What is it about a country wedding that feels so special? It could be the incredible scenery providing a perfect backdrop for your wedding photoshoot, the quaint nearby villages with homely BnB accommodation, or the gorgeous country manors that provide a luxurious escape from everyday life.
The only catch to a countryside wedding is the inaccessibility – many spots are difficult to access via car or public transport, or are located too far from major cities’ transport links.
The solution? The best wedding venues near London are found in Essex. Just a short drive or train ride from the capital, Essex is home to some of the country’s most stunning venues, equipped with everything you need to make your dream wedding a reality. Here’s our guide to planning the ultimate Essex wedding.
The first step in planning a country wedding near London is choosing the location. While Surrey, Kent, and other nearby counties provide good options, Essex is home to some of the country’s best wedding venues – both all-inclusive options and dry hire venues.
Not all Essex venues are created equally, though. Some might be ‘in the countryside’ but offer little in the way of green space. If a photoshoot in front of rolling green hills is important to you, opting for a venue like the Three Rivers Club with a spectacular countryside backdrop is the best way to go. Otherwise, you might as well stay in the Big Smoke!
You’ll need to decide between an all-inclusive or dry hire venue. Or, if your venue of choice offers both, establish which approach works best for you.
All-inclusive venues take care of everything for you, from catering to entertainment, so you’ll have less to do in the way of planning, but there’s less flexibility, too. Dry hire venues act as a blank canvas that you can customise, so if you’ve always had a certain approach in mind for your special day, a dry hire venue allows this level of tailoring.
One of the biggest advantages of hosting your wedding outside of a big city is the access to green space and stunning backdrops. Use the opportunities you don’t get at a city wedding by considering an outdoor ceremony or reception, or using the outdoor space for your wedding shoot.
Our top tip? Head outside at golden hour for an Insta-worthy wedding shoot with your guests.
If the majority of your guests live in the city or will be coming from London via transport links, give them a helping hand by planning routes from the capital. Include these details on your wedding website to reduce the admin of answering individual FAQ messages and make it as easy as possible for your loved ones to attend.
Country weddings in wedding venues near London can sometimes involve different spaces, such as transitioning from an outdoor ceremony to an indoor reception. This means your timeline needs to flow seamlessly.
Plan for guest movement between different spaces, time for photos outside in front of beautiful country backdrops, and smooth transitions between different parts of the event.
Traditional venue hire, known as all-inclusive venue hire, typically includes a package that covers things such as catering, drinks, and entertainment. You’re paying for the convenience of somebody putting together your wedding day for you.
Dry hire means you’re hiring the space alone – the suppliers and all other details can be customised entirely to your preferences. If you’re seeking a more hands-on approach, this is the right option for you.
In London, it’s not unusual for the average wedding to run above £30,000 in costs, which is around £10,000 more expensive than the UK average. By opting for wedding venues near London, instead of in London, you can save money and benefit from access to countryside views and more space.
With a team that boasts more than 50 years of hospitality experience and an enviable location with views that span miles, Three Rivers Club in Essex is one of the premier dry hire venues for weddings of any size.
With three banqueting suites spanning 300 acres of breathtaking Essex countryside, you can plan your dream out-of-the-city wedding while still enjoying easy access to the capital by car in less than 90 minutes.
Boasting the option to go dry hire and space for up to 600 guests, Three Rivers caters to all wedding types, including cultural celebrations and even outdoor weddings. Discover the venue today and get planning your perfect wedding!
