Friern Manor

Hi, I got married there in october 2005. It was a lovely venue, beautiful grounds and the staff couldn't have done more for us. We had the Conservatory and marquee (as well as the bar and rooms) and was ideal for about 120 friends and family. We felt it had a bit more charactor than the barn. The food was very good, and the canape option for the buffet comes very highly recommended. There is also a golf club about 1 1/2 miles up the road so guests can stay there very reasonably. I would love to go to someone elses wedding there so I can take in everything that I missed.

Good luck x

Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it.

You know what's coming next - I'm going to bombard you with questions!!!

Did you use any of their recommended services i.e. pianist, DJ, chair covers?

Also, it was mentioned when we put the deposit down that when guests arrive they have their car doors opened for them and are escorted to the venue - is this true?

We've booked the conservatory for the ceremony and the barn for the reception as we are having 160 guests in total for the evening and we loved the indoor garden feature.

Once again, thank you so much for your reply. x

Hi

I got married there in August 2002. We had a stunning day and didn't find fault with anything. We got married in the marquee/conservatory and then had the reception in the same place. I'm a make-up artist so get to visit many venues in and around Essex, but I love Friern Manor and luckily get to go back there many times a year. The staff are lovely - very attentive and can't do enough for you. The Maitre'D is so funny and really gets the guests laughing.

The food is out of this world - make sure you go on the Intuition night for a taster. Unfortunately I was so nervous on the wedding day that I barely ate a thing, but even now, our family and friends remark about the gorgeous food. The rooms are lovely and spacious - unfortunately not enough room for people to stay other than immediate family, but enough hotels nearby.

We used their resident pianist who was fantastic - and the DJ.

If you need any more info, feel free to email me.

Kelly

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what a fantastic coincidence that 2 newbies should come along that got married at your venue, on the day you asked about it!

Thanks for your reply Kelly. It really puts me more at ease when I hear first hand.

We're definitely going on the intuition night.

Did you actually contact the pianist and DJ or did they do it for you? On our confirmation is says DJ and pianist provisionally booked but we have no idea how much they are costing or anything.

Thanks x

It must be fate. She has to book it now.

We used the pianist, possibly the only luxury we were unsure about before hand but everyone who came said how good it was.

I don't remember the car door treatment! could be a new thing?

Have a lovely time!

I'm guessing you've not got much going on in your lives right now! Or have I just taken your clique humour the wrong way?!

I like how they are ignoring the other comments! ? - I spoke too soon!!!

? you're a bigger twat than I gave you credit for.

My brother is getting married there in Sept. Been to a food tasting and it is lovely.

now now lyni, be careful or you get called Kleeky!?

I used to use this forum a few yars ago - lovely place it was then. Where did it all go wrong...

Have I missed something? Am I not the only newbie on this thread?

I've only came on here for some info on the venue we've chosen??! I've only just booked the wedding which is why I've never been on here before.

I'm not a newbie - I've been a member of Hitched since 2001, but since the new forum layout, I've not logged on and now can't using my old user name which was Heavenly Beauty HIB and yes, I do have a life - a very busy one in fact which is why i've only just logged back on here!

have no idea how to quote using this new forum layout, but in answer to your question, we met with the pianist in advance of the wedding to go through our song list and also met the DJ very briefly. We heard the pianist play at the Intuition night as well. We got married back in 2002 so have no idea what their costings are now. We had the pianist for the ceremony and the meal. Oh and I 'think' be played during the photographs as well, but not 100% sure. Val and Mark ran the venue (and still do as far as I know) when I got married and both are great at putting your mind at rest.

Hope this helps!
Kelly

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Yes it's still Val and Mark.

Your wedding sounds similar to what we want in regards to the pianist playing at the ceremony and meal.

When we went to pay the deposit there was a wedding on and they had the pianist during the meal and it sounded great.

I think we are going to the intuition night in September so I should imagine we'll get the chance to ask lots of questions.

Did you have chair covers? I think their recommended supplier is about 4.50 per chair but I've heard from other brides that you can get them a lot cheaper. My only concern would be that if I used someone else the covers wouldn't fit properly. My friend used someone from Ebay for her wedding in January at Gosfield Hall and the covers were in such a terrible mess, creased, torn. She was so upset, so that's really made me think about going cheaper, it's not always best.

Thanks for all your info Kelly x

We never had chair covers (back then I don't think such a thing existed, or was that well known about!). I can highly recommend you contact Kelly at The Wedding Village (she comes on here alot). http://www.theweddingvillage.biz/chaircovers.htm / http://www.tablesofperfection.co.uk/

They offer chair covers at a good price and am sure Friern Manor is one of their popular venues. They list all the venues on their site where the chair covers are compatible and Friern Manor is on the list. Kelly is lovely and will definitely be able to help you with a quote, etc. Infact, there is a picture of Friern Manor marquee (with the yellow/blue sash) on their site which will show you how well the covers fit.

Hope this helps.

Kelly
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