Nicola & Dean, Apton Hall

Apton Hall is a charming, multi-award-winning exclusive wedding and events venue nestled in the idyllic Essex countryside near Rochford. Set around a picturesque courtyard with original brickwork and restored farm buildings, it beautifully blends rustic character with modern design, offering several licensed ceremony spaces and stunning indoor and outdoor backdrops for your big day. The venue also includes luxurious accommodation such as a Grade II listed Dovecot Honeymoon Suite and guest rooms, as well as bespoke in-house catering and dedicated planning support to help make your wedding unforgettable

Nicola & Deans wedding at Apton Hall was beautifully personal from the very start, as the couple chose to do things a little differently to tradition. Before the ceremony, they shared an intimate first look together — a quiet, emotional moment away from the crowd where they could truly take each other in before walking down the aisle. The bride also had a heartfelt first look with her parents and her son, creating memories filled with happy tears and excitement before the day officially began. In another thoughtful twist, they completed their group photographs before the ceremony, allowing them to relax and fully immerse themselves in the celebrations afterwards. It was a wonderfully modern approach that made the day feel calm, meaningful and entirely their own.