You’re absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to magical wedding venues in Essex. Here are 13 places from around the county you should consider...
1. The Lawn, Rochford
The Lawn is a magnificent listed Manor House, with a glorious air-conditioned orangery seating up to 130 guests, all set within stunning grounds.
Whether it is a civil ceremony in the splendour of the Grand Hall with its beautiful sweeping staircase, an English country garden wedding in the gorgeous new gazebo or a reception following a church wedding, the service and catering are unparalleled.
With a policy of exclusive hire only, the day is tailored perfectly to your own particular needs and at a price that is surprisingly affordable, with a clear policy of no hidden extras. Guests are welcome to leave their cars overnight and The Lawn has a link with a four-star hotel just 5 minutes away.
How many guests? Versatile facilities allow The Lawn to cater for all occasions, from a small party to a gathering of 300 (130 seated).
Address: Hall Road, Rochford,SS4 1PL
Website: thelawn.co.uk
2. Braxted Park, Great Braxted
From the moment you enter this breathtaking estate, you'll see why this is one the most highly sought-after venues in Essex.
Tie the knot in the impressive Roman orangery, or with the sun shining down on you and the beautiful walled gardens all around.
The pavilion is tailor-made for unforgettable celebrations, where you can take in your picturesque surroundings as you dance the night away.
Address: Braxted Park Estate, Great Braxted CM8 3EN
Website: braxtedparkweddings.co.uk
3. Gaynes Park, Epping
Striking views of the London skyline and surrounding woodland make Gaynes Park an enchanting setting and unique setting for your special day.
Idyllic gardens are home to the Orangery, just one of the picturesque ceremony settings, while the Mill Barn provides an unforgettable place to celebrate.
For a magical mix of country charm and luxury, Gaynes Park is the perfect place.
Address: Gaynes Park Barns, Banks Lane, Coopersale, Epping CM16 7RJ
Website: gaynespark.co.uk
4. Le Talbooth, Dedham
Set beside the natural beauty of the River Stour lays Le Talbooth, one of the finest wedding venues in Essex, where you can enjoy your special day in stunning surroundings.
Providing a magical setting for any wedding, whether dining in the riverside restaurant or dancing in the marquee on the upper terrace, the setting is picture-perfect. The restaurant has a civil ceremony licence for up to 130 people in the River Room.
This is a beautiful room which looks out onto the River Stour, terrace and perfectly manicured lawns. Getting married in the River Room with a wedding breakfast in the marquee means the wedding party has exclusivity of Le Talbooth during the day from their ceremony until early evening.
The marquee on the upper terrace, with its unrivalled position beside the River Stour offers a flexible space and is perfect for an intimate wedding for 50 as well as a larger party for up to 150 guests.
Address: Le Talbooth, Gun Hill, Dedham CO7 6JS
Website: milsomweddings.com
5. Orsett Hall, Orsett
Orsett Hall is a beautiful Georgian styled Hotel set in 12 acres of landscaped gardens in the Essex countryside.
It comes with spacious wedding reception rooms seating from 10 to 500, 56 bedrooms including five bridal suites and onsite Kukana Spa, florist, hairdressers, bridal gown boutique and classic car showroom.
Address: Orsett, RM16 3HS
Website: orsetthall.co.uk
6. Maison Talbooth, Dedham
With 12 magnificent bedrooms, Maison Talbooth country house hotel is an exquisite venue for smaller weddings. Located in north Essex, surrounding views include Constable's Countryside and the Dedham Vale.
Maison Talbooth is a stylish and iconic country house hotel that offers the most picturesque, peaceful and intimate of wedding venues in Colchester.
The hotel and grounds are the perfect size for up to 50 wedding guests and provide the ultimate backdrop for a very special day with your closest friends and family.
The hotel lends itself to a house party wedding, allowing the bridal couple, family and friends to take over the whole hotel exclusively for the night (or two), weekend weddings are also very popular at the moment.
Get married in the garden room overlooking the valley or if you'd like an outside wedding, then the pool house would be perfect for you and your guests.
Address: Maison Talbooth, Stratford Road, Dedham CO7 6HN
Website: milsomweddings.com
7. Down Hall, Bishop's Stortford
Down Hall, situated on the Hertfordshire/Essex border, is one of England's longest-established country hotels. Their corner of the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside comprises 110 acres of woodland, parkland and landscaped gardens for wedding guests to explore.
Down Hall dates back to 1322 and is saturated in history, reflected in the grandeur, elegance and character of the property. More recently, an extensive refurbishment of the wedding facilities has provided a contemporary overhaul of their suites, combining the beautiful historic touches of the building with some unexpected modern touches, appealing to many tastes and themes.
