As unique Kent Wedding venues go, I think Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and Mansion might take some beating. I mean, it isn’t at every wedding you and your guests can hop on a safari truck and see endangered animals from all over the world.

This is exactly where Tracey and Adrian held their wedding. I had visited the reserve with my family many times but as you can imagine, I was really looking forward to experiencing it as a wedding venue and as a photographer, probably just as much as Tracey and Adrian.

I was driven to the accommodation in a golf buggy which is the best way to get around the large site and I found Tracey in Wolf Lodge, right next to the wolf enclosure. It had been her accommodation the night before and she said that you could hear the animal calls around the park during the night. How amazing!

The ceremony area doesn’t disappoint either. We were fortunate to have a dry day and they chose the outside courtyard ceremony space. I love the pillars, arches and red brick and the long walk around the pond down the aisle.

Their wedding was a real family occasion and the venue was the perfect setting. Their son Leo and other children at the wedding had amazing outside space to enjoy around the stunning mansion house. But the same space could be equally enjoyed from the terrace by Adrian & Traceys friends. The views across to the coast are breathtaking. I’m not sure I can think of much nicer places to sit and enjoy a happy afternoon to be honest.

I really was spoilt for choice as to where to take them for their portraits. There isn’t a bad view to be found. We returned to find their bold and beautiful flowers adorning the tables of their wedding breakfast set up. The exotic choice of flower and the bright colours were so perfect for the venue.

And it was after a gorgeous meal that we were to be taken on our adventure around the park. Port Lympne is home to about 900 animals, all endangered species. It is not a zoo, it is a conservation park but it provides the most amazing opportunities to see wild animals up close and in a natural outside environment.

The sun was beginning to set as we made our way around the park making it an even more memorable experience for them and their guests. It also gave us the chance for another little portrait session. This time at the top of the magnificent steps next to the Mansion.

I love portrait sessions to be about creating feelings and memories. To be able to capture Adrian and Tracey together as they looked out over their stunning venue did just that. There really aren’t too many Kent wedding venues with such stunning countryside views. Being able to fit in additional photography time really comes down to planning a relaxed wedding day timeline. I can help you with that here.

Their day drew to a close with their first dance held outside – which I loved! Outdoors first dances became a ‘thing’ during restrictions of the pandemic but I really hope that they remain a choice for couples planning their wedding.

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