Layer Marney Tower

On Sunday we held our family friendly matinee performance of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Before visitors sat down to watch the play, the children enjoyed Christmas craft activities and refreshments and afterwards there was the opportunity to meet Father Christmas and have photos taken.

Yesterday we had a visit from Monkwick Junior School, part of the Sigma Trust, whose chosen topic was Egyptians.
The craft activity was decorating these masks of Egyptian gods for the drama module. Plus a little writing of secret messages using Hieroglyphics!

One of our preferred photographers Pengelly Photography has just shared their latest blog post, about a beautiful wedding here in April. Why not take a look at the lovely selection of photos from Alistair and Hannah's wedding day?

Pengelly Photography | Latest Photos & News | Essex & Suffolk Wedding Photographers Essex wedding photographer Pengelly Photography captured this lovely wedding at Layer Marney Tower such a lovely wedding venue to photograph at.

In just a few weeks time we will be hosting our final wedding of 2023. Back in the Summer, the wedding couple Paul and Sarah visited with their photographer Andy Chambers Photography for an engagement photoshoot in the gardens and grounds.
This was the perfect opportunity for them to become familiar and at ease with Andy and helped them to feel more relaxed and confident with being professionally photographed before their big day.
If you'd like to have an engagement photoshoot in the garden before your wedding day here, just get in touch with us to work out a suitable date.

We are hugely disappointed that the Christmas Fair had to be cancelled this weekend.
We would like to attempt to support the fabulous hard working stall holders, who spent many hours in the run up to the event creating stock for sale and putting on such a fantastic display during the first day on Friday.
This list from Prestige County Events is all the independent businesses that had booked a stall.
ATTENTION STALLHOLDERS - please tag yourselves, provide a link to your page or website in the comments so we can all take a look at what you do.

Prestige County Events Event organiser of Artisan Markets & Christmas Fairs

Update - we are very sorry but this event has now been CANCELLED for the whole weekend.
Further information will be shared via Prestige County Events as soon as it is available.

Christmas Fair
* EVENT SUSPENDED *

Our new wedding blog has just been posted, on the subject of local accommodation for your wedding guests.
In particular, this gives information about the preferential room rate that is offered by two local hotels: Marks Tey hotel and The George Hotel Colchester

Wedding guest accommodation - Layer Marney Tower Weddings Most wedding couples will be lucky enough to be joined by family and friends travelling from far and wide to attend their special wedding day, so an important logistic to consider once you’ve settled on Layer Marney Tower as your Essex wedding venue, is where to suggest to your wedding guests that...

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Join our tour of this historic venue, dine in style in the Long Gallery and enjoy a special performance of "Twas the Night Before Christmas", a magical journey through time to discover the origins of the festive season.
Limited tickets available so book now to secure your spot.
For more information and to reserve your place visit:
https://www.layermarneytower.co.uk/events/4-days-christmas-at-layer-marney-tower/

📣 Ticket Update 📣

Tickets for this Saturday are now completely SOLD OUT- there will be no availability on the door.

We have some tickets remaining for late night shopping on Friday and the 2pm arrival slot on Sunday - these are now very limited and again, once they are gone, there will be no availability on the door.

www.essexcountychristmasfair.co.uk

🎪 The big build has started! The team at American Marquee Hire are hard at work putting up the shopping marquees for Essex County Christmas Fair this weekend at Layer Marney Tower. We can’t wait to start decorating them tomorrow 🎄

THIS WEEKEND!
Starting Friday 17th during the afternoon and running through the day on Saturday and Sunday.
Why not start your Christmas shopping with this amazing selection of gifts from local, independent businesses.

These beautiful mosaic style necklaces were made by pupils from Burnham on Crouch primary school last week, on an education visit during which they studied Romans.
More information regarding our education days can be found via: https://www.layermarneytower.co.uk/learning/

It's lovely to see these early teaser photos from Charles and Dawn's wedding on Sunday.
Thank you Rachel Reeve Photography

Many congratulations to Dawn and Charles!
Our second wedding of the weekend on Sunday was a beautifully intimate celebration, with the ceremony taking place in Tuke's Chamber before the wedding breakfast provided by Bouquet Garni Caterers in the Corsellis Room.
The stunning flower arrangements were by Butterfly Flowers
We love the cake made entirely of cheese too!
Photographer Rachel Reeve Photography has sent us some wonderful teaser photos, which we will be sharing on a separate post.

