Back in July 2022 I was invited to Chapel House Estate to take a look around their brand new wedding venue. Situated near Ramsgate, this huge 35 acre wedding location has so much to offer from a bridal prep area to accommodation for your nearest and dearest. With all that in mind, I thought I would help break it down for you!
THE CEREMONY
As with a lot of Kent wedding venues, Chapel House has a stunning outside ceremony space in the way of the Apple Orchard. A beautiful wooden structure for the ceremony is surrounded by wild flowers that bloom a vast variety of colours depending on the time of year. The perfectly trimmed lawn is where all your guests will be seated.
But should the weather put a dampener on your day, fear not. The malt Granary has got you covered, literally!
Inside this perfectly sized granary, which is double height with a mezzanine level for your guests to watch your nuptials with an entrance at the back of the barn for the bride to walk down the aisle. The exquisite ceiling art brings a touch of gilded glamour to your ceremony, but not overwhelming if you wanted to add a different style to your day. The wooden chairs that make up the 'pews' are so well crafted that it would be a crime to hide them with chair covers (in my personal opinion). And with it being 20 steps away from the reception venue, the weather at Chapel House Estate will not be of any concern for prospective couples or their guests.
THE RECEPTION
The Thorne Barn is a high ceiling, bright and open space. With huge hand-crafted oak trestle tables that can be arranged into many different settings; the barn gives you so many options to organise the seating plan for your guests. It has the capacity to seat 120 day-time guests and an extra 30 for the evening, for when the tables are moved to the sides and a huge dancefloor can be set up. It has large sliding doors on three sides of the barn which open out onto an outside seating area which is surrounded by the beautiful grounds as well as a view of the Chapel House. There are in house caterers as well as the option to hire external vendors. Whatever style of wedding you are going for, the blank canvas of white walls and beautiful views mean that you can make the Thorne Barn into whatever your heart desires.
THE ACCOMMODATION
This is where things really step up a notch! The Chapel House itself, has been converted into a stunning home-from-home but with the extra luxurious touches that you come to expect from this venue. On the split level ground floor you will find a wonderfully open, vaulted reception room, that opens out onto the gardens. Take a step up and you will find a dark and moody drawing room, perfect for an evening by the fireplace. Carrying on through to the kitchen. With its bright orange cupboards and large breakfast bar, there is enough space to gather your friends and family for a few drinks in the fun and quirky setting.
Moving up to the bedrooms, there are three double rooms on the first floor, all with ensuite bathrooms. The linen and towels are the absolute softest and once again, you can feel the amount of effort the owners have put in to give the gusts the most opulent of experiences during their stay.
The honeymoon suite is unlike any other that I have seen. A beautifully decorated room with a large copper tub at the end of the bed makes for the perfect stay on the night of the wedding. If you don't fancy a bath, you can take a step into the large walk-in shower with stunning copper fish-scale tiles. Once you're all clean, grab one the fluffy robes and step out onto the roof terrace where you can have your morning coffee overlooking the fabulous landscaped gardens. If you are looking for luxury, Chapel House should be top of your list.
But wait! The Chapel House only accommodates six guests and the happy couple. What about everyone else I hear you ask. Well, don't worry, they have thought of that too. There are nine individual hideaway lodges for extra guests to stay. These spacious bedrooms are situated less that a two minute walk from the main site and provide a comfortable and welcoming stay. Each has their own ensuite and once again the bed linens are of extremely high quality. All in all, Chapel House is the perfect venue for guest experience and really making every person who stays with them a little more fabulous!
For all those guests that unfortunately can not be housed on site, there is a local budget hotel chain that is a short drive away. The Chapel House also offers a taxi service to this hotel, so none of your guests have to concern themselves with booking travel arrangements.
THE BARS
As well as all the wedding spaces, there are also three on-site bars for you to take your pick from. All of them beautifully designed and every detail thought about. These bars are perfect if you are planning for your guests to stay at the venue with you. They can be used for a night before the wedding meal and drinks; Wedding Day Breakfast and; the post-wedding brunch.
The art-deco cocktail bar on the mezzanine level of Thorne Barn is so stylish with it's deep green walls and long-line chandelier across the bar.
The walled courtyard features the other two bars. The Restaurant at No.9 is perfect for meals as the beautiful, modern oak tables can be arranged in any configuration and are accompanied by a mix of the most comfortable leather and fabric dining chairs. The Wine Wall is definitely the standout feature of this room, with all bottles ready to be corked!
The Lodge is the more relaxed and sociable space but don’t think that means that it's under-par. In fact, this was my favourite of all the bar areas as once again the wallpaper and light fixtures just make you feel as though you are immersed in luxury. The doors open up onto the courtyard, full of greenery and more seating.
THE INCREDIBLE EXTRAS!
The Beauty Lodge - This is a really spacious area for the bride and her bridal party to get glam in, and the stunning William Morris wallpaper is the perfect backdrop for all those prep photos. The huge, indulgent sofa and wine fridge will allow those who are not getting ready a comfortable place to watch the magical process of their friend becoming a bride. The amenities are thought about so thoroughly here; with a walk in shower, loo as well as two salon sinks to wash your hair, if required. There is so much floorspace which is perfect for the makeup artist and hairstylist, as no one will be tripping over their kit bags.
The Driveway and Parking - Now this is a big one for me. The drive upto the venue sets the tone for your guests, and this drive will not fail to impress. As you come off the motorway, there is a short drive down the country lane to the Chapel House Estate with views across the fields. As you reach the car park, it is surrounded by tall trees, with ample parking bays. There are even electric car charging points. If this car park does get full, there is also an overflow carpark
The Helipad - Yes, you read that correctly, there is even a helipad at Chapel House Estate. So forget arriving to your wedding in Porsche or Horse-drawn carriage. When a helicopter is an option, you just got to do it!
Darren Ellis is the owner and proprietor of Chapel House Estate and has such a wonderful passion for his business. He is genuinely wanting all prospective couples to have the wedding of their dreams and has done everything he can to ensure that Chapel House Estate really is where dreams come true.
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