They are proud to have seen these changes recognised through being voted the 'Best Hotel Wedding Venue' in the prestigious Essex Wedding Awards, where their wonderful array of rooms and suites are perfect to host the most intimate of ceremonies, to luxury wedding breakfasts and stunning receptions.
Large windows provide a dramatic outlook onto landscaped Hertfordshire gardens, creating the perfect backdrop for live music performances and dancing, following your first dinner with your friends and family as a married couple.
Address: Down Hall Hotel & Spa, Matching Road, Bishops Stortford, Hatfield Heath, CM22 7AS
Website: downhall.co.uk
8. Wivenhoe House, Colchester
Wivenhoe is a glorious wedding venue on the outskirts of Colchester, Essex.
Once Painted by Constable, Wivenhoe House is an 18th Century Grade II listed country house hotel set in acres of parkland. It's an effortlessly beautiful wedding venue that will make for some memorable photographs.
Wivenhoe House only holds one wedding a day guaranteeing you the undivided attention of their dedicated wedding team.
A choice of rooms are available for your ceremony, reception drinks and wedding breakfast.
All of the rooms can accommodate varying guest numbers according to layout.
Overnight accommodation can be reserved; there are 40 bedrooms and suites in the meticulously restored historic house, and 24 rooms and suites with delightful views over the gardens and parkland in the contemporary garden wing.
Address: Park Road, Wivenhoe, Colchester CO4 3SQ
Website: wivenhoehouse.co.uk
9. That Amazing Place, Old Harlow
That Amazing Place offers exclusive use of the venue for your wedding day.
This means that this Grade II Listed, 15th century country house with contemporary interiors, luxury wedding cottage and stylish bedrooms (sleeping 29) is exclusively yours for the day and night of your wedding.
Licenced for civil ceremonies, it has bright elegant ceremony rooms and during the summer months couples can choose to say their vows alfresco beneath the outdoor gazebo next to the lake. There are no minimum guest numbers which is perfect for an intimate wedding and the maximum capacity for a seated wedding breakfast is 150 guests.
With its picturesque location and breath-taking views of the grounds and lake, That Amazing Place offers the perfect backdrop for your wedding day photographs.
Address: Hubbards Hall Drive off Churchgate Street, Old Harlow CM17 0NH
Website: thatamazingplace.co.uk
10. Prested Hall, Feering
Prested Hall offers Instagrammable grounds and a 15th century manor house, that could be yours for exclusive use.
There's a choice o four ceremony areas, including a romantic outdoor gazebo, and the venue can host wedding parties of up to 160 people, but equally, if you're after a more intimate affair, there are packages for that cater for around 40 guests too.
Address: Prested Hall, Prested Hall Chase, Feering, CO5 9EE
Website: prested.co.uk
11. Hedingham Castle, Halstead
The 900-year-old Norman keep of Hedingham Castle stands in 160 acres of spectacularly beautiful landscaped gardens and woodland where the Lindsay family, descendants of the original owners, the De Veres, still live.
Choose to hold your ceremony in the banquet hall, or you could marry in the beautiful castle grounds or at the medieval church of St Nicholas.
You can also spread the stages of the day out, to take full advantage of the beautiful castle, including hosting your reception in the ancient Tapestry room that is rich in old world charm.
Address: Castle Hedingham, Halstead CO9 3DJ
Website: hedinghamcastle.co.uk
12. GreyFriars, Colchester
Luxurious, glitzy and inviting, GreyFriars is an exquisite venue for smaller intimate weddings as well as larger ceremonies and receptions.
For a truly unique and luxurious wedding a fully exclusive option is also available.
Every detail of your wedding, civil partnership and reception will be exclusively designed to meet your personal wishes.
Michelin recommended, GreyFriars offers luxurious Grade II historic interiors, fab rooms and suites with stunning marble bathrooms, and a destination 2 AA Rosette restaurant.
Located in its own gated grounds close to the castle in Colchester's historic Cultural Quarter, GreyFriars has three distinct licensed ceremony areas and ample private parking.
Address: High Street, Colchester CO1 1UG
Website: greyfriarscolchester.co.uk
13. Swynford Manor, Newmarket
Swynford Manor is the perfect fusion of contemporary style and rural charm giving you an unforgettable and utterly luxurious country house wedding venue.
With striking interior décor, a myriad of ceremony and reception spaces, 12 guest bedrooms, a stunning bridal suite and seven acres of lawns and paddocks: this is a venue like no other.
This stylish home away from home is nestled in the picturesque Cambridgeshire countryside on the borders of both Suffolk and Essex, with easy access from the M11 / A11 major routes.
Address: London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Newmarket CB8 0UE
Website: swynfordmanor.com
______________
