Cooling Castle Barn is one of those wedding venues in Kent that simply oozes character. Situated on the Hoo peninsula and a stones throw from the Thames estuary, it's one of the most popular places to get married in the county. The modern bridal suite is the perfect place for the bridal party to get ready in the morning, with Carla and the girls having a real giggle before she wed her husband to be, Simon. The large reception room is a real treat to behold, with fairy lights and wooden beams raising the ceiling nice and high. And if that wasn't enough, the outdoor space is the perfect place to chill, or have a game of beer pong! Cooling Castle Barn is simply a great place to have your wedding, and you're left wanting for nothing after having your special day here.
It's a fair drive up to Cooling for me, but it was another sunny August day and I was again assisting Mykey Day Photography for this lovely wedding at Cooling Castle Barn. This was actually my first time at this venue, but I had heard some amazing things about it so I was quite excited to see what all the fuss was about! It's a nice self-contained venue, everything is within easy reach, but the surrounding countryside affords some great photo opportunities, and there's the castle gateway and towers too - one of the focal points of Cooling Castle Barn.
We headed up to the newly renovated bridal suite to say hello to Carla and her bridesmaids who all had matching 'bride tribe' robes for the morning - a really classy touch! They were all really giggly and smiley as they got ready and were sharing lots of jokes on the sofa while we were there. Guests were starting to arrive and heading into the ceremony room so we got everything set up for the ceremony itself.
Carla and her bridesmaids entered down a lovely wooden staircase at the back of the ceremony room whilst bathed in some gorgeous window light - I had to get Carla to pause for a moment as she came down to get some lovely photos. After the ceremony everyone headed outside for some confetti fun and the group photos, as well as a drink or two and even some limbo for the kids!
The main reception room really is the star attraction of Cooling Castle Barn, however. There is just so much atmosphere, all helped by high beamed ceilings and warm tones throughout. The strings of fairy lights across the ceiling add a really elegant touch as well. It was great to get a few table portraits before the speeches kicked off, with their abundance of jokes for everyone to enjoy. The best men had a bit of a surprise for Simon too, handing out photos of him as a teenager for everyone to admire!
Making the most of the summer evenings, everyone headed out to enjoy the warm air over a game of beer pong (well, not everyone) but when it was time for the first dance they all piled back inside and made the perfect backdrop for this lovely couple on the dance floor. But this was no ordinary party, and it wasn't long before a barn dance style lined tunnel was formed to pass through as the evening activities really kicked off. If you've booked your wedding at Cooling Castle Barn and just adore that perfect mix of natural candid style and traditional photos too, check out my collections and pricing and get in touch to discuss your wedding plans!