Dan & Aletza's Beautiful Anglo-Mexican Wedding at St. Mary the Virgin Church & The Castle Inn, Chiddingstone
There's something incredibly special about weddings that bring together two different cultures, and Dan and Aletza's wedding in the picturesque village of Chiddingstone was a perfect example. Combining traditional English charm with vibrant Mexican celebrations, their day was filled with unforgettable moments, beautiful details and an incredible atmosphere from beginning to end.
A Historic Ceremony at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Chiddingstone
The day began at the stunning St. Mary the Virgin Church in Chiddingstone, one of Kent's most beautiful historic churches. With its spacious interior, high ceilings and plenty of natural light, it provided a wonderful setting for the ceremony and made photographing the service a real pleasure.
Although I wasn't covering the morning preparations, I arrived in time to capture guests arriving, the excitement before the ceremony and, of course, Dan and Aletza saying their vows.
One of my favourite moments of the day came immediately afterwards, as family and friends gathered outside the church for an incredible confetti exit. With the beautiful stone church providing the backdrop, it created some of my favourite photographs from the entire wedding.
Reception at The Castle Inn, Chiddingstone
After the ceremony, everyone made their way across the village to The Castle Inn, Chiddingstone for the reception.
The setting couldn't have been more picturesque. Nestled in one of England's best-preserved historic villages, the venue has a relaxed garden space that was transformed beautifully for the celebration.
Aletza had personally designed and decorated the outdoor reception area herself, filling it with thoughtful details that reflected both her creativity and the relaxed atmosphere they wanted for the day. It looked fantastic and made a wonderful space for guests to enjoy drinks, conversation and the evening celebrations.
An English Wedding with a Mexican Twist
One of the things that made this wedding so memorable was the way Dan and Aletza blended both of their cultures throughout the day.
While the overall structure of the wedding followed a traditional English celebration, there were so many fun Mexican touches that made the day uniquely theirs.
Guests enjoyed delicious tacos instead of a more traditional wedding breakfast, tequila shots made an appearance during the evening celebrations, and the dance floor came alive with reggaeton and Spanish music as everyone celebrated together.
The evening also featured a piñata, which was a huge hit and added another colourful, fun element that reflected Aletza's Mexican heritage.
It was wonderful to see both families embracing each other's traditions and celebrating together throughout the day.
Golden Hour First Dance
As the evening light softened, we were treated to a beautiful golden hour that perfectly complemented Dan and Aletza's first dance.
The warm sunlight created a lovely atmosphere and allowed for some of my favourite images from the reception. Moments like these are always worth taking advantage of, as the soft evening light creates a timeless look that simply can't be replicated.
As the evening continued, the celebrations became even more energetic, with guests filling the dance floor. Photographing the Mexican guests dancing together to the evening's music brought so much colour, movement and emotion to the gallery, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the celebration.
Seeing the Day from Above
The weather also allowed me to capture drone photographs throughout the day, providing a completely different perspective of both St. Mary the Virgin Church and The Castle Inn.
Aerial images are a fantastic way of showing the beautiful surroundings, the historic village of Chiddingstone and the unique setting that couples and guests get to enjoy throughout the day.
Planning a Wedding in Chiddingstone?
If you're planning your own wedding at St. Mary the Virgin Church or The Castle Inn, Chiddingstone, it's easy to see why they're such popular choices. Between the historic architecture, charming village setting and beautiful outdoor spaces, they provide an incredible backdrop for natural, documentary-style wedding photography.
My approach is to capture the day as it unfolds, documenting genuine moments, real emotions and all of the little details that make every wedding unique.
If you're getting married in Kent or anywhere across the UK and are looking for relaxed, documentary-style wedding photography, I'd love to hear more about your plans. Feel free to explore my portfolio and wedding packages, and get in touch to see if I'm available for your date!