An Essex Wedding - November/December 2020 (Issue 95)

THE ROSE AND CROWN HOTEL 01206 866 677 | www.roseandcrowncolchester.co.uk What can you expect? Built in the 14 th century, making it Colchester’s oldest hotel, The Rose and Crown Hotel is one of the town’s most iconic buildings. The interiors are brimming with period character and quirky artefacts, while oak-beamed walls create a romantic, cosy atmosphere. Bursting with heritage, the 39-bedroom hotel even has a prison in the basement! Step outside to find the Secret Garden and its jasmine-covered arbour. Let’s celebrate! Celebrations can be held in a number of spaces for up to 80 ceremony guests and 160 evening guests. Partition doors between the Rose Suite and the Oak Room give the flexibility to open up the space into a much larger banqueting suite. For a memorable, intimate wedding, couples can opt for the Prison Wine Bar (20 guests). We love… Newlyweds will love spending their first night as a married couple in one of the hotel’s most luxurious four-poster bedrooms. They’ll also benefit from free menu tastings and a red-carpet arrival. HOUCHINS WEDDING VENUE 01376 561 448 | www.houchins.co.uk What can you expect? Though situated just off the A120 near Coggeshall, Houchins is hidden away and set in its own peaceful, landscaped grounds. The zinc and cedar-shingle barn is nestled in the Wedding Garden, surrounded by abundant plants and flowers. Huge glass folding double doors open on to an expansive west-facing terrace to give the feeling of bringing the outside in, and for loved ones to enjoy views over the elegant marquee and pond. Let’s celebrate! There are several options for ceremonies for up to 150 people. The Foundry and Grainstore are the biggest indoor spaces, while the wood-panelled drawing room in the house is a more intimate setting. Outside, couples can tie the knot in the marquee or the recently launched Woodland Wedding area, which is tucked away behind a moat in the woods. For post-vow celebrations, couples will love that the restored Wedding Barn has three interconnecting spaces, which allows the day to flow seamlessly from reception drinks in the bar and terrace, to the wedding breakfast in the dining area with its 35ft-high ceiling, fireplace and mezzanine before ending in the dance barn. We love… The Grade II* listed farmhouse sleeps up to 16 guests before and after the big day, and there’s also a separate Honeymoon Lodge for the newlyweds. http://lissim orephoto.co.uk www.pure imagephotography.co.uka 20