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Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Venue

10 FACTORS FOR FINDING ‘the one’

When it comes to planning your wedding, choosing the perfect venue is one of the biggest and most exciting decisions you’ll make. The venue is more than just a place—it’s the setting for the day you’ll remember forever. It sets the tone, frames every moment, and becomes a part of the memories you and your guests will cherish. But with so many venues to choose from, where do you start? Here are the ten most essential factors we find our couples consider when choosing their dream wedding venue…

1. A Beautiful Wedding Location

The setting of your wedding plays a huge role in creating the atmosphere of the day. Think about how the location frames your theme and those special moments, from your vows to your first dance, and the general feel of the day. A venue that offers a stunning setting will turn your wedding into a day of picture-perfect memories.

When thinking about your venue, it helps to picture the atmosphere you want. Do you imagine a relaxed, romantic setting, or something more classic and formal? If a serene, scenic space feels right for you, it might be worth considering The Ferry House. We’re lucky to be surrounded by the peaceful, waterside landscape of Harty in Kent, offering the charm of a barn venue with a coastal connection. Our Oak Gazebo makes for a beautiful spot to exchange your vows, with tranquil views of the Swale estuary.

The setting of your venue becomes a part of your whole day, creating a warm welcome for your guests, a relaxed space for drinks on the terrace, or a fun area for lawn games in the Rose Garden. As the day flows on, you can enjoy those panoramic views during your wedding breakfast or gather around a cosy firepit in the evening, toasting marshmallows as the sun sets. Take the time to find a venue that matches your vision and creates the atmosphere you’re dreaming of—a place that simply feels like ‘you.’

Outdoor Weddings

2. Beautiful Wedding Event Spaces

When choosing a wedding venue, it’s important to think about more than just a beautiful ceremony spot—it’s about finding spaces that work together to create a seamless experience. From the ceremony to the reception and everything in between, the right venue will have a natural flow, with versatile spaces that suit every part of your day.

At Ferry House, we've designed our spaces with both rustic elegance and flexibility in mind. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or an all-out celebration, there’s a spot for every moment of your special day. The Hop Barn, with its rustic beams and panoramic views over the terrace and Rose Garden, is perfect for both ceremonies and receptions, effortlessly transitioning from a romantic daytime setting to a lively evening party. The Oak Gazebo provides a wonderful outdoor ceremony alternative overlooking the water. Meanwhile the modern Event Suite offers a brighter, more contemporary space for your wedding breakfast, with its stunning starlit ceiling and views over the water. And from April 2026, we’ll be welcoming the new Spring Barn—a stunning addition with an oak Hammerbeam frame and large windows that overlook the estuary, offering a fresh take on the classic barn setting.

Indoors or out, each space is thoughtfully designed, blending rustic charm with relaxed touches like festoon lighting, vintage furniture and cosy lounge areas. Whether you’re getting aisle ready in one of the two ‘prep’ rooms, having live music in the gazebo, setting up hay bales for a relaxed summer vibe, or dancing the night away on the terrace, the spaces at The Ferry House flow together beautifully to create a wedding that feels both effortless and magical.

Our Venue

3. Capacities & Packages for Every Wedding Style

When it comes to wedding planning, flexibility can make all the difference. Every couple has their own vision for their day, so it’s important to choose a venue that can cater to a variety of styles, sizes, and budgets. Look for venues that offer all-inclusive packages, as well as more bespoke or intimate options, so you can find something that suits your wishes for your day.

At The Ferry House our range of packages caters to a wealth of wishes and budgets, from intimate ceremonies for 2-30 guests, or romantic and relaxed twilight weddings, to all-day and two day extended celebrations. No matter the size or style of your wedding, The Ferry House ensures every couple gets the personal, tailored experience they deserve. Packages are scalable, with customisable extras to help you curate a unique day to your vision, from evening firepits and vintage drinks carts, to a vintage tractor arrival and our rustic photobooth.

Wedding Packages

4. Wedding Accommodation

There’s something special about turning your wedding day into an extended celebration, where guests can relax and spend more time together. Venues with onsite accommodation not only make it easier for guests to attend, but they also allow you to prolong the celebrations into the night—or even into another day with a leisurely breakfast or a pre or post-wedding gathering.

The Ferry House offers a wealth of accommodation options to keep your guests close and comfortable, transforming your wedding into a true getaway. With 11 luxurious ensuite rooms available, 22+ of your guests can stay onsite, allowing them to relax and enjoy the festivities without worrying about transport. As newlyweds, you can indulge in a complimentary stay in the Honeymoon Suite of your choice, while larger groups can make use of the five Mocketts Farm Cottages just a short walk up the road, sleeping an additional 53 guests. These charming cottages offer large open-plan living areas, a shared games room, and BBQ fire pits, making them ideal for a pre-wedding gathering or a relaxed post-wedding ‘minimoon’. Whether it’s a night-before get-together or a lazy morning-after breakfast, The Ferry House accommodation options help extend the joy of your celebration.

Wedding Accommodation

5. Personal Wedding Planning

Planning your wedding should be an enjoyable experience, not a stressful one- and having the right support makes all the difference. Look for venues that offer personal, one-on-one wedding planning, so you can be confident that every detail of your day is tailored to your specific vision.

At The Ferry House, you won’t be one of many. Our wedding coordinators are dedicated to working closely with you to bring your vision to life and have over 35 years of collective experience at The Ferry House. We offer up to three personal planning meetings to help refine your wedding plans, whether it's choosing the perfect menu or ensuring your on-the-day decor looks exactly as you imagined.

