The Drinks Reception
To check availability and to arrange a viewing, please contact Natalie, weddings@chiddingstonecastle.org.uk
No Corkage Fees
We refuse to renege on our principal that Corkage is an unreasonable fee to levy. We will allow you to select your own wines; impress your guests with your knowledge of fine wines. Save money by sourcing offers and deals or shop sustainably and locally supporting our ever-growing selection of wonderful Kentish vineyards, distilleries and breweries on our doorstep.
Naturally corkage fees vary from wedding venue to wedding venue. Some venues charge per head but most will charge per bottle opened on site. On average you would save around £3000 for a drinks reception and wedding breakfast for 80 guests, or £3500 for a marquee wedding with 120 guests here during the day. Even greater savings are to be made if you also wish to supply your evening bar drinks.
Wine Handling
Whilst there is no corkage fee we do charge a one-off wine handling fee of £100 +VAT for the day. We will take delivery of your wines before the wedding and refrigerate ready for the caterers for service on the wedding day and recycle the bottles.
Should you wish to bring your own drinks for the caterer to offer your guests through the evening reception we will charge an additional drinks handling fee of £100+VAT.
Formal tray service from our uniformed staff, or a more relaxed style…
Talk to your caterer about stylish, fun and inventive ways to serve your drinks and canapes. The perfect way to celebrate as guests arrive from the ceremony.
A Sustainable Castle – We’d like to be here for the next 500 years
Sustainability is crucial to Chiddingstone Castle weddings. There is as little waste as possible, any leftover drinks are ready for collection the day after the wedding.
Our Estate Managers will remove all the empty bottles for recycling after the festivities to ensure our Castle and Grounds remain a green and beautiful wedding reception venue in Kent.
Personalised and memorable
The drinks reception can be held inside White Rose Drawing Room, served in our rustic cobbled courtyard, on our sunny Raised South Lawn, or up at the Orangery. Make an entrance in a vintage vehicle, or lead a picturesque procession from the ceremony, add some musicians of your choice or plug in a playlist, pop up a stretch tent to cover, stack up the bales or perch on the wrought iron. From croquet to a merry-go-round, however you like to relax, let the fun begin in style.