We would like to send huge congratulations to Kate and Chris who were married here on Saturday!
After a wet start to the day, the winter sunshine appeared just in time for some wedding photos in the garden, before guests made their way to the Long Gallery for the drinks reception.
Special mentions go to woofs.and.weddings who chaperoned the wedding couple's dog "Diego" and Phillip Keith who played the piano for the ceremony and drinks reception.
The Barn was decorated with props and decor by Hire my Decor and The Flower Collective (based at Tiptree).
In the evening, guests were treated to live music by the amazing The London Function Band | www.thelondonfunctionband.com and had pizzas from Bouquet Garni Caterers Citroen H Van.

Last week we welcomed 60 year 4 pupils from Great Wakering Primary School, who had an education day here studying Ancient Greeks.
One of the modules included a craft activity decorating these beautiful "Olympic plates".
We cover all history topics on the curriculum - not just Tudors!
Find out more about our educational days by visiting: https://www.layermarneytower.co.uk/learning/ or calling the office on 01206 330784.

UPDATE! - Power is now back on, so usual service resumed!

* POWER CUT *

We have no power here this morning (Thursday 2nd) and therefore our phone lines are down and no email service.
Hopefully we will be back up and running again soon!

Layer Marney Tower - Fun things for the lead up to Christmas - https://mailchi.mp/layermarneytower/events-at-layer-marney-tower-in-2023-9387378
Join us for the Christmas matinee, the Christmas Fair and the Christmas Guided Tour

Happy Halloween!

We have received some fantastic early images back from TazzyBro Photography of this wedding a few weeks ago. We love the use of the pumpkins for décor in the Barn and as props in the wedding photos!

Pumpkins supplied by Birchwood Farm Shop

Celebrate Christmas at Layer Marney Tower from Tuesday 5th December to Friday 8th December with our popular annual event.

Enjoy a guided tour through the house that will be dressed with festive decorations before settling down for a three course Christmas lunch in the Long Gallery.
After lunch, visitors will take their seats in the Barn for a special performance of 'Twas the night before Christmas.
A Christmas event would of course not be complete without mulled wine, a mince pie and carols.
If you would like to join us, tickets are available via our website: https://www.layermarneytower.co.uk/events/4-days-christmas-at-layer-marney-tower/

On Saturday we hosted a Trick or Treat theatrical event with Glass Slipper Entertainment which proved very popular with our younger visitors. There were six fantastic characters to meet on the journey through the Tower...a mixture of princesses and some villains!
It was brilliant to see so many of the children dressing up in their own costumes and enjoy the start of their half term holiday.

Have you considered fireworks at your wedding or celebration event? Take a look at this footage of a Dynamic Fireworks display from a wedding earlier this year. What a way to wow your guests!

Josh & Billie - Layer Marney Towers 130523 This is "Josh & Billie - Layer Marney Towers 130523" by Dynamic Fireworks on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Wedding Open Day - Sunday 22nd October
11am to 3pm

During the Wedding Open Day, our wedding team will be happy to give you a tour of the venue and answer any of your questions, or check availability of your preferred wedding dates.
The Layer Marney parish church will also be available to view with representatives of the church able to chat with you about a possible church wedding.

Other suppliers offering inspiration are:
Luna Rose Floral Design
Blu Ice - Wedding & Events, DJ & Hire Specialists
BuBakes
Buddy & The Narwhal
The Wedit
Essence Music (Claire Harper - pianist)
Denny Wright Photography
The Little Horse Picture Booth
Gecko Films
Red and Black Fun Casinos

We look forward to seeing you!

Christmas Fair - 17th to 19th November

We are really looking forward to this fantastic Christmas shopping event with Prestige County Events
There will be an amazing range of stalls, with handcrafted items, gifts, festive decorations and food and drink. Be entertained by live music while enjoying a mulled wine and mince pie.

Tickets can be purchased via a link on our website:
https://www.layermarneytower.co.uk/events/christmas-fari/

Wedding Open Day - Sunday 22nd October
11am to 3pm

It's not too late to decide to attend our Wedding Open Day this Sunday; simply come along on the day between 11am to 3pm and meet our wedding team, caterers Bouquet Garni Caterers and a selection of trusted suppliers. You will be guaranteed a warm welcome.

Let us introduce you to a few of the suppliers you can expect to see here on Sunday. Details of further wedding suppliers will appear on our page in the next day or two.

