Hello from The Team at TOKB
We’re always wowed by live performances and enjoy working alongside performers for happy couples and happy days.
Meet The Team
If you have any questions, we’re always happy to help directly.
Coordinating Team
The coordinating team are responsible for managing weddings before and on the day.
Office Telephone: 01303 844 270
Email: events@theoldkentbarn.co.uk
Office Manager
Kerry oversees all wedding management and operations.
Office Telephone: 01303 844 270
Email: events@theoldkentbarn.co.uk
Planning
We love hearing about couple's plans and new ideas too.
Sometimes there’s questions that need answering when designing weddings, including measurements and timings.
We’re keen for you to have a smooth and enjoyable experience at the barn.
Virtual Tour
Our virtual tour software is helpful for exploring spaces remotely. The software includes a measurement tool for inside the New Barn if you’re looking for measurements not already provided.
Click here for Virtual Tour
Timings Example
Timeline
1st Partner Arrival: 7.30am
2nd Partner Arrival: 12pm
Guest Arrival: 1pm
Guests Seated: 1.40pm
Ceremony: 2pm
Post-Ceremony: 2.30pm
Guests Seated: 3.45pm
Couple Welcomed To The Room: 3.55pm
Wedding Breakfast: 4.00pm
Speeches: 6.00pm
This is a sample timeline, please check with your couple, or a team member for the confirmed timings of their day.
Location/s
The couple may advise prior to the day a preferred location for you to perform.
If they have not specified, we’ll work with you to allocate a position in a suitable space.
Outside
The Old Barn is central to the gardens and often a preferred performing location with easy access to power.
Inside
If the couple have had an indoor ceremony, it maybe the photographer will need the stage area for group photos.
Bay spaces are often a great location to set in with access to power.
If moving inside from outside for dinner music, a team member will advise your new location, it maybe spaces inside have been allocated for other entertainment due to arrive during the meal for the evening.
Power
We cannot guarantee power supplies near your performing location.
We'll endeavour to suggest spaces as close to power supplies and guests as possible, both inside the New Barn and gardens.
Please do not use any sticking tapes on floors for cables, or run uncovered cables across walkways.
We recommend the use of power mats if you have cables that need covering.
If you require assistance on the day, please speak to a team member if you need a solution.
Example Power Mats
Canopies
If you require a canopy, please chat to the couple in advance of the day, they can advise your request in their notes.
If you ask for a canopy on the day, this requires multiple team members that may not be readily available dependant on timings. If we are notified in advance, we can prepare accordingly.
We cannot guarantee canopy availability, we will endeavour to fulfill your request.
Certification
The Old Kent Barn requires £5,000,000 public liability. This is not negotiable. This protects the guests, barn and team.
We require all electrical equipment to have dated PAT testing.
All certifications must be valid for the date of event.
Single event cover options are available. Speak to a broker who can advise further.
Contact
(usually 4 weeks prior)
Our couples have a helpful portal to store and log all their wedding notes, venue set up and wedding supplier details.
Once the couple has been allocated their coordinator, the coordinator will be in touch with you before the day to introduce themselves and send this information as a reminder. It maybe repetitive for frequent visitors, it’s always good to have a refresher.
We’ll prompt for any certification we require (if not already sent), or for frequent visitors on file.
When convenient for you, we would be grateful if you could please confirm your arrival time to set up on the day, a mobile number for the day and if you have any questions yourself, please do not hesitate to ask.
Please note we cannot accept an agency contact number; we require at least one contact number for performers attending on the day.
Arrival
Our address
The Old Kent Barn Smersole Farm
///superhero.jelly.marker
Follow the sign for Main Car Park & Deliveries
If you encounter any travel disruptions, please call the barn. The office is manned 7 days a week, if a team member is not able to take your call please leave a message and they’ll call you back.
We are keen to help if you encounter any problems. The sooner we know the quicker we can resolve any issues.
Follow the sign for Main Car Park & Deliveries
You’re welcome to use the loading-unloading area
(please be mindful of other suppliers wishing to also unload and access the barn)
Arrival Times
Pre-Ceremony Arrival
Please find a team member, the wedding coordinator maybe with the wedding party and check in with you as soon as they're able.
Arrival During Ceremony
Garden Ceremony – if the ceremony is taking place outside in the gardens, please head to the New Barn. A team member will be able to assist you from here.
Barn Ceremony – If you arrive during the ceremony and enter the New Barn, please do not proceed past the foyer as it may interrupt their ceremony. A member of team will be with you as soon as possible.
Arrival Before Dining
If you arrive during post-ceremony, please head into the New Barn find the coordinator or ask a team member who will assist and advise further.
Post-Meal Arrival
If you arrive during the meal, please head into the New Barn find the coordinator or ask a team member who will assist and advise further. Please be mindful there may be speeches. If this appears to be the case on arrival, please wait in the foyer, a team member will come and assist.
Meals
You may have requested food is provided.
Please be aware it is our policy to ensure the couple and their guests have been served before we process any further requirements.
We'll ensure you're given your meals, and endeavour to do this around your preparation times or if later in the evening dependant on your performance times.
We kindly remind you to inform the couple before the day with any dietary or allergies. We cannot guarantee suitable menus if not notified in advance.
Sound Check
We recommend a sound check prior to your performance start time. We kindly ask you sound check before the guest arrivals.
Changing
We gently remind you we do not a have a green room facility for performers.
We do have clean facilities close to the stage area. If you require additional space, please email the team here to discuss further.
Before You Depart
We ask all equipment is removed at the end of the event.
The barn has limited storage space, we are not able to store items before or after events.
If you need to leave equipment, you can load into a vehicle in the car park and collect the vehicle the following day by 11am. Any vehicles and contents are left at your own risk.
If you have any questions about delivery or collection times, please contact the team here.
Lost Property?
Please ask a team member on the day if any items appear missing. We’re careful when packing away all belongings are returned to their owners.
THE OLD KENT BARN, SWINGFIELD, KENT, CT15 7HF
w: theoldkentbarn.co.uk
t: 01303 844270
e: events@theoldkentbarn.co.uk
With special thanks to Olegs & Rita Photography. © 2023 The Old Kent Barn Ltd. All rights reserved.