Essex offers one of the widest ranges of wedding venues in the UK, making it a strong choice for couples looking for flexibility without compromise. Within a single county, you’ll find historic country houses, barn venues, contemporary hotels and coastal settings, all with good transport links and a real sense of space.
This guide brings together some of the best wedding venues in Essex, selected based on a combination of positive couple reviews, venue features and popularity with couples planning their wedding. Many Essex wedding venues are set just outside towns and villages, giving you privacy and countryside views while remaining easy for guests to reach from London, Hertfordshire, Suffolk and beyond. If you’d like to explore further, you can also browse other fantastic Essex wedding venues on Guides for Brides.
Gosfield Hall
Gosfield Hall is a Georgian manor house set in rural north Essex, overlooking Gosfield Lake and surrounded by landscaped grounds. Despite its countryside setting, the venue is conveniently located around 30 minutes from Stansted Airport, making it a practical option for guests travelling from further afield. Exclusive use allows couples to move easily between the house and grounds throughout the day.
Ceremony spaces include the Queen Charlotte’s Oak panelled Gallery and the Grand Salon, with outdoor ceremonies available during the summer months. The former Marquis of Buckingham’s ballroom hosts wedding breakfasts for up to 116 guests, while the estate can accommodate up to 250 guests for the evening reception.
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Gosfield Hall Wedding Venue
Celebrate your love at the idyllic Gosfield Hall, an exquisite wedding venue in Essex with a rich history and captivating surroundings.Leez Priory
Leez Priory is a Tudor mansion set within 40 acres of Essex parkland, offering a wide choice of ceremony settings across its historic grounds. With seven licensed options available, including the Tower and the Great Hall, the venue suits a range of wedding styles and guest numbers, from more intimate ceremonies to larger celebrations.
The Great Hall can host wedding breakfasts for up to 86 guests, while the Coach House provides an alternative setting for up to 110. Couples have exclusive use of the house and grounds, with space for up to 250 guests for the evening reception. On-site accommodation includes the Fisherman’s Cottage for the night before the wedding, along with 15 guest bedrooms for friends and family to stay overnight.
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Leez Priory Wedding Venue
Celebrate your love story in a timeless setting with Leez Priory, where history and grandeur intertwine to create an unforgettable wedding day.High House Weddings
High House Weddings is based in Chelmsford, Essex, and centres around a restored Grade II listed barn dating back to 1750. Original features such as oak beams and exposed brickwork give the space its character, while full-height windows bring in plenty of natural light and open the room out to the surrounding gardens.
High House Weddings opened their brand new orangery wedding venue in 2025. This space is perfect for wedding receptions all year round and accommodates up to 140 guests for a wedding breakfast and 200 for the evening celebrations. So, regardless of the time of year you plan to tie the knot, High House offers a setting that is beautiful year-round with plenty of impressive features.
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High House Weddings
Beautiful Barn Wedding Venue in Essex with Stunning NEW Orangery for Wedding Receptions from 2025Valentines Mansion & Gardens
Set within 130 acres of parkland, Valentines Mansion is a Grade II* listed country house with a mix of historic character and flexible event spaces. Inside, the mansion features elegant period rooms, a grand staircase and an 18th-century Venetian stained glass window, alongside more contemporary elements that allow the spaces to work comfortably for modern weddings.
The Holcombe Room opens onto a terrace overlooking the gardens and includes an 18th-century fireplace. Other spaces include the Art Gallery, which balances period features with a more contemporary feel, and the Morning Room, offering garden views alongside original details. The Drawing Room features fireplaces and a balcony overlooking the South Lawn, with the events team on hand to help couples plan and run the day smoothly.
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Valentines Mansion & Gardens Wedding Venue
Discover the charm of Valentines Mansion & Gardens, an affordable Essex venue perfect for budget-friendly weddings.Vaulty Manor
Vaulty Manor combines a country house with a traditional Essex barn, set within countryside and woodland surroundings. The 17th-century Oak Essex Barn is used for indoor ceremonies, wedding breakfasts and evening receptions, with original beams giving the space its character. For outdoor celebrations, the walled garden offers a quieter setting for ceremonies, with space that works well for both smaller weddings and larger gatherings.
The venue offers a fully in-house catering service, with menus prepared from scratch using locally sourced ingredients where possible. Couples can work with the catering team to shape their menu, with flexibility to accommodate dietary requirements, while keeping food and service coordinated on the day.
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Vaulty Manor Wedding Venue
17th Century Barn Wedding Venue in Goldhanger, EssexThe Essex Barn at The White Hart
The Essex Barn at The White Hart is a breathtaking 15th-century venue, exuding timeless charm and elegance. Perfectly blending historic character with modern amenities, this picturesque setting offers the ideal backdrop for your dream wedding.
The expansive barn accommodates up to 200 guests, making it suitable for both grand celebrations and intimate gatherings. Its serene location near the Suffolk border ensures easy access for guests traveling from Essex, Suffolk, or Cambridgeshire.
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The Essex Barn at The White Hart
Essex 15th Century barn wedding venueCharter Hall, Colchester Weddings
Charter Hall is the largest venue within the Colchester Weddings collection and a popular choice for couples planning large or multicultural weddings. Licensed for both ceremonies and receptions, it offers flexible event spaces with dry hire options, allowing couples to tailor the day to their traditions and celebrations.
The two main spaces can be used together or separately, accommodating up to 500 guests. Colchester Weddings also offers historic ceremony venues at Colchester Castle and Colchester Town Hall, giving couples additional options depending on how they choose to plan their day.
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Colchester Weddings - Historic Venues
Make your Essex wedding dreams a reality at Colchester Weddings - historic venue, stunning settings & unforgettable memoriesThat Amazing Place
Surrounded by beautiful grounds, That Amazing Place offers a romantic setting for your wedding day. Dating back to the 15th-century, this historical Grade II listed manor house has been beautifully renovated with a stylish, contemporary interior. You can say your vows in your choice of reception rooms or under an outdoor gazebo by the lake.
Exclusive use of That Amazing Place means as well as the manor house, you have the option of having the Wedding Cottage and 13 deluxe bedrooms all to yourself. This total exclusivity gives you the flexibility to tailor your dream wedding day to perfection. That Amazing Place offers a wonderful location for the perfect Essex wedding.
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That Amazing Place Wedding Venue
That Amazing Place is an exclusive Essex country‑house wedding venue with overnight accommodation and pre-wadding accommodationThe Waltham Barns at Little Channels
The Waltham Barns at Little Channels is a highly sought-after wedding venue in Essex. Steeped in history, the venue is home to a 16th-century barn that has been meticulously restored to feature modern facilities while retaining its rustic charm. This unique blend of old and new provides a captivating backdrop for your special day.
The venue can comfortably accommodate up to 150 guests and offers a variety of services to ensure a seamless and stress-free wedding celebration. From in-house catering and bar service to overnight accommodations, The Waltham Barns takes care of every detail, allowing you to relax and enjoy your wedding day.
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The Waltham Barns at Little Channels
The perfect barn wedding in a stunning intimate venue nestled in the heart of Essex.The Rose Barn
Set within the breathtaking grounds of The Warren Estate, The Rose Barn is considered one of the finest barn wedding venues in Essex. The main wedding barn offers a lovely ambience for your wedding breakfast, with a vaulted ceiling and glorious French doors enhancing the wonderful sense of light and space. The grand oak staircase, with a galleried landing and elegant lighting, is perfect for your entrance on your special day!
For summer weddings, The Oak Pavilion is surrounded by manicured lawns with stunning borders. A lovely limestone path forms the aisle between rustic oak benches, where your guests will be awaiting your arrival. The team also offers a wealth of experience. Your very own wedding manager will take care of every detail for you, so you can relax and enjoy your day. So, The Rose Barn is a unique country retreat, perfect for a rustic Essex wedding.
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The Rose Barn at The Warren Estate Wedding Venue
A beautiful 18th Century Barn Wedding Venue in Maldon with Countryside SurroundingsChannels
Situated alongside a 4 star, 26 bedroom hotel, Channels has a gorgeous, thatched barn wedding venue as well as a unique ceremony garden. The restored, 17th-century Essex Barn is a picturesque ceremony location, full of charm and historic character. Outside, in the stunning ceremony garden overlooking the glorious Essex countryside, you can tie the knot under the stunning pavilion while your loved ones look on from the antique wooden pews.
An extension of The Essex Barn, the outdoor wedding garden is ideal for canapés and reception drinks, with countryside views and space for live music, games and photos. The wider grounds provide varied backdrops, including a fountain, lily pond and tree-lined avenues, while the experienced team brings years of knowledge in delivering weddings smoothly from start to finish.
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Channels Wedding Venue
Create your dream wedding at Channels, an award-winning 17th Century Barn Wedding Venue with stunning surroundingsLondon Chigwell Prince Regent Hotel
The London Chigwell Prince Regent Hotel in Woodford Green is a popular wedding venue in Essex due to the variety of wedding packages it offers and its ability to accommodate larger guest lists of up to 300 people. The hotel is the ideal location to host a large guest list and has a beautifully flexible space. It also has 62 bedrooms for guests to stay in, making it a convenient option for those guests travelling from overseas or outside of Essex.
Additionally, the hotel has received plenty of positive reviews from couples who have held their weddings there. Previous couples have praised the venue's staff, food, and overall atmosphere. The hotel's convenient location and easy accessibility are also major selling points for those wanting somewhere luxurious and convenient to host their wedding in Essex.
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London Chigwell Prince Regent Hotel
Discover the Prince Regent Hotel, Chigwell, a stunning historic wedding venue, surrounded by landscaped gardens.Holiday Inn Colchester
Holiday Inn Colchester is a solid pick if you want a wedding venue that feels flexible and welcoming without fuss. Set on the peaceful edge of historic Colchester, it combines contemporary hotel comfort with event spaces that work well for a range of celebrations, from intimate weddings to larger gatherings of up to around 150 guests.
The Priory Helena Suite gives you plenty of natural light and air-conditioning, with options for a private bar and dance floor, while smaller suites like the Castle Abbeygate offer a cosy vibe for more intimate moments. The venue is licensed for civil ceremonies, so you can host the ceremony and reception all in one place, with gardens nearby for photos that feel less staged and more natural.
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Holiday Inn Colchester
A versatile and welcoming choice for a wedding venue situated on the edge of historic Colchester, EssexColville Hall
Rich in history and romance, Colville Hall is a charming venue featuring listed thatched barns set around a central manor house. Despite being a working farm, it exudes a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The 10 acres of formal gardens, complete with ponds, gazebos, ancient monuments, and a stunning Grade I listed archway, provide a breathtaking backdrop for unforgettable wedding photographs.
We offer two beautiful barns for your special day: one perfect for your wedding ceremony and the other ideal for hosting your reception, both set amidst tranquil and picturesque surroundings. There is also a fully licensed thatched duck pond gazebo, perfect for a charming and unique outdoor wedding.
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Colville Hall Wedding Barn
Discover your dream wedding at our exclusive, Grade I listed barn venue in the heart of Essex.The Lawn
Situated on over 100 acres of rolling parkland and woodland, The Lawn offers a variety of unique spaces for your special day. The Grand Hall, with its sweeping staircase, provides a breathtaking entrance and an unforgettable setting for your occasion. The elegant Orangery is a light-filled space featuring stunning garden views, perfectly complementing the grandeur of the Georgian main house. Outside, the terrace, overlooking the beautiful gardens and fountain, creates a picturesque backdrop for receptions and evening drinks.
For an outdoor ceremony, the wedding gazebo is nestled away in the gardens and boasts unspoiled views across the romantic Rose Garden. So, for a wedding of up to 150 guests, The Lawn is the perfect setting for a romantic English country wedding.
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The Lawn, Rochford Weddings
An enchanting manor house wedding venue in Essex, available for your wedding day, exclusivelyHow to choose a wedding venue in Essex
When choosing a wedding venue in Essex, it helps to start with the basics and build from there. Consider your guest numbers, budget and how far people will need to travel, as these factors will quickly narrow down your options. Essex offers a wide mix of venues, from country estates to hotels and barn spaces, so having a clear idea of what suits your plans will make the search feel more manageable.
Would you like to explore more venues in this area? Check out our page dedicated to helping you find top wedding venues in Essex.