With gorgeous stretches of stunning coastline, wonderful rolling countryside and magnificently historic towns and villages, it’s easy to see why Suffolk is such an attractive place to have your wedding. Here are 8 great venues the county has to offer

Great British Life: The Hangar at Milsoms Kesgrave HallThe Hangar at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall (Image: Archant)

1) The Hangar at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall

What makes The Hangar at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall special? When asked this question it’s incredibly difficult to sum up in a few words but we’ll try! Catch anyone walking in the door for the first time you will see their eyes light up, as one of Suffolk’s most unique event venues it has definitely got plenty of WOW factor. The area has been designed with huge attention to detail from the silk-lined walls and leather sofas to the fabulous lighting and black starlit ceiling. In the evening, part of the fun is to turn down the lights (which can be themed to match the colour scheme), turn up the music and the haze machine and party.

Gwenny, the Event Organiser, has a wealth of experience when it comes to organising weddings and she will be with you every step of the way from the first planning meeting to the day itself. The Kesgrave Hall team will run the day with huge attention to detail allowing the wedding party to relax and enjoy their special day.

The menus have been specially chosen by executive head chef Stuart Oliver, with delicious food cooked in the Hangar’s dedicated kitchen. Photo opportunities abound in the upper garden which is dedicated to weddings, parties and events in the Hangar.

To complete the picture Milsoms Kesgrave Hall has 23 bedrooms which can be booked for the bridal party. Another idea is to arrive and stay the night before by booking The Bunker with its own terrace and enjoy an informal barbecue with family and close friends.

Give Gwenny a call on 01473 333741 and let your wedding planning begin! events@kesgravehall.com | @milsomsweddings

Hall Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich, Suffolk

Great British Life: The Tudor BarnThe Tudor Barn (Image: Archant)

2) The Tudor Barn, Belstead

The Tudor Barn Belstead is a Grade II Listed, luxury barn wedding venue in the village of Belstead, just outside Ipswich, on the Suffolk – Essex Border. Easily accessible from the A12 and A14, they are set in seven acres of beautiful wooded grounds that will make the perfect backdrop for your special day.

Originally built at the close of the 16th Century, The Tudor Barn, Belstead is one of the most unique wedding venues you will find in Essex or Suffolk. Throughout the 1600s, the barn served as a riding stable, carthorse stable and granary.

Over the years it has seen many uses but in 2012 they decided that such a beautiful building should have a more befitting function.

Therefore, work began to immaculately restore The Tudor Barn, Belstead – seamlessly blending the old and the new – to create a truly special wedding reception venue. Please do not hesitate to get in touch to arrange a private viewing at your convenience. It would be their pleasure to show yourself and your fiancée around.

The Tudor Barn Belstead, Belstead, Ipswich, IP8 3JT | +44 1473 563 000 | info@thetudorbarnbelstead.co.uk

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3) Copdock Hall

Copdock Hall is a stunning Grade II-listed Elizabethan barn, located in the beautiful Suffolk countryside but within easy access of main roads and transport links.

An exquisite wedding venue, it offers 48-hour hire for couples allowing time to decorate and personalise ahead of your big day.

Licensed for civil ceremonies – even outdoors - but also located next to the picturesque St Peter’s church, Copdock Hall can cater for small intimate weddings as well as large groups. An event manager is on hand from your pre-wedding meeting to the wedding itself and there is a spacious bridal room for preparations. All areas are fully accessible on one level and the grounds offer extensive photo opportunities including a vineyard producing white and rose wine.

Nearby there is a range of accommodation for an overnight stay or a weekend away. It has all the ingredients of the perfect wedding venue – why not come and see for yourself?

Copdock Hall, Church Lane, Copdock, Suffolk, IP8 3JZ | 01473 730906

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Great British Life: The Abbot's HallThe Abbot's Hall (Image: Archant)

4) Abbot’s Hall Weddings

Enjoy an unforgettable day in our traditional marquee set within the beautiful grounds of Abbot’s Hall, located at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket, Suffolk.

Overlooking woodland, lawns, a walled garden and an orangery, the setting offers many unique photographic opportunities, creating the perfect mood for a wedding to share with your loved ones. Abbot’s Hall Weddings are also now licensed to hold civil ceremonies on site.

From the beautiful marquee which provides a blank canvas for your wedding breakfast, to the stunning medieval barn that provides an atmospheric location for evening receptions. Enjoy the original historic features of a variety of historic buildings licensed for ceremonies, with something to suit all types of weddings.

Testimony: “We just wanted to thank you all for everything you did to make our wedding day fantastic. We felt supported whilst free to do our own thing, it was absolutely perfect.” Amanda, Bride

Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1DL | 01449 618229 | E: weddings@eastanglianlife.org.uk

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Great British Life: Isaacs on the QuayIsaacs on the Quay (Image: Archant)

5) Isaacs on the Quay

Offering a magical location for your wedding day, Isaacs on the Quay Grade I and Grade II* listed buildings, full of unique features, are set on the elegant Ipswich Waterfront – all providing picture perfect views and photo opportunities.

Helping you achieve a wedding day which is unique to you, the wedding coordinators will make you feel at ease every step of the way. The ceremony room accommodates up to 72 guests and has exposed timber beams, vaulted ceilings and atmospheric lighting.

With a variety of reception rooms and a private garden, up to 150 guests can be accommodated, allowing you to choose the perfect room to host your welcome drinks, wedding breakfast and evening reception. Isaacs on the Quay also has your wedding accommodation sorted as The Merchant House offers the ideal accommodation for the night before and the night of your wedding.

To find out more about weddings at Isaacs on the Quay call 01473 284000 weddings@isaaclord.org

Isaacs on the Quay, 7 Wherry Quay, Ipswich, IP4 1AS

Great British Life: Snape MaltingsSnape Maltings (Image: Archant)

6) Snape Maltings

A wedding venue like no other, the redeveloped Victorian industrial buildings of Snape Maltings, set against a breathtaking landscape of water, reeds and sky, offer the perfect backdrop for your special day.

Embrace our unique locations to say ‘I do’ - including the internationally renowned Concert Hall stage, the boardwalk amongst the reeds or the Concert Hall Restaurant with views across the River Alde. We also have several wonderful spaces for your reception, including the Concert Hall bar and terrace area, or the Britten Studio.

Our flexible packages are completely tailored to you, with bespoke menus created by our in-house chefs using seasonal and local produce, and a dedicated Event Manager to be on hand for the whole day. We also have luxury accommodation to hire on site and ample free parking.

For more information and to discuss availability, please contact us at events@snapemaltings.co.uk or call Julie Frost-Read on 01728 687 129

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Great British Life: Culford HallCulford Hall (Image: Archant)

7) Culford Hall

Culford Hall and its 480 acres of beautiful grounds will provide a wonderful, relaxed environment for your wedding day. We aim to create the special day of your dreams and our dedicated team will be delighted to work with you to achieve this.

The impressive 18th century house, gardens and parkland of the Culford estate offer stunning surroundings in which to celebrate your special occasion. The Parish Church is located in the grounds, enabling you to walk from your wedding ceremony, across the beautiful lawns, to the Reception venue of your choice.

Culford can cater for any size party, from an intimate wedding of 50 to a large reception consisting of 300 guests.

Come and see for yourself: The best way to find out more about Culford is to come and visit us.

To arrange a visit, please ring 01284 385350 or email weddings@culford.co.uk.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6TX

Great British Life: Ashlar HouseAshlar House (Image: Archant)

8) Ashlar House

Your wedding reception is no ordinary get-together and we know you want everything to be just right.

At Ashlar House, you and your guests will enjoy the highest standards of service in impressive surroundings, with every comfort and convenience to add to the sense of occasion.

Our main function room can accommodate up to 300 seated without dancing (or 250 seated with dancing). It also divides into three smaller, self-contained spaces: the Saxon, Norman and Tudor Suites, separated by substantial partitioned walls and each with its own dance floor.

The spacious St Edmunds Bar adjoins the function suites and has plenty of tables and seating for your guests to take a break from dancing and enjoy a relaxing drink. In the summer months, we can serve cocktails or a welcome drink on the patio, which has direct access to the three function suites.

Ashlar House, 23 Eastern Way, Bury Saint Edmunds IP32 7AB

Phone: 01284 754462

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