A WEDDING venue in Colchester has been named the best by name and nature.

The Best Western Rose & Crown fought off hundreds of venues to be named the top wedding venue in the east of England, based on testimonials.

The venue, on East Street, Colchester, is a Tudor style coaching inn from the fourteenth century.

Couples have given it an average rating of 4.9 out of five stars.

Praise included faultless service by staff, attentiveness, delicious food, and the hotel’s timeless beauty.

All votes were cast through website weddingdates.co.uk which simplifies the overwhelming planning, much like Lisa Grantham, the hotel’s wedding co-ordinator and assistant manager.

Since she assumed her role in 2001 Lisa has been involved in more than 2,000 weddings.

She is there to help guide soon-to-be brides and grooms on everything from décor and how to bypass pushy parents.

She said: “It’s a privilege because they’ve chosen your venue so each time you do your best, even if it’s a simple thing like changing your shirt to complement the wedding colours.

“I remember one wedding with a really quiet groom and during the second meeting we spoke about menus.

“I asked what they wanted for desert and both the bride and mother-in-law said, “cheesecake!” but all the groom wanted were profiteroles – it was his favourite.

“What myself and the staff did for him as a surprise was to bring him a bowl of around 20 profiteroles at dinner and his eyes lit up.”

Valerie Hopkins, the group sales manager, has the same philosophy.

She is in her third year and continues to be amazed by the charm of not only the weddings she has seen - but the landmark building and its vast grounds.

Inside, the hotel has retained its original features such as the wooden beams.

Being the oldest recorded inn in England’s oldest recorded town, dating back to 1383, helps make it a special location according to those who have chosen it.

Mrs Hopkins said: “It’s very romantic. There’s character before you’ve put anything in it.

“Because the hotel occupies all of the land and it’s been added to, we’re only a stone throw away from the castle, so it’s the perfect setting for an outdoor view.

“It’s got a magical, steeped in history feel and it’s quirky.

“None of the windowpanes are the same, there is just constantly something to see.”

For the Rose & Crown 2016 is important for another reason.

It highlights 20 years of having a licence for civil ceremonies and being the first venue in Colchester to do so.

To help celebrate the anniversary, the ladies are inviting married couples past and present to attend a special event on February 28, and holding an open day for prospective weddings earlier on the same day.

The ambition is to create a visual timeline with photographs of brides and grooms then and now.

Among them will be Lisa Grantham who married partner Diana Warren at the venue in 2007.

She said: “Same-sex weddings don’t have any traditions of their own as such but ours was traditional with the exception of there wasn’t a groom.”

Reflecting on a whirlwind journey for both of them, they have nothing but praise for the other’s contribution in shaping the weddings they still cherish.

Mrs Hopkins said: “Lisa may not want to say it but I’ll say it on her behalf - it’s her experience, attention-to-detail and approachability.

“Lisa manages to put prospective brides and grooms at ease and has an ability to keep things sensible but still magical.”

Mrs Grantham added: “It can be very stressful but it doesn’t have to be, that’s the key, most of them just expect it to be difficult.

“And you know it’s a good wedding when the staff tell Val to go and have a look. I’ve probably seen it already but still get excited about it. I think the day you don’t get excited is a bad day.”

The Open Day will be held between 11am and 2pm on a drop-in basis.

For the past couples’ celebrations there will be champagne and canapes from 3pm until 7pm.

Call 01206 866677 or email, info@rose-and-crown.com for more details.