Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

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.

Walk yourself happy with Julia Bradbury at South Lodge this September

Country house spa hotel South Lodge has announced a partnership with celebrated TV presenter, journalist, author and nature evangelist Julia Bradbury to host a two-day wellness retreat on 23th-24th September 2024. The Walk Yourself Happy Retreats provide an opportunity to experience the health-changing power of the Walk Yourself Happy philosophy with Julia Bradbury in person. Chapters of The Sunday Times bestseller book will be brought to life through a blend of expert-led sessions, engaging group conversations, and revitalising nature-based activities that will energise the body and feed the soul. Julia Bradbury says, "I wanted to bring together a group of experts who had been so transformative in my own personal journey

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Leonardslee Estate Launches summer 2024 events programme

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, the historic 750-acre estate in Horsham, West Sussex, has announced its summer events programme, offering a range of activities for families and visitors of all ages. The estate features Grade I Listed woodland gardens, a Sussex Wine vineyard, a luxury vineyard hotel, and Michelin-starred Restaurant Interlude. Step into the World of Leonardslee Family Vineyards with a series of events highlighting the release of their first English sparkling wines, the first of which features exclusive tasting events and Michelin-starred dining on June 8th. Taste & Terroir on June 9th is a wine and food pairing focused on local produce, while the Vineyard Wine Tasting Experience offers sessions led by wine experts on June 14th and 21st.

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

Top10 Brighton tips from Lost in the Lanes

The team at new Brighton eatery, Lost in the Lanes, give us the lowdown on the best things to do in Brighton right now. 1. Visit Lost in the Lanes. Newly open for evenings for the first time, Lost in the Lanes is offering a regular evening menu featuring human rights lawyer turned chef, Sophie Taverner's responsibly sourced, paired back, ingredient led cooking and founded by Natalie Demetriou who also changed career from speech therapy to set up her own business inspired by 10 years spent in New Zealand. At Lost in the Lanes guests can expect to dishes such as: ox cheek rage, rosti, parmesan, chives, braised haricot, oregano, Kalamata, goat cheese, salmon crude, chilli, ricotta, toasted focaccia and Pavlova, orange custard

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.