MY FAVOURITE WEDDING VENUES
EPISODE ONE : WHAT’S SO GOOD ABOUT WESTERHAM GOLF CLUB?
You’ve seen the brochure, you’ve had a visit, you’ve weighed up all the options, and you’re pretty certain you’ve decided on your wedding venue.
But what’s it really like on the day? What will your real world experience be? Will the reality match up to the fantasy? So, in an occasional series where you get your read - and more importantly you get to SEE , because this is after all from the point of view of a wedding videographer here - just what it’s like at the wedding venue of your dreams, I give you, ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between, Westerham, one of my favourite golf club wedding venues.
“Golf”, Mark Twain famously wrote “Is the best way to ruin a perfectly good walk.”
Well despite having filmed and photographed countless golf club weddings, I can’t say it particularly spoils anything - walks, weddings, whatever. I can’t say I have strong feelings about golf myself - being someone who doesnt know one end of a club from the other, being the kind of guy who thinks a mashie niblick is a kind of machine gun. I even had to google how to spell it. It’s a kind of golf iron by the way - an iron being the stick or bat or club or whatever that golfers hit the “ball” with. Still in the dark? You’re probably like me, you think links are something you put in your shirt cuffs, or what Scottish people say when they mean sausages.
Anyway, that’s enough of me being totally hilarious/useless/delete as appropriate. Apparently golf is a whole heap of fun, and all the golfers I have ever witnessed seemed to be having a pretty great time. My only personal experience of golf is when I’m asked if groom prep could include me following round the groom and his pals while they have a round of golf before the big event.
That’s right kids, a whole bunch of guys like to play golf on the morning of their wedding day. And I have to tell you it actually is a whole lot of fun. We will allow just a little sympathy for the wedding photographer who one time started what turned out to be a thirteen hour day of non-stop wedding photography with a five-mile walk around the links, although honestly, that was a terrific day and I loved every minute of it. And the shots were great too.
But what you really want to know is - is a golf club a good place for a wedding? Well, of course it is, that’s why there are so many of them. But more importantly, what you want to know is, is THIS golf club a good venue for your wedding day? Check out the wedding film below, the if still in doubt read the review.
Westerham Golf Club is an award winning 27-hole golf course a on the Kent / Surrey border. Their main course is set in mature woodland, with tree-lined fairways, water features and stunning views over the North Downs. That’s something like the official line. If you like golf, you’ll love it.
And, it transpires, if you want your wedding here, you’ll love it.
The Valance Suite ceremony space is a bright, light, cool curved space with views across the main course and the rolling Kent countryside. Or is it Surrey? No one seems to know, but it looks gorgeous and green. It’s your wedding day, so chances are you may not be paying too much attention to the countryside while your celebrant is marrying you. But you will feel comfortable in this space, which manages to be both light and shady at the same time.
Licenced for ceremonies of up to 150 guests, who are easily and comfortably accomodated, the Valance Suite offers contemporary design and, to the relief of this wedding videographer, air conditioning. Never underestimate the power of air conditioning.
Next door is the Eleanor Suite with its own private entrance and terrace and can seat 200 for a wedding breakfast, and, when used with the Valance Suite together, can hold up to 275 guests for your wedding reception party.
I can confirm that the official line “Westerham is a popular choice for Asian, African and Caribbean events., our experienced weddings events team strive to ensure that traditional values are honoured, whilst considering your individual requirements”, is 100% true.
The staff are super helpful and accomodating and nothing is too much trouble. My experience was that everything ran smoothly and to schedule without anyone ever feeling pressurised. The co ordinator’s even keep in mind that you may want the best light for your couple shoot, and will do everything to assist that too.
As for your wedding portrait photography session, Westerham is brilliant. On this occasion I was Sharon and Jason’s wedding videographer, and their wedding photographer had already signed off and gone home at this point. Me, I put in the hours because I love what I do, and was delighted to catch the last rays of the day for some gorgeous sunset portrait shots. The staff are more than happy to take you round in a buggy to get the very best out of the light and the views, and you can very much make your session about the couple and the countryside, rather than about the golf.
For a real world look at what it’s like, do please have a quick watch of the videos on this page to see for yourself. For me, the big thing is the comfort; lots of light, but lots of shade, warm, but with air con, spacious while somehow still feeling intimate. It’s magic.
Truly organised, considerate and efficient staff, with a real sense that this wedding venue is YOURS for the day and that you will be looked after. A tastefully-style interior and a relaxed atmosphere, with wonderful views of the English countryside. I’m telling you, there is nothing here not to love. Wonderful wedding venue!