Editor loves and inspiration

The Hove Club is a beautiful 19th-century manor house located in the heart of Hove, mere mintues from the beach. The elegant Grade II listed property was built around 1897 and now makes for a dream wedding venue. “We wanted our shoot to show the stunning features of the building and the stunning garden,” says shoot coordinator Anne Youles from The Bridal Hair Company. It features a modern bride with an oh-so pretty colour palette of white, lilac and a hint of purple.

Check out the full shoot in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download now at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Catherine and Mike are both police officers and met through work. The first team Catherine joined after training college was Mike's and there was an instant spark between them. The more they got to know each other the more they realised how similar they are. When they both had Valentine's Day off in their shift pattern, they seized the opportunity and went on their first date. Shortly after, Covid hit and the couple moved in together; it made sense as being key workers, they both had to continue working throughout the pandemic. “Long walks and many games of Scrabble and Monopoly kept us sane!” Catherine remembers.

Post-lockdown, the two had just come back from a month in Australia when Mike booked them a night away. They went on the Bluebell Railway before taking a romantic walk in Ashdown Forest close to where Mike grew up. It had been raining a few days before, so the ground was still pretty boggy underfoot. Poor Mike had to wait for a while to find a dry patch for him to get down on one knee and pop the question! He'd packed a bottle of fizz and some festival cups so they were able to share a celebratory drink before heading to beautiful Lewes to stay the night. “The ring Mike chose for me was perfect – a sapphire with a diamond halo,” Catherine shares. “It's the ring I've loved since I was a child. My mum and sister have matching versions.”

Gote Barn was the first venue the two looked at and instantly fell in love. “The rustic beams adorned with fairylights on the grounds of a working farm gave it such a magical feel,” Catherine explains. They knew they wanted a venue where they could have both the ceremony and reception in one place and was large enough to accommodate all of their guests, and Gote Barn fit the bill to perfection. “We had the option to choose all of our suppliers, which was important to us as we wanted to support local businesses,” Catherine tells us.

To find out more, download the latest issue free at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Tegen and Sam met at the University of Brighton. Sam lived with a mutual friend and she first laid eyes on him at a gathering at her digs. Although they didn't speak much that night, when Sam posted a few days later that they'd be hosting a barbecue over at theirs, Tegen responded to ask if she could join them. Unfortunately, the barbie didn't go ahead, but Tegen invited Sam over to watch films and chill with her housemates instead. “I fell in love with him the third time I met him,” Tegen shares. “I arranged to take our housemates down to the beach one day and picked Sam up on the way. When we got to the beach we were inseparable.” They spent the next week together and became official a month later. “I fell in love with his ocean blue eyes, curly hair and dark sense of humour,” Tegen continues. “Since then, he's been such a gentleman, he always takes care of me, and we always put each other first above anyone else. He's my safe space, home and heart.”

In the summer of 2022, Sam booked Tegen a spa day at Nutfield Priory in Surrey as a treat, and booked her a full body massage. He also told her that he'd booked something extra and that she should go to the hotel reception after her treatment. When she did so, the desk staff simply said “follow me.” When they went up in the lift Tegen was thinking there was a restaurant and he'd booked her an afternoon tea, but they stopped in front of the Byron Suite. “The lady opened the door and I found rose petals and candles leading up the spiral stairs to the top of the tower. It was only then that I realised what might be about to happen!” Tegen remembers. “As I walked up the stairs my stomach was full of butterflies and I was so excited and nervous.” When she reached the top, Sam was down on one knee by a heart of rose petals. They both cried happy tears, as of course, the answer was “yes.”

Tegen had no idea, but it turns out he'd been plotting the proposal with her friends for about six months. He'd even asked his grandparents if he could propose with a family heirloom, made in 1909. Tegen is the fourth bride to wear the 19ct gold diamond and sapphire ring. Tegen had her heart set on an al fresco wedding with a woodland, elven feel. So, they visited The Ravenswood and discovered that it was the one. “On the day I really felt like an elven princess with my Prince Charming waiting for me,” Tegen says.

To find out more, download the latest issue free at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Steph and Abhi met through work, both being pharmacists working in the NHS. The two attended a medical conference in Basel, Switzerland, and after a few drinks and moves on the dancefloor, they shared a kiss, and the rest is history! It wasn't long after this that Covid hit and the two formed their own bubble, supporting each other throughout this difficult time.

As Steph likes to plan, organise and anticipate everything, Abhi had to come up with an elaborate story to surprise her when he decided to propose. So, he suggested they go on holiday with two of their best mates and their partners to Rhodes, Greece. The plan, he'd told her, was to meet them there. They'd supposedly been on a cruise and would see them at the beach bar. But when they arrived their friends were nowhere to be seen. Abhi asked Steph to take a walk with him along the beach and when they reached the end of the walkway, there was a huge sign – marry me – with their song, Let's Stay Together by Al Green, playing. When Abhi got down on one knee cold sparklers went off behind them.

The couple decided on a barn venue and Pangdean was beautiful, decked in fairylights, lanterns and olive trees – already so beautifully decorated. “There was a lawn area for reception drinks,” Steph remembers. “But what attracted us the most was the incredible staff, who were so warm and accommodating with all our requests.” So, the venue was booked and the date set for 7th July 2024.

To find out more, download the latest issue free at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

The concept behind this stunning shoot revolved around a contemporary, edgy bridal style appealing to the adventurous, or classical bride. “We wanted to capture the essence of unconventional beauty and fi erce independence while retaining a sense of timeless elegance,” says shoot coordinator and photographer Toni Heath from Cuttlebone Photography.

Discover more of this goregous shoot in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

As a new business owner, about to embark on her fi rst styled shoot, Laura Bond from Belle knew she needed a location that was unique and visually stunning, a place to immediately captivate anyone who saw it. She scoured countless venues on her quest and while each had its own charm, none matched her vision. That is until she discovered E. Street Bar and Grill, a hidden gem with striking décor and a sleek, stylish backlit bar. “I knew I'd found the perfect place from the photos alone,” she explains. “I reached out to the venue manager and was thrilled when she enthusiastically agreed to host my shoot.” Laura was delighted too when she was offered Ryde House in addition for the bride and groom preparation. The two venues, alongside The Angel Inn are owned under the collective name of Petworth Places and are all stylishly decorated with bucket loads of charm and character.

With the venue secured, Laura set about creating a mood board focusing on an intimate, elegant wedding with a romantic ambience. To complement the venue, she opted for a neutral palette accented with greens and pops of peach.

“The final outcome was everything I'd hoped for and more,” Laura tells us. “We were also delighted to have Sophia and her real life partner Tom as our model couple. We staged a fi rst look for them, and their emotions and reactions were absolutely genuine. Their connection really brought the shoot to life in a special way. What made the experience even more incredible was the team of suppliers I had the privilege to work with. Their creativity and dedication brought my vision to life. It wouldn't have been the same without their support and talent.”

Discover more of this gorgeous shoot in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Chloe and Lewis met at Lewis' workplace. Chloe was friends with his boss' sister so they'd go and visit the workshop together. The future couple got on well together straight away with plenty of banter and they became friends. “Everyone wanted to set us up and egged us on to go on a date,” Chloe says. “Once we did, the rest was history.” Indeed, the first date went so well, Lewis tells us, “Afterwards, I knew I was going to marry her.”

Now a couple the two had discussed marriage, so Chloe knew when Lewis had purchased the engagement ring, but didn't know when or where he planned to propose. He chose the perfect moment on a beach in Devon on their first holiday together as a family with their two children. “I was busy taking pictures of our son playing in the rocks, while our daughter was asleep in her carrier,” Chloe remembers. “When I turned around, there he was down on one knee with the ring in his hand. He'd managed to surprise me. I wasn't expecting it to happen then and there!”

It'd been a dream of Chloe's to get married at Frickley Lake since it started hosting weddings. She grew up down the lane and had spent countless hours on the land as a child. Her dad was game keeper and used part of the farm's land for the shoot. There'd also been annual festival events held in what is now the wedding field that she would attend with her family, so it occupies an incredibly sentimental place in her heart. Lewis was more than happy to go along with this since the place meant so much to Chloe and fell in love with it himself when he saw the views and experienced the tranquil surroundings. “We couldn't have found a more perfect venue for us if we tried,” Chloe explains.

Discover the story of Chloe and Brandon's big day in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Joe proposed to Mary at Disneyland Paris with their daughter, Ava, asleep in her pram. They'd known each other since childhood, having met at infant school.

With their hearts set on a rustic barn wedding they set out on their venue search and fell in love with the beautiful Cissbury Barns in Findon, West Sussex. “We knew we wanted a beautiful, barn that was all enclosed for guests to mingle, especially for a running toddler!” Mary explains.

Discover the story of Mary and Joseph's big day in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Nicola Williams and Nicola Davies met as members of a Brighton walking group. When a mutual friend, Gill, arranged some walks and meals aside from the main group, the two had the opportunity to get to know each other a bit more. Eventually, Nicola W. asked Nicola D. out for a drink and their relationship grew from there.

Nicola W. proposed at Brighton Pride in August 2019. “We'd been to London for Nicola's birthday in July and I'd bought the engagement ring from Covent Garden then, so she knew I'd be popping the question at some point,” she explains. She then arranged for a group of 20 or so friends to meet in Queen's Park, Brighton, on the morning of Pride for a picnic. Once everyone was gathered, she suggested a game that involved everyone getting into a circle. She asked for a volunteer, pointing at Nicola D. and asked her to join her in the middle. “But unbeknown to Nicola, I had the engagement ring in my back pocket!” she says. “I got down on one knee and proposed to her.” Several hundred people were also gathered in the park who stopped what they were doing to clap and cheer when Nicola D. said, “Yes.” “It was an amazing experience,” Nicola W. remembers.

Discover the story of Nicola and Nicola's big day in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

The bountiful beauty of nature throughout the seasons has inspired many a wedding theme and palette. So, with the big-day bake being more than a just sweet treat but also a showstopping centrepiece for your reception space, we decided to ask the county's wedding cake designers to show us their favourite seasonally inspired creations. Don't miss the feature, packed with cake-spiration in the Aug/Sept issue, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download.

Springtime is one of my favourite seasons, and I love the colours in Caritas Cake Design's (https://caritascakedesign.co.uk/) beautiful creation.