Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

A day to remember at The Grand, Eastbourne

We asked Billie-Jo Clarke from The Grand, Eastbourne (www.grandeastbourne.com) for her tips on planning an intimate wedding day. She says: If you're planning an intimate wedding with only your nearest and dearest in attendance, choosing the right venue is key to creