CRONDON PARK

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December :-) when's yours ?

i have heard make it a hit are supposed to be good ! I'm just worried as music is v important to us and heard resident djs can be bit dodgy!

would be perfect if crondon had a suite but for now will have to make do with the small bridal room !!!

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Us too!

Getting married April next year.

One thing I would be careful about for your invitations - when we originally went I got the wrong postcode from google and it took us down a dirt track and nearly wrecked my H2B's beloved car.

The proper postcode is CM4 9DP, you probably used the proper postcode anyway, we are wallies!

Only been to see the venue once so not got any other specific venue tips yet.

Rumour has it the next time they have an open day there will be a brand new entrance to the gated garden - can't wait!!

Ooh that sounds exciting, I didn't even get to see the garden last time as we went on the open day, what did you think of the garden? Can't wait!!

I heard that when you book a dj via the venue they mark it up loads and charge twice the price, say £400. Whereas if you use a independent dj they charge around £200-250. Worth a thought.

Yeah I've also heard the same! Just a bit nervus because I've never seen him in action

but I do like it that his got speakers and everything set up

We are having our reception there August 2014. Did you make a decision re DJ.?

We can't decide, just going on what was said on here about him seeming arrogant

Hi, for our wedding in Essex we have organised a great DJ. If anyone wants details as I know he will cover Crondon Park, please get touch

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Hi fellow Crondon brides to be! I'm so excited to have found this thread, its really nice to hear thoughts and plans from other brides who are having the same venue...

We're 6th September when are everyone else's dates?

We're having a band rather than the DJ...it is more expensive but is important for us as a couple to have live music. I also agree their resident DJ seems very overpriced!

What are everyone's thoughts re the wedding breakfast? It is disappointing that we can't have a tasting...is anyone upgrading the bacon rolls to buffet/bbq?

Re accommodation we're staying at Greenwoods, it is quite expensive but its just for the 1 night x

Hi. I'm loving finding other Crondon brides too. We are getting married 15th aug 2014.

i really thought they said we would be having a food tasting nearer the time, I'm going to get OH to check. Are you having canapés. It seems so expensive and you have to cater for 100% of guests when I know they won't all eat or want that much. What are your thoughts re this?

are you getting married this year?

You have picked a fantastic venue. I have done several weddings there. You will all have a fab day there.

Hi Lizzy,

Yes Sept this year, less than 4 months to go arghh!

There's def no tasting option but am thinking yes to canapés instead of paying to upgrade the evening buffet...whenever I've been a wedding guest in always starving at the reception drinks bit! What are you doing? Are you paying for more reception drinks?x

It's a shame about the tasting, I must have had another venues words ringing in my head. I really thought everyone did it.

we were thinking about the BBQ but I thought today how rotten it would be if it rained and you had to go outside for your evening snacks! How soon do you need to make a decision re evening buffet? We are undecided about buying more drinks, think we will see if we have a spare penny after everything else, I'm unsure what people expect these days but most people I have spoken to don't think you should be obliged to have a free bar.

who is your florist? Did you go and see any other weddings set up? I'm sure we were told we could, before the weddings were on

are you getting married at crondon or just having your reception?

I know, that was the only negative about Crondon for us, but i have heard really good things about the food.

I think you make all food/drink decisions at the planning meeting 6/8 weeks before...I'm thinking of leaving the evening food to just the bacon rolls included (and wedding cake of course!) but paying for everyone to have 2 reception drinks...and my Dad wants to put £1000 behind the bar (fine by me!) for the evening guests as a lot of them are my parents' friends...

My florist is amazing- Shrinking Violets in Leigh (which is where i live) they're not a florist in a traditional sense, they have a studio rather than a shop and specialise in wedding flowers only. Quite expensive but really happy to negotiate and are doing me flowers to meet my budget.

I saw a wedding in the process of being set up on one of my visits...am happy to send you pics of mine after the event as your wedding isnt until next year!

reception only, we're getting married at the church in Rayleigh as it's where i was christened- what about you? x

I emailed Shrinking Violets after someone mentioning the (maybe you?) on another post. They have the BEST website I have seen of all the florists I looked at, I figured if you can't showcase your flowers to look amazing in a website, maybe you're not that creative! They came back to me with prices and I am hoping to meet p with them soon, everything looks amazing and I love flowers.

we are getting married at All Saints church in Hutton, my OH grew up there, I have no connections to the area at all but am happy to have a country wedding being a London girl.

how does it work if you want to pay for people to have 2 drinks? How do the bar know if you've had your fill? We have ages to decide these things I guess. You must be getting really excited now

Yes they're amazing! Def go and see them, they're really nice girls too. My top tip would be to negotiate as they came down a lot for me- I got centrepieces down to £55 from an initial quote of £70 and they really know their stuff. Yes I am excited but we only booked in March so feeling a little stressed with how much there is still to do!

I can up date you on the ins and outs after our planning meeting if you like? X

There is a little hut outside where they do the BBQ and if it's raining they bring it inside when cooked.

They really are great - I wanted them to do our wedding but although we live in Essex, the wedding is in Surrey and I just couldn't justify the extra charges for delivery

Thanks Wozzle, anything you can fill me in on would be fab. Am off to email Shrinking Violets now, don't want to lose them!

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Ahh you went for the lion inn in the end! It's lovely isn't it!

I'm getting married on 21st April 2014 there, is anyone else getting married before me or will I be the first one?

Hi SarahMarie, I'm 6th Sept this year! Less than 3 months to go (& still lots to organise!) x

I pencilled this date in at crondon and then we opted for somewhere else!

Ooh how exciting, you have to come back and tell us all about it.

I deffo will do! X

Hi Crondon brides, had my planning meeting today, was v fun! We got to taste the canapés and lots of wine, felt very reassured by how organised they are there. Let me know if you have any questions about it and I will try my best to help! Xx

I've never covered a wedding at Crondon with their resident DJ, but I can say that Pete Gibbs is a brilliant DJ and thoroughly recommend him. You can contact him on ****

Honestly, I can't recommend him enough.

Pete x