Chantelle and Shane’s Salomons Estate wedding in Kent was elegant, picturesque and one hell of a party!! This was ‘Freedom day’, the day that the UK came out of restrictions, and wow! These guys certainly know how to celebrate! It was so nice to see faces again, to see a drinks reception, and a dance floor!! Just amazing! Check it all out below.

First names: Shane & Chantelle
Ages: 28 & 31
Wedding date: 19/07/2021
Venue: Salomons Estate

How did you guys meet, tell me all?
So our paths had crossed several times before we started talking! We have the same friendship group and had been out a few times in the same group and hadn’t really taken much notice of each other. In 2014 I moved into a flat with my best friends in Maidstone and we all started spending more time together, going out a lot and stuff. We stated talking and here we are! I did tell Shane and one of his sisters very early on that I was going to marry him, Shane still gives me shit for it now, but I wasn’t wrong, and I don’t think I’ve been wrong since.

How did you get engaged, is there a cool story?
We got engaged in Budapest, Hungry. We had gone away for my birthday. There was originally a cool proposal planned on a river cruise with a beautiful meal and a pianist to play a specific song and propose then. But days before the trip the river had frozen over, and the cruise was cancelled. Shane (who is the most chilled out person you’ll ever meet) was so annoyed the day before we went away, and I couldn’t understand why. It all made sense though after he proposed. After Shane doing several shots of palinka, we went back to the hotel to get ready to go to dinner. I came out from the bathroom and Shane was down on one knee with the ring in his hand. It was really personal, and we then spent the whole holiday celebrating.

What made you choose your wedding venue; did you look at many?
We looked at a handful, but none ticked as many boxes as Salomons . The grounds are stunning and we were always hopeful to get married outside. Also the bar was huge and we know how frustrating it can be waiting at the bar when you want to get back to the dance floor. The venue allows a late licence. No one likes a party to finish especially not us, so being able to extend till 1am was a big yes.

What was the inspiration/theme of your wedding?
Gin, all our table names are different gins as we both enjoy it. We have gone for a romantic/ elegant style for our decor with lots of candles, blush pinks and golds.

What is your first song and why?
This has been so hard! I’m the worst at making decisions and actually we only made the final call 5 days before the wedding. we went with John Legend. You & I. no real reason we just both heard it and felt drawn to it, the words are beautiful, and we both love his voice!

What would be your number one tip to other couples planning their wedding?
Try not to plan a wedding in a global pandemic!! Otherwise you’ll have to change it multiple times!

Check out Chantelle and Shane’s Salomons Estate Wedding below.

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The photography: All images captured with two Fujifilm X-T3 cameras.
Lenses: Fujinon XF 16mm f1.4 R WR, Fujinon XF 23mm f1.4 R, Fujinon XF 35mm f1.4 R and Fujinon XF 56mm f1.2.