Ye Olde Plough House, nestled in the picturesque village of Bulphan near Basildon, Essex, is a distinguished wedding venue that seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern elegance. Set within 12 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens, this venue offers a serene and romantic backdrop for couples seeking an unforgettable wedding experience.
The venue boasts two primary function suites: The Monks Barn and The Cavalier Suite. The Monks Barn, with its exposed oak beams and vaulted ceilings, exudes a timeless rustic allure, making it ideal for larger gatherings. In contrast, The Cavalier Suite offers a more intimate setting, perfect for smaller ceremonies and receptions. Both suites are licensed for civil ceremonies, providing flexibility for couples to host their entire celebration on-site.
Ye Olde Plough House offers a variety of wedding packages tailored to different preferences and budgets. The Gold Package, for instance, includes a three-course wedding breakfast, arrival drinks, canapés, evening buffet, resident DJ, and exclusive use of the bridal suite. For those desiring a more lavish affair, the Platinum Package encompasses additional luxuries such as a champagne toast, luxury canapés, a sweet cart, and two extra guest rooms. Alternatively, the Twilight Package caters to couples seeking a relaxed evening celebration, featuring a late-afternoon ceremony followed by a BBQ or finger buffet and evening entertainment.
The venue’s grounds are a photographer’s dream, featuring historic elements like Portland stone arches and a tranquil stream, providing countless opportunities for stunning wedding photos. The gardens are not only perfect for capturing memories but also serve as a delightful setting for guests to enjoy drinks and canapés.
Accommodation is another highlight, with 71 en-suite bedrooms, including two luxurious bridal suites and five executive rooms, ensuring comfort for both the couple and their guests.
Feedback from couples who have celebrated their weddings here is overwhelmingly positive. One bride remarked, “The staff were wonderful from start to finish, and the whole day went perfectly without any problems.”
The Wedding
Sarah and Matthew
Ye Olde Plough House, Basildon, Essex
Option 2 – Ceremony and Drinks Package
Wednesday 23 April 2025
Today our first involvement with Sarah and Matthew’s wedding was to provide music for their outdoor ceremony. This being England, the weather was helpfully no committal between mostly sunny and maybe slightly raining. This always makes things tricky both for the venue co-ordinators, setting up chairs, and for us deciding whether we can take our instruments outside.
In the end we reached a compromise by setting up in an open doorway looking out over the ceremony area from where we could play for both the ceremony and drinks but with the option of quickly going inside should it rain!
Music for the Ceremony
Pre Ceremony
Chandelier sia
Dance monkey
Love me like you do
Shallow-Star is born
Thousand years
Bridal Entrance
Voice clip of bride
Somewhere over the rainbow – Israel
Signing
All my life kici &JoJo
Unchained melody
Exit
My way – Frank Sinatra
Ahead of Sarah’s entrance she had recorded a short voice clip which the venue played before we launched into the bridal entrance.
After the ceremony we continued to provide music throughout the drinks reception whilst the guests enjoyed drinks and canapés on the terrace. Some of the songs in our setlist for the Drinks reception included:
A Thousand years
Can’t help falling in love
For the love of a princess (Brave heart)
Africa
As it was (Harry Styles)
Bitter sweet
Dreams (Fleetwood)
Chasing cars
Every breath you take
I say a little prayer
Love of my life
Nothing gonna stop us now
We really enjoyed being a part of this fabulous wedding and wish Sarah and Matthew all the best as they embark on their married future together.
