GOING local

Wed in and around Colchester

TALBOOTH RESTAURANT & MARQUEE 01206 321 105 | www.milsomweddings.com

A traditional Tudor building set beside the picturesque River Stour in the heart of Constable country. This stylish marquee is perfect for a party and sits in immaculately manicured gardens. It’s all about food at the Talbooth, so a complimentary tasting for the bride and groom just as to be done.

Celebrate in style

For your ceremony, the largest room is the River room accommodating up to 120 guests. Meanwhile, the Old room is perfect for intimate weddings of four to 40 people.

For your reception, the marquee is ideal, with everything under one roof. The capacity is 50 to 160 seated and space for 200 for an evening party to remember.

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The location really stands out... green, immaculately landscaped gardens, the meandering River Stour, it doesn’t get more picture perfect for your wedding album.

Houchins Wedding Venue

01376 561 448 | www.houchins.co.uk

The formally landscaped wedding garden has been cleverly planted to show interest all year round. So, no matter what time of year a wedding takes place there’s always some formal structure and colour in the garden. Beyond the garden is the woodland area for woodland weddings fronted by the recently renovated pond and fountain providing an elegant arrival. The Main Barn known as the Grain Store incorporates a large, open fireplace and mezzanine gallery to make full use of the 35-foot-high ceilings. The Grain Store is centrally located between the bar and dance barn helping your evening flow.

Celebrate in style

The marquee is available from April to October and is set in the wedding garden and seats up to 150 guests.

Adjoining the Grain Store, the Foundry is a perfect space for out-ofseason weddings with a central fireplace and overlooking the formal wedding garden. This has recently undergone a facelift with new panelling, uplighters and mirrors combined with a rich, dark paint colour to transform the room into a more sophisticated and intimate space. Set beyond the formal wedding garden is the woodland area which has a meandering pathway mown through it to a ceremony area with seating for up to 150 guests.

Finally, set within the house is the oak panelled drawing room for smaller more intimate weddings for up to 25 guests.

Receptions take place on the west facing terrace overlooking the wedding garden with capacity for up to 150 guests. Out-of-season receptions take place inside the Chitting Shed around the bar area for up to 150 guests.

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The new Terrace Bar (launched in June) is a rustic outside bar set at one end of the terrace from where reception drinks will be served and perhaps a ‘cocktail hour’ offered following the wedding breakfast.

Wivenhoe House Hotel

01206 863 666 | www.wivenhoehouse.co.uk/wedding-venue

Wivenhoe House is based in Wivenhoe Park, on the grounds of the University of Essex. The gazebo is located on the Sunken Lawn, perfect for both intimate and large summer ceremonies or drinks receptions. The gazebo overlooks the historic parkland and the magnificent cork oak trees brought back to the Wivenhoe Park Estate by General Rebow over 200 years ago. A beautiful 18th century, Grade II listed, four-star country house hotel with a contemporary twist on the Essex/Suffolk border. It was originally built in 1759 by Thomas Reynolds for the first owner Isaac Rebow and immortalised in canvas by renowned British artist John Constable, when he was commissioned by the then owner Major-General Francis Slater Rebow in 1816.

Celebrate in style

The Drawing room and Signatures room in the main house are traditionally used for the wedding ceremonies or intimate breakfast. With large bay windows offering spectacular views over the parkland, the historic rooms have an impressive fireplace and period features. The contemporary Garden Suite is made up of three rooms with removable partition walls and boasts a private bar, dancefloor and courtyard.

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The beauty of a manor house with historic rooms are the bay windows, high ceilings, overall elegance and views of the grounds. Couples often love the fact that they can do the entire wedding day all under one roof.

At Talbooth

Set beside the natural beauty of the River Stour lays one of the finest wedding venues in Colchester, Talbooth Restaurant. Providing a magical setting for any wedding, whether dining in the riverside restaurant or dancing in the Marquee on the upper terrace, the scenery is picture perfect.

HIRE CHARGE STARTING FROM £1,000

TALBOOTH RESTAURANT

Gun Hill, Dedham CO7 6HP 01206 321105 weddings@milsomhotels.com www.milsomweddings.com/wedding-venues

EAST MERSEA HALL

01206 384 630 | https://eastmerseahall.com

East Mersea Hall’s Pavilion is a barn style venue. With light oak beams and flooring, draping ceiling, glass fronted floor to ceiling windows that overlook the lake, it’s a great location for your day.

Celebrate in style

East Mersea Hall is licensed for civil ceremonies both inside the Drawing

Room and The Pavilion and outside in the walled garden or tranquil woodland. The beautiful Saint Edmunds Church is also situated a 30-second walk away.

The Pavilion can seat up to 150 guests for your wedding breakfast and 250 for an evening do.

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The grounds are picturesque with mature woodland, a stunning lake and landscaped gardens. It’s located five minutes from East Mersea beach.

COLCHESTER TOWN HALL

01206 506 905 | https://colchester-weddings.co.uk

The Town Hall is a jewel in Colchester’s crown. From its prominent city centre location, this magnificent Baroque structure, with its Victorian tower and statue of St Helena – Colchester’s patron saint – dominates the surrounding area. Bursting with Edwardian glamour, the Hall represents the most romantic and historic of venues. The building boasts a rich heritage, and couples are guaranteed to make a grand red-carpet entrance from the moment they step inside.

Celebrate in style

Couples can choose from a variety of function rooms to wed in, all of which are fully licensed for ceremonies and receptions. Moot Hall is the largest and most popular of spaces – its high-arched ceiling and tall stained-glass windows create the perfect setting for up to 250 guests. There’s also the Council Chamber – ideal for an intimate wedding ceremony of up to 80; the Mayoral Suite, which comprises the Grand Jury and West Committee Rooms for up to 110; and the Old Library, a fully self-contained suite with reception, kitchen and cloakroom, again for up to 80.

Receptions are then held in Moot Hall or the Old Library, during which the newlyweds can take a stroll to Castle Park for photographs.

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You’re spoilt for choice with photo opportunities. Aerial shots of your ceremony can even be captured by your wedding photographer from the chamber balcony.

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