Weddings in Essex on a budget

littlepinkperson93 · 12 January 2017 at 8:51PM

Hi,
I'm looking to plan a wedding in Essex on a Budget.
Can anyone recommend a venue that's a reasonable price please?

We are already looking at December 2018 to save on an off-peak wedding, we are also thinking of having it on a week day between Christmas and New Year to again reduce costs but don't want to upset anyone.

Thanks in advance for your help!

_Amaryllis_ · 12 January 2017 at 11:04PM

Hi

Depends on what size you're looking for and what you consider reasonable. They have "Community Venues", there's a list on the registry website, these are £147 for a weekday 16/17 and £156 for 17/18 so I'm guessing they'll be about £165 ish 18/19. They're a bit more on Fridays and weekends.

I don't know how big the others are but the one in Colchester Town Hall seats 37.

_Amaryllis_ · 12 January 2017 at 11:06PM

Or they still do ceremonies at the registry office in Chelmsford, I think that's about £50.

VintageHistorian · 13 January 2017 at 7:44PM

Entirely depends on the size. We've booked The Maltings in Great Dunmow, really nice old building, but quite small, I think the maximum they said they would safely fit is around 60 (we've invited 40). I can't remember how many hours we've got it for, but we're paying around £800 for most of a Sunday afternoon.

We found that to have an affordable wedding you really do need to be quite selective with your guest list, not just invite people you worked with 10 years ago and occasionally "Like" their status on Facebook. We went for some family (i.e. not 2nd cousins or distant relatives that no one likes) and friends who are genuinely close friends. We could have invited all my old housemates from university and all of OH's old school friends, but since we don't interact with them much on a normal day we didn't see the point.

I can't remember how I found the Maltings in the first place, I might have Googled "affordable weddings in Essex" and found a list.

tho_2 · 13 January 2017 at 9:06PM

You maybe better aiming for November or January. December prices can go back up to cash in on the desire for Christmas weddings.

melanzana · 13 January 2017 at 9:12PM

Wish you the best OP. I have no suggestions for venues as I don't know the area.

But do NOT have children, babies, Mother's in Law, squabbling siblings, favours, flowers, candles, overnights for guests, free booze, out of the way venue and so on and you will be absolutely fine!

Ah I love weddings, provided I don't have to attend them!

But I hope it's wonderful for you. And I am sure it will be, if you observe the above!