For couples who hate extravagant and formal affairs, why not host your very own barn wedding at one of these gorgeous Essex venues?
Essex has an incredibly intricate history, with the Romans, Saxons and Vikings each leaving their own unique mark on the land. Now this county and its seamless blend of rich farmland and glorious coastline is host to over 6,784 weddings each year.
With the help of our meticulous list, you should be planning your very own barn wedding in no time.
Houchins
Located just outside the quiet town of Coggeshall, Houchins has a wonderful interconnected maze of converted barns that accommodate weddings of every size.
This Grade II-listed farmhouse is licenced for beautiful indoor and outdoor ceremonies, so depending on the weather you’ll either be exchanging vows inside the spacious Foundry or outside under the oak-clad Loggia.
Both are only a short stroll from the terrace, where you can enjoy a relaxed drinks reception and prepare for the evening ahead.
Choose your caterer from Houchins’ list of trusted local suppliers and sit down to a delicious wedding breakfast in the renovated Grainstore.
With its cosy wood burner, elegant mezzanine gallery and high-vaulted ceiling, it’s a brilliantly flexible space that can suit a traditional sit-down meal or an informal buffet.
After you’ve danced the night away in the Foundry, which can convert at ease into a sparkling bar and dancefloor, retire to the luxurious Honeymoon Lodge and enjoy a restful night of sleep in a king sized bed.
Maidens Barn
Image by: Scott Miller Photography
Say “yes” to authenticity and style by hosting your wedding at Maidens Barn, a lovingly maintained site that dates back to 1806.
This Grade II-listed building has retained all of its rustic charm whilst elegantly making way for modern features, such as hard wood floors and a shimmering glass bead chandelier.
Further Reading: Top Lavish Wedding Venues in Essex for Your Perfect Elaborate Wedding
Image by: Scott Miller Photography
The barn’s transformation can be credited to the wonderful owners Katherine and Clive Matthews. They saw potential in the once decrepit storage facility and moulded it into the magical barn wedding venue that brides and grooms have enjoyed now for over twelve years.
If you opt for an indoor ceremony, guests will take their seats either side of the aisle in the Oak Barn, marvelling at the high-arched ceilings and striking beams.
Image by: Scott Miller Photography
Alternatively, you can marry under the flowering arbour and enjoy views of the surrounding gardens and countryside.
The Elm Barn is an idyllic spot for your barn wedding reception. Being the oldest, grandest building on-site, it has plenty of space for a sweeping dancefloor as well as any kind of late night entertainment you can think of.
Great Priory Barn
If you’re looking to hold a more folks-style reception complete with hog roasts and a ceilidh – a traditional catalogue of dances set to Gaelic folk music – we can’t think of a better suited backdrop than the Great Priory Barn.
This 13th century barn offers sweeping views of the rural Essex countryside, with twisting paths leading out through the surrounding woodland.
If you’d like to hold a humanist wedding or blessing outside, there’s a special clearing in the woods that can be set up with pews, chairs or hay bales.
The Great Priory Barn is Grade II-listed, a mighty blend of timber and thatch built during the reign of Henry III.
The barn and the grounds hire on an exclusive basis and are only made available between May and August. The owners recommend hiring the barn for three days to give you, your caterers and your other barn wedding vendors plenty of time to set everything up and take everything down.
The Reid Rooms
Image by: Greg Coltman Photography
Jumping from the 13th to the 15th century, The Reid Rooms was once a working stable on Marks Hall Farm. Though it’s since been updated with modern facilities, it’s still a celebration of majestic period features and rustic charm.
As the barn is licenced for civil ceremonies, you can host the entirety of you special day here, from morning bridal preparations right through until your last dance.
Image by: Greg Coltman Photography
You’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time as you walk down the aisle surrounded by exposed timber beams and tasteful floral artwork.
After the ceremony, your guests will be welcomed to the landscaped courtyard, where they can enjoy a drink and a canapé or two. This gives you the chance to slip away with your photographer and make the most of the glorious Essex countryside.
Alternatively if you’re planning a summer wedding, you and your guests can ride to the Meadow Pavilion on a series of tractors and trailers, really soaking up the natural splendour of the encompassing farmland and enjoying the country wedding experience.
Image by: Greg Coltman Photography
The Pavilion itself has been designed with the landscape in mind and has been tastefully decorated to blend into the natural surroundings.
As the evening continues, you’ll have your dance under the soft glow of fairy lights wrapped around the oak and elm beams and when the night draws to a close, a home away from home can be found in the nearby Marks Hall Farmhouse.
This venue really is the full package, accommodating every element of your barn wedding in one location.
Creeksea Place Barns
Image by: Kelsie Low Photography
Your barn wedding doesn’t have to be a big wedding. Creeksea Place Barns is a fantastic alternative for couples who want an intimate reception with just their closest friends and family.
As Creeksea Place is somewhat off the beaten track, it offers gorgeous views of the River Crouch as well as an uninterrupted landscape of rural farmland.
Image by: Kelsie Low Photography
Relish the peaceful setting with a sunny drinks reception in the courtyard, a sheltered, contemporary space that can be enjoyed in any weather.
The largest barn can accommodate wining, dining and dancing late into the night, surrounding your guests with beautiful exposed beams, arched ceilings and tasteful antique furnishings.
