Essex Life profiles a stunning selection of the very best wedding venues to help you find the perfect location for your most special of days
Blake Hall
Bobbingworth
Ongar
Essex
CM5 0DG
01277 366687
www.blakehall.co.uk
BLAKE HALL has been home to the Capel Cure family for more than 220 years and the historic setting and peaceful gardens are the perfect venue for a wedding day to remember. The 17th century barn has been sympathetically restored to provide modern comforts without losing any of its original charm and has seating for up to 150 guests, while the area outside the barn is ideal for reception drinks and to enjoy the romantic sunset.
The interior of the barn offers a spacious dance floor, banqueting area and bar all in one room, so there is ample space for entertainment and dancing, and the beautiful gardens provide countless opportunities for wonderful photographs, whatever the time of year. The venue is hired on an exclusive-use basis and is licensed for civil weddings and partnership ceremonies, either inside the barn or under the canopy of the refurbished saddlery. The Old Coach House, and its impressive dressing room, is only a stone’s throw away from the venue, sleeps six and is available for hire the night before your wedding. Meanwhile, The Stable Cottage has been converted into a sumptuous honeymoon cottage for your exclusive use on the night of your wedding, while the old stables have been converted into three stunning bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms, and a breakfast room for your guests to enjoy.
HOW MANY GUESTS? Up to 150 guests seated.
Dream come true… The barns at Blake Hall have become a perfect place to celebrate with family and friends on this most special of occasions.
The Lawn
Hall Road
Rochford
Essex
SS4 1PL
01702 203701
www.thelawn.co.uk
The Lawn is a magnificent, listed manor house, with a glorious air-conditioned Orangery, all set within stunning gardens. Whatever the size of wedding (up to 130 seated for the wedding breakfast), all of this is exclusively yours for the entire day. Whether it is a civil ceremony in the splendour of the Grand Hall, with its beautiful sweeping staircase, or a reception following a church wedding, the service and catering are unparalleled. The day is tailored to your own particular needs and at a price that is surprisingly affordable with a promise of no hidden extras. Guests are welcome to leave their cars overnight and The Lawn has a link with a four-star hotel just five minutes away. The Lawn really does provide the perfect setting for your dream wedding.
HOW MANY GUESTS? Versatile facilities allow The Lawn to cater for all occasions, from a small party to a gathering of 350
DREAM COME TRUE… Enjoy the house and gardens at The Lawn as exclusively yours for the whole of your big day, guaranteeing you will feel extra special
The Coach House
Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum
Coggeshall
Essex
CO6 1TG
01376 565420
www.markshall.org.uk
The Coach House, with its unique features and picture-perfect setting, makes it hard to imagine a more beautiful place for your special day. Make your vows to one another underneath the attractive gazebo in the flower garden for a perfect start to married life. Choose from one of the many backdrops for your photographs, with ornamental lakes and the walled garden being a simply stunning photographic memory. The Coach House is full of charm, ambiance and character, and is an idyllic place to hold your reception. Choose from a full package option or the popular venue only hire, allowing you to make your dreams a reality.
HOW MANY GUESTS? Seating for up to 80 guests in the flower garden and an additional 40 guests on the terrace for the ceremony. 120 for a sit-down meal and 200 for an evening reception.
DREAM COME TRUE… Within the fabulous 250 acres of stunning gardens and arboretum, you are assured of a delightful setting for your celebration and your photographs.
The Star Catering
The Star Thaxted
Mill End, Thaxted
Dunmow
CM6 2LT
01371 238118
www.thestarthaxted.co.uk
The team at The Star Thaxted are entirely at your disposal to accommodate you through each step and to make the dreams of your big day come true. The Star offers a magnificent array of ideas to shower you with including venue hire, photographers, florists and the planning of your personally-designed menu to ensure each event is cultivated, intimate and exclusive.
Following the success and feedback from The Star Restaurant’s opening, The Star has united a team together that has the knowledge and experience to provide a first class catering service. The band of merry men (and ladies) combine over 30 years in the industry and we are entirely at your disposal to accommodate you through each and every step.
