delighted at having won this marvellous award – quite literally, the icing on the Castle’s 2012 wedding cake! We are all very proud of this wonderful place and welcome anyone to come and see it for themselves and marvel at what Chiddingstone Castle can offer.”