Venue inspiration from An Essex Wedding

Marygreen Manor Hotel, Brentwood

Found in the heart of Brentwood, Essex, this wedding venue is a 16th-century Tudor building is bursting with original features. From its warming fireplaces and oak beams to the glorious Baronial Hall, the venue exudes heritage and charm while offering everything a modern couple could need. Outside, the manicured and secluded courtyard garden is a great spot for wedding photos.

Stock Street Farm Barn, Coggeshall

This 350-year-old barn wedding venue is set in its own traditional English gardens overlooking the Blackwater Valley, Coggeshall, Essex, which are perfectly suited to outdoor ceremonies, garden games or firepits. The more adventurous may choose to hold a Pimm's-fuelled sack race in the South Gardens with the Flemish-brick farmhouse as a backdrop. Inside, the rustic L-shaped barn has a relaxing feel with beaten leather sofas, rugs, trunks, a pool table and a well-stocked bar under twinkling fairylights. Guests turn the corner into the old part of the barn with its exposed beams, stage and high-tech lighting and sound system.

Roslin Beach Hotel, Southend-on-Sea

The Roslin Beach Hotel is a coastal boutique hotel and wedding venue in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The perfect seaside retreat on an award-winning Blue Flag beach, it offers panoramic views of the twinkling estuary, mouth-watering menus, toes-in-sand photos and receptions by the shore. Inside, there's an abundance of opulent rooms and suites, bespoke furniture and in-room luxuries.

Hallmark Hotel London Chigwell Prince Regent

This Grade II listed Georgian mansion boasts landscaped gardens, sweeping lawns and pretty blossom trees. The patio terrace is the ideal location for an outdoor drinks reception, while the picturesque pavilion and imposing chapel provide a showstopping big-day backdrop. Inside the hotel, visitors find Georgian panelling, stunning lighting and receptions rooms that can cater for just about any size of celebration from intimate family gatherings to grand affairs of more than 300 guests. All suites are extremely versatile and provide a blank canvas.

Orsett Hall Hotel, Orsett

Set in acres of glorious Essex countryside, the landscaped grounds of Orsett Hall Hotel provide endless picture-perfect spots for wedding photography. Guests can relax on the terrace or take a walk to the koi carp pond with its romantic wrought-iron bridge. An extensive refurbishment took place in 2007 to bring the original hotel back to life. Built in the same Georgian style, the hotel's sand-coloured brick exterior contrasts effortlessly with its glorious green surroundings. Inside, each space has its own distinctive style and a luxuriously chic feel runs throughout.

Richwill Farm, Manningtree

Richwill Farm is an exclusive wedding venue set in 13 acres of secluded countryside among fields and meadows in Manningtree, Essex. The grounds boast plenty of beautiful photo opportunities from the rose-arch entrance and enclosed courtyard to the natural pond and rustic rope swing. There are a choice of restored barns here all with original exposed beams and rustic charm alongside modern facilities. There's also a converted outdoor trailer bar available.

The Kings Oak, Loughton

This Essex wedding venue was built in 1887, the Victorian façade of The Kings Oak is adorned with decorative trees and elegant lighting, which overlooks Epping Forest. The venue boasts a large tree-lined garden, private walled gardens, Tiki bar and an original 1930s lido – ideal if you're looking for something with the wow factor.

Cressing Temple Barns, Cressing

Nestled between Braintree and Witham are the beautiful Grade I listed Cressing Temple Barns which are a perfect wedding venue setting. Complementing the Templar-built barn is an idyllic and peaceful Tudor walled garden, which provides a perfect backdrop for photographs with its arbour, viewing platform and trickling water feature. The 13th-century barns, which were built in the Templar Knight period, are steeped in history with ancient timbers and brickwork providing a wow-factor backdrop to celebrations.

Blake Hall Weddings, Ongar

Blake Hall and its glorious exclusive-use wedding barns are nestled within 60 acres of beautifully maintained gardens and parkland in Ongar, Essex. The stunning rose garden, ancient trees and formal lawns are just a short walk from the venue and provide a tranquil spot for intimate wedding photographs. The magnificent 17th-century Essex Barn, Saddlery and recently restored Hay Barn sit adjacent to one another, and the lawn and terrace in between is a great spot for drinks receptions and garden games. Inside, all the barns have been sympathetically restored to provide modern comforts without losing their original charm.