HOW MANY GUESTS? ????/
DREAM COME TRUE… The Star Catering invites its most vivacious customers to share in a passion and desire in fine food cultures.
The Pier
The Quay
Harwich
Essex
CO12 3HH
01255 241212
www.milsomhotels.com
For a unique setting for your wedding look no further than The Pier. Situated on the quay in the heart of Harwich old town, all weddings held here are exclusively tailored to suit your individual needs. Civil Ceremonies for up to 50 guests take place in the Angel Lounge, while the former Trinity Lightship in the harbour opposite makes a very different venue for a Champagne and canapé reception.
After the ceremony, the Harbourside Restaurant overlooking the twin estuaries of the Stour and Orwell is perfect for a finger buffet, sit down lunch or dinner for parties from two up to 80 guests.
HOW MANY GUESTS Perfect for any parties from two up to 80 guests
DREAM COME TRUE A romantic view over the intertwining estuaries of the Stour and the Orwell offers the perfect start to your lives together.
West Street Vineyard
West Street
Coggeshall
Colchester
Essex
CO6 1NB
01376 563303
www.weststreetvineyard.co.uk
If you are looking for a unique venue set amongst the vines, then West Street Vineyard is the perfect venue for your special day. Guests enjoy a contemporary, relaxed setting in historic Coggeshall, at the rural heart of Essex. West Street Vineyard can accommodate sit down parties for up to 70 people for a formal three-course meal which can be expanded to accommodate up to 120 guests in the evening. If you would like your day to be more relaxed there is also the chance to enjoy your wedding in the vines or perhaps an informal barbecue or afternoon tea. A wedding coordinator will be on hand to make sure that your wedding is a unique day to remember.
HOW MANY GUESTS? The ground floor dining area, overlooking the vineyard, can easily accommodate 70 guests for a sit down meal and more than 120 for a buffet
ICING ON THE CAKE…This striking setting surrounded by a stunning vineyard really is something to make you feel like you have escaped from it all.
The Dog & Gun
Boreham Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM3 3NF
01245-360211
www.dogandgunchelmsford.co.uk
This exciting new wedding venture at The Dog and Gun is an ideal location for your perfect day. The Dog & Gun offers you complete flexibility and is able to cater for all budgets from a simple elegant wedding up to the grandest of occasions. A modern outside area creates ample space in the summer time and is lit throughout the evening, finishing with fireworks at the end of the night. For your cosy winter wedding, an open fire will keep you and your guests warm while you share your memories and laughter together. The team will also devise the menus to suit your requirements and decorate the building in whichever way you chose.
How many guests? Up to 75/80 for a sit down meal inside. For an evening function, up to 130 for a buffet.
Dream come true . . . This is a five star venue, with five star service.Bedford Lodge Hotel
Bury Road
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 7BX
01638 663175
www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk/
Imagine the wedding day of your dreams - an idyllic venue in Newmarket with superb cuisine and sensational service. Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is one of region’s most stunning wedding venues, providing the personal care and attention you deserve. It is fully licensed for civil ceremonies and offers three self-contained banqueting suites which can accommodate an intimate wedding of 10 through to a more lavish celebration with up to 150 day time guests. The elegant white stucco building, parts of which date back to the 17th century, and stunning rose gardens provide a romantic backdrop and create the perfect environment in which to enjoy canapés and a glass of Champagne with your guests.
How many guests? Up to 150 day time guests
DREAM COME TRUE… A professional wedding coordinator will be on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly – from your initial enquiry, right through to the day itself.
Down Hall Country House Hotel
Matching Road
Hatfield Heath
Nr Bishop’s Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM22 7AS
01279 731441
www.downhall.co.uk
A HISTORIC country house, situated in the breathtaking beauty of Essex countryside, Down Hall provides an exquisite backdrop for your special day. In fact, Down Hall is the place where your dreams are turned into perfect reality. Dating back to 1540, Down Hall has a wonderful array of rooms and suites to host the most intimate of ceremonies, luxury wedding breakfasts and stunning receptions with panoramic views over beautiful gardens. The chef has created the most exquisite menus for your special occasion, using the freshest and finest ingredients either from the hotel’s own vegetable garden or locally-sourced produce, all complemented by outstanding personal service from an experienced team.
