2021 Global Wedding Awards

www.lux-review.com Page 21 LUX 2021 Global Wedding Awards Situated in the heart of the idyllic Kent countryside, West Heath is an 18th century building steeped in history and still embracing many of its original features. With its high ceilings, bright décor, beautiful chandeliers and neutral colour schemes, there couldn’t be a more perfect setting for a dreamy wedding day. West HeathWeddings Best Upscale Countryside Wedding Venue – Kent Apr21047 West Heath began hosting a handful of weddings in 2005 and quickly expanded due to its popularity. Since then, the venue has been very busy with weddings and events, with one wedding booked per weekend to allow for exclusivity of the old house and to allow couples to add their finishing touches to the venue the day before, ensuring their wedding morning is focused on the celebration. The stunning old house is home to West Heath School on weekdays, an outstanding independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 10-20 with special educational needs. Proceeds from weddings and parties go to West Heath School’s bursary fund, supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health needs to access appropriate educational provision. West Heath is proud to say that its weddings have supported over 20 vulnerable students to rebuild their lives through education. Clients are always fulfilled knowing their wedding is supporting young people through education, making West Heath more than just a venue. The West Heath team thrives on maintaining a very high standard in every aspect of its event planning, including the food and drink its offers, as well as impeccable customer service. It is dedicated to making the event unforgettable and helping the client in every way possible so that the planning of the event and the day itself run smoothly. West Heath Weddings and West Heath School share an ethos and culture that is comparable to a ‘family’. In a very nurturing environment, they work together as a team to ensure that no job goes undone while taking a high level of pride in the tasks they complete. Having such a strong work unit and environment means no task is too big or too small when it comes to bringing clients’ dreams to life. An attribute that West Heath looks for in its staff is their ability to always go the extra mile for clients as it prides itself on its customer service and care, which is an aspect that is always commented on during or after events. This sets the venue apart as many clients are referred via word of mouth and recommendation. West Heath loves nothing more than when a couple chooses it as venue and returns for future events such as baby showers or their vow renewal. Having staff that are passionate about West Heath’s weddings and events is highly important and reflects the high standards it strives for and is something that cannot be taught. It is keen to attract staff that are approachable and able to remain calm in all situations; unflappable staff are the key to a smooth-running, perfect day. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has impacted the business negatively both financially and emotionally. West Heath builds a strong rapport with its clients and supporting them through has been its top priority. This has been particularly difficult with the challenges that the pandemic has thrown in its way, however it has done its best to keep a clear line of communication and altered the way it usually conducts business. It launched Q&As on social media, conducted virtual show rounds and shared blogs and tips on how to best prepare for the big day to keep the excitement alive during such a difficult period. One opportunity that stood out recently was the generosity of wedding industry consultant, Kelly Mortimer who has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and works to help businesses drive wedding revenue and bookings. West Heath’s wedding coordinators completed complementary training provided by Kelly, which enabled the team to increase sales even during a pandemic. The training proved to be beneficial and valuable to all staff and clients alike, and West Heath hopes to continue this type of training programme in the future. During the past year, the team at West Heath has had a lot of time to think about what the future has in store and how it can continue to succeed in the industry. It has over 32 acres of picturesque grounds and is considering options for outdoor spaces, which, given the recent situation with COVID-19, shows that adaptability is key. The extended period of lockdown has allowed West Heath to carry out necessary maintenance to the 18th century building and it now eagerly anticipates the arrival of wedding guests to enjoy the celebrations of love. Company: West Heath Weddings Contact: Georgina Barnfield, Naomi Howells and Charlotte Robinson Website: www.westheathweddings.com