A WEDDING venue near Colchester has been named one of the best in England.

East Mersea Hall took the crown for the best barn-based wedding venue in the east of England at this year’s Wedding Industry Awards.

The venue in Church Lane, East Mersea, was one of ten Essex-based winners across various categories, including best makeup artist and best photographer, at the awards ceremony earlier this month.

The picturesque site has proved a hit with couples from Colchester and beyond, attracting a wealth of five-star reviews online from delighted newlyweds.

Gazette: Winners - Kirsty Lowry (centre), owner of East Mersea Hall, collected the award with her colleagues Anneka and GillWinners - Kirsty Lowry (centre), owner of East Mersea Hall, collected the award with her colleagues Anneka and Gill (Image: Matt Rock)

Kirsty Lowry, who owns the venue with her husband Chris, thanked her team and everyone who has supported the business.

"We are super thrilled with our couples for voting and appreciate them voting for us," she said. "We love making their dream weddings come true."

Best wedding venues in Essex for 2024

East Mersea Hall wasn’t the only wedding venue in Essex to win at this year’s Wedding Industry Awards.

High House Weddings in Althorne won in the “other” venue category in the regional awards, while the Mulberry House hotel in Ongar won two awards for best hotel wedding venue and best event team.

Best wedding photographer in Essex (and other winners)

Colchester-based D&A Photography was named the best wedding photographer in the east of England.

Gazette: Multi award-winning - this year's award was not the first win at the Wedding Industry Awards for Colchester-based Dan Sakal of D&A PhotographyMulti award-winning - this year's award was not the first win at the Wedding Industry Awards for Colchester-based Dan Sakal of D&A Photography (Image: D&A Photography)

Here’s a list of the rest of the winners from Essex at the Wedding Industry Awards’ east of England event:

  • Best wedding band in Essex: XS Showband, based in Loughton
  • Best wedding makeup artist in Essex: Jaimie Attfield, based in Brentwood
  • Best wedding musical act in Essex: Singing Waiters UK, based in Dunmow
  • Best wedding planner in Essex: AVE Creations, based in Aveley
  • Best Essex-based special touch: CALLEO Audio Guest Book, based in Loughton

The winners of the regional events automatically become finalists in the national Wedding Industry Awards, which is set to be held in London on January 24 next year.

The annual awards ceremony is organised by the wedding photographer Damian Bailey, who has shot more than 800 weddings since he started out 20 years ago, and his wife Anna, who has a background in events management.