This venue is completely self-catered, giving you absolute freedom over the light bites and dishes served at your wedding breakfast.
Image by: Kelsie Low Photography
Your caterers will have full access to the kitchen facilities in the adjoining café to cook up your veritable wedding feast, which can either be served in the barn or in the café itself.
However you want to arrange your barn wedding celebrations, Creeksea Place Barns will see that your every wish is fulfilled.
Channels
Image by: Sally Rawlins Photography
Presenting couples with a choice of three splendid ceremony venues, Channels is the barn wedding venue that keeps on giving.
With the help of your dedicated team of wedding coordinators, you’re bound to find a setting that can cater to your every need.
The 17th century thatched barn is perfect for couples who plan on throwing a lavish ceremony and reception. Say you ‘I-dos’ under polished beams and period chandeliers, basking in the grandeur of this 300 year old site.
It also comes with its own private garden, a great space for your guests to mingle and share a laugh in the warmer summer months.
If you’re looking to throw a more intimate affair, Little Channels is just a short walk down the road.
Image by: Sally Rawlins Photography
This venue was designed with smaller barn weddings in mind and has no ‘minimum guest’ requirement, meaning you’re completely free to invite as many people as you like. Little Channels is home to the Courtyard Suite, a venue hidden inside a meticulously restored complex of 19th century farm buildings.
The site is highly stylised with exposed brick and restored pine beams, with its own flagstone courtyard to comfortably accommodate outdoor games and barbecues.
Looking to take advantage of the hot British summer? Channels has a quaint ceremony garden that’s licenced for civil ceremonies.
Wander the extensive grounds and enjoy countless photo opportunities in amongst the lily pond and fountains.
The Barn Brasserie
The Barn Brasserie, often referred to simply as The Barn, is a magnificent all-inclusive venue for weddings of practically every style and size.
The entirety of your day will take place in one of England’s largest thatched barns, a Grade II-listed timber building that’s been standing since the 16th century.
It’s been hosting weddings for over 20 years now and as you liaise with your experienced events coordinator, you’ll find that planning your wedding here is an absolute dream.
Accommodating both formal and informal celebrations, the team of in-house chefs at The Barn Brasserie are ready to approach your menus with imagination and culinary flair.
Whether you’re looking to hold a delicate afternoon tea of finger sandwiches and pastries, or a hearty four course meal, you’re guaranteed the finest service and scrumptious food.
The Barn has plenty of space to welcome evening entertainment. If you’re after a classic disco, there is space for both a DJ and dancefloor; if you’d prefer a band, there’s a raised platform well suited for musicians.
However you wish to spend your first evening as newlyweds, this outstanding barn wedding venue can cater to your every need.
Blake Hall
Looking for a venue that really spoils you for choice? You should definitely consider holding you special day at Blake Hall, a striking country manor house with a trio of newly renovated barns.
Ceremonies are held in the picturesque Hay Barn, a beautiful venue that’s widely admired for its splendid traditional beams. You can even invite musicians to sit in the overhead gallery and play you down the aisle.
Alternatively, your guests can take a seat on the cedar wood benches outside and watch you exchange vows under the canopy of the old Saddlery.
However you choose to hold your ceremony, once the service is over you and your guests can flood out onto the terrace and enjoy a glass of bubbly along with views over the 60 acres of manicured grounds.
The Essex Barn will then provide the perfect space for your wedding breakfast and reception, setting a romantic atmosphere with its soft fairy lights and period charm.
After your memorable evening of feasting, dancing and drinking is done, you can take the short walk to Stable Cottage. This honeymoon cottage is the perfect place to spend your first night as newlyweds, with a continental breakfast being served to you the next morning.
Gaynes Park
Image by Ilaria Petrucci Photography
As Essex is known for its glamour and style, we really shouldn’t be surprised that they’ve managed to produce fabulous contemporary barn wedding venues like Gaynes Park.
Elegant to a fault, the site is an exquisite marriage of natural beauty and sleek, modern architecture.
Wind through the walled Victorian garden and tie the knot in the stunning Orangery. This space is designed as a celebration of symmetry and natural light, with large windows that look out onto the delicate surrounding flora.
The whole space has a light, airy atmosphere, providing an idyllic setting for ceremonies and seasonal drinks receptions.
If you’re looking to throw a vintage-style wedding, the 19th century Gather Barn is Grade II-listed building with aging beams and a flagstone aisle.
The sides are uncovered to allow a gentle breeze to roll through during the summer months, making it perfect for couples that want an outdoor wedding but don’t want to be overly exposed to the elements.
Image by Ilaria Petrucci Photography
The Mill Barn is a romantic setting, incorporating four tree trunk pillars, floor-to-ceiling windows and a mezzanine balcony into its design.
You can decorate the space however you wish, with your own personal wedding planner there to help you every step of the way.
You’ll even get invited to a tasting event in the lead up to the big day so you can fine tune your menu and agree on dishes as a couple. The staff really have thought of everything.
Image by White Stag Photography
We’ve really only skimmed the surface of everything Essex has to offer in this list. If you feel a spark of inspiration and want to find out more, take a look at our Essex wedding venues page.
Love all of these weddings. We are so lucky to have so many gorgeous spots here in Essex