An Essex Wedding - May/Jun 2019 (Issue 86)

We l ov e… Located deep in Epping Forest, Gilwell Park combines stunning Georgian elegance with a rural retreat feel. Inside, it offers understated interiors allowing couples to dress it exactly to their taste. The venue is running a brilliant offer when booking one of its wedding packages – brides and grooms receive either a 50% discount on the ceremony hire price, or they can opt for £200 towards their bar tab to get the celebration started. The offer is available on new bookings for weddings between 1 st June, 2020 and 30 th September, 2020. For more information, visit gilwellpark.co.uk The latest news from around the county Kelly Andrews checks out the new-look Las Iguanas Lakeside, a super spot for hen celebrations The party started as soon as we stepped in and were greeted by samba dancers, so we knew we were in for a treat. Lakeside’s refurbished Las Iguanas is full of colour and character, bursting with Central and South American influences and a gorgeous new plant wall adorned in neon and festoon lighting. The menu is a cornucopia of Latin American food all cooked from scratch with carefully selected produce. I chose the Havana Club & jerk BBQ pork ribs from the Peru & beyond section of the menu and I can highly recommend the dulce de leche macadamia cheesecake for dessert. What’s more, they’ve worked hard to ensure everybody has the opportunity to try the new and exciting flavours, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. No hen gets left behind here! Now, everyone lean in as I get to the important bit – cocktails! In Lakeside, happy hour has become happy days with all premium-spirit cocktails available two-for-one all day every day. Sip on sophisticated classics with a twist such as the porn star martini, made with Sailor Jerry’s rum, apricot, passion fruit, vanilla, pineapple and served with a shot of cava. Alternatively, Insta-worthy sharers like the zombie skull are great fun for the whole bride squad. You can even be your own bartenders and create concoctions at your table with travel trunks full to the brim with all the tools you need to make 20 caipirinhas or 14 mojitos. Why not show off your shaking skills and master your muddling in a cocktail masterclass? It’s a heady combination of delicious food, drinks and games for groups of six to 20. Head upstairs to the lounge after dinner on a Saturday to dance the night away from eight ‘til late, where the DJ will be spinning old-school classics. Free VIP tickets are available via Eventbrite. For more details, check out iguanas.co.uk/masterclass NEWS Nearlywed BRING THE OUTSIDE IN The gorgeous Hatfield Place, a Georgian manor house and wedding venue in Hatfield Peverel, will be launching its newly renovated Walled Garden in August 2019. Perfectly complementing the exquisite house, the space will include an idyllic Ceremony Hall, Orangery and Garden Gazebo. Catering for 40 to 250 guests, the gardens will be in a traditional style featuring intricate planting, box hedges, manicured lawns and relaxing water features. It’s designed over three tiers, cascading down to the Orangery to create the most tranquil setting. To find out more, head to hatfieldplace.co.uk simplyphotographic.co.uk YOUR ESSENTIALS 9