LGBTQ+ weddings in Kent: what to expect, what to ask, and why your day deserves to be entirely yours
Planning a wedding as a LGBTQ+ couple can be both exciting and a little daunting, especially when you’re surrounded by traditions that don’t quite fit. Between suppliers who still talk about “the bride and groom” and venues that haven’t updated their language, it’s easy to feel like you’re squeezing your story into someone else’s shape.
But your wedding doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It doesn’t even have to look like a wedding, if you don’t want it to. It just has to look and feel like you.
Across Kent, from the beaches of Whitstable to the countryside near Canterbury and Maidstone, more and more LGBTQ+ couples are creating celebrations that reflect who they are on their own terms.
If you’re still exploring styles and approaches, you might like What is documentary wedding photography? A guide for Kent couples, which explains how this style helps capture real, unposed moments that tell your story honestly.
What to expect when planning a lgbtq+ wedding in Kent
Even in 2025, it’s natural to wonder whether suppliers or venues will really understand your relationship. Those nerves make sense. The good news is that Kent’s wedding community is becoming increasingly inclusive, with photographers, planners and venues who genuinely celebrate LGBTQ+ love.
Some of the most welcoming spaces I’ve worked in, like The Night Yard near Canterbury, have a relaxed and open feel that suits couples who want to do things their own way. Venues like Howfield Manor also offer that quiet, personal atmosphere that lets you be yourselves without the formalities.
What you can expect from your day is authenticity. The joy of a LGBTQ+ wedding often feels different because there’s freedom in being completely yourself. You’ll probably laugh too loudly, cry more than once, and forget to care how you look in the moment. That’s the beauty of it: it’s yours, unscripted and honest.
If you’re thinking about the photography process itself, What you should expect from your wedding photographer — from booking to delivery walks through what working with a documentary photographer looks like, step by step.
Questions to ask your Kent wedding suppliers
Feeling safe, seen and supported matters as much as the flowers or the food. When you’re choosing your suppliers, it’s okay to ask questions that help you find people who understand you.
Ask how they approach working with LGBTQ+ couples. The best answer isn’t just “of course” but something that shows warmth and genuine enthusiasm for your story.
Ask if traditions can be adapted or skipped. Walk in together, dance however you want, mix up the roles. Venues such as The Secret Garden and Old Kent Barn are wonderful examples of spaces that welcome non-traditional celebrations and encourage you to make the day your own.
Ask whether their forms and communication use gender-neutral language. It might sound small, but it’s powerful to see yourself reflected in the details.
Ask if they’ve photographed or organised LGBTQ+ weddings before. Experience helps, but openness and respect matter most. You’ll feel the difference straight away when someone gets it.
Creating space for your story
An LGBTQ+ wedding doesn’t have to make a statement, but it often does simply by existing. It’s love, recognised and celebrated for what it is. Whether you’re planning a quiet ceremony in the gardens at Quex Park or a big, joyful party in the glasshouse at The Buttery & Glasshouse, what matters most is that it feels like home to you.
And of course, some couples dream of something grand and historic, like the elegance of Leeds Castle, while others prefer the intimacy of smaller venues tucked away in the countryside. The beauty of Kent is that you can find a setting that matches who you are and how you love.
Your love story isn’t an alternative version of something else. It’s whole, beautiful and entirely valid.
A final thought
There’s no single way to plan a wedding in Kent, and definitely no single way to be a queer couple. Do what feels genuine. Surround yourselves with people who celebrate you as you are. Choose suppliers who listen, respect, and reflect your story.
Your day, messy, joyful, quiet, loud, deserves to be everything you’ve imagined and more. And when you look back, you should see yourselves clearly: full of laughter, love, and that unmistakable queer joy that makes a wedding day feel like freedom.
If you’re starting to plan your day and want to chat about ideas, feel free to get in touch here. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a genuine conversation about what matters most to you.
