Wedding singer at Preston Court, Kent
It is not often that I venture to Kent for a wedding, but Sarah and Sam's day at Preston Court was a pleasure, and what a venue. Kent is outside the five counties I play most, so have a look at where else I play if you want the wider picture. Travel is 50p a mile from Stansted either way, and I tell you the figure before you book.
The set list
What I played at Preston Court
Every one of these is from my write-up of the day itself, for Sarah and Sam. Your day would be built from your own choices on the planning call.
A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
the procession
Perfect by Ed Sheeran
signing of the register
The One by Kodaline
signing of the register
Crashed The Wedding by Busted
the couple's exit
Frank Turner
unamplified in the courtyard
Foo Fighters
unamplified in the courtyard
When I played there
Sarah and Sam, 2019
I was booked to play during Sarah and Sam's wedding ceremony and their afternoon reception drinks.
Preston Court is a sprawling estate not far from Canterbury, with a lovely main house, outside barns and a quaint courtyard. The owner is also a steam train enthusiast and has an impressive collection of locomotives spread around the place.
The rooms
The rooms, and what they do to sound
The ceremony took place on a little island surrounded by water and reached over a white bridge. Guests were seated on the other side of the water, while the bridal party, including the people doing readings, came onto the island. Playing across water to a seated audience on the far bank means the PA is aimed at people who are further away than they look.
Reception drinks started on the lawn and I stayed out on the island for a few more songs. Then the rain came, so the wedding party moved onto the courtyard, where there was plenty to keep guests busy: a carousel, hoopla and various other fairground attractions.
I decided to join the guests in the courtyard and play some songs acoustically and unamplified. That is only possible with one guitar and one voice, and it is the reason weather does not end a booking with me. Requests included Frank Turner and Foo Fighters, another two artists that rarely get an outing at weddings. Very refreshing.
How the day ran
What Sarah and Sam booked
Two parts of the day. It is a good idea to have plenty for guests to do between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast, and Preston Court does that better than most.
- Ceremony£400
30 to 40 minutes
- Afternoon drinks reception£500
45 to 60 minutes
The practical bits
Access, power and getting set up
The rain moved the drinks reception from the lawn to the courtyard mid set, and I moved with it and carried on without the PA. I will call your coordinator, ask about access, power and any sound limiter, and I will always have a plan for the weather changing its mind.
The full write-up from the day: Sarah and Sam's day at Preston Court.
For coordinators
- One musician, one guitar, one mic stand, one PA. Footprint about 2m by 1m.
- Sets up in twenty minutes, packs down in twenty.
- Battery-powered PA available where there is no power.
- Public liability insurance, certificate sent to the venue on request.
- I will ring you the week before to sort out access, power and any sound limiter.
- I will always have a plan for the weather changing its mind.
Proof
What couples say
I can't edit these. Go and look.
Availability
Playing at Preston Court?
Send me the date and I'll tell you within 24 hours whether I'm free. No deposit, no obligation.
Or call me on 07739 469321