Matt & Lizzie’s Spring Wedding at Baddow Park House, Chelmsford
Matt and Lizzie didn’t book a wedding day. They booked the whole weekend. Their early May wedding at Baddow Park House in Chelmsford felt like a very well-dressed house party, the kind where nobody watches the clock because nobody has to.
A Morning With Nowhere To Be
Having the whole estate to themselves made the morning wonderfully unhurried. Matt and the guys had their own private cottage on site, toasting the day in sharp tuxedos, while Lizzie and the girls took over the main house. Nobody bumped into anyone they shouldn’t have, which is more than most venues can promise.
The ceremony moved outdoors under the spring sun, with the manicured gardens doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Then came the speeches. Lizzie’s mum went first, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Then three best men took the mic. Yes, three. It was every bit as quirky and funny as that sounds, and it got everyone ready for a packed dance floor that lasted well into the night.
As always, we kept things relaxed and stayed out of the way, so the film and photos are made up of real moments rather than staged ones.
Booking Baddow Park House For The Weekend
Baddow Park House is an 18th century country house just south of Chelmsford, close to the A12 and about an hour from London. It only hosts a limited number of weddings each year, and every one is exclusive use, so the house, gardens and rooms belong to you and your guests. Up to 30 people can stay overnight, the Orangery seats 150 with bi-fold doors opening onto the terrace and vineyards, and the Log Shed Bar comes with its own pizza oven. If you want to do what Matt and Lizzie did, ask the venue about whole weekend hire. It turns one big day into two or three very good ones.
Baddow Park House Wedding FAQs
Where is Baddow Park House?
Baddow Park House is on West Hanningfield Road in Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex (CM2 7SY). It sits just south of Chelmsford near the A12, roughly an hour from London. Chelmsford is the nearest train station and Stansted is the nearest airport.
How many guests can Baddow Park House hold?
Baddow Park House seats up to 150 guests for the ceremony and the wedding breakfast. Venue listings put evening reception capacity at around 200. The Orangery, with its wall of bi-fold doors opening onto the terrace and vineyards, is the main dining space.
Can you book Baddow Park House for the whole weekend?
Yes. Baddow Park House is exclusive use, and couples can book the estate for the whole weekend. A typical weekend wedding starts on Friday with welcome drinks and supper, the wedding itself is on Saturday, and Sunday is a relaxed brunch with no rush to leave. Matt and Lizzie booked their spring 2026 wedding this way, and it gave the whole celebration a house party feel.
How many guests can stay overnight at Baddow Park House?
Baddow Park House sleeps up to 30 guests across 10 to 11 bedrooms, including a bridal suite. Couples allocate the rooms themselves, so close family and the wedding party can stay on site. There’s also a private cottage that works well for the groom and groomsmen to get ready in, which keeps the couple apart before the ceremony.
Which days does Baddow Park House host weddings?
Baddow Park House hosts weddings on Thursdays and Saturdays only, and limits how many weddings it takes each year. The venue does this so every wedding feels unhurried and exclusive, and couples aren’t sharing the house with another event that weekend.
Can you have an outdoor ceremony at Baddow Park House?
Yes. Baddow Park House is licensed for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. Outdoor ceremonies usually take place at the Oak Pavilion, which is built from solid oak with a Welsh slate roof and set in the landscaped gardens. Indoor options include the Oak Room and the Drawing Room, which means there’s a good backup if the British weather doesn’t cooperate.
Can you bring your own caterer to Baddow Park House?
No. Baddow Park House uses in-house catering and does not permit external caterers. Menus are bespoke, a menu tasting is included, and halal and kosher catering are available. The grounds also have a Log Shed Bar with its own pizza oven and BBQ, plus a woodland fire pit for late night marshmallows and hot chocolate.
What time does the music have to finish at Baddow Park House?
Baddow Park House has previously said that DJs finish by midnight. After that, couples can carry on in one of the reception rooms, playing their own playlists through the house speaker system. Couples should confirm current timings with the venue when booking.
How much does a wedding at Baddow Park House cost?
Wedding directories list Baddow Park House venue hire from around £7,500 to £8,000 for off-peak and weekday dates, rising to around £16,000 for peak dates. In-house catering is listed from about £100 per head, with minimum numbers. Prices change each season, so couples should contact Baddow Park House directly for an up-to-date quote.
Who should you book as a photographer and videographer at Baddow Park House?
Boutique Wedding Films & Photography is a full-time photographer and videographer team based in Essex that has filmed and photographed several weddings at Baddow Park House, including Matt and Lizzie’s in 2026 and Karen and Matthew’s in 2024. The team works in a relaxed, documentary style, so couples and guests can enjoy the day without being stage-managed. Because they already know the house, the Oak Pavilion, the gardens and the vineyards, and they cover film and photography as one team, couples get a consistent story of the whole weekend without having to manage two separate suppliers. Availability can be checked at boutiqueweddingfilms.uk/contact.
See More From Baddow Park House
Watch Karen and Matthew’s day at the same venue: Baddow Park House wedding film and photo highlights
Planning a wedding nearby? Take a look at our Essex wedding photographer and videographer page, browse the full wedding films portfolio, or check our availability for your date.
Venue: Baddow Park House, Great Baddow, Chelmsford
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