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Your Guide to the Best Essex Wedding Venues

Choosing the right wedding venue is one of the most exciting (and sometimes overwhelming !) parts of planning your day. Your venue sets the tone for the celebration, reflects your personalities as a couple, and becomes the backdrop for all those unforgettable moments we’ll capture together.

From rustic barns and grand country houses to relaxed coastal settings and charming village churches, Essex has a venue for every couple’s vision. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of photographing weddings at some of the county’s most beautiful and unique locations, and we’ve shared our experiences to help you find the perfect match on our Essex Wedding Blog.

This page is your go-to guide for Essex wedding venues, with links to our in-depth blogs where you can see real weddings and discover insider tips for each location.

Why Your Venue Matters for Photography

Every venue has its own light, character, and quirks that influence how your photos will look. Whether it’s the golden glow spilling through barn doors, the dramatic elegance of a manor house staircase, or the relaxed atmosphere of a garden marquee, we love exploring the unique possibilities of each place.

On our venue blogs, you’ll see:

Real weddings we’ve photographed at the venue.
Natural, candid moments that bring the space to life.
Practical details like ceremony spots, reception flow, and photo backdrops.
Tips for getting the best from your venue in your photographs.

Popular Essex Wedding Venues We’ve Photographed

Essex is full of incredible places to say “I do,” from historic castles and elegant manor houses to intimate registry offices and modern golf clubs. Here are some of the venues we’ve had the joy of photographing — click through to see the full blogs where available:

Braintree Town Hall – A grand, historic building right in the heart of Braintree. With its stunning architecture and characterful ceremony rooms, it’s a fantastic choice for a town-centre wedding.

Colchester Town Hall – With its striking Victorian architecture and impressive ceremony rooms, this central venue offers a sense of grandeur combined with historic charm.

Crondon Park Golf Club – Nestled in the Stock Valley, this venue is famous for its beautiful Baronial Hall. With oak-beamed ceilings and a rustic yet romantic feel, it’s ideal for a countryside celebration.

Forrester Park Golf Club – A versatile venue with countryside views, perfect for couples wanting a relaxed atmosphere.

Gosfield Hall – This Georgian mansion is one of Essex’s most iconic venues, offering opulent interiors, sweeping staircases, and gorgeous gardens for a truly fairy-tale feel.

Great Lodge, Bardfield – A rustic yet elegant barn venue surrounded by vineyards and woodland. Perfect for couples who want a natural, countryside feel with plenty of charm.

Hedingham Castle – For couples dreaming of a dramatic, historic backdrop, this Norman keep delivers. Ceremonies in the castle or celebrations in the Tudor Hall create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Hylands House – Set within Hylands Park in Chelmsford, this Grade II* listed mansion is all about light-filled rooms and elegant décor, with acres of parkland for dreamy outdoor portraits.

Layer Marney Tower – England’s tallest Tudor gatehouse offers dramatic architecture and far-reaching countryside views. It’s a truly unique and historic setting for saying “I do.”

Langtons House Registry Office – A beautiful Georgian manor in Hornchurch with elegant interiors and tranquil landscaped gardens. Perfect for couples looking for a relaxed yet classic setting.

Leez Priory – A Tudor manor steeped in history, offering 40 acres of grounds, a romantic tower, and character-filled ceremony spaces. A dream location for couples who want grandeur with warmth.

Newland Hall – Set within picturesque countryside near Chelmsford, this 15th-century manor house is full of character. Its flexible spaces and lakeside setting make it a favourite for relaxed weddings. (Blog coming soon)

Prested Hall – A charming country manor surrounded by parkland and lakes. It’s known for its welcoming atmosphere, exclusive hire, and relaxed yet refined vibe.

Quendon Hall, Parklands – A stately home surrounded by deer parkland, with elegant interiors and a light-filled orangery. It’s a luxurious yet welcoming venue.

