Wedding Venue Review: Colchester Castle
An historic venue set among beautiful gardens
At the heart of Castle Park lies Colchester Castle, a stunning Norman keep steeped in history. Having had the pleasure of photographing numerous weddings at this iconic venue, I'm excited to share my unique perspective with you. In this article, I'll delve into what makes Colchester Castle such a captivating choice for couples tying the knot, along with some insider insights and tips for capturing the perfect wedding moments within its historic walls.
Secret Rooftop Ceremony
Colchester Castle offers several charming spaces for weddings, but one of my absolute favourites is the secret rooftop ceremony area. Yes, you read that right—on the roof! Despite being on the roof, this unique space is sheltered, ensuring your ceremony won't be dampened by the weather. The transparent ceiling floods the area with natural light, creating the perfect atmosphere for bright, joyful photos. There is plenty of room available along the sides, allowing us to maneuver seamlessly between different angles, ensuring we capture every magical moment of your wedding ceremony.
Be prepared for a bit of a climb up the ancient spiral staircase to reach this hidden gem; I would encourage you to consider a dress that's easy to navigate the steps in.
The Chapel
Another area that is available for ceremonies is the Chapel; a smaller space for a more intimate ceremony. In the adjacent rooms are the museum exhibits but the Chapel has whitewashed walls for a more simple, clean look. Due to limited space, your photographer is generally confined to one space for the duration of the ceremony, but they can stand at the front and capture all of the emotions of you and your guests. From a photographers point of view it is deceptively dark in the Chapel so the resulting photos are often less crisp and vibrant.
The Grounds
The Castle is set in extensive gardens; Colchester Castle Park is available to use for portraits, though not exclusively. It is open to the public, but there is plenty of space to find suitable areas away from others. You will find a pond, a bandstand, open fields, a boating lake and even a play park to use as the backdrop for your photos. Of course, you can have some portraits as newly-weds inside the castle too if you wish.
5 Stars!
This is certainly an unforgettable wedding venue for you and your guests. The castle has a rich history and could be ideal if you’re looking for something unique. It’s worth mentioning that parking is limited in Colchester town center, but transport links are strong by bus and train.
The ideal venue if you’re looking for:
A historic venue
Town center location
Large grounds for portraits
01206 506 905
www.colchester-weddings.co.uk/venues/the-castle/
Colchester Castle, High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TJ
Written by Eleth Mageehan, (c) 2021, all rights reserved.
With historic charm, a beautiful backdrop and flexible options to create your unique celebration - could this be the perfect wedding venue for you?