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Twilight Weddings

Chapel House Estate elopements and tiny weddings

The perfect venue for your twilight venue

For the perfect romantic evening wedding, surrounded by 35 acres of rustic wildness and considered landscaping, the private Chapel House Estate provides a unique backdrop for a relaxing evening/ twilight wedding or blessing.

With The Chapel House, Chapel House Cottage and nine Hideaway Lodges, you and up to 34 people can sleep on-site following your twilight wedding.  

With beautiful formal gardens, a wild apple orchard, a secluded walled courtyard with a lounge bar and the No 9 restaurant for breakfast the following day, Chapel House hosts an unforgettable destination for a twilight wedding experience.

Twilight weddings are perfect for couples looking for a more relaxed big day. Suppose you are looking to host an informal wedding, and an evening-only wedding reception at a luxury venue with accommodation might be just what you have been looking for. Or have you been married before or married abroad? However, are you still looking for the perfect wedding venue in Kent for an afterparty celebration with family and friends?

Booking a shorter wedding day, starting later in the day, can save you money on food and drink but give you the celebration you are looking for. With no need for table plans, name cards, collecting food choices (although we will need dietary requirements), speeches, or favours, a twilight wedding is not about other people but is about you both getting dressed up and celebrating your marriage.

Bride and Groom in Kent hay fields.

What is different about a Twilight Weddings?

The timeline for a Twilight Wedding differs from that of a typical wedding. You arrive at Chapel House Estate for a 5:00 p.m. ceremony or blessing in the Wild Apple Orchard, followed by drinks and canapes on the lawns.

After your drinks reception, everyone heads into the large Thorne Barn for a full-on party with a DJ and Band.

What food should you serve for Twilight Wedding?

Food for a Twilight wedding is usually more casual, like ‘Picky food in cones’, a grazing table, or, depending on the season, a BBQ or Hog roast (a minimum of 80) or everyone’s favourite pizza slices in a triangle box.

wedding food
twilight wedding

When can we book a Twilight Wedding

Typically, we hold Twilight weddings from Monday to Wednesday, inclusive, but do ask about our late availability on weekends.

*Fees will apply with Kent County Council or a celebrant

Why book a twilight wedding

Most couples book a twilight wedding as they might have married aboard and want a celebration party. The wedding is also better value for money as whilst the venue hire is the same price you only feed your guests the once, as there is no formal sit down meal.

Twilight weddings
wedding flowers

Twilight Weddings At A Glance

  • 4:00 pm Couple arrive for those last minute details and to meet the Registers.
  • 4:30 pm Guests arrive.
  • 5:00 pm Twilight Wedding ceremony or blessing (we will reserve your wedding ceremony with Kent County Council) in the Wild Apple Orchard or indoors in the rustic, converted barn, The Old Malt Granary.5:30 pm approx canapes and drinks reception.
  • 7 pm Twilight evening reception.
  • 7:30 pm First dance (you choose your own band or DJ) and cutting of your cake.
  • 8:30 pm Couple pictures and dancing under the stars by the Oak Framed Gazebo in the Wild Apple Orchard.
  • 9:00 pm Evening relaxed food, such as a buffet, grazing station, BBQ or Hog roast.
  • The end time depends on the day of the week; please see our final details page for more information.
  • Guests staying on-site make their way to their accommodation, and you make your way to the Honeymoon Suite in the 1290 Grade II Chapel House

Make Something Special With Us

Golden Hour Open Evening

Thursday 22nd August, 4pm – 8pm.

Get ready for our incredible open evening!

Come and enjoy the beauty of our venue as the sun goes down. Roam around the grounds during the magical golden hour and see our estate lit up at night!

You’ll have the chance to explore the grounds, chat with our team, and also mingle with our fantastic lineup of suppliers.