At Compasses Weddings, we are always excited to help those planning and holding weddings in Essex
Planning a wedding and want something that feels relaxed, personal and properly well run? The Compasses is a rustic, award-winning countryside venue just outside of Patterswick in North Essex. We are perfectly placed for couples searching for a Wedding Venue that combines idyllic agricultural views and reasonable prices.
We’re an experienced team who have been hosting weddings for years, week in, week out, so we understand how Essex couples actually celebrate, the big guest lists, the late-night dance floors, the need for real value. We’re sure that you have a number of options in mind, so come and visit us during one of our open days to find out if The Compasses is right for you. If you are unavailable on our open days, then please dont hesitate to contact us.
One of the reasons Essex remains so popular is its sheer variety of venue styles. From rustic barns and exclusive-use countryside retreats to historic manor houses, boutique hotels, and beautifully restored estates, the county caters to every type of celebration. Unlike more urban locations where space is limited, The Compasses provides room for creativity for both indoors and outdoors, giving couples greater freedom to shape a wedding that reflects their style and story.
Close enough to Essex but far enough to feel like an escape for your special day. We’re tucked away in open countryside, yet still an easy journey from Chelmsford, Colchester, Braintree, and much of the rest of the county. Your Wedding Venues, should have the best of both worlds: proper rural views without your guests needing a sat-nav degree to find us.
Compasses Weddings is operated from a converted pub but the building itself gives you that cosy Essex Wedding Hall feel with beams, warm light, space to dance the night away, but also the flexibility of a modern, well thought-out event space. You’re not fighting odd little rooms or awkward corridors all day this venue has been designed to deliver maximum impact for footfall.
Many venues can offer a space for a Wedding Reception , but at The Compasses we offer far more than just a room.
Our team ensures that your wedding runs smoothly and you can focus on what truly matters, making memories with your new life partner and the people you love most. We work with an exceptional selection of suppliers and professional wedding photographers who can capture every special moment that you can look back on for years to come.
All the images featured on our website showcase the incredible work of photographers we work with. Don’t worry we will always ask permission before using any of the images on our site. We understand that some couples want their day to be kept intimate and only shared with those there.
A smooth Wedding Event in Essex isn’t just about the room and the view. It’s about a team who have done this hundreds of times and still treat your date like it really matters.
We know how to keep your special day rolling behind the scenes, because we specialise in weddings. We’ve learned the tiny tweaks that keep a day running calmly, the stuff you only notice when it’s missing.
Whether you’re planning a small weekday ceremony with your nearest and dearest, or a bigger weekend celebration, our space adapts; so if your guest list changes (and it almost always does), you’ve still got the perfect amount of space for everyone to enjoy your special day.
We understand how challenging it can be to find a venue that fits your vision but is still within your planned budget.
This is why we ensure our wedding packages are set out clearly with no hidden costs. We like to keep it simple so it is one less thing for you to worry about. We rent our venue to you at a fixed cost depending on the day you choose and then any additionals you require we can discuss the most appropriate option for you day.
While we wouldn’t class ourselves as a cheap wedding venue, we sit comfortably in the middle. We’re not a village hall but we’re not a stately home either. We want to provide you with real value for money, a warm, relaxed space which reflects your perfect day and a dedicated team working behind the scenes to keep your day running smoothly.
To help limit any concerns around costs, we offer flexible finance options that work with a range of budgets. This allows you to focus on more of the exciting parts of the planning process; like designing your ideal decorated wedding venue .
Weddings are the celebration of you and your partner, time taken to personalise decorations and themes to match your relationship makes all the difference. Over the years, our venue has been decorated to reflect many couples. What we pride ourselves on is no matter what you have envisioned for your day we have the ability to make it work for you.
Our venue works well for couples searching for decorated wedding venue that they want to make unique and special to them. As a venue we have hosted weddings in all types of British weather conditions and seasons. So you can trust that we can help you bring your day to life through personalised decorations, no matter the conditions on your wedding day.
At The Compasses, our weddings are supported by a dedicated team who understand the ins and outs of wedding day schedules. We have experience in helping create a day that is well paced and runs smoothly.
Couples often tell us how relaxed and looked after they felt throughout their day, which meant they could focus on enjoying themselves.
At The Compasses, our weddings are supported by a dedicated team who understand the ins and outs of wedding day schedules. We have experience in helping create a day that is well paced and runs smoothly.
Couples often tell us how relaxed and looked after they felt throughout their day, which meant they could focus on enjoying themselves.
Compasses Weddings has been operating as a wedding venue now for over 10 years! We have become renowned for our strong community of wedding suppliers. Photographers, florists, caterers, stylists, and planners across the county offer a high level of expertise, ensuring that every detail of the day feels professionally handled.
We have earned a reputation for exceptional hospitality, warm service, and beautifully flexible spaces which is why we have been voted as ‘Essex Wedding Venue’ of the year over 5 years running!
Couples choosing this venue often highlight the personal support they receive from the events team and a level of guidance that comes from years of hands-on wedding experience. The Compasses at Pattiswick offers exclusive-use weddings, meaning the venue is entirely yours for the day, and its countryside surroundings create a peaceful, romantic backdrop that feels naturally intimate.
Another reason we are appealing for weddings is our excellent accessibility. Whether guests are travelling from across the county or from London and the surrounding regions, transport links via road and rail make attending the celebration simple and stress-free. This accessibility also benefits couples during the planning stages, allowing easy visits to the venue and suppliers without the logistical challenges often found in more remote wedding destinations.
We also excel when it comes to seasonal versatility. Spring and summer weddings benefit from bright skies, lush greenery, and the option for outdoor ceremonies, while autumn and winter weddings capture the county’s warm, rustic charm. Venues like Compasses Weddings are designed to adapt beautifully throughout the year, ensuring every celebration feels atmospheric and well-supported regardless of the season.
Ultimately, we try to offer an unbeatable combination of convenience, scenery, and professional support. For couples looking for a wedding day filled with authenticity, natural beauty, and expert guidance, Compasses Weddings continues to be one of the most reliable and inspiring places to begin that next chapter of your lives.
Hopefully here we can answer some common questions about your wedding you plan on having with us in Essex.
Yes our venue is in Essex, located just a 15 minute drive away from Braintree and under half an hour away from Stanstead Airport, for your far flung guests. We found an old pub, nestled in the heart of Rural Essex, immediately realised the potential of our idyllic surroundings and decided we had to share it with prospective couples.
Essex is known for its diverse landscapes, from countryside barns and rustic estates to elegant manor houses and coastal backdrops. Its accessibility from London and excellent transport links make it ideal for couples expecting travelling guests. At Compasses Weddings we can help you organise your wedding AND get you booked in with our local B&B’s so that everyone can either travel down on the day or get settled prior.
So whilst we cannot give you a specific time, its always preferable to book in advance, especially if you have a particular day that is special to you.
If you want to book over the summer we do get busy over peak summer Saturdays. Booking early secures the best dates and ensures you have ample time for planning, suppliers, and venue meetings. However, the best thing to do to check with us is to contact us and check out our pricing page.
We actually DO NOT charge based on seasonality! We understand that times are tough and charging extra for the summer is the standard practice; however, we try to be reasonable and base our prices mainly on which day of the week you want to be accommodated.
For full details see our pricing page: Pricing Page
Yes. We maintain a vetted list of trusted Essex-based suppliers, including photographers, florists, caterers, BnB’s and DJs. These suppliers know our venue and local requirements, ensuring a smooth, well-coordinated wedding day.
Just fill out our contact form or check the top of our homepage for open days and suppliers’ days. If you struggle to find anything you are looking for on the website – just give us a call.
If you are looking for an Essex venue and want to understand how a space works across a full wedding day, the most useful next step is to visit in person. You can use our online contact form to arrange a viewing, come along to an upcoming open day, or call us on 01376 561322 to talk through your plans and see whether The Compasses at Pattiswick feels like the right fit for you.
