Known as the Garden of England, Kent is a dream setting for couples looking to tie the knot without stretching their budget beyond what they’re comfortable with. With its rolling countryside, quaint villages and rich history, Kent offers a brilliant mix of rural beauty and traditional British seaside towns. The region is packed with character, from ancient castles and rustic barns to quirky coastal hideaways and chic town halls, meaning you can plan a beautiful, meaningful and affordable wedding day in Kent that provides everything you want and more.
The average cost of a wedding in Kent and the wider South East is £22,644, nearly £2,000 more than the UK average of £20,822. Despite the higher price tag, the region remains the country’s most popular wedding destination, with 16% of couples choosing to get married there. This shows that, no matter what budget you have to work with, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for in Kent.
Affordable wedding venues in Kent deliver great value without compromising on quality and atmosphere. Whether you’re after a countryside celebration surrounded by orchards, a seaside ceremony overlooking the coast or something a little bit different like a local lighthouse (seriously, check it out), the county caters to a wide range of tastes and budgets. With so much variety and access to local suppliers, Kent makes it easy to have the wedding you want at a price you’re happy with.
Some of Kent’s most loved affordable wedding venues can be found in areas like Maidstone, Canterbury, Ashford and Tunbridge Wells, as well as along the miles of beautiful coast and nestled away in the Kentish countryside. And within those locations, you’ll find a massive range of venues, from country manors to rustic barns, which are suitable for a smaller budget.
Even if you don’t want to spend much on your big day, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wedding steeped in glamour and luxury. And even if you have your sights set on a cheap wedding venue, you can still add castles and manor houses to your list of considerations. For example, Tonbridge Castle is a fantastic historical site which is ideal no matter what budget you’re working with. If you’d prefer a manor house, you can take your pick around Kent. St Martin's Priory is gorgeous, with quaint gardens and amazing views of Canterbury Cathedral. Weddings at Quex has loads of options for your ceremony and reception, such as the lovely Victorian walled garden. You could also consider Swarling Manor, a 17th-century mansion set in 80 acres of landscaped gardens.
A popular choice of wedding venue is a hotel, with so many around the county having their own event spaces, which makes them so convenient. Imagine waking up to a lovely breakfast, exchanging your vows and partying the night away all under one roof – then disappearing at the end of the night without even having to step outside. Hotels including One Warwick Park Hotel, Stone Court House, Hythe Imperial Hotel, The Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel and Hempstead House Hotel are all fabulous lower-cost wedding venues across Kent.
As Kent is considered the Garden of England, it only seems right that you might want to include some of the local countryside and landscapes in your big day. To do this, you can get married outdoors in a garden, orchard, woodland, farm or wherever you fancy, really. And you don’t need a big budget for the honour, either. Venues like The Plough and Barn at Leigh, The Barn, The Great Barn, Kent Life Weddings, Hoad Farm Venue and Farthingloe Barn all have beautiful outdoor spaces. So, if you’re getting married between late spring and early autumn, an outdoor venue is a great, affordable venue option.
If you’d prefer to tie the knot somewhere a little quirky or unlike any other wedding you’ve been to, you don’t need a lofty budget to do so. Plenty of unique wedding venues around Kent are great for smaller budgets. There’s The Old Lighthouse, which is beautiful, unique and affordable – a winning combination. Similarly, Willesborough Windmill is a restored windmill originally built in 1869. You could exchange vows against the backdrop of the sea with Beach Hut Weddings, or have your ceremony with stunning panoramic views across the North Downs at Edenwood Place.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Kent and the wider South East region is £5,626, which is less than couples pay in the UK overall on average, at £5,945. But remember, this is just an average, so there are loads of venues across the county that don’t cost nearly this much. If you start your search early enough, you’ll definitely find something that suits your tastes and budget.
If you're planning a wedding on a budget in Kent, flexibility is key, because after all, the South East is the most popular wedding region in the UK. While many venues still get booked up 12 to 18 months in advance, some of the more popular venues may have a lead time of two or more years. This especially applies to venues that are both beautiful and affordable, of which there are loads around Kent.
If you’re happy to be flexible or you’d like to save even more money on your venue, midweek weddings and autumn and winter dates are particularly popular among couples looking to save money and secure their dream setting. Early planning still helps, but in Kent, last-minute weddings can definitely still happen without the stress or high cost thanks to there being less competition from other couples.
Kent weddings are embracing stylish yet affordable trends, allowing couples to make the most of their budget without compromising on beauty or personality.
A growing number of couples are going for intimate celebrations in smaller venues, such as barns out in the sticks, small boutique hotels or countryside houses. These not only create a cosy, personal atmosphere, but also offer great value, especially when everything can be hosted under one roof.
There’s also a strong focus on sustainability in Kent, with eco-conscious couples choosing local suppliers and venues that prioritise green practices. This helps reduce both the carbon footprint and overall spend, with many Kent couples spending considerably less on extras like transport – averaging just £396 compared to the national average of £626. This also further demonstrates that couples love going for all-in-one venues, allowing them to spend their entire wedding day in one convenient and affordable location.
Couples in Kent also love to make sure the county’s natural beauty and history shine through in wedding styling, but with a modern twist. Romantic florals, vintage touches and homemade personalised details make a big impact without a big price tag and help create a vibe that fits with couples’ visions without the need for a generous budget.
