Bring Your Own Venues in Essex or London

Hi Christina!

I'm sorry mate, but you're asking for the Holy Grail, in terms of wedding venues!

Although the Colne Valley Golf Club won't let you bring your own wine or catering, they are very, very reasonable :

https://www.colnevalleygolfclub.co.uk/

Honestly, I can't think of one enue that will let you do exactly what you're after... Sorry

Pete x

Sorry can't help on venues but just wanted to mention that most places if they do let you bring your own alcohol will charge a corkage fee - usually per bottle which ranges in prices and can be about £15 per bottle! That's on top of what you paid for it in the first place. So make sure you factor that in when working out costs.

I'm very lucky that my venue charges a per head corkage so I can take as much alcohol as I want. They'll also mix cocktails for us if I give them all the ingredients and a recipe!

My venue is BYO with no corkage. However the fee for using the venue is quite hefty! It's on the Essex / Suffolk border.

Do you mind me asking which venue you have chosen (Essex/Suffolk border)? I'd be very interested to know. I'm getting married next Spring in central London (because that's close to where we live) but haven't found a venue for the reception that's affordable yet. My parents live in Essex so we'd be happy to travel a little way out of London to a good venue... Thanks, Jo.

The only place that springs to mind is the Great Hall in Bromley (next to the Civic Centre registry office) - https://www.bromleymytime.org.uk/great-hall.html though you will also need to bring in your own caterers.

I don't know of any Central London venues that BYO off the top of my head, though this list of W1 venues may be of interest.

https://www.thewestminstercollection.co.uk/search/weddings.html

Louisa

My venue (Kew Gardens) is on the outskirts of london. i can bring my own and it is up to the caterer whether or not they charge a corkage fee - have managed to talk ours out of charging anything, woohoo! xx

Cheers Pete and all replies

Will check suggestions out. I have a fairly decent budget, but am slightly lothe to spend a horrific amount on one day. I would rather have a new kitchen and go travelling for 3 months!

Depending on what type of venue you are after, there are some possibilities. Naturally, as previously mentioned, most prime venues have catering and services all tied up. For example, around my area there are several really decent halls that also have top grade kitchens. You could get in a caterer to look after the food and supply your own wine. Hire costs start from a couple of hundred pounds.

There are other places and non main venues where this is possible....Although you mentioned Herts/Essex, can you be a little bit more specific as to the preferred location....

Peter

No problem - its Smeetham Hall Barn. We live in London and have no ties to Essex or Suffolk but really liked the barn and the area.

I know of a few in Herts but can't think of any in Essex.

If you speak to a local wedding caterer, they may be able to give you some options.

It's easier if you don't want the ceremony at the same place. We found a couple in London that let you bring your own, but they're not licensed for weddings, just the reception:

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/venue/wedding.htm

http://www.kewcommunitytrust.org.uk/view.php?page=wedding

http://www.lauderdalehouse.co.uk/ (this one didn't say whether they provide drinks but do have a wedding license)

And one not in essex but near Cambridge is

http://www.wilbrahambarnweddings.co.uk/

One that charges no corkage is the Reid Rooms in Essex. Good luck x