It was my privilege to shoot the wedding at The Orangery in Kent of childhood sweethearts Hannah and Dan in August 2023. The pair met in a maths class at secondary school – Hannah sat next to Dan, he called her “stupid” and, in Hannah’s words, “it was love at first sight!” Held on a beautifully sunny August day, Hannah and Dan said their ‘I do’s in the picture-perfect surroundings of The Orangery in Kent. It was a gorgeous, relaxed day, full of love, in the most quintessential of English country garden settings.

An unforgettable proposal

Dan had originally planned to propose on top of the volcano in Tenerife – the country where they shared their first holiday together – however, with it being 2021 and Spain on the no-fly list due to Covid, he had to come up with a new plan. Instead, he surprised Hannah with a trip to London and a stay at the iconic Shard. Hannah shares: “I was so excited! The concierge gave me a rose and we flew up the lift to the 47th floor. There, whilst overlooking Tower Bridge, Dan started fumbling in his pocket –­ I could feel his heartbeat through the air! Finally, he got down on one knee and proposed. It was absolutely magical.”

The Orangery wedding venue in Kent

If you’re looking for a Kent wedding venue with the wow factor, The Orangery definitely delivers. It’s the most surprising of venues, offering a stunning, tranquil oasis in the heart of Maidstone. When the couple were first putting together a list of possible venues to look around, they initially focussed the search in the New Forest. However they spotted The Orangery online and thought it looked interesting. Hannah explained: “We showed up and saw this industrial estate, thinking ‘where are we?’. The second we walked through the brick archway and saw the incredible gardens, the glistening lake and the toadstool lined aisles, we knew – this is our venue. Our hearts were set.”

The Orangery was also special for another reason. Hannah’s Dad very sadly passed away the December before she married, but he was able to see the venue and was mesmerised by it. Knowing he had seen and loved the venue meant a great deal to the couple.

Hannah & Dan’s big day style

Hannah’s gorgeous Jenny Yoo NYC bridal dress was the perfect choice for such a chic, English country garden wedding. Featuring spaghetti straps, delicate floral appliqué and a fluid, floaty skirt, Hannah looked absolutely stunning in her elegant gown. Paired with a relaxed half up-do, veil and simple jewellery, she channeled a timeless, romantic vibe. I also love that she chose to switch up her wedding heels for some bespoke wedding trainers to dance the night away at the reception – such a fab touch!

Dan opted for a stylish light suit and pale blue tie, fitting with the summery theme, while the bridesmaids looked elegant in floor-length pale cornflower blue satin dresses.

The romantic outdoor wedding ceremony

Hannah and Dan made the most of the breath-taking setting of The Orangery with a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony. They chose to exchange vows under the Lapa – a quirky thatched gazebo with idyllic views out across The Orangery’s lake. It’s honestly one of the most romantic settings for a wedding ceremony you’ll ever see.

It was incredibly emotional as Hannah was walked down the aisle by her mum, in front of the couple’s friends and family. The sun shone brightly for the ceremony and it was a joy to capture for the happy couple.

The unique wedding details

I loved all the personal touches Hannah and Dan brought to their day, from the heart embellishment on Hannah’s bouquet made from a shirt belonging to her dad, to the impressive ‘help yourself’ sweet table for their guests. The couple wanted a day full of joy and happiness, and for their guests to feel welcome, without any stuffiness – and they absolutely nailed it.

The wedding day theme was quite classic in terms of the choice of flowers and table settings, letting the beauty of the venue really shine through. However, their awesome seating plan was something I’d never seen before and was a massive talking point. It was modelled on a Monopoly board and each table was named after a holiday location the couple had visited, instead of the usual London streets. The tables featured pictures of the couple over the years – it was such a fab, unique idea which everyone loved.

Hannah & Dan’s wedding photographs at The Orangery in Kent

As a wedding photographer, I was spoilt for choice when it came to the couple’s photoshoot. The Orangery serves up some unbelievable backdrops. We definitely made the most of the 9 acres of landscaped gardens, including waterfalls, lakes, woodlands and flowers.

The style file for Hannah & Dan’s wedding at The Orangery in Kent

Venue: The Orangery Maidstone

Dress: Jenny Yoo NYC

Makeup Artist: Helen Lee

Hair Stylist: Hannah Tapp

Cake: Danielle Lloyd 

Videographer: The Ultimate Creation