To make the planning process as smooth as possible, our wedding planning website gives you 24/7 access to everything you need, from trusted suppliers to timeline tips. And from early 2025, our new planning portal will take this to the next level. With a handy mobile app, it’s your central hub for managing RSVPs, documents, and more—all in one place. Better still, on the day of your wedding, your dedicated wedding coordinator becomes your Venue Host, overseeing every detail to ensure everything runs seamlessly. They’ll know your plans inside and out, allowing you to relax and enjoy every moment of your celebration, knowing that everything is in good hands.

Meet The Team

6. Wedding Photo Opportunities

Your wedding photos will be a lasting reminder of your big day, so it’s worth choosing a venue that offers a variety of beautiful backdrops, both indoors and out. Whether it’s a tranquil garden or a charmingly rustic barn, a venue with multiple photo spots ensures every moment is captured perfectly, whatever the season or weather.

The Ferry House is a photographer’s dream, with endless opportunities for beautiful, unique wedding photos. Down by the water among wild meadows and swaying grasses, the Swale estuary provides a stunning backdrop as the sun sets, casting a soft glow over the entire landscape. Meanwhile the Rose Gardens, with their romantic rose arch and colourful blooms, make for a timeless setting with the water beyond. Adorned with twinkling festoon lighting, there's a warm and intimate atmosphere for those perfect golden-hour shots under the Oak Gazebo. And for those cosy, intimate moments, the Secret Orchard - complete with vintage furniture - is a hidden gem for capturing quiet, romantic portraits.

Inside, the rustic beams and fairy lights of the Hop Barn add a warm, magical touch to your photos. During December our enormous Christmas tree is a stunning feature. And from April 2026, our new Spring Barn will steal the show with its stunning oak frame, estuary-facing windows and festoon-lit courtyard, offering yet another gorgeous spot for candid moments with your guests or a quiet, intimate photo with your partner. No matter the season, The Ferry House offers an abundance of stunning settings that will make your wedding photos truly unforgettable.

Wedding Gallery & Videos

7. Wedding Menus

Food is at the heart of any celebration, especially a wedding! When choosing a venue, consider those that offer high-quality dining with menus that reflect your tastes. Whether you’re dreaming of a classic three-course wedding breakfast or something a bit more relaxed, it’s a good idea to find out early on what your preferred venue can provide—and don’t forget to ask if a 'taster' is available to help you decide.

At The Ferry House our wedding menus are crafted by our 2AA Rosette awarded chefs, and use fresh and delicious ingredients from our 1.5 acre kitchen garden, family farm, local estate and handpicked Kent suppliers.

There are a wealth of options to choose from. With all our full day packages, kick off celebrations with canapes made from Harty produce. For the main event, choose from a three-course meal, or a more relaxed option of a Kentish hog roast, with a great selection of table wines, including options from our local vineyards, and you can upgrade if you want to add a special touch. When it's time for evening food, you've got options like a 'build-your-own station', bowl food, grazing table, or a BBQ buffet. Serve up a little something extra with our dessert minis, cookie tables, or even late-night bacon rolls.

To make choosing your menu easier, we host taster evenings where you can sample dishes and wines before making your final choices. Feel free to bring along family and friends to share in the experience and help with those tough decisions. With our in-house catering, everything is tailored to you, so you can relax and enjoy the day.

Wedding Food & Drink

8. Sustainable Wedding Practices

With more couples looking to reduce the environmental impact of their lives—and their weddings—it’s worth considering a venue that prioritises sustainability. From thoughtful food sourcing to waste reduction, a venue that cares about the environment can help you celebrate your big day in a more sustainable way.

The Ferry House is a family-owned wedding venue and we've farmed the surrounding land for three generations. We have a deep connection to the countryside around us and we're committed to sustainable practices that benefit both the land and our couples.

Our kitchen garden plays a central role in our menus, providing fresh, seasonal produce throughout the year. We also source our salt marsh grazed beef and wild game from our own family farm and Harty estate, which helps keep our food miles incredibly low. We're dedicated to minimising food waste, using our own composter to turn it into nutrient-rich soil for our gardens. The gardens and venue use only our own treated well water system, while our field of solar panels is another step towards powering the venue with 100% green energy in the near future.

Kitchen Garden

9. Accessible Wedding Venue

A wedding venue should feel like a special retreat, offering peace and tranquillity away from the everyday hustle. At the same time, it shouldn’t be too difficult for your guests to reach! Look for a venue that offers that perfect balance between seclusion and accessibility.

The Ferry House provides a tranquil 'edge of the world' setting without the long drive. Our wedding venue in Kent is just 60 minutes from London and easily accessible via the M2 and M20, making our secluded location more reachable than you might think.

Our spot offers the best of both worlds: a peaceful escape that feels like a hidden gem, yet is conveniently close to major transport links. This means you can enjoy the serenity and charm of our countryside venue without spending hours on the road.

10. Visiting Again After Your Wedding

After your wedding day has come and gone, wouldn’t it be wonderful to return to the place where it all began for anniversaries or future celebrations? Choosing a venue that welcomes you back means you can keep making new memories in a setting that already holds so much meaning.

The Ferry House isn’t just a beautiful spot for your barn wedding—it’s a place you can revisit, time and time again, long after your special day. Even though we are an exclusive hire venue from April 2026, couples can join us for regular pop-up dining events, taster evenings, and special celebrations, making it easy to relive those cherished memories.

And if you're looking to unwind, our treatment rooms offer tailored massages and facials, both before and after your wedding day. It's a great way to pamper yourself anytime.

We love welcoming you and you families back to enjoy our peaceful countryside setting, as you relive special moments and create new ones in a place that feels like home.

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