A man was fined £10,000 after police found 80 guests at a wedding party.
Essex Police said officers received reports of the large gathering at Ariana Gardens in Margaretting at around 4.15pm on Sunday.
The venue is described on its website as “Essex’s most magical and enchanting wedding venue”.
When officers arrived they found approximately 80 guests enjoying a sit-down dinner.
Police spoke to guests and explained that the wedding was in breach of Covid-19 restrictions.
They were told they must leave or they would be issued with a fixed penalty notice, and each guest complied and left the venue.
Police carried out inquiries to establish the identity of the organiser of the event.
A 41-year-old man was identified as being the organiser of the wedding party, Essex Police said.
The force said he was reported for summons to court for holding a gathering of more than 15 people in breach of coronavirus legislation, which carries a £10,000 fine.
Essex Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “This wedding party was a blatant breach of the current restrictions which only allows for 15 people to be present at a wedding.”