HOW MANY GUESTS? A selection of different wedding reception rooms can cater for parties of different sizes, with the largest room holding 200 guests and the smallest 32.
ICING ON THE CAKE…The stunning backdrop of this fabulous hotel will really give your day the wow factor.
The Roslin Beach Hotel
Thorpe Esplanade
Thorpe Bay
Essex
SS1 3BG
01702 586375
www.roslinhotel.com
WITH outstanding levels of hospitality and stylish surroundings, The Roslin Beach Hotel in Southend is the perfect venue for your civil ceremony, wedding breakfast and reception. The hotel’s private function suite boasts exceptional natural light and spectacular sea and coastal views – together with a comprehensive array of lighting, audio equipment and formal and casual dining options. The privately-owned, boutique-style hotel can cater for parties from 20 to 150 guests and can provide a fabulous honeymoon suite together with guest accommodation for all. A dedicated event co-ordinator will ensure your big day arrives with absolutely everything you’ve specified in place, on time and stress-free. The wedding team can offer specialist advice on your photographer, chauffeured limousine hire, additional floral arrangements and even your speech if you need it. The staff and management at The Roslin Beach Hotel will make your wedding day unique and special with lasting memories of your wonderful day.
HOW MANY GUESTS? Enjoy being beside the seaside with up to 150 guests.
Dream Come True… There is just something magical about being by the sea and with the Roslin you can add this extra touch of magic to your wedding day.
The Magic Mushroom Restaurant
Barleylands Road
Billericay
Essex
CM11 2UD
01268 289963
www.magicmushroomrestaurant.co.uk
If you are looking for a wedding venue that is intimate, adaptable and, most importantly, delivers first-class service and food then why not consider The Magic Mushroom Restaurant. It offers a number of seating plan options depending on the size of your wedding as well as a private dining room with an intimate feel for a small wedding breakfast, which is ideal for 18 to 32 guests. The back restaurant can accommodate weddings up to the size of 40 guests and then the main restaurant is available for weddings of 100 plus. A personal service allows the venue to tailor the day and menus to your requirements.
HOW MANY GUESTS? The choice is yours, with a variety of options to cater for many sizes of wedding party.
Dream Come True… A very personal touch in the planning allows you to find the solution that suits you.
The Dog & Gun
Boreham Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM3 3NF
01245-360211
www.dogandgunchelmsford.co.uk
This exciting new wedding venture at The Dog and Gun is an ideal location for your perfect day. The Dog & Gun offers you complete flexibility and is able to cater for all budgets from a simple elegant wedding up to the grandest of occasions. A modern outside area creates ample space in the summer time and is lit throughout the evening, finishing with fireworks at the end of the night. For your cosy winter wedding, an open fire will keep you and your guests warm while you share your memories and laughter together. The team will also devise the menus to suit your requirements and decorate the building in whichever way you chose.
How many guests? Up to 75/80 for a sit down meal inside. For an evening function, up to 130 for a buffet.
Dream come true . . . This is a five star venue, with five star service.
Bedford Lodge Hotel
Bury Road
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 7BX
01638 663175
www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk/
Imagine the wedding day of your dreams - an idyllic venue in Newmarket with superb cuisine and sensational service. Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is one of region’s most stunning wedding venues, providing the personal care and attention you deserve. It is fully licensed for civil ceremonies and offers three self-contained banqueting suites which can accommodate an intimate wedding of 10 through to a more lavish celebration with up to 150 day time guests. The elegant white stucco building, parts of which date back to the 17th century, and stunning rose gardens provide a romantic backdrop and create the perfect environment in which to enjoy canapés and a glass of Champagne with your guests.
How many guests? Up to 150 day time guests
DREAM COME TRUE… A professional wedding coordinator will be on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly – from your initial enquiry, right through to the day itself.
