An Essex Wedding - May/June 2025 (Issue 122)

ST OSYTH PRIORY 01206 430 160 | www.stosythpriory.co.uk 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. LEEZ PRIORY 01245 362 555 | www.leez-priory.co.uk Leez Priory is a stunning Tudor manor house. The ancient red brick architecture is steeped with characterful features including castle-like battlements, leaded windows and an outer gate house complete with original and ornately carved solid oak doors. The historic Great Tower, accessed by a fairytale spiral staircase, is a fantastic feature and can be used for a more intimate ceremony, for photographs and also as the backdrop for your nuptials too. Time to celebrate Leez Priory has many options for intimate or larger weddings. The Tower is a popular choice for saying ‘I do’. A particularly intimate space with many church-like features. Secondly, the Great Hall welcomes 100 guests. A characterful room with vaulted ceiling, the Great Hall includes exposed beams and feature fireplace. The Coach House Barn has space for 110 and offers couples a more rustic ceremony option for their special day. With such beautiful grounds and ancient Tudor back drops, alfresco wedding ceremonies at Leez Priory are extremely popular. Recently added, is the option of the lake ceremony, where you can say ‘I do’ overlooking a picturesque lake with fountain. You can have your evening receptions throughout the house which hosts up to 250! Leez Priory offers you the exclusive use of a charming carriageway, the great tower, two reception rooms, bar and a characterful cellar disco. We love... There’s a beautiful Fisherman’s Cottage available for the wedding party to stay in the night before the big day and 20 charming guest bedrooms in the courtyard, two family lodges, two main house bedrooms and a private honeymoon cottage for the night of the wedding too. www.gemmagiorgio.com www.dayandknightphotography.co.uk www.thekensingtonphotographer.co.uk 22

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