This is the next of my ‘In my squad’ blog posts. I love finding out more about the people I work with in the Wedding Industry ( I might be just a bit nosey!) so let me introduce you to Leigh Anne and Elaine. These lovely ladies are the wedding coordinators at The Bull Hotel in Wrotham, a gorgeous Kent wedding venue and a little gem. I know because it’s where I married my husband in 2016 – awwww! Situated in the historic village of Wrotham, near Sevenoaks and Maidstone, this 600-year old coaching inn boasts gorgeous rustic charm and bucket loads of character. The 14th Century Buttery function room is so lovely and with 11 rooms in the Hotel you really can do it all in this one amazing little place.

ABOVE – styling by Locate to Create

When we were searching for the perfect wedding venue, we knew the second we walked in that it was the venue for us and the coordinators absolutely clinched the deal. They were so accommodating and flexible that you really felt like you could put your own stamp on the day, which is what you want from your wedding, for it to be about you and your relationship. Oh and the food! Their Smokehouse BBQ menu is just yummy!

I have worked with the Bull ever since. From their open days, to couple shoots, weddings and supplier shoots, I LOVE going there. The Hotel even appeared on a recent series of Four in a Bed which they won! As a Kent Wedding photographer, I find it makes such a difference to the smooth running of the day being able to work with experienced, professional suppliers and these two are definitely on my list of favourites. So, I asked Leigh Anne and Elaine a few wedding related questions (and some not so related ones!) Here is what they had to say:

How did you become wedding planners at The Bull?

Leigh Anne – I started working here, waiting on tables and behind the bar, nearly 10 years ago! Since then we have gradually become more and more recognised as a wedding venue and now with 25 weddings booked for this year the role of wedding coordinator has become busier and busier and busier!! 

Elaine – I worked at another venue as a conference & events co-ordinator but much preferred the wedding side of things, searched for the right position and came here over 18 months ago now.

What is your favourite part of a wedding day?

Leigh Anne – Sounds a bit cliché, but I really like the moment the Bride enters the ceremony room. I am normally behind the scenes doing the music and I love the way the morning is a build of excitement and slightly nervous energy and then this seems to all disappear temporarily. It can be emotional! 

Elaine –  I love the moment we step back and everything is ready, the ceremony room looks amazing, the guests are in the bar waiting to be ushered over and we go up to collect the bride from her room.

What do you think is the unique selling point of The Bull as a Wedding venue?

Leigh Anne – We actually have 5 if that is allowed? 1. Our food is delicious and just as good on a wedding day as if you were eating in our restaurant. 2. We have a beautiful space, our Buttery function room that is steeped in history and gorgeous original features. 3. We do not churn out back-to-back weddings here so there is plenty of flexibility for our couples to put their personal stamp on the day. OK we can leave it at 3. !!

Elaine – I thinks it’s being a smaller venue with a small team who give their absolute all to every wedding.   It’s so important that the couple feel as if their wedding is the most important day of the year.

ABOVE – Styling by Locate to Create

ABOVE – Chair covers by Esta’s Chair covers and Flowers from Flowers of Borough Green

ABOVE – Chair covers by Esta’s Chair covers

What do you think is the best season for getting married and why?

Leigh Anne – I love cozy wintery weddings here with a bit of snow thrown in for fun.

Elaine – Spring is lovely I think, can be sunny but not too hot.

Is there a wedding style you are dying to have at The Bull but no one has asked for yet?

Leigh Anne – Game of Thrones! We have done something similar here actually and the big banquet really suits the look of the Buttery. 

Elaine – I would love a Caribbean theme please!

What would be your top tip to a couple about to get married?

Leigh Anne – Enjoy the day – as in enjoy the moment. You will remember the day so much better if you forget about the little details. Leave those bits to us!

Elaine – Yes, leave all the stressing to us!

Have you ever had any unusual requests?

Leigh Anne – I have been a witness once, which was lovely to be a part of the congregation. Erm, dogs as ring bearers, 

Elaine – We are about to have a peaky blinders theme and everyone will be in costume so can’t wait.

What do you do in your spare time?

Leigh Anne – I have two children that keep me rather busy but if I do have any spare time I like to mainly watch Netflix

Elaine – Spending time with my grandson is my favourite. 

One interesting fact about you that most people won’t know?

Leigh Anne – I have a fear of the smell of spearmint.

Elaine – I’m trained for blue light driving.

Tea of coffee?

Leigh Anne – Tea first thing then coffee coffee, coffee.

Elaine – Tea for me.

Cat or dog?

Leigh Anne – Cat

Elaine – Dog x 3!

Favourite biscuit?

Leigh Anne – It’s really wrong but I do like pink wafers and party rings. 

Elaine– Definitely short bread.

Do you eat cake with a fork or pick up with your fingers?

Leigh Anne – fingers. 

Elaine – depends whose watching lol.

Pretty Woman or Dirty Dancing? 

Leigh Anne- Dirty Dancing

Elaine – Pretty woman

Galaxy or Cadbury?

Leigh Anne – Cadbury, but it doesn’t taste the same as it did 20 years ago. 

Elaine – Only eat dark chocolate these days but used to be Galaxy.

Vacation or staycation?

Leigh Anne – Vacation any day!

Elaine – Vacation!

Dessert or Cheese?

Leigh Anne – Cheese unless its jam roly poly with custard.

Elaine – Dessert as I’m one of the few people that don’t like cheese!

Trainers or heels?

Leigh Anne – I can’t walk very well in heels

Elaine – Heels but a sneaky pair of flip flops hidden in my bag 

Gin or wine?

Leigh Anne – Wine. I do like Gin though. Gin and Wine. Wine in the winter, Gin in the summer.

Elaine – Both! 😉 

Morning or evening?

Leigh Anne – Evening. Although I would like to try and embrace the morning a bit better.

Elaine – I am definitely not a morning person.

End with telling us about something that you are looking forward to?

Leigh Anne – Living in perfect harmony with world

Elaine – Planning the most perfect wedding day for my beautiful daughter.

Thank you so much ladies for sharing a little about yourselves. The Bull Hotel hold open days with beautiful wedding set ups in the buttery and their favourite suppliers on hand to answer questions. Visit their site to find out details of their next dates.

Suppliers featured:

The Bull Hotel Wrotham

Locate to Create

Esta’s Chair Covers

Flowers of Borough Green

A sneaky peek from my wedding held in the Buttery in 2016. Photography by Simon Greenstreet