Dreaming of saying "I do" under open skies? Many of Essex’s most beautiful wedding venues offer the option to tie the knot outdoors, surrounded by nature, gardens, or historic charm.
From elegant country estates to rustic barns, there’s no shortage of stunning outdoor settings to choose from. At Hatfield Place, couples are spoiled for choice between the sun-soaked Terrace, the romantic Lawn Gazebo, and the charming Walled Garden Pergola. Over at Houchins Wedding Venue, the options are equally inviting — whether it's an intimate ceremony in the woodland area, a marquee celebration, or one of the atmospheric indoor spaces like the Foundry or the Grainstore.
If you're after something more secluded, East Mersea Hall features a magical Woodland Ceremony Retreat tucked away behind a tranquil lake. Meanwhile, barn venues like Blake Hall Weddings blend rustic elegance with outdoor charm — offering ceremonies either inside the beautifully restored Hay Barn or outside beneath the Saddlery’s canopy. At Crondon Park, couples can choose between the elegant ceremony room or a romantic garden ceremony beneath a floral arch.
Explore our curated list of outdoor wedding venues in Essex below, or use our Venue Search to find even more enchanting locations across the region.
Great Leighs, nr Chelmsford, Essex
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 100 Reception Capacity 250
Nestled in the glorious Essex countryside, Leez Priory is a Tudor manor house exclusive-use wedding venue, located just over an hour away from central London. A sweeping driveway leads you to a place of forgotten grandeur and imposing gates reveal an intimate wedding venue set around a tranquil inner courtyard. With shimmering lakes and manicured gardens, this is a place of beauty and splendour.
Bocking, Essex
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 15-700 Reception Capacity 700
Our Georgian manor house is set amidst 100 acres of stunning grounds and manicured gardens, this romantic picturesque setting is the perfect backdrop for your special day. While the manor has an intimate atmosphere, it is still undeniably grandeur. The high ceilings, spacious rooms and opulent décor provide an impressive setting for your special day.
Hatfield Peverel, Essex
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 200 Reception Capacity 300
The perfect setting for your special day, Hatfield Place is an exquisite Georgian country house wedding venue located in the heart of Essex. The house sits within 15 acres of mature gardens and includes a nurtured and intricately planted Walled Garden. The perfect setting for your wedding and reception and all exclusively yours.
Bishops Stortford, Essex
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 180 Reception Capacity 200
Down Hall is one of Hertfordshire’s finest wedding venues and is located in Bishop’s Stortford near Harlow in the beautiful Hertfordshire and Essex countryside. With a history dating back to 1322, Down Hall has a wonderful array of rooms and suites to host the most intimate of ceremonies, luxury wedding breakfasts and stunning receptions.
Quendon, Essex
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 15-410 Reception Capacity 15-410
A picturesque mansion nestled in beautifully manicured grounds with deer roaming the landscape – Quendon Hall offers the perfect balance of elegance and grandeur, with a relaxed feel – simply stunning for weddings, Muliti cultural weddings and civil partnerships. After a fun night of celebrating you and your guest can retire to one of our 21 luxurious en-suite guests.
Althorne, Essex
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 120 Reception Capacity 150
High House is a stunning wedding venue set in six acres of landscaped gardens and rolling meadow in the Essex countryside. Offering a luxurious yet quaint setting, High House is exclusively yours for your perfect wedding day.
Sudbury, Suffolk
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 50 - 200 Reception Capacity 200
Alpheton Hall Barns are part of an ancient settlement comprising Alpheton Hall and the Church of St Peter & St Paul, Alpheton, all set in meadows and woodland at the end of a no through road. If you are looking for a dream Barn wedding with the option of a woodland ceremony too, just add friends, family, your choice of food and drink and personal touches for your perfect day.
East Mersea, Essex
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 400 Reception Capacity 250
East Mersea Hall is a stunning Elizabethan Manor House dating back to the 15th Century. Historically, ‘The Hall’ was surrounded by a moat, which has now formed into a beautiful lake and has become one of the key features of the Hall.
Colchester, Essex
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 150 Reception Capacity 180
Houchins is an elegant and comfortable Grade II* Listed farmhouse with a rich history dating back to the 15th century. Houchins prides itself on being one of the most original wedding venues in Essex with luxurious, listed accommodation for the bridal party and a lovingly-restored wedding barn designed in a unique modern style. You will have exclusive-use of the whole venue for your special day.
Goldhanger, Essex
Licensed for Marriage Yes Ceremony Capacity 200 Reception Capacity 200
Nestled in the heart of the Essex countryside, in the charming rural village of Goldhanger, Vaulty Manor offers the perfect setting for your special day. As you arrive down our tree-lined driveway, you’ll be greeted by the historic Manor House, with a rich heritage dating back 800 years.