Help in Finding an Essex Venue (eg Friern Manor)

Hi

I got engaged on Valentines Day and I'm desperately trying to find a venue that I like, in the right area for the right budget. I've sent off for loads of brochures and I'm feeling over whelmed. My family is in Upminster so somewhere within 45mins of there would be ideal.

I want somewhere gorgeous and I thought I had a generous budget, but when I see somewhere I like it seems to cost over £10k, sometimes a lot more than £10k!!! I guess that potentially having 100 day guests isn't cheap. I've heard fanastic things about Friern Manor. It seems like a stunning classy place with great service and good food without charging £5k venue hire.

Can anyone recommend other good venues I should see that have wow factor but won't cost double figures?

Thank you

Maidens Barn is nice in High Easter. (10min from Chelmsford) The website does it no justice. My sister got married there in sept last year. You can bring your own caterers and drink in so helps to keep the cost down. I can try and dig out some photo's of it if your interested in seeing what it's like?
She did her WHOLE day for 16k with 140 people for the day time.
x

I am a Friern Manor bride = ) but i can also recommend Crondon Park in stock near Billericay or The Reed rooms near Chelmsford for reasonable priced venues.

Have you considered doing a last minute deal/mid week deal?

www.whirlwindweddings.co.uk

www.lastminuteweddings.co.uk

I got married at Leez priory in Chelmsford, it was absolutley stunning and we got a cancelled date so 50% off!!

Take a look at www.essexvenues.co.uk

Thank you for your suggestions, I'll take a look. I really want somewhere impressive, either really modern or old and grand. I'm not looking for a budget venue but somewhere less than £3k for venue hire.

I'm not keen on barns but I'll try to keep an open mind as Gaynes Barn looks amazing, although too expensive.

Mrs Hotch, I'm jealous as Leez Priory is amazing!!! A whirlwind wedding would mean I could afford somewhere like Gosfield Hall or Parklands but other things in our life prevent that.

Hi
I can second Maidens Barn, getting married there in may.
I love it.
It doesn't have that dark feel to it like some barns - really light and light coloured beams etc.
I would say it worth having a look as it may work better with your budget.
Venue hire is about £3600, but then you can choose from 8 caterers, take your own drinks with no corkage charge!

Another place we really liked is the Reid Rooms.. very quaint and lots of character.
We loved the look of gaynes park but worked out much more expensive :

Good luck

I'm an Orsett Hall Bride!

We went to see friern manor, the old rectory, langtons golf club, Ye Olde Plough House & The Thurrock Hotel just off the M25 roundabout near Lakeside. Plough House was gonna be my 2nd choice, the people are really friendly. I didnt like langtons as its a golf course and no real photo opportunity locations, Friern was lovely but so in demand for functions this year, rectory was alright and the whole "its just yours for the day" is fab but it wasnt overly fab & Thurrock Hotel is huge and looked really good but I just loved OH.

I really do recommend OH though, they have a spa, three diff bridal suites and where it was rebuilt and reopened last year after it's fire it's so modern.

I dont mean anything horrible against other venues they just werent for me.

Whirlwind weddings don't have to be so "whirlwind"

We booked ours with 4 months to go, but were looking around for months and you can get really good deals for 6 months to go, even 9 months.

Its really worth looking into if you can. If you need any advice just email me xx

[Modified by: Mrs Hotch on March 12, 2010 10:18 PM]

Blue 1984 i am an Orsett Hall Bride too!! Yes i would Recommend Orsett Hall, Friern Manor is nice to i went to a wedding there just last week and it was lovely xx

I've just taken a look at Orsett Hall website. The Gold Room looks lovely and the hire price is good, but there is no menu information on their brochure which seems strange. I might ring them and get more information. I hadn't really looked at it before as I liked it before the fire and thought it wouldn't be as nice. Does anyone know if they do barbecues?

My sister had her wedding at The Old Rectory. It does a very good price considering you have sole use and the gardens are nice.

Not sure about the BBQ, my stuff is upstairs will have a look. The brochure just gives insights into what they do I think.

When we went there to look, they showed us the function rooms, the suites & guest rooms. We then sat down and they ran through what the estimated costs would be. They then offer to hold the date for 2 weeks providing it's free and you dont give them money for it, they just do it as a goodwill gesture. Also got a bar price list for drinks, food info, costs for rooms, surcharges & room capacities.

Fayb when is yours? I've gotta take the terms & conditions back shortly xx

[Modified by: Blue1984 on March 13, 2010 01:20 PM]

Mine is 14th April next year, when is yours Blue1984?

JaneKL yeah if you ring them they will send you a brochure which will include everything for you to look at xx

Mine is Nov 19th this year! 250 days away, so excited.

Hiya
Im getting married at the De Rougemont Manor hotel in Brentwood. Its just off the A127 and a very good price. Im in love with the place and have to wait two years until I get married.
I went to Orsett hall, but found it a bit too much over my budget.