W Flowers
Richard Symes Magic
Tess's Cakes Colchester.
Devoted Events Ltd
Hilary B
Mr.Wheeler
EPS Photography
Dynamic Fireworks
The George Hotel Colchester

Huge congratulations to newly weds Vicky and Larry who married on Saturday.
Probably one of our largest weddings to date, the ceremony for over 180 guests was held in the Long Gallery with the reception taking place in the Barn.
The wedding party were entertained throughout the day and evening with an amazing variety of live musicians, including pianist Claire who played during the ceremony and who was joined by tenor saxophonist Zak for the drinks reception in the garden.
All music acts and the DJ were booked via Essence Music
The beautiful floral arrangements were by Poppies Floral Design and the wedding cake supplied by our preferred supplier Tess's Cakes Colchester.
Decor and props were supplied by Simply rustic and guests were amazed by the close up magic by Richard Symes Magic
Bouquet Garni Caterers provided a hog roast during the day and ever popular pizzas from the Citroen H Van in the evening.

A lovely image of newly weds Mr and Mrs Martin from Friday 😍

Occasionally we take time out from the farm shop and Friday was a very special and emotional day for us, Hollie finally said I do at Layer Marney Tower which was the most spectacular venue along with some amazing photography TazzyBro Photography. We wish them all the love in the world starting a new life together, Mr and Mrs Martin ❤.

Our Wedding Open Day takes place this Sunday 22nd October from 11am to 3pm.
Whether you are newly engaged and just starting out on your search for your perfect wedding venue, or if you are one of our booked wedding couples making decisions about décor and needing some inspiration, this is the ideal time to visit!
As always, there is no need to book in advance, however you may register your interest and find out more about the suppliers exhibiting by visiting our website:
https://layermarneytowerweddings.co.uk/open-day-october/
We can't wait to see you!
Photo credit EPS Photography (who will be exhibiting on the day!)

Our best wishes and congratulations go to Hollie and Alex, who were married on Friday.
Their beautiful and colourful Autumn theme was put together with the help of Hollie's Mum and a supply of pumpkins from Birchwood Farm Shop
Doesn't the Barn look fabulous?
The wedding cake was supplied by Cake Couture and guests danced all evening to music by Blu Ice - Wedding & Events, DJ & Hire Specialists

Our Christmas matinee takes place in the barn on Sunday 3rd December.
Children will enjoy the arts and crafts session, followed by the Christmas play. Join in the familiar Christmas carols with the cast. Tickets include juice and biscuit for the children and hot drink and mince pie for the adults. Tickets on sale now at layermarneytower.co.uk/events

Huge congratulations to Alison and Richard, who were married in the Corsellis Room on Saturday in front of their friends and family before celebrating in the Long Gallery.
The Long Gallery was set up with a single banquet table, which looks absolutely stunning in this room. It was beautifully decorated with flowers by W Flowers who not only dressed the table but the fireplace.
The wedding cake was supplied by Tess's Cakes Colchester.

Sending our very best wishes and congratulations to Erol and Hollie, who were married in the Layer Marney parish church on Friday and then held their wedding reception in the Barn.

We love their colour scheme and florals that work so well for an Autumn wedding and look perfect in the Barn. Thanks to bloomroomnorfolk for supplying these.

Sending best wishes and congratulations to Ash and Dan who were married in the Corsellis Room on Monday and then held their reception in the Barn.
The weather was kind for their informal wedding breakfast of a barbeque provided by Bouquet Garni Caterers
Love the Autumnal colours in the decor which works so well in our Barn.

Our latest wedding blog talks about the two wedding events that are taking place here in October.
The first is a Wedding Show this Sunday 8th October with County Wedding Events
This is followed by a Wedding Open Day on Sunday 22nd October.
If you are planning a wedding, we hope to see you at one or both of these events!

October 2023 Wedding Events - Layer Marney Tower Weddings We are excited to be able to offer two wedding events during October 2023, which are an excellent source of inspiration if you are planning your wedding day. This Sunday 8th October from 11am to 3pm we are hosting a Wedding Show alongside County Wedding Events, who deliver professional and successfu...

*Update - new suppliers confirmed for our Wedding Open Day - Sunday 22nd October
11am to 3pm

A chance to see for yourself why Layer Marney Tower is so magical for your dream wedding day.

The reception rooms (both the Long Gallery and Barn) will be dressed for a wedding and you will have the opportunity to view the Corsellis Room for your ceremony, as well as the parish church.

Have a tour with our friendly wedding team, chat to our caterers Bouquet Garni Caterers and some trusted wedding suppliers.

W Flowers
Luna Rose Floral Design
Tess's Cakes Colchester.
Devoted Events Ltd
Blu Ice - Wedding & Events, DJ & Hire Specialists
EPS Photography
Hilary B
Red and Black Fun Casinos
Mr.Wheeler
BuBakes
Richard Symes Magic
The Little Horse Picture Booth
Gecko Films
Denny Wright Photography
Buddy & The Narwhal
Essence Music
The George Hotel Colchester