A New Year’s Eve Wedding to remember at BrandsHatch Place, Kent.
Natalie & Matt reminisce:
How long were you looking for your wedding venue and what made you choose them?
When starting our search in early 2024, we didn’t necessarily have a strict timeline we needed to stick to, but we wanted something sooner rather than later. Having never visited BrandsHatch Place Hotel before, they were the first venue we chose to visit. We didn’t book an appointment because we just wanted to have a look around, however the reception staff were so pleasant, we ended up meeting one of the wedding coordinators and had an initial chat about wedding services and packages they offered followed by a brief tour of the hotel and Spa itself. Afterwards, we visited another 3 or 4 venues throughout Kent, but something about Brands Hatch Place drew us back there a week later.
With the hotel being big enough for us but small enough not to be overwhelming, coupled with the excellent personal service offered by all the hotel staff and wedding coordinators, going back to view a second time had us both in agreement that this was going to be our venue. With a few dates in mind and a discussion about indoor vs outdoor ceremony opportunities, the wedding coordinator dropped into the conversation that New Years Eve this year (2024) was available. Cue lots of ooh’s and ahhh’s and countless questions, followed by more Brands Hatch Place coffee and biscuits (on the house). But in short, after agreeing the details, we signed the contract two weeks later in April 2024.
How did your venue assist in the planning for your big day and how was the overall planning experience?
We could not have been wished for any better wedding coordinators than we were allocated. Wendy and Neil (also name-dropping Katie who left on maternity leave halfway through our process) were very calm and couldn’t do enough for us. Although you are faced with a long list of tasks and decisions, they explain everything and guide you through what, where and when things need to be done. They provided ideas, advice and experience on what works well in their hotel and what doesn’t necessarily work well.
If we needed a phone call or a face-to-face chat, they were always available. As we decided to have our wedding on 31st December 2024, whenever we visited the hotel, we were affectionately known as “New Years Eve” by all the hotel staff. Being introduced to the teams who would be working that day was a small touch but one that was in keeping with the overall atmosphere at the hotel. We always felt that everyone working that day would be on “our team”.
On the big day, how did your wedding coordinator ensure all ran smoothly?
The morning of the wedding should usually be stressful and scary, but as our coordinators had everything covered, we only had to worry about ourselves. Staying at BrandsHatch Place the night before the wedding day meant we had a morning to enjoy a lovely breakfast and a quick swim in the pool! As the coordinators covered most of the planning in the lead up to the day, the wedding day itself for us as bride and groom went without any hitches.
Wendy and Neil were around all day, so in the morning they sorted the arrangements to meet the DJ, photographer, cake and flower ladies and media guys, whilst we were getting ready, happy in the knowledge that everything was being taken care of.
If we needed them throughout the day, they were there. If we had a question, they were there.
We never once worried about any aspect of the wedding on the actual day, and that was down to the excellent planning and trust we had in the coordinators. Having exclusive use of the hotel meant a truly awesome experience was had by us and all our guests, many of whom praised multiple members of staff for their personal service and attention to detail.
Who was your wedding photographer and why did you choose them?
We met Claire Sullivan from Unique Image Photography at a BrandsHatch Place Hotel wedding evening, where she is one of their recommended suppliers. Claire is very laid back and this was an approach that suited us. After an initial introduction and small talk, it was clear Claire was the photographer for us.
Claire has a very personalised service and whatever you want, she will accommodate. Before the big day, we arranged a catch up to confirm which photos we definitely wanted to capture and to fine tune how we wanted her to work. There was absolutely no doubt from us that Claire would do a great job and that was certainly proven in the end results.
For more information about holding your wedding at Brandshatch Place, please call 01474 875 000 or visit www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/brandshatchplace
Brandshatch Road, Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NQ
