THE BLOG
Essex Wedding Venues
When it comes to choosing wedding venues in Essex, there are tons of possibilities. Do you dream of a rustic barn wedding? Planning a grand affair at a former palace, hall or manor house? How about your dream day at a country retreat, or a modern hotel? Essex has them all, and the sheer number and variation of wedding venues can be a little daunting when choosing your ideal venue for your wedding day.
Read on to see my favourite Essex wedding venues.
Gosfield Hall
Gosfield Hall is a stunning Georgian mansion, set in ten acres of manicured grounds and parkland and overlooking Gosfield Lake. The hall has an opulent ballroom, library, reception rooms and a stunning rococo bridal suite, all ready to host your special day. With room for 116 seated guests, you are free to invite extensive friends and family.
There is a certain historical grandeur to Gosfield Hall. Whilst it is of a sufficiently stately scale, the layout of the primary wedding rooms flow really well and the venue never feels too big. My favourite space is the grand Salon with its stunning painted ceiling where you can either be married or perhaps have a drinks reception. A second ceremony space is available in the Queen's Gallery. Alternatively why not get married outdoors in the historic courtyard with the clocktower overhead. It's no surprise that Gosfield Hall is one of Essex's most popular wedding venues. Check out Gosfield Hall at www.gosfield-hall.co.uk
Leez Priory
Leez Priory remains one of the most sought-after manor house wedding venues in the country and is an excellent choice for your Essex wedding. Set in 40 acres of parkland, with a sweeping gravel driveway, imposing gates and manicured lawns and lakes, Leez Priory offers everything and more for the perfect wedding day.
Ceremonies can be held in any of seven licensed settings. Celebrate your day in the stunning historical Tower, which stands adjacent to the Main House. Or, for a truly unique environment, have an outdoor wedding ceremony, beneath the carriageway, with your guests sunning themselves on the lawn. The Priory has a certain authentic charm all of its own. Your own castle if you will. There is something special about a drinks reception on the pristine lawn in the centre of the priory, overlooked by mature oak trees and the beautiful tower. There are white doves which nest in the tower, and often visit during ceremonies! Beautiful. Check out Leez Priory at www.leez-priory.co.uk
The Lawn
The Lawn is an Essex Manor House in Rochford. It is one of the most sought after of wedding venues, with exclusive hire for your wedding day. Upon arrival up the long driveway, passing horses and families of ducks, you are greeted by an imposing, colonnaded ivy clad house. Surrounded by fields and woods, the house is set amidst stunning Essex countryside. With it's large orangery for weddings of over 100 and a choice of two ceremony locations The Lawn is a great choice for an Essex wedding. You can choose either indoors in the historical central hall with its beautiful gallery and chandelier or outdoors at the immaculate rose garden Gazebo. After, relax with your guests on the sun terrace and enjoy the vast manicured green lawns which envelop the venue.
There's plenty of space for all your guests with a variety of reception rooms and two bridal preparation rooms upstairs for the biggest of parties. It's a peaceful wedding venue, well presented, and suitably memorable. Check out The Lawn at www.thelawn.co.uk
Boreham House
Boreham House is a magnificent 18th Century, Grade 1 listed Georgian, stately home located in the heart of the Essex countryside near Chelmsford. The impressive avenue of trees on the approach surround a breath-taking mirrored lake creating a unique setting, sure to evoke feelings of amazement from the moment you arrive. My couples who book this venue often remark that the approach to the house is what made them fall in love with it first.
Set in 35 acres of grounds Boreham House is an exclusive use venue, with a large marquee in the gardens beyond the house which can cater for the largest of receptions. inside the house, there is an impressive large bridal suite and plenty of rooms for your guests to stay at.
There are multiple options for wedding ceremonies. You can get married outdoors on the lawn at the gazebo, inside at the historic Oak Room and or in the new bespoke modern wedding ceremony room. To top it off you can marvel at the many original features including the beautiful staircase which was owned by Henry VIII from 1517 to 1547. Check out Boreham House at www.borehamhouse.co.uk
Mulberry House
Mulberry House is one of the finest award winning wedding and events venues, situated in the heart of the Essex countryside and set within 22 acres of beautiful grounds. It is licensed for civil weddings both indoors and outside, where you can enjoy a truly magical setting. It's fine gardens reveal a gazebo, a lake with picturesque bridge and countless willow trees and green striped lawns and wildflower meadows.
You can get married in the oak beamed Cedar Suite or outside at the lakeside Gazebo. There are two choices for your reception. In the brick built Mulberry Suite or the starlit marquee. There is an equally impressive Garden Room where you can host your reception drinks, overlooking the beautiful gardens.
