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18 Unique Wedding Venues In Essex

Author: Sue White


Not only is Essex’s location ideal when it comes to weddings, with transport connections to London and surrounding cities, but it’s a county rich in history and bursting at the seams with beautiful scenery – the Essex countryside really does speak for itself.

So with all those wonderful characteristics, it’s only fitting that such a heritage-filled area would be home to a bountiful of stunning venues to tie the knot and celebrate with loved ones.

From historic houses with bespoke wedding packages to woodland wonderlands in the heart of the Essex countryside, there are wedding venues in Essex to suit every style, budget and size. Wedding planning has never been so easy!

To make the search a bit easier, we have selected 16 unique wedding venues in Essex to help you find your perfect venue.

1. Crondon Park

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Crondon Park 1

Boasting a long tree-lined drive and panoramic countryside views, Crondon Park really has everything you could possibly dream of for the perfect outdoor wedding.

Located in the village of Stock, you can make the most of the picturesque gardens in the warmer seasons by saying I Do beneath a beautiful floral canopy. What’s more, as an exclusive use wedding venue, you have full reign over the venue to make yourself really feel at home.

Boasting breathtaking views over the valley of Crondon and surrounding Essex countryside, your guests won’t be forgetting this setting in a hurry!

2. Pontlands Park

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Pontlands Outside Front4.jpg 2

Pontlands Park, nestled in the scenic Essex countryside, offers a picturesque setting for your wedding day. This elegant Victorian house boasts stunning grounds providing the picture perfect backdrop for your celebrations.

With a range of indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, Pontlands Park caters to weddings of all sizes and styles. Whether you envision an intimate gathering or a grand affair, their experienced team is dedicated to making your dreams a reality. With luxurious accommodation options and bespoke wedding packages, Pontlands Park ensures a seamless and unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

3. Southdowns Manor

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Southdowns Manor Spring Outdoor Wedding Cat & Mark Nisha Haq Photography websize.jpg 3

Set amidst the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park, Southdowns Manor is a breathtaking wedding venue offering both charm and sophistication. This exclusive-use manor house features elegant interiors, picturesque gardens, and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, creating a romantic atmosphere for your special day. With a choice of indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, including a charming gazebo in the garden.

With a dedicated team and flexible packages, Southdowns Manor invites couples to tailor their wedding experience according to their unique vision. From the light-filled Conservatory to the elegant Banqueting Suite and serene outdoor ceremony locations, every corner exudes sophistication and warmth. With award-winning catering, luxurious accommodation, and exceptional staff, Southdowns Manor promises an unforgettable experience imbued with joy and celebration.

4. Vaulty Manor

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Vaulty Manor 4

If it’s wedding venues with outdoor space you’re looking for, Vaulty Manor has it in abundance. Home to acres of picturesque grounds, you won’t want to miss the opportunity spend time exploring the landscape.

Choose between an indoor or outdoor ceremony, either in the historic barn dating to the 1600s, or make is an alfresco affair and tie the knot in their beautiful gardens. There is a terrace, too, perfect for an evening barbecue or a beverage (or two) with your guests.

5. Gosfield Hall

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Gosfield Hall 5

Winner of Wedding Ideas Magazine ‘Best Wedding Venue’ 2011 and ‘Wedding Venue of the Year- Heritage’ at the 2012 Essex Wedding Awards, Gosfield Hall is a beautiful Georgian Manor House – the elegant architecture will have you feeling like royalty on your wedding day!

This exclusive use wedding venue is an idyllic setting for couples seeking an outdoor wedding in rural Essex. The newly licensed carriageway is a magical setting to read aloud your vows in the great outdoors, and the grandeur of the manor’s exteriors make for an exquisite photo backdrop.

6. Leez Priory

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Leez Priory 6

When it comes to wedding venues in Essex, we simply couldn’t leave out the wonderful Leez Priory. This Tudor manor house has all the grandeur of a castle and the cosiness and charm of a traditional country house.

This exclusive use wedding venue has it all; 40 acres of parkland, a tranquil lake and a sweeping driveway that guarantees a stylish entrance for your and your wedding guests.

There’s plenty of variety here, too, so you can truly tailor your day. Choose between 5 different licensed locations for your ceremony, including the lovely carriageway for a ceremony outside.

7. Houchins

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Houchins 7

If you are looking for a wedding venue offering something a little bit different, you might want to consider Houchins.

Offering woodland weddings, you can ‘declare your love’ tucked away in the woodland trees behind the moat. It’s worth mentioning this isn’t a licensed area, but still beautiful for a celebrant ceremony all the same.

For those who love the space but desire a legally binding ceremony, most couples choose to do this in the Loggia, a beautiful outdoor ceremony space in the gardens, just a short distance away from the woodlands. You can then head to the woodlands with your wedding guests after, so you get the best of both worlds!

