The Mandolay Hotel

You don’t expect a private garden in the middle of Guildford, and that’s the thing that makes the Mandolay work. Step out of the reception and there’s a wooden arbour, a wrought-iron gate and tall hedges within thirty seconds of the dance floor, so the couple portraits read as a Surrey garden rather than a town-centre hotel and you’re not away long enough for anyone to notice. Confetti happens out there too. Inside there’s a choice of suites, including an oak-panelled one for smaller numbers, and the ceremony room is neutral enough that whatever colours you bring are the colours in the pictures. The chandelier-lit staircase is the wet-weather answer and it holds a portrait well at the end of the night. The suites take uplighting without going muddy and there’s proper room for a dance floor. Last frame is the lit entrance at the top of the steps. Everything is on foot for your guests, which matters more than it sounds.