With 23 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant, and flexible event spaces there's more than enough to cater for your wedding. Check out Mulberry House at www.mulberry-house.com
Apton Hall
Apton Hall is an exclusive wedding venue set in the idyllic Essex countryside with history dating back to The Great Survey of 1086. The venues rustic charm is maintained throughout its courtyard buildings, accommodation and Grade II listed bridal suite. A series of interlinking barns, immaculately kept and presented, Apton Hall has a homely, friendly vibe and is perfect for a laid back style wedding.
You can choose to get married outdoors in the large courtyard, surrounded on all sides by the impressive red brick barns, or indoors in the intimate oak beamed ceremony barn. There is a beautiful garden for drinks receptions which overlooks a lake, and there are plenty of lovely private areas for photographs such as the orchard, the rose garden or nearby corn fields. For receptions, there are two flexible spaces. A party room with bar, and a large reception barn with high ceilings to dine in.
With a range of beautifully styled guest rooms and a large coach house for your bridal parties to get ready in, Apton Hall has it all. Check out Apton Hall at www.aptonhall.co.uk
Blake Hall
Within the historic setting of Blake Hall and its stunning private gardens, you will find beautifully restored 17th century barns and surrounding areas for your exclusive use for weddings. Licenced for civil weddings and partnership ceremonies, either inside the newly restored Hay Barn or outside under the canopy of the old Saddlery, Blake Hall Weddings is arguably the most attractive barn wedding venue in Essex.
The Hay barn has a stunning feature window, framed by historic oak beams, and provides ample space for ceremonies. Full of light, the barns are beautiful. The Essex Barn seats between 50 and 150 for wedding breakfasts and receptions. There are a number of cottages for bridal parties to stay and get ready at including the spacious 3 bedroomed Old Coach House. Surrounding the barns are attractive walled gardens full of wildflowers and wisteria. Check out Blake Hall at www.blakehall.co.uk
Braxted Park
Braxted Park is a luxury country house wedding venue in the heart of the Essex countryside. Leading from the long tree-lined drive, you meet the imposing red brick house with its many chimneyed features, large pavilion and walled gardens. Set in 500 acres of parkland, the Georgian mansion, originally built in 1750, evokes Pride and Prejudice. You can be married in the beautiful and modern orangery with its delightful painted wall murals or outdoors in the walled garden. There is even a parish church, which dates back to 1042 within the grounds of Braxted Park which you could opt for.
Accommodation is plentiful, with bridal cottages, and lots of guest rooms within the main house. Braxted Park has it all and then some. Check out Braxted Park at www.braxtedparkweddings.co.uk
St. Osyth's Priory
St Osyth's Priory is a historical, re-imaged wedding venue that continues to celebrate more than 1,400 years of myth, legend, history and nature. Located in the stunning coastal district of Tendring, St Osyth Priory lies within easy reach of the Essex Sunshine Coast as well as being only 5 miles from Colchester. St Osyth Priory has been restored to its glorious heritage as a magnificent country estate – with exceptional food and drink destinations, as well as so much more. Bordering the River Colne Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest, The St Osyth Priory Estate is recognised as a Registered Park and Garden County Wildlife Site featuring historic lakes, woodland avenues and ancient reed beds. Home to rare breed and native livestock, visitors may also catch a glimpse of the iconic white deer.
There are few wedding venues that can match the glorious surroundings of St Osyth Priory as the perfect backdrop to your big day.
Every wedding at St Osyth Priory has exclusive use of the estate, so whether you indulge in this sense of history as you dine within Darcy House, enjoy the grandeur of the Tithe Barn, or bring your nearest and dearest together in the more intimate Old Dairy or Cart Lodge (all three coming in 2025), you can create the wedding of your dreams. And with the addition of a marquee within The Precinct or the North Lawn, the options for your wedding are wondrously limitless.
Check out St Osyth's Priory at www.stosythpriory.co.uk
Down Hall Hotel
With a history dating back to 1322, Down Hall has an array of rooms and suites which can host the largest or the most intimate of ceremonies, luxury wedding breakfasts and stunning receptions. With 98 rooms in the hotel, there is accommodation for everyone. The hotel’s luxury interiors, ornate ceilings and abundance of natural daylight make for an experience like no other. With 110 acres of surrounding woodland, parkland and landscaped gardens your wedding will be truly idyllic.
The largest reception room the Bridgeman Suite holds 190 guests, with the Oxford Suite, the smallest holding 32. Down Hall can also now host outdoor ceremonies in the newly created gazebo, set in the landscaped gardens. Check out Down Hall at www.downhall.co.uk
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