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Weddings

About

The Minories – A Unique Colchester Wedding Venue

Nestled in the heart of Colchester High Street, The Minories is one of the most intimate and unusual wedding venues in Colchester. Our Grade II listed Georgian building and tranquil walled gardens, including an enchanting 18th-century folly, make us a truly magical wedding venue in Colchester, Essex—perfect for couples seeking charm, history, and sustainability all in one place.

Facilities and Capacity

As one of the top small wedding venues in Colchester, The Minories can host wedding parties of up to 45 guests. You’ll enjoy exclusive use of the building and garden spaces, with a choice of beautifully bright, licenced period-style rooms for your wedding ceremony. Our flexible packages are ideal for couples on different budgets, including those looking for cheap wedding venues in Colchester without compromising on character or quality. We also offer outdoor wedding venue options in our garden for relaxed, natural celebrations.

Plant-led, seasonal catering is available as an add-on from our in-house café, run by a local community cooperative. Whether you're planning a classic sit-down meal or a more relaxed reception, The Minories is a versatile wedding reception venue.

Environmental Responsibility

We’re proud members of the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, making The Minories one of the most environmentally-conscious wedding venues. We work closely with eco-friendly local suppliers to reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint. From in-season blooms to dried flower arrangements, our trusted floral partners—Ardleigh Flowers, The Freckled Foxglove, Jordans Farm & Foliage, and The Foraged Bouquet—help us create stunning, sustainable decor.

Services Offered

Your wedding will be guided by our experienced and friendly coordinator, Sally, who offers a personalised, hands-on approach to ensure everything runs smoothly. From your initial enquiry through to the big day, Sally will be your dedicated point of contact—just one more reason why we’re a favourite among couples looking for bespoke wedding venues in Colchester Essex area.

  • Woman-owned
illustration popular

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Frequently asked questions

Venue type:

Unusual weddings
Historic
Landmark
In the city
Outdoor license
Unique weddings

Ceremony options:

Civil ceremony licence

Dining options:

Seated meal facilities
Private catering allowed
Alcohol licence
Buffet meal facilities
In-house catering

Evening entertainment:

Entertainment licence
Live band facilities
Evening reception facilities
DJ facilities

Venue staff assistance:

Wedding coordinator

Other features:

Accessible facilities

Reviews for The Minories

B
Billie Sent on 20/05/2025
5 out of 5 rating

A hidden gem for us to renew our vows, 15 years later

Found this amazing place for our vow renewal! After 15 years together, we wanted something special but not too fancy or expensive. The Minories was perfect!
Sally showed us around - loved the garden with that cool old folly thing and the upstairs room where we can have drinks after. It's different from boring hotel function rooms and has actual art on the walls!
The best bit is they only do small weddings (max 45 people) which is exactly what we want - just close family and friends who've been with us through the years. The building is really old but well kept and right in the middle of town so easy for everyone to get to.
They seem pretty flexible about what we want to do and the staff were really nice when we visited. Can't wait to celebrate our anniversary here in a few months!
Oh and they let us bring our own caterers if we want which is great as my cousin does amazing food.
Not many places in Colchester let you do something this nice without charging a fortune!
Should've taken more pictures especially of the garden - this sculpture intrigued us so just attaching this.
J
Jenny Sent on 12/05/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect wedding venue

We recently got married at the Minories and it was a perfect experience for us and our guests.
Even though we were all very anxious the helpful and experienced staff took care of everything from start to finish.
If you are looking for a peaceful, relaxed and amazing location that feels and looks like a Monet painting we more than highly recommended the Minories.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to make your big decisions easier.

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The Minories Art Gallery, 74 High Street CO1 1UE Colchester (Essex)

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