St Nicholas Church, Laindon – A beautiful parish church with a traditional atmosphere and a strong sense of community. A wonderful choice for couples looking for a heartfelt, faith-centred ceremony. (Blog coming soon)

The Fennes – A stunning Georgian manor surrounded by picturesque gardens and parkland. With its elegant interiors, sweeping staircase, and romantic outdoor spaces, it’s a versatile venue that combines grandeur with a relaxed country feel.

Wivenhoe House Hotel – A stylish hotel on the edge of Colchester, blending history with modern luxury. Its grounds and elegant interiors make it perfect for both intimate and larger weddings.

Ye Olde Plough House – A family-run venue with a friendly, welcoming feel. Its rustic barns and landscaped gardens give couples plenty of variety for a relaxed celebration.

Bride and groom beside on of Gosfield Halls iconic stag statues in the grounds

Queen Charlotte's Gallery at Gosfield Hall set up ready for a wedding ceremony with white chair covers, red chair sashes and white flowers

Bride smiles as her children kiss her cheeks in the Rococo Suite at Gosfield Hall

Bride in white dress with lilac hair makes her way down the staircase at Braintree Town Hall with all the wedding guests behind

Bride and groom kiss and hug at th end of their wedding ceremony as the guests all cheer and clap at Braintree Town Hall

Bride and groom are showered in confetti as they leave Braintree Town Hall

The gardens at Great Lodge set up with chairs and hay bals for an outdoor wedding ceremony looking across to Anne of Cleves Barn

Bride and her guests playing rounders in the grounds of Great Lodge in Bardfield

The green oak wedding pavilion decorated with flowers and bunting looking back at the main hoouse at Great Lodge in Bardfield

Bride and groom on the grand staircase at layer Marney Tower being showered from above by their guests with confetti

The lake and wooden walkway across it surrounded by trees at Layer Marney Tower

Bride and groom walk up the drive after their private drive in the vintage Rolls Royce at Layer Marney Tower

Bride and groom surrounded by guests with white umbrellas are showered with confetti at Leez Priory

The gravel driveway leading from the car park to the main entrance at Leez Priory

Bride with the grooms party having fun with portraits in the manor house at Leez Priory

Full wedding group photo lit by candlelight at the end of the ceremony inside Hedingham Castle

Hedingham Castle in sunshine with blue skies and light clouds from the driveway framed by trees on either side

Bride and groom share a kiss by the lake at Hedingham Castle

The grand front entrance to Hylands House

The neo-baroque banqueting room at Hylands House

The outdoor ceremony garden set up for a wedding at Hylands House

Bride and groom share a kiss at the ceremony table at the end of their candlelit twilight wedding ceremony at Langtons House

View across the lake at Langtons House Registry Office

Bride and groom share a private moment surrounded by summer flowers in the grounds of Langtons House in the sunshine

Outdoor ceremony at the entrance to the bridge across the lake in the grounds at Prested Hall

Prested Hall in sunshine from across the lake showing the wedding marquee to the left

Wedding guests form a heart sharp round the bride and groom as they kiss in the grounds at Prested Hall

Bride and groom at the ceremony table with their doggy ring-bearer in the marquee at The Fennes

Bride and groom are showered in confetti by their guests as they make their way into the marquee at The Fennes

Bride and groom share a few pivate moments together in the walled garden at The Fennes

Finding the Right Fit for Your Day

When you’re choosing a venue, think about:

The atmosphere you want (formal, relaxed, rustic, elegant).
The size and flow of spaces for your guest list.
Indoor vs outdoor ceremony options.
How the setting reflects you as a couple.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The best venue is the one that feels right for you – and when you feel comfortable, your photos will naturally reflect the joy of the day.

Ready to Explore More Essex Wedding Venues?

Take a look at our full collection of Essex Wedding Venue Blogs for inspiration. Each post gives you a real feel for the venue through the eyes of a couple who celebrated there.

And if you’re still in the early stages of planning, we’d love to chat about how we can capture your day beautifully – wherever you choose to say “I do.”

📸 Get in touch with us today to check availability and tell us more about your wedding plans.

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