8. Ivy Hill Hotel

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Ivy Hill Hotel 8

Ivy Hill Hotel is a beautiful country house hotel surrounded by nine acres of glorious gardens. Promising a relaxing atmosphere with high standard of service, you can enjoy flexibility when it comes to your ceremony and reception spaces.

What’s more, there are some truly beautiful outdoor spaces here, including picturesque gardens and a beautiful patio area, both perfect places to snap a photo or two.

As with all hotel wedding venues, there are plenty of bedrooms for you and your guests to call home for the night – the 31 bedrooms here are all individually styled, and most importantly, super comfortable! The happy couple get the special treatment, too, with a stay their lovely Bridal Suite.

As far as wedding venues in Essex go, this bespoke hotel is certainly one to consider.

9. That Amazing Place

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex That Amazing Place 9

If you prefer a more modern aesthetic for your wedding day, That Amazing Place will be right up your street. The more contemporary interiors mean you have a blank canvas from which to design your day – you won’t have to worry about your colour scheme clashing with any wallpaper!

The outdoor space is something to wander at, too; picture gorgeous green landscapes and a tranquil lake, an ideal location for a romantic walk as a newly wed couple and, of course, a picturesque backdrop for those all-important photos.

Their wedding gazebo takes pride in place on the lawns, perfect for an alfresco ceremony during the warmer months. You can also choose to add an aisle on top of the grass incase you’re worries about outfits getting muddy or stained, or if you simply want to add an elegant touch to a more natural setting. Sounds idyllic!

10. The Compasses at Pattiswick

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex The Compasses at Pattiswick 10

The Compasses at Pattiswick is a gorgeous wedding venue is a former award-winning family pub. This venue is perfect for foodies, offering good quality food and plenty of drinks throughout the day – what else would you expect from a public house?

This is a particularly wonderful venue for a more intimate wedding, but rest assured they can accommodate any size of wedding party, with its open plan layout and a garden that’s included in your wedding package.

11. Hatfield Place

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Hatfield Place 11

Looking for an elegant Georgian Country House Manor? This exclusive venue sits amongst 15 acres of parkland and is only a stone’s throw away from St Andrews church. There are also 12 beautiful bedrooms to allow your guests to stay over after the celebrations have finished.

12. Newland Hall

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Newland Hall 12

A complete unique tailored wedding package can be provided for you at this gorgeous Essex-based venue. The woodlands and 4 tranquil lakes surrounding the Tudor Manor House will ensure your day is nothing but picturesque.

13. The Lawn

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex The Lawn 13

The perfect wedding venue for indoor and outdoor weddings. There is an ideal romantic setting for your ceremony under the wedding gazebo among the beautiful rose gardens. An amazing place to capture those special memories. This historic Manor House is exclusive to you and is available to hold your civil ceremonies and wedding reception.

14. Essex Barn @ The White Heart

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Essex Barn @ The White Hart 14

This exclusive hire barn is ideal for intimate and larger weddings in the UK with a capacity of 200, there is also plenty of space. The wedding day will be held in a warm atmosphere with the rolling Essex countryside just outside, surrounding the venue.

15. Colchester Castle

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Colchester Castle 15

If history is what you after, you won’t be disappointed with this venue. Surrounded by two thousand years worth of history, this wedding venue in Essex is surrounded by beautiful backdrops. Inside the venue, the chapel is the most popular place to hold a ceremony as the high ceilings create a romantic setting for your vows to take place.

16. Little Easton Manor

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Little Easton Manor 16

Set in and amongst gardens, period outbuildings and sweeping lawns, this manor makes the ideal location for an outdoor ceremony. The stunning grounds and historical lakes are nothing but picturesque, creating the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos.

17. Rose and Crown Hotel

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Rose and Crown Hotel 17

Character is aplenty at this Essex wedding venue. The Rose and Crown Hotel is located in a 14th-century building, covered in traditional Tudor-style beams – a perfect background for the all-important wedding photos.

Character and romance define this wedding venue in Essex, with three stunning ceremony suites to choose from, hosting 30 to 100 guests. And when it comes to your wedding reception, the Rose Suite encompasses the historic charm on the property, with exposed beams and wooden panelling accenting the walls.

For larger guest parties, a partition door can be opened to merge the Rose Suite and The Oak Room. Sounds like the perfect place to party the night away!

18. Maidens Barn

Unique Wedding Venues In Essex Maidens barn 18

Nothing says outdoor wedding more than a barn wedding venue. Maidens Barn is one of Essex’s finest wedding venues, with the choice of a ceremony in the charming barn or outdoors in their enchanting arbour, draped in flowers that surround the space.

The fun needn’t end as the evening draws in. For the newlyweds, the Honeymoon Cottage is a cosy, secluded nook overlooking the lake for a romantic first night as a married couple. For the rest of your guests, the Hayloft Barn has been lovingly converted into 14 bedrooms – perfect for a peaceful night’s sleep!

SW

Written by

Sue White

Learn more about Sue White

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