Fennes

Fennes sits in a hundred acres of Essex, and the white bridge over the lake is the highlight of the grounds. It works three times in one day: in the afternoon with the house behind you, at sunset, and after dark with the lit fountains across the water. The grounds are big enough that you rarely see anybody else out there.

The ceremony and dinner are both in draped pavilions, glazed and bright through the afternoon, then full of atmosphere once the lights go down, so the dancing feels like a proper night out. Inside the house there’s a red damask lounge with Chesterfields and a marble fireplace, and a sweeping staircase that suits a portrait with a drink in hand.

In spring, daffodils cover the field in front of the house. The night ends with a sparkler tunnel outside.