Chafford Park Reviews
Reviews
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4.7 out of 5 rating
4.7 out of 5 rating
17 reviews
95% recommend it
Badges
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![Nicole & Johnno]()
Nicole Sent on 29/11/2023J&N'23 at Chafford Park
We knew we wanted to hold our big day at Chafford Park as soon as we first visited the previous spring. We always wanted a venue which was a blank canvas that we could put our own stamp on and it was perfect for this, with the two beautiful barns for us to dress and decorate for the ceremony and wedding breakfast and free reign on our choice of cater, but with a emphasis on trying to keep it local which we liked. The journey for the bridal party from the house to the ceremony barn is beautiful too, passed the pond and through the trees.
As we both work in events we loved having the bell tents as the backdrop for our friends to stay in and having the fire pits and festoon at night time gave the outside area a real festival feel.
It was also a big plus that we could stay on site for two nights - we legally got married on the Friday with a small group of family and friends and then cooked a big meal in the house that night.
Alicia and Sarah were helpful and prompt with any queries in the lead up and we’re very grateful to Charlotte who made sure everything ran smoothly for us on the day itself too.
We hope to return one day for a glamping weekend and to reminisce. -
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Natasha Sent on 20/09/2023
A wedding day of our dreams
Could not recommend Chafford Park more. It is such a beautiful venue and the team are constantly improving and adding extra touches to the venue.
I loved the ability to chose our own caterers - I was able to bring in my African heritage by choosing an African caterer and it really made the day feel unique and special to us.
The sound system is unusual but once you are underneath it, it is great. We worked with a recommend DJ and saxophonist from Mint DJs who were really great and got the party started.
The added touch of having rooms on site for the family really made it easier. We were able to have a lovely family dinner the night before and able to enjoy the farm for the full three days.
Really was our dream day and we are so grateful.
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![Mia]()
Mia H. Sent on 23/07/2023Hostile, uncompromising and disrespectful
Despite the stunning facade of this venue, its owners and managers are incredibly rude, making planning and having a wedding at Chafford Park an uncomfortable experience.
On our first visit before booking, we loved what the venue offered and how beautiful it was. Sarah the owner was pleasant and kind and we consequently booked a week later.
However after booking, there followed 12 months of terrible communication, pulling back on previous promises made and generally being very uncompromising with our plans.
We didn’t feel Sarah or her daughter Alicia were on our side at any point and felt that they were more concerned about keeping their venue pristine than helping people have a beautiful wedding.
We had such a magical wedding day, despite them. Our guests and vendors contributed to an incredible day and I didn’t feel stressed at all. But behind the scenes, our catering staff and wedding coordinator were having to deal with so much hostility from the managers. They came in, in the middle of service to tell the staff that the kitchen area was too messy!! So incredibly rude and completely unprofessional. And this was only one incident amongst many that I heard post wedding where they were rude and disrespectful towards vendors and guests alike.
You are also obliged to partner with Wild Box to serve the drinks when you book this venue - they work closely with Chafford Park so essentially are almost as hostile. There are many things that you can’t do - put up your own decorations, bring your own alcohol or have a campfire past midnight. We luckily found our way around all of this but they made the whole thing so difficult and uncomfortable.
I would encourage anyone to not be lured in by the beautiful surroundings and look elsewhere if you want a more friendly and compromising service.Chafford Park's reply:
We're sorry to receive a negative review, but it's essential for us to address every comment and concern honestly.
At Chafford, we take great pride in providing fantastic and unforgettable wedding experiences, creating cherished memories for our couples week after week. However, with this particular wedding, we faced some challenges right from the beginning of the planning process.
Our dedication to offering an exceptional experience includes respecting the rules and licenses that govern our venue. Unfortunately, working with Mia and Dougal proved difficult as they repeatedly pushed the boundaries of these regulations.
This created a lack of consideration for our venue and our hardworking team, who always strive to ensure a smooth and enjoyable celebration for all our guests. Before the event had even started, things began to get out of hand, and as a result, we had to consider the possibility of involving the authorities. It is our responsibility to maintain a secure and pleasant environment for everyone present, and we must handle such situations diligently.
Regarding the state of the kitchen after the service, we expect all catering teams to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and professionalism. The kitchen was left in a shocking state, becoming a health hazard for our team to work in, which led us to request the caterers to tidy up the area after themselves, understandably.
As for guests bringing their own alcohol, we understand that weddings are joyous occasions and celebrations can be spirited. However, respecting our venue's licenses is vital to ensure the well-being of everyone involved and the smooth running of our operations.
Lastly, on the day of the wedding, there were amber weather warnings and 50-mile-an-hour winds. As a result, it was incredibly dangerous to let Mia and Dougal have campfires onsite as we a working farm.
We firmly believe that every couple deserves a magical wedding experience, and we always strive to accommodate our guests' preferences within the boundaries of our venue's rules and regulations.
Warm regards,
The Chafford Park Team -
![Claire Marks]()
Claire M. Sent on 23/06/2023The perfect full-weekend wedding venue!
We had the most amazing wedding at Chafford Park! It really is the most stunning venue, especially in June when everything is in full bloom. We really wanted as many of our friends to be able to stay with us across the whole weekend and this venue offered just that. The Glamping tents were a huge hit with our guests and the long barn where we stayed was beautiful (and perfect for getting all the girls glammed up on the big day!) Being able to access the venue from Friday morning until Sunday midday meant we could fully enjoy time with firends and family who had travelled so far to be with us.
Alicia and Sarah were so helpful, making sure everything was just as we wanted it and that the day ran smoothly. We couldn’t have pictured a more perfect place for our wedding and can’t wait to return for some more glamping in the years to come!
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