The Lawn, Rochford

The Lawn is a magnificent Georgian manor wedding venue set in three acres of landscaped grounds in Rochford, Essex. Its perfectly striped lawns and pristine flower beds make for beautifully colourful wedding photos. Inside, it retains all the warmth and character of when it was a grand home. As a family-run business, parties can expect the highest levels of service and catering whether they choose to hold their full day there or just their reception.

The Hare’s Field, nr Braintree

Situated on the edge of the idyllic village of Wethersfield, Nr Braintree, Essex in a local conservation area, this peaceful countryside wedding venue has vistas across the historic Wethersfield Manor Park. The farm was first recorded in the 1700s, and the main barn was restored in 2017 in soft red brick and black weatherboarding, which is traditional for North Essex. There's a lovely south-facing terrace for entertaining and a row of espaliered lime trees forming a delightful entrance to the barn.

Mulberry House, Ongar

This Georgian manor house wedding venue in Ongar, Essex is tucked away in 22 acres of grounds alongside Mulberry Lake, which once formed a moat around the building, and a canopy of pretty trees. Built in 1767, externally it retains its historical charm with an impressive Doric porch, columns, pilasters and frieze all welcoming visitors. Inside, couples find a house brimming with original features. The Garden Room's lighting and solid-oak flooring creates a vibrant yet intimate atmosphere.

Stock Brook Manor, Billericay

Stock Brook Manor, a wedding venue based in Billericay, Essex, is set in 275 acres of breathtaking Essex countryside. Inside and out it seamlessly blends elegance and style. With a design inspired by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, it's a fine example of an English country manor. The reception suites are spacious and blessed with natural light, while wooden floors and neutral décor means it can suit any wedding style.

Vaulty Manor, Maldon

With a rural location in Goldhanger near Maldon, Essex visitors arrive down a long driveway to find a stunning manor house and welcoming barn wedding venue. The tranquil setting of cornfields and pretty grounds provide endless photo-ready spots. The perfect blend of something old and something new, the venue offers a tastefully restored 17th-century barn alongside the contemporary manor house and courtyard accommodation.

The Arlington Ballroom, Leigh-on-Sea

The Arlington Ballroom, a wedding venue in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, is a fabulous Art Deco building dating back to the 1920s. It was originally a music hall where residents of Southend and Leigh would dance, socialise and enjoy live music. When purchased by William and Susan Verner in 2012 it had lost its charm, but the family soon rejuvenated this piece of local heritage while keeping true to its roots.

Downham Hall, Billericay

In the heart of rural Essex and boasting panoramic views, Downham Hall is a 400-year-old Georgian manor house, which is steeped in history. Red bricks and countryside surround the venue, making it a magical and secluded spot for weddings. The breath-taking gardens and grounds are one of the venue's many attractions.Inside, original features such as fireplaces, high ceilings and beautiful coving are paired with elegant interior design for a high-end finish.

The Compasses at Pattiswick

Hedgerows brimming with cow parsley, foxgloves and honeysuckle lead you along picturesque country lanes to this hidden gem of a wedding venue, which boasts breathtaking views across the rural landscape of North Essex. The spacious gardens with large patios look out across the countryside to mature woodland beyond – an idyllic spot to watch the sun set.

The Lake at Nine Acres, Leigh-on-Sea

A completely blank-canvas space, this pretty Essex wedding venue setting is surrounded by a two-acre lake and open countryside. Lawns, flowerbeds and mature trees provide picture-perfect spots. Receptions are held inside a marquee or tipi on a completely bespoke basis.

Langtons House, Hornchurch

Langtons House is a beautiful Grade II listed Georgian building standing in picturesque landscaped gardens in Hornchurch, with an ornamental lake, orangery and bath house all dating from the 18th century making it an idyllic wedding venue. In 2016, it was restored and new features were added such as a Victorian-style greenhouse, pretty bridge, entrance pillars, cobbled stable yard and a tea room.

Braintree Town Hall

Located in the heart of Braintree town centre, this impressive Georgian building was a gift from William Julien Courtauld to the people of the town and is now a beautiful ceremony venue. The exterior features a balcony overlooking the square, a fine open clock tower and the Braintree coat of arms. Inside, couples will find original décor and artwork including elaborate ceiling murals, rich wood paneling and a picture-perfect sweeping staircase leading up to a stained-glass window. Oozing elegance and charm, it can accommodate anything from intimate nuptials for four guests, to larger parties of 80 people.