The best winter wedding venues in Essex

If you’re looking to get married in winter, in Essex then I hope this guide will be helpful. I’m Jess, a wedding photographer in Essex and I’ve been photographing winter weddings for 8 years now! I’ve put together this list of my favourite winter wedding venues in Essex.

The things, I think, make a great winter venue are the coziness factor. You want a winter wedding to feel warm and welcoming, no big industrial spaces that take ages to heat or draughty barns. I also recommend reducing the travel times between places or even better keeping everything together in one venue which means your guests don’t have to step foot out in the cold and rain!

I also think food is a huge part of winter weddings. Most of these venues have excellent on-site catering.

Essex Winter Wedding Venues

The Compasses

What could be more cosy than a pub! This former pub is a lovely little venue that really lends itself to winter weddings, with a cosy log burner by the bar and twinkly lights.

The Old Parish Rooms

One of my favourite venues, this one can suit either small or large weddings and is great for winter as it’s all in one building and looks beautiful when lit up up with fairy lights!

Houchins

A great modern barn venue. All in one building there’s no traipsing around in the cold between the ceremony and party. The barn is well heated and different attached rooms means there’s no having to turf people out to turn the room around. Accommodation on site.

Roslin Beach Hotel

The coast isn’t just for summer. Have a winter wedding overlooking the sea, whilst the countryside can look a bit bleak overwinter the sea has a year round charm and this lovely hotel is another place where you can have everything in one location. Being a hotel also means lots of on-site accomodation.

Hares Field

A small barn venue which is really cosy and makes a great space for an intimate wedding over winter. Accommodation on site and a mezzanine level mean you can keep your whole day in one spot or there are lots of lovely local churches nearby.

Vaulty Manor

A lovely space with multiple rooms that are all joined together so no need for guests to ever have to brave the outdoors although there’s a nice courtyard and lit up walkway here if you want to nip out for photos or do sparklers. Accommodation on site too.

St Osyth Priory

A country manor house with it’s own deer park! A magic location for your wedding with classic style. Accommodation on site and all the main rooms are in the same building.

Villiers Barn

A beautiful light barn that looks great styled with lights and warm enough for your winter wedding! An adjacent ceremony room connects on so you can stay inside and outside is a lovely courtyard space so no traipsing through mud for guests!

The Lion House

Part of the gastro-pub near Chelmsford, this venue has a stylish main room with lots of light and on-site accommodation. Being part of the pub it has excellent food and service but still keeps that special, wedding vibe. There’s not much outdoor space here so I think it works much better as a venue for the colder months. It’s also close to the A12 and rail links so easier travel which is always a bonus in winter.

That’s all my picks for now, but I’ll keep updating this list when I think of more! If you’re interested in a wedding photographer for your winter wedding drop me a message. I’ve got years of experience photographing in low light and all the other challenges that winter weddings present!