Chelsea Physic A planner Garden in the works The date is set and it’s time to secure a venue. But how to decide? From London landmarks to beachside idylls by way of country estates, these addresses are home to some of the best organisers in the weddings business By ELIZ AKDENIZ CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN CLARIDGE’S Corinthia Tucked away behind the Thames is London This grande dame has been the one of the oldest botanical gardens Temperate House, heart of Mayfair since the 1800s, in Britain. Established in 1673 to Kew Gardens synonymous with royalty and grow medicinal plants, the lush A-listers alike – Queen Victoria, green space (home to around 5,000 TEMPERATE HOUSE, Audrey Hepburn, Bing Crosby and species) is cherished by Chelsea KEW GARDENS Kate Moss have all scurried across residents. Events officer and theme As a living, breathing space, Kew its chequered Art Deco floors. It creator extraordinaire Megan Taylor is as unique as it gets – and it’s should come as no surprise, then, ensures every celebration – whether buzzing with an expert team of in- CORINTHIA LONDON that weddings here are far from boho, Italian or tropical in style – is house events coordinators and Standing tall in Westminster, the average. Personal touches abound, memorable for all the right reasons. operations managers, led by Lucy Corinthia is housed in a beautifully thanks to planners par excellence, chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Barnes and Rachel Lucas (to name ornate building, its lobby crowned Catherine Spencer and Mathilde Tower of but two). Everyone shares a passion by a glass dome. Inside, there’s the Maitre, who will execute a suitably London for making each event as distinctive slick chic of Kerridge’s Bar & Grill regal affair, with butler service, as the collection of 10,000 plants and the unbridled opulence of the monogrammed napkins and a within the Temperate House, which ballroom (not to mention a possible bespoke menu featuring ingred- is the largest surviving Victorian sighting of hotel regular, George ients so special that they are flown glasshouse in the world. At Kew, Clooney). On hand to make city in for the occasion. There’s even a love is always in full bloom. kew.org dreams come true is head planner resident choreographer, Marius Jenna Johnson, who is adored by Caluser, who helps engaged couples THE GORING couples for her proactive approach to master a sophisticated foxtrot or TOWER OF LONDON From limousine transfers to hand- and encyclopaedic knowledge of a seductive tango and banishes any Once a notorious prison and now embroidered table linen, no detail wedding trends. corinthia.com first-dance jitters. claridges.co.uk a bustling tourist destination, the slips through the fingers of wedding Tower of London might seem like virtuoso Samantha Lopez, who has Claridge’s a rather unusual place for romance. more than 25 years of five-star Indeed, weddings are relatively new experience. A bouquet’s throw from

at this almost 1,000-year-old castle, Eaton Square, The Goring (in all PHOTOGRAPHY TARREN ROB IMOGEN XIANA; PHOTOGRAPHS: but they are nothing short of spec- its chintzy glory) is a firm royal tacular. At the helm is events trio favourite and was the Duchess of Laura Drake, Laura Debenham Cambridge’s choice for the night and Jade Jeffrey, who pride them- before her wedding. thegoring.com selves on delivering the ‘wow factor’ for every couple and their friends and family. Expect special additions such as a Yeoman Warder to help welcome and usher guests upon arrival at the reception, and a pri- vate viewing of the Tower’s most famous inhabitants: the glistening The Goring

Crown Jewels. hrp.org.uk BLOKHIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM KRISTI IMAGES; GETTY VIA MIKE KEMP/IN PICTURES PHOTOGRAPHS:

28 TATLER

07-21-Tatler-Weddings-Venues_3925238.indd 28 06/05/2021 17:19 Cornwell Manor Wolterton Park

CORNWELL MANOR GOODNESTONE PARK Oxfordshire Kent This estate on the Oxfordshire- Steeped in history, Goodnestone WOLTERTON PARK Gloucestershire border has been Park was built in 1704 on an estate Norfolk owned by the Ward family since that dates back to the Tudor period. Built by Horatio Walpole (brother 1959 and is currently home to During the late 18th century, Jane of Prime Minister Robert Walpole), Alexander Ward and Melanie Fall. Austen was a regular guest, after her this Palladian power house has been Here, ‘wedmin’ master Charlotte brother married and subsequently restored to its former glory by own- Boston eagerly guides couples set up home here. Today, Lord ers and interior designer duo Peter around the 2,000 acres, opens her Goodnestone FitzWalter’s beloved family seat is Sheppard and Keith Day. A fellow little black book of local contacts Park as handsome as ever, its gardens aesthete and veritable events guru, (from photographers to caterers) bursting with rose and wisteria. If Sarah Softley will curate luxury gift and responds to anxious emails this setting isn’t reason enough to bags or commission showstopping 24/7. That just leaves the bride and book, then house manager Ronald acrobatic displays and light instal- groom to sit back, relax and enjoy Chuquillanqui, who is incredibly lations. So great is her reputation the manor – it is exclusively theirs, well-connected and always keen to that brides have come from as far after all. cornwellmanor.com impart his wealth of local wisdom, as Hong Kong and Dubai to seek surely is. goodnestone.com her expertise. woltertonpark.co.uk THE GLEN AFFRIC ESTATE Elmore Court Inverness-shire CASTERTON No two micro-weddings are the GRANGE ESTATE same at this estate in the Scottish Cumbria Highlands, which is owned by As the daughter of owner Tamaris Pippa Middleton’s father-in-law, Kenyon, creative director Anneka David Matthews, and frequented Sellers knows this estate like the by the Middleton family. With Cowdray Estate back of her hand. She brings the je Julie Matheson and her team only ne sais quoi to every celebration, committing to one event at a time, COWDRAY ESTATE filling the house with candles and ELMORE COURT it’s a bespoke service from start to West Sussex photographs of the couple ahead Gloucestershire finish, with cèilidh lessons and Whether the ceremony is taking of their arrival. She is also a dab Home to ‘hedonistic heir’ Anselm round-the-clock butler service on place in the magnificent Buck Hall hand at grand entrances, arranging Guise, the son of the Baronet of offer – as well as anything else your or among the Capability Brown- luxury car hire or even helicopter Highnam, this 13th-century house

PHOTOGRAPHS: IMOGEN XIANA; ROB TARREN PHOTOGRAPHY TARREN ROB IMOGEN XIANA; PHOTOGRAPHS: heart desires. glenaffricestate.com designed gardens, Viscount and transfers for guests. Built in 1848 boasts unrivalled views over the Viscountess Cowdray’s estate (the for Rev David Barclay-Bevan, of river Severn. It’s also where you’ll home of British polo) promises an the Barclays banking dynasty, this find three of the best planners in enchanting experience. No request is the country estate experience at the business. Katrina Seear can turn is too great or too small for go-to its very best. castertongrange.com her hand to anything; Leesa Court specialist Amber de Savary, who Casterton Grange has more than 40 years’ experience; not only takes care of the day itself, Estate and Adele Sharp is famed for her but the entire stay. Over a glass of creative flair. All committed to champagne, Amber talks through pulling off a smooth operation, every last detail and will arrange they’ve been known to iron the anything from a pre-wedding meal groom’s shirt and help pin grand- to a hot air balloon ride to a full mother’s headpiece. In short, when The Glen Affric Estate itinerary of activities for guests to they say ‘nothing is too much’, they

PHOTOGRAPHS: MIKE KEMP/IN PICTURES VIA GETTY IMAGES; KRISTI BLOKHIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM KRISTI IMAGES; GETTY VIA MIKE KEMP/IN PICTURES PHOTOGRAPHS: enjoy on the estate. cowdray.co.uk mean it. elmorecourt.com

TATLER 29

07-21-Tatler-Weddings-Venues_3925238.indd 29 06/05/2021 17:19 The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

Four Seasons Astir Palace FOUR SEASONS ASTIR PALACE Athens, Greece THE CARLYLE, Sprawled across 75 acres on the A ROSEWOOD HOTEL glamorous Athens Riviera, Four New York City, USA Seasons Astir Palace embodies a Since 1930, the old-world luxury ‘more is more’ attitude with not of The Carlyle has attracted royals, one, but two exceptional in-house heads of state and A-list celebrities: wedding planners. With almost Diana, Princess of Wales, John F three decades’ experience between Kennedy and Leonardo Di Caprio them, events duo Elisa Peroli and have all visited the hotel. Staying Ioanna Kouraki make the perfect true to this Upper East Side land- partnership – Elisa specialising in Hotel du HOTEL DU CAP-EDEN-ROC mark’s signature style, Marina Poole Cap-Eden-Roc large destination weddings and Cap d’, and her team of wedding experts Ioanna an authority on traditional This legendary Côte d’Azur palace bring elegant grandeur to every Belmond Villa Greek celebrations. Unwavering in Sant’Andrea needs no introduction; Marlene event held here. Simply deliver a their can-do attitude, the pair live Dietrich, the Duke and Duchess of brief and leave them to perfect the by the motto every bride longs to Windsor, and theme, floral arrangements, music, hear: ‘If you can dream it, you can have all had long- menus and cocktails. The final have it.’ fourseasons.com standing love affairs with this chic result? A wedding day that exudes Riviera retreat. Ready to turn each as much glamour as the city itself. AMAN VENICE bride’s French fairy-tale fantasy into rosewoodhotels.com Venice, Italy reality are dream event-planning Whether you’re booking out the pair, Nicole Soechting and Lucie LE TOINY place in its entirety or exchanging Hervé. Having worked at this high St Barths, Caribbean vows during an intimate al fresco society playground for 15 years, This island jewel, in a quiet corner ceremony, this Palazzo overlooking Nicole and Lucie are both adept at of St Barths, offers the most divine the glittering Grand Canal oozes perfecting decadent menus and sun-drenched setting. General romance and charm. And waiting beautiful florals – and their top tip manager Luc Lanza, who has 15 BELMOND VILLA to shower everyone with Venetian for brides who are feeling a little years’ expertise under his belt, will SANT’ANDREA magic is events manager Giuliana overwhelmed? Head to the spa for convert the hotel pool into a dance Franco. Leaving no stone unturned, Sicily, Italy an hour or two and the stress will floor filled with wildflowers. For she thinks of everything, from sun Since the Fifties, Villa Sant’Andrea melt away. oetkercollection.com those dreaming of something more umbrellas and hats for guests to a has enchanted its guests with the intimate, Le Toiny’s private beach fleet of gondolas for a private tour timeless glamour of the Sicilian cannot be bettered. letoiny.com ( of the City of Love. aman.com coast. Throughout your stay, from arrival to departure, the Villa’s own Aman Venice events aficionado, Marilisa Bagnato, is at your disposal. Best described as a connoisseur of romance, she can, at a moment’s notice, summon up candlelit dinners or transform the beach into a private cinema, complete with champagne. When it comes to the ceremony, choose between the Pergola, the Mazzarò Terrace or the Cabanas – and you’ll invariably be rendered speechless by the idyllic views over sparkling belmond.com Le Toiny Mediterranean waters. MOORE ANDREW © BELMOND; OF COURTESY AMAN; OF COURTESY PHOTOGRAPHS:

30 TATLER

07-21-Tatler-Weddings-Venues_3925238.indd 30 06/05/2021 17:19