Nothing but romance reigns - The Jewish Chronicle

Thinking of an outdoor party? Aron Schlagman of Whitepaper Event is also external weddings and special events consultant at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. His advice, no matter the event and no matter the time of year, is to plan the event indoors, with the flexibility to transfer some or all of it outdoors if weather will clearly be no problem - usually only something that can be decided on very close to the event.

"I was recently planning a birthday party at a private residence in London - a new house that had a gorgeous terrace on which the client hoped to entertain her 150 guests," he says. "While we knew this would be the very much preferred option, we still planned the event to take place inside - and, with 24 hours to go I was standing on the terrace taking delivery of outside furniture and décor, when the heavens opened. As luck would have it, on the day of the event the sun decided to shine and not a single guest ventured inside."

His pick of venues with great outdoor space includes the Langham; St Pancras Renaissance; The Grove; The Ace; Kensington Roof Garden; The Hurlingham Club, Home House and Billingsgate.

Hidden away in Hendon is a generously sized quad, surrounded by historic buildings, at the Pillar Hotel. In your photos it will look as if you were married at an Oxbridge college.The quad is suitable for chupahs, barbecues, supper parties and afternoon teas (with inhouse kosher catering). The Pillar can also provide a roof or marquee for the space.

You can also hold your chupah beneath a gazebo in landscaped grounds at the Hertfordshire country houses of Shendish Manor in Apsley or the Manor of Groves in Sawbridgeworth. Both allow kosher caterers.

The Apsley Suite at Shendish Manor holds 350 guests and doors open on to its private garden. The Manor Suite at the Manor of Groves holds 500 and opens on to the oriental garden with its waterfall, timber bridge, pergola and gazebo. Both venues have other event spaces, if these sizes do not meet your needs.

Sopwell House, St Albans is another country-house venue and as well as being perfect for a kosher wedding, it now has a special attraction for girly nights away beforehand. The Mews were originally an old stable block but have been turned into suites surrounding a botanical garden containing a hydrotherapy pool.

Adorable country-home features include timber flooring, farmhouse doors, pristine Wellington boot stands and cosy window seats.

Kinloss, aka Finchley United Synagogue, is a master of disguises. Its imposing stone façade is often lit up to make it even more impressive.In summer you have the option of taking your photos in the public garden outside the building and all year round the entrance creates a striking back drop for those key portraits and family photos.

Uplighters add drama to the reception and dinner, while in the main ballroom there is a huge projector screen for photo montages or videos to supplement speeches. The room has ample space for large stages, dance floor and kids' entertainment (anything from mini golf to inflatable ball ponds, photo theatre and selfie mirrors). Holding these activities inside the main space boosts the atmosphere and keeps up the momentum of the party.

The space has been likened to an art gallery, with its light walls and high ceilings (for that wild Israeli dancing) and it certainly inspires creativity. It takes a theme incredibly well, from Chess to Alice in Wonderland and World Traveller to an enchanted woodland - you can book it for all your children's simchahs, as it never looks the same twice.

On less familiar territory is the German Gymnasium in London's King's Cross, a Grade II listed former gym with room for 80 standing on the al fresco terrace. On the top floor is an 150-seat restaurant, while the groundfloor Grand Café is full of natural light. A bold impact is created by the building's cast steel columns and Victorian archways. Kosher caterers are welcome.

The rooftop terrace of Coq d'Argent has a private cocktail bar and enviable views of the City of London. In collaboration with Tanqueray, the terrace has been transformed into a blossom garden for summer. The bar terrace takes 100 standing; with exclusive hire you can entertain 150 seated or 300 standing. And you can bring your chosen kosher caterer.

Bluebird, in Chelsea, has a restaurant seating 230, a bar, café and courtyard and four large private dining rooms for gatherings of 10 to 100 guests seated. With exclusive hire, you can entertain 700 standing and kosher caterers are allowed on Sundays.

The newly reopened Soho restaurant and music venue, 100 Wardour was previously the site of London's Marquee Club. The ground floor is a relaxed bar and lounge, while the glamorous basement club has the latest sound and lighting systems and "draws on Soho's spirit of fun and indulgence". When hired exclusively, the bar and lounge takes 460 standing or 150 seated.

Group bookings can be made for parties of 15 to 50. The restaurant and club take 412 standing or 250 seated for exclusive hire; group bookings of 15 to 70. Kosher caterers can be used in the club only, on Sundays and Mondays.

Drake and Morgan's The Refinery Regent's Place has a great outdoor space and large fully opening glass door windows so the inside can also enjoy the summery weather. At another D&M venue, The Folly, you can find La Petite Provence, a pop-up provençal garden with lavender, rosemary and other fragrant plants and furnished in a shabby-chic French style. Open until the end of August, it offers wine from Provence, with blind tastings and meet-the-supplier sessions; these can be privately booked for parties. Bespoke wine-andfood pairing sessions can be created.

Drake and Morgan at King's Cross has not only a terrace but also lots of fun party activities which can be added. Available at the moment are breakfast yoga sessions and supper clubs featuring a live DJ, welcome drink made on the cocktail trolley, amuses bouche and candy bar. Outside caterers, including kosher, are permitted. Another option in north London is Frederick's restaurant in Islington, for 150 seated or 250 standing. Summery spaces include the Garden Room.

Few hosts can be this spontaneous but, if you find yourself planning a summer party, The Village Hotel in Elstree is offering free room hire to hosts booking a function in July and August, with a minimum food and drink spend of £2,000 and free upgrade for the organisers for up to two rooms.