Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Disco diva

We asked local DJ Mark Parker (www.thedj.co.uk) for his his top five tips for planning your intimate wedding's entertainment. He says: Venue selection. Choose a venue that suits the size of your guest list and allows for a cosy dancefloor. Dim the lights. Ambient lighting makes a big difference to how it feels on the dancefloor. Music. Curate a request list that reflects your tastes and includes a blend of crowd-pleasers and personal favourites. You can also write a do-not play list! Be prepared. Prime some of your guests to join you during your first dance so that the dancefloor fills naturally and builds up some energy. Pick a brilliant second song.

Creative ways to preserve and display your wedding bouquet

Your wedding day is one of the most magical days of your life, so you'll no doubt want to hold onto your memories for as long as possible. Here, Clare Price from framing specialists Wall Space shares their tips for preserving your wedding bouquet for years to come. Preserving your wedding bouquet can be a wonderful way to keep the memories of your special day alive. Techniques like drying and pressing are some of the best methods of flower preservation, and there are countless ways to show off your preserved blooms in your home once you're done. With the tips and ideas below, you can create lasting reminders of your cherished moments and remember your special day for years to come.

Tie the knot at 18th-century manor house Ham Manor

The beautiful, 18th-century, Grade II listed manor house at Ham Manor Golf Club and its surroundings offer a classic backdrop for a wedding day. The Manor offers an ideal canvas on which to create a special day you'll remember forever. Your dream, vision and style: one beautiful setting. Ham Manor is surrounded by a glorious golf course. There's also a lake and walled garden to the rear, so you'll not be short of a picture-perfect spot for those all-important snaps. What's more the venue is located just fi ve minutes from the stunning Arun coast should you wish to take photos en route or pop out for a location shoot.

Experts reveal five wedding trends set to be huge this Summer

With the new season comes new colours and trends, and with that being said, experts at Diamonds Factory have predicted five wedding trends that are set to be big this Summer. Couples will step away from the traditional colour scheme "Stepping away from the traditional black and white formal attire, we expect to see many wedding parties embrace colour this Summer. We saw the mismatched bridesmaid dresses trend resurge in popularity in late 2023, and predict this trend will take off even further this Summer, especially now it's getting warmer and with people experimenting with colour more.

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long?

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this. My groom says he's finished his speech and he's really happy with it but it's almost 2,000 words long. Is that too much? Yes. All speeches should be under ten minutes long. It seems obvious but I've seen several speeches (generally the best men) go well over half an hour, oblivious to the yawns or heckling. That's no more than 1,300 words maximum, allowing for pauses or laughter on the day. Remind your fiancé that his first draft is just the start of the writing process.

Wedding favours for Kids: ToyChoc Box

PLAYin CHOC's ToyChoc boxes are a fantastic choice for entertaining kids at weddings. These eco-friendly, vegan, and allergen-free treats come in 100% recyclable packaging. Each box contains two creamy chocolate bars wrapped in compostable packaging, along with a 3D card puzzle toy featuring animals like endangered species, sea creatures, or dinosaurs - there's also a fun animal fact inside. At just £2.25 each on Amazon, these boxes are a budget-friendly addition to your wedding plans.

Bailiffscourt makes it to the final for Best Hotel in Sussex

The team at Bailiffscourt were delighted to find themselves in this year's Muddy Stilettos finals for Best Hotel in Sussex. These awards are entirely based on guest feedback, so they immediately sprung into action to thank their guests for putting them forward. As well as being a wonderful wedding venue with much to offer its couples, which you can find out about by turning to our Spotlight on... Chichester to Worthing feature this issue, there's plenty for you and your guests to do here during your stay. Perhaps you fancy a spot of afternoon tea? Perfect for celebrating with your bridesmaids ahead of W-day, or just because you deserve a treat, enjoy the sun drenched courtyard or curl up by the fire and indulge.

Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel. Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.

Forest Garden Shovelstrode - an eco woodland retreat offering wellbeing in nature

Forest Garden Shovelstrode in Sussex AONB offers secluded luxury camping accommodation in two traditional yurts and four rustic log cabins set within a six acre regenerating woodland, wildlife pond and forest garden (a perennial edible food forest, based on the principles of permaculture). Guests enjoy a completely immersive experience in nature being surrounded by trees, wildflowers and a plethora of wildlife including rabbits, badgers, foxes, deer, squirrels, buzzards and tawny owls. Almost immediately upon arrival, a sense of deep relaxation is experienced from the effects of fresh air therapy, which helps to rebalance the stresses and strains accumulated from urban living. There are also plenty of activities and courses available with a focus on physical and mental wellbeing.

Green I dos: How to plan a sustainable wedding

The carbon footprint of a wedding in the UK is equivalent to driving a car around the world twice – both create 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Ahead of wedding season, sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk teamed up with leading wedding planner Georgie Mitchel from Georgina Rose Events to share the best ways to make a wedding more sustainable, while also saving some money. Georgie says: "Having been involved in hundreds of weddings, it's hard to see the amount of waste that is produced from that one day. However, it's so good to hear that couples are looking at ways to be more green! Here are my tips for having a sustainable wedding day."

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this here, ready now...I've written my bride speech but almost three quarters of it is 'thank yous'. Is that right? The thank yous are obviously very important but you also need to be wary of turning your speech into one long tedious list. For guests, thank yous are really only interesting if 1) they're personally getting thanked or 2) the thank yous are entertaining, from-the-heart and feel more than a cut and paste job...

Five ways to beat a wedding hangover

Weddings are notorious for booze with 50% of people admitting they wouldn't be happy to attend a wedding without alcohol. With an expectation for heavy drinking at most celebrations, lots of dancing and a late night, wedding guests often wake up feeling worse for wear. Those suffering the morning after a wedding can ease the pain with simple hacks, including drinking a pint of water before bed and sleeping on their left side. Nausea, thirst and aches can also be alleviated by having a lie-in, which helps to limit fatigue and irritation the next day.

It's pamper time with Sussex's most popular spas

If you can't justify an indulgent spa break in the run up to your big day, when can you? Spabreaks recently revealed East Sussex National Golf Resort and Spa as Sussex's most booked spa following insights from its 2023 consumer data. It totalled 31 per cent of all bookings made in Sussex that year. Coming in in second place is Chakra Spa at Crowne Plaza Felbridge, Gatwick, closely flowed by Alexander House Hotel Utopia Spa, and Ockenden Manor. With the fifth most bookings in and around Sussex being for Ashdown Park. Spabreaks.com founder Abi Selby says, "It's always insightful to look back across the past year and see where and how customers are using the spa.

UK vs US Brides: Wedding expert reveals 5 ways we differ

It's time to settle the score: do UK brides really do it better, or are our American cousins stealing the show? Let's dive into the wedding warzone and explore five spicy differences that set us apart! According to a survey conducted by the UK's largest wedding venue collection, the Gilchrist Collection, there are some key differences in the ways Brits plan their big day, compared to that of Americans. Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of the Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of helping thousands of engaged couples with their wedding, across 12 venues, both in the UK and US.

Soak up the sunshine at Ockenden Manor

As the weather warms, the sun shines and the grass grows greener, embark on a sun-soaked staycation with PoB Hotels, the distinguished collection of the finest independent hotels scattered across the British Isles, where the promise of summer splendour awaits. Stop and smell the roses at Ockenden Manor. This summer, stop and smell the roses at Ockenden Manor, a quintessentially English manor that is surrounded by the greatest and most beautiful gardens in Sussex. Be enthralled by a visit to three privately owned and heritage gardens of Sussex. The package includes two nights' accommodation, along with a guided tour and delicious Michelin-starred lunch at Gravetye Manor, entrance to High Beeches Gardens and Borde Hill, along with dinner and afternoon tea at Ockenden Manor.

Here are 10 must-have items to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Luxury bathroom experts at Posh.co.uk have shared ten must-have items to provide to make sure guests are well taken care of. Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really nice touch for couples to show their guests they care by providing them with everything they need for a comfortable evening. Including items like safety pins, deodorant, body tape and antihistamines will mean that guests won't have to worry about a thing. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk said: "Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really lovely touch at a reception by providing guests with all of those small but important items that they may not necessarily be able to bring with them.

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

Celebrate English Wine Week at The Gallivant with exclusive tastings

In celebration of English Wine Week (Saturday 15th to Saturday 22nd June), The Gallivant Camber Sands, located close to the lush vineyards of East Sussex, invites guests to a series of tasting sessions. Sample a selection of excellent English wines, from the region's best producers including Oxney and Gusbourne. With one of the largest collections of English wine in the country, The Gallivant team has handpicked a selection of their favourites for six exclusive tastings. Guests can enjoy the tastings in the serene setting of the property's wild-flowered garden or within the intimate Cabin Room. Each event will be hosted by a local winery, offering unique insights into the craftsmanship and history of English wine production in the destination.

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.