Wedding Venue Review: GreyFriars Hotel
An intimate, sophisticated wedding venue
GreyFriars is a quietly elegant wedding venue right in the heart of Colchester. Tucked beside Castle Park and set within the town centre, it offers a calm, refined setting that works particularly well for small to medium-sized weddings. It’s a venue that suits couples who value comfort, simplicity and good company over big production — and it’s especially popular with more mature couples planning relaxed, intimate celebrations.
One of GreyFriars’ biggest strengths is that everything can happen in one place: getting ready, ceremony, reception and accommodation for you and your guests. For couples wanting an easy, stress-free flow to their day, that convenience really matters.
Ceremony spaces
GreyFriars offers a variety of ceremony rooms, which means couples can choose a space that fits both their guest numbers and the feel they want for their wedding.
The Cloisters is the largest option and feels the most private, tucked slightly away from the rest of the hotel. It has a very sophisticated aesthetic and works beautifully for ceremonies with a slightly larger guest list.
There are also smaller lounges available for more intimate ceremonies. These tend to have a more neutral, understated feel and suit couples keeping numbers very small.
One general tip I always share - at any venue - is not to push guest numbers to the absolute maximum listed. Reducing numbers by even 10-20 guests can make a room feel more comfortable, give people space to move, and create a better atmosphere overall.
Couple Portraits
Group photos at GreyFriars usually take place just outside the front of the hotel, near the car park. While that might not sound particularly exciting on paper, there are actually several small, photogenic spots that work well for family photos and quick portraits.
If you’re preference is to stay close by and not step too far away from your guests for your portraits, it’s absolutely possible to capture a handful of lovely images here. That said, it’s worth noting that this area is quite visible, so it’s harder to fully escape guests’ attention.
For couples who want to give a bit more time to portraits, Castle Park is a fantastic option. It’s just next door and offers a variety of backdrops - trees, open green space and quieter corners - which helps add variety to your gallery. I’d recommend allowing around 25 minutes to comfortably walk there, take photos, and return without feeling rushed.
Drinks Reception
In good weather, drinks are held outside on the terrace, with shade provided by the surrounding trees. It’s a pleasant spot for guests to mingle, though it does sit adjacent to the car park, which is worth being aware of.
Indoors, the hotel reception area is large and bright, making it a lovely alternative if the weather isn’t playing ball. Your ceremony space is usually being transformed for your wedding breakfast during this time, so your dedicated room is not available for photos.
There isn’t outdoor space for lawn games here, but GreyFriars weddings often lean into other forms of entertainment. A magician or caricaturist works particularly well and suits the relaxed, sociable atmosphere the venue lends itself to.
Speeches and Evening
Many weddings at GreyFriars don’t follow the traditional “big evening party” format. Instead, couples often opt for afternoon tea or a buffet, accompanied by live music and a relaxed evening atmosphere. Photography coverage frequently finishes earlier in the day, which suits couples who want a gentle, unhurried celebration rather than a late night on the dancefloor.
To account for this, you could schedule your speeches for before your meal, so your photographer can get great, natural photos of the speeches, without having to stay into the evening. By this point the rooms can be quite dark from a photography perspective, so flash is often used. Having all speakers stand in the same spot near the couple works best for well-lit, natural photos.
Final Thoughts
GreyFriars is a venue that shines for intimate gatherings. It’s comfortable, elegant and quietly refined - a place where conversation, connection and good company take centre stage. While it doesn’t offer sweeping countryside views, beautiful portraits aren’t about dramatic scenery alone. They’re about people, relationships and moments - and those can be captured anywhere with the right approach.
The flexibility of GreyFriars, combined with its central location and on-site accommodation, makes it a strong choice for couples wanting everything under one roof. However, some couples choose to marry at Colchester Town Hall or Colchester Castle before walking down to GreyFriars for their reception, which works well.
If you’re planning a small to medium-sized wedding with a relaxed, sophisticated feel, GreyFriars is well worth considering. Our Just Essentials Package is very popular for this venue.
Written by Eleth Mageehan
First Written: 19th January 2017, Last Updated: 23rd January 2026
With historic charm, a beautiful backdrop and flexible options to create your unique celebration - could this be the perfect wedding venue for you?