Finding a venue for your wedding is one of the most important tasks on your wedding to do list and the first box you're likely to tick off. The venue you choose will pretty much dictate everything about your day, from the number of people you invite, to your catering choices, the flowers you choose and even the wedding attire you go for.

If you're opting to choose a venue in Essex, we have some fab news – you are completely spoilt for choice! Whether you’re looking for a small intimate venue, a rustic barn, or blank canvas wedding venue, such as a marquee or tipi, there’s a huge variety of wedding venues in Essex, each with their own unique personality and style.

With stunning countryside, charming market towns and a magnificent coastline, Essex is a county with plenty to offer and an ideal place to tie the knot with your best friend.

So, with all this in mind, we’ve rounded up our chosen wedding venues in Essex to get you feeling motivated, excited, and inspired.

The Hare's Field

The Hare's Field is a beautifully unique venue with outstanding views of the surrounding countryside in Braintree. Perfect for intimate weddings, the barn has been restored with great care and offers a delightful space for weddings of up to 60 people. The barn is set within private grounds with a gorgeous courtyard which is ideal for welcome drinks in the sun.

The indoor space is bright and airy and is a blank canvas for couples looking to tailor a space to their own requirements. The Hare's Field is versatile and available for both ceremonies and receptions year round. The barn is soundproofed, features a fully equipped kitchen along with underfloor heating plus its own light and sound system.

An added bonus of this venue are the beautifully renovated rooms - 5 of them to be exact, which are available to hire alongside the main barn for you and your guests.

That Amazing Place

That Amazing Place is an exclusive use venue, giving you total privacy for your wedding day. This means if you choose this stunning venue to be the setting for your wedding, you'll have access to the manor house, wedding cottage plus 13 guest rooms which sleep up to 29 guests!

That Amazing Place's manor dates back to the 15th century and is a historical grade II listed house. It has been beautifully renovated with stylish, contemporary interiors and elegant furnishings.

Licensed for civil ceremonies, That Amazing Place can accommodate up to 70 guests for a ceremony in the Lakeview Lounge. The Lakeview Lounge takes its name from the spectacular views of the lake through beautiful sash bay windows. The Hall with its stunning mirrored wall and high ceilings can cater for up to 100 people.

For larger weddings of up to 150 there's always the option of the stunning garden and grounds marquee. Alternatively, during the summer months you can choose to say your vows alfresco under their outdoor wedding gazebo situated next to the breath-taking backdrop of the lake.

Piece Of Cake Marquee's

Piece of Cake specialises in traditional pole-and-canvas marquees. There 18ft-tall Petal marquee makes for an eye-catching centrepiece to your wedding. Furniture is also provided, either in a classic style or as a more informal rustic or vintage vibe. Their handmade wooden trestle tables are particularly popular, and look great with folding wooden chairs, a simple table runner and a centrepiece. Also available are a hand-picked range of props to tailor the look of the marquee to your own vision. For the party, a dance floor can be supplied with a stage, PA/Sound system, and disco lights. There are two games packages to keep your guests entertained, from egg-and-spoon or sack races to croquet and giant Jenga. To keep your planning as stress-free as possible, the team here can also arrange the larger extras you might need for a marquee wedding, such as a generator, luxury portable toilets, fridge trailer, and more.

The Waltham Barns At Little Channels

The Waltham Barns at Little Channels is one of the top venues in Essex for intimate weddings. Whilst many venues ask for a minimum number of guests, the Waltham Barn at Little Channels requires no such commitment. The beautiful space complete with a private flagstone courtyard is perfect for any number of guests up to a maximum 90 sit down and 150 informal guests in the evening.

Little Channels is fully licensed to host civil ceremonies for both opposite and same-sex marriages. Recommend up to a maximum of 70 seated guests in the beautiful, beamed ceremony room. Should you be looking for a slightly larger ceremony, the Waltham Barn can accommodate up to 90 guests in the larger space.

If you are looking for a later ceremony, Little Channels handcraft all packages to fulfil your wedding dreams. Keep the day shorter and sweeter; cherry-pick your food and drink choices from their fantastic selection to make your special day more relaxed and tailored to your needs.

The Boundary

The Boundary is a family run, blank canvas wedding and events venue situated within the 10 acres of privately owned Garons Park Trust land in the heart of Southend-on-Sea. This spectacular, exclusive hire venue can cater for up to 200 seated or 400 standing guests in their marquee, and 120 for a ceremony.

The Boundary is a multifunctional venue and can host anything from weddings to proms, black tie dinners to special occasion birthday parties, corporate events, product launches or charity do’s. The team encourage hirers of the space to get creative with it - it's a space you can put your own stamp on. If you'd like some help with styling, they have a number of props & items available for hire to help dress the marquee.

The space can be laid out in a number of different ways depending on guest numbers. Seating plans are available on request.

The Compasses At Pattiswick

If you're looking for a beautifully rustic, flexible venue then The Compasses at Pattiswick might be for you. This intimate space offers a welcoming experience and weddings are created specifically to each couples’ requirements. Pricing varies according to the day of the week and the month you choose to get married; they also vary according to the catering options you would like, they offer anything from 3 course wedding breakfasts, hog roasts, BBQ's, afternoon teas or bowl food.

The Compasses is surrounded by beautiful countryside, offering a variety of backdrops for your wedding photos, and is licensed for ceremonies in addition to being available for parties and receptions.

Hop Farm

Surround yourself with the historic beauty of Hop Farm for a truly memorable experience. All function suites face or open out to the manicured lawns and land, offering fabulous views.

White wedding & banqueting suite.

The oak beamed and hop garlanded banqueting suite can cater for up to 120 guests for the seated wedding breakfast, with an additional 80 guests in the evening. It has its own bar, reception area, integral dance floor and toilet facilities.

The Roundels.

Perfect for a drink’s reception or intimate ceremony.

The Garden Gazebo

Perfect for the ceremony in the summer.

The Dray

For larger ceremonies and receptions. Can accommodate up to 220 dining guests, and an additional 200 guests in the evening.

The Dray Marquee

Permanent structure attached to the Dray and offers an additional 360 square metres of space. Can seat up to 220 guests.

You can use your own caterers in the dray, but bar services must be provided by Hop Farm.

Alternatively, put up a Tipi in the event fields, limited only by your imagination...

County Marquees East Anglia

County Marquees East Anglia is a family-owned marquee hire business in Essex which was founded back in the late 90's. After years of experience in the industry, this unique marquee company have built up an extensive range of traditional and clear span marquees of varying sizes, perfect for any occasion. Whether you're planning a small, intimate wedding or a party with hundreds of guests, County Marquee's will have something to suit your requirements.

So, there you have it! Plenty of wonderful places to choose from.

Are you ready to start planning your wedding? We offer an abundance of advice and inspiration to help make your wedding day a unique and memorable occasion. We also offer a free wedding checklist download (including a: QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR VENUE FORM) to help get you started.

Ping us an email here: hello@infinitemangementco.com if you have any questions about planning your special day. We’d love to help,

Debbie and Becca x