Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Three cheers for mum!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and with this comes the worry of buying the right present. Mum does so much, how can we possibly repay her? For many mothers, they'll be sat there thinking they don't want the fuss, maybe just a cup of tea and a lay in. However, it's important we show them that they're worth the extra day of love and affection. The mother of the bride is a special role, and I'm sure one all mums look forward to. The extra support we get from our mums on our wedding day is three-fold, so let's unpack them and remind ourselves why we should be treating them on the 30th of Mach 2025.

Don't miss Michelham Piory's spring wedding fair

Discover the charm of the stunning Michelham Priory and meet some of Sussex's top wedding suppliers at the venue's Spring Wedding Fair on 26th April 2025, 10am to 4pm. From caterers, florists and stylists to cake designers, stationers, musicians and more, you'll find everything you need to create your perfect wedding day. For a personalised experience, book a private tour with one of the venue's experts. Simply email weddings@sussexpast.co.uk to arrange. Tickets are £5 for adults and free for children, they include all day access to the wedding fair, historical house, and blossoming gardens. Enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee and be among the first 100 attendees to receive a fabulous gift bag packed with goodies and information.

The Most popular Wedding Gifts and Their Impact Post-Wedding

You've received your invitation, you've picked out your outfit, now you just need to select your gift! A simple task that can bring reality crashing in "what on earth can I get them?" Here's Not on the Highstreets most popular wedding gifts, along with expert insights from their exclusive interview with multi-award-winning relationship coach Gemma Nice on how these gifts can strengthen relationships and keep the connection alive long after the wedding day.

Tie the knot at Sullington Great Barn

Sullington Great Barn is delightfully unconverted with a warm, friendly feel exuding charm and happiness. It sits at the heart of the buildings that make up this ancient farmstead. To the front is a sheltered rose garden and lawn, perfect for your drinks reception, which is surrounded by Byre Cottages, providing accommodation for your closest guests. Located in the heart of the South Downs National Park Sullington Manor Farm boasts a spectacular Downland setting offering plenty of opportunity for your photographer. The venue is ideal for bespoke weddings for 80 to150 guests.

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

It's time to get our purses out and to spoil mum. Rituals is a luxurious brand that offers gorgeous gifts for affordable prices, which is one of the many reasons why they are a great place to start for Mother's Day. Rituals recognises that maternal love manifests in various forms and can come from unexpected sources, such as a caring neighbour or a trusted babysitter. Rituals' goal is to honour and celebrate all forms of love.

Fortify your love at Newhaven Fort

Couples are set to begin marching down the aisle at one of Sussex's most iconic heritage attractions as Newhaven Fort unveils a new range of wedding packages for 2025. The historical 19th-century fort is currently undergoing a £7.5 million restoration and will soon be ready to host couples looking to tie the knot following its reopening in February 2025. From April to October, three exclusive wedding packages will be available. Whether you envision a glamorous 1930s or 1940s themed celebration or are seeking a venue boasting stunning coastal scenery, Newhaven Fort promises soon-to-be-weds a blend of local history and rich tradition.

Quality Over Quantity: The Surge of Micro Weddings

The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.

Castle Goring - the most romantic castle in the land

Set within the South Downs National Park on the outskirts of Worthing, Castle Goring was said by Lord Byron to be "the most romantic castle in the land." One of its claims to fame is as the first house ever to be built with dual facades: Greco Roman on the south and castellated Gothic on the north. The Castle has many magnificent rooms that can be used to stage your fairytale day, including the grand State Rooms and the stunning horseshoe staircase with its famous steps down to the Italian Terrace and South Lawns.

Stargazing at Bailiffscourt

The collection of Britain's finest independent hotels, PoB Hotels, invites guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of stargazing, the ultimate in honeymoon romance. With PoB Hotels' Under The Stars collection, you can explore the awe inspiring beauty of dark skies and stargazing, as well as experiencing the wellness benefits it offers. From exclusive packages to expert-guided tours and prime viewing locations, you can enjoy celestial wonders while indulging in the exceptional comfort and luxury that characterises these distinctive properties.

Bradbourne House Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Bradbourne House, Kent, for inspiration on Sunday 16th March, 2025!! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

De Vere Horsley Estate Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at De Vere Horsley Estate, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 16th March 2025 - 11pm - 3pm! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events. A secret chapel, beautifully tiled cloisters, and a lakeside 19th-century mansion; De Vere Horsley Estate near Guildford creates an unforgettable backdrop for your wedding day.

How to avoid overspending on your wedding budget

It is a special time for you and your partner, planning the perfect event to celebrate your love with friends and family. However, it can often become stressful as people try to fit such a big event into their budgets. With the average wedding for 2025 coming to a total of £20,822, getting everything from drinks to décor can be a chore. Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, pair with James Beckett, financial coach and founder of MoneyStocker.com, to help you budget your way to your big day.

Discover award-winning Sussex wedding venue Alfriston Gardens

Award-winning Sussex wedding venue, Alfriston Gardens, is set in the South Downs National Park offering stunning gardens, a beautiful collection of barns, shepherd huts and lodges. With a stylish mix of the historical and contemporary, the venue can seat up to 155 guests, creating a bespoke backdrop for your dream day. Begin with preparations in the Lavender Lodge, the venue's tranquil getaway honeymoon cottage, while your guests can choose from the venue's diverse accommodation offering. From the traditional Oak Lodge, the contemporary Vine Lodge to the rather bohemian shepherds' huts, all accommodation has been renovated to the highest standard, ensuring guests will be surrounded with stylish features and comfort.

Jo Malone London comes to Chichester

British fragrance house Jo Malone London has opened the doors of its new store in Chichester. "Located in the heart of West Sussex, this historical city offers an ideal setting for Jo Malone London, blending its rich cultural heritage with a modern and vibrant atmosphere," says Rachel Baker, the brand's vice president general manager. "The city's naturally beautiful and timeless sophistication perfectly captures the essence of British craftsmanship and luxury that our brand is known for. Chichester's unique character, with its blend of history and modern charms, aligns seamlessly with our brand values."

The hidden language of roses, revealed by expert

Chris Waugh, Florist at Bloom & Wild discusses the symbolism of roses and the bridal trends we can expect to see: "Roses are set to remain a popular choice for weddings in 2025, remaining as one of the most traditional parts of a bridal bouquet. While floriography, known as the language of flowers, was popular during the Victorian Era, the hidden language of roses is still more apparent than ever. Whether you want your guests to be enticed by a feeling of love and passion by incorporating dark red roses into your big day, or if you'd prefer a more delicate approach to love and gratitude by using pink roses, it's important to pick each colour wisely to ensure you're getting the most appropriate messaging across to your guests."

Spring into celebration - upcoming events at The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel & Spa

The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel & Spa offers unforgettable stays in a stunning waterside location. Located on the picturesque Sussex coastline near Bexhill, the hotel combines timeless elegance with exceptional hospitality. Along with beachfront relaxation at The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel & Spa, is designed to deliver a warm welcome and memorable stays. This spring, the Hotel nvites you to celebrate in style with a host of events, including an indulgent Mother's Day dining experiences, Coffee Courses and lively Jazz Sundays. With Easter just around the corner, expect more opportunities to enjoy fabulous food, live music, and family-friendly fun.

Bluewater's Signature Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

We live and breathe weddings at CWM towers, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Bluewater on Sunday 2nd March 2025!! It's our first Signature Wedding Show of 2025's Spring wedding show season; and a must-visit for all those that got engaged over the summer months. The event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

Get creative in Streat, Sussex, with Artelium

If you're looking for a hen party in a slight departure from the boozy night out in Brighton, the team at Artelium is here to help with a week of creative workshops in March great for more wholesome stag and hen dos (or a more intimate pre-wedding day out for couples) who are looking to have a memorable experience and create something hand-made that can be cherished. On Friday the 28th March, there's a Personalised Scent Workshop led by perfumer Nancy Meiland, ideal for couples who are looking to make a special scent for their wedding day. Or, for larger parties such as hens or stags, there are a number of creative activities that can be enjoyed as a group. Check out the Silver Necklace Workshop; Spring Wreath Workshop or Basket Weaving Workshop.

The Perfect Pairing: Champagne styles for every wedding

The Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to share some tips for couples who are planning to celebrate their big day with a sparkling touch; pairing the perfect Champagne styles with different wedding themes. Champagne has long been synonymous with celebration, and the versatility of its styles means there is a perfect style for every couple, no matter the wedding theme. If your wedding theme is classic and traditional Brut Champagne offers versatility, it is an excellent choice for celebrations where guests will feel part of the couple's love story. Brut Champagne makes up around 80% of Champagne shipments to the UK, beloved for its balanced structure and refreshing finish.

Couples are making sustainable wedding choices from the beginning - engagement ring trend

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, many couples are looking to take inspiration from the likes of royalty and celebrities who decided to remodel or repurpose their symbol of enduring love from a vintage or pre-loved item or family heirloom. Not only does it give your engagement ring a deeper meaning or story, it's also a more sustainable way to shop, for one of the most important pieces of jewellery you'll ever own – you'll end up saving potentially thousands of pounds, plus you could end up with something completely unique to you. One such jeweller who is helping couples with this big decision is Rachel Fox, Jewellery expert TV presenter from Channel 4's Millionaire Hoarders, and Store Manager from pre-owned luxury jewellery seller, S&R Jewellers. As one of London's top specialists in this area, S&R Jewellers reports a huge uptick in the number of couples choosing the pre-loved route for their engagement ring.