An Essex Wedding - May/June 2024 (Issue 116)

ST OSYTH PRIORY 01206 430 160 | www.stosythpriory.co.uk/contact-us This fantastic manor house is a collection of buildings dating back to 1100, with the newest addition to the house being Victorian. The ruins of the monastery are a prominent feature and will make the perfect backdrop to any photograph. The abbots tower provides a phenomenal view across the estate. Darcy House has an abundance of historic features, it has been sympathetically restored to complement the wealth of history including original features such as the stone carvings on the window depicting saints which predate the dissolution of the monastery. The detailed wooden touches across fireplaces, doorways and walls retains the history and the grandeur as it once would have been. Time to celebrate For your ceremony, you’re spoilt for choice. There’s Darcy House, where The Gallery and The Great Hall seat up to 110 guests. There’s also the historic chapel which seats up to 60, under the Gatehouse, on the Precinct, and in the Sunken gardens which can host up to 110 guests for a civil ceremony. There are multiple locations for your drink’s reception, such as The Gallery inside Darcy House or outside in the Rose Gardens, The Sunken gardens, The Knot gardens and the precinct. We love... Behind the Priory walls within the 350-acre estate, the gardens and grounds create beautiful scenic memories and impeccable photo opportunities. The gardens are home to natural lakes and a large deer park as well as ancient ruins. HOUCHINS 01376 561 448 | www.houchins.co.uk The farmhouse at Houchins dates back to 1623 and has been beautifully and sympathetically restored to offer maximum comfort for couples to enjoy. The formally landscaped wedding garden has been cleverly planted to show interest all year. Beyond the garden is the woodland area for woodland weddings fronted by the recently renovated pond and fountain providing an elegant arrival. The Main Barn known as the Grain Store incorporates a large, open fireplace and mezzanine gallery to make full use of the 35-foot-high ceilings. The Grain Store is centrally located between the bar and dance barn helping your evening flow. Time to celebrate The marquee is available from April to October and is set in the wedding garden and seats up to 150 guests. Adjoining the Grain Store, the Foundry is a perfect space for out-ofseason weddings with a central fireplace and overlooking the formal wedding garden. This has recently undergone a facelift with new panelling, uplighters and mirrors combined with a rich, dark paint colour to transform the room into a more sophisticated and intimate space. Set beyond the formal wedding garden is the woodland area which has a meandering pathway mown through it to a ceremony area with seating for up to 150 guests. Finally, set within the house is the oak panelled drawing room for smaller more intimate weddings for up to 25 loved ones. Receptions take place on the west facing terrace overlooking the wedding garden with capacity for up to 150 guests. Out-of-season receptions take place inside the Chitting Shed around the bar area for up to 150 people. We love... The Terrace Bar (launched in June 2023) is a rustic outside bar set at one end of the terrace from where reception drinks will be served and perhaps a ‘cocktail hour’ offered following the wedding breakfast. www.farliephotography.co.uk www.gemmagiorgio.com www.dayandknightphotography.co.uk www.jessicamoorephotography.co.uk 27 THEMED VENUES

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