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A Kentish Ceremony is proudly published by Sideways Media Ltd., 3 Eden Business Centre, South Stour Avenue, Ashford, TN23 7RS. www. sidewaysmedia. co. uk. For general enquiries please contact hello @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk or 01233 226519.
Publishing Director Adam Ready adam @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk, 07824 882086
Editorial Director Samantha Ready sam @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk
Editor Charlie Bond charlie @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk
Acting Editor Polly Humphris
Finance & Operations Manager Karlene Gannon
Features Assistant Mia Chapman
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Advertising Sales Admin Assistant Louisa Holmans
Front Cover: The Spa Hotel © Helen England
Kent County Council Marketing Team
Service Development Manager, Marketing And Engagement Charlotte Moore charlotte. moore @ kent. gov. uk, 03000 415151
Registration Quality And Standards Officer Sarah Manston sarah. manston @ kent. gov. uk, 03000 414003
Recognition & Thanks A Kentish Ceremony would like to thank all of the photographers who have generously provided imagery for this issue of the magazine, as well as all of the wonderful couples who have kindly provided photographs or granted permission for us to share the images from their own Kentish ceremonies.
For further information about Kentish ceremonies or details of new Approved Premises please contact: Kent Libraries, Registration & Archives, Kent County Council, Oakwood House, Oakwood Rd, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8AE T: 03000 414003 | E: kentish. ceremony @ kent. gov. uk | www. akentishceremony. com
Kent County Council, Kent Registration Service and Sideways Media: Shall not be responsible for the accuracy of the information in this supplement Does not endorse any venue or proprietor of any venue, nor any supplier mentioned. Shall not be liable for any damage caused to or losses suffered by any person who relies on the information contained in this publication. Venues may not offer the full range of ceremonies provided by Kent County Council and as such availability should be confirmed with your intended venue.
Copyright 2025. Sideways Media is an award-winning, family-owned, independent publishing company based in Kent. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher nor Kent County Council. Neither the publisher nor any other person associated with the production and publication of this magazine make any guarantees, warranties or claims as to the accuracy, currency or truthfulness of any of the contents of this magazine. No part of this magazine may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher’ s written consent. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited editorial, images or photographs published. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. The Publisher is not responsible for any variation in image quality due to the printing process.
Welcome
And just like that, another season is upon us; welcome to the summer edition of A Kentish Ceremony, your very own little black book of all things bright and beautiful high-season weddings.
As is often the way with the UK’ s penchant for keeping us guessing as to what the weather holds, so far this year the climate has been inclement at worst and pleasant at best, but hopefully that’ s all about to change and the sun will soon start to shine. A more outdoorsy period defined by longer days, dreamy sunsets and warmer weather, summer simply brings out the best in people, so it makes sense that it’ s a popular few months for many couples to tie the knot in.
If you’ re planning your summer nuptials, or if you’ re undecided as to when your big day may be, this issue is packed with inspiration to give you a helping hand.
Have the creative urge to inject some vibrancy into your wedding theme? You’ re not alone. Pinterest’ s annual wedding trends report has spoken and searches for eclectic, colourful weddings have risen by over 300 %! Take a look at our All Things Bright and Beautiful feature from page 70 for some excellent suggestions on how to incorporate bold hues and statement shades into your special day.
Elegantly riding on the coattails of this trend, more couples are choosing to throw caution to the wind( or, fingers crossed, gentle breeze) when it comes to saying“ I do” to garden and gazebo weddings, which are both ripe for decorative pops of glorious colour; check out Kent’ s incredible array of breathtaking venues, where you can get wed in the natural beauty of the great outdoors, from page 60.
Besides food and drink ideas to suit this lovely lean into weddings being celebrated in the fresh air, this issue is also packed with experts offering their advice on how to make your big day extra special. On page 91, Deborah Hall, winner of the Beauty & Makeup Artist of the Year award at this year’ s Kent Wedding Awards, shares her top tips for summer bridal beauty, and on page 112, we take a sustainable look at how you can perfect eco-conscious floral finishes with advice from Samantha Reynolds from Emily & Me, the Kent Wedding Awards’ 2025 Wedding Florist of the Year.
Whether you’ re heading to a wedding this summer or are planning your own, I’ ll keep everything crossed that the sun shines for you. See you in the autumn!
Polly Humphris
Acting Editor( Maternity Cover)
SUMMER 2025 | AKENTISHCEREMONY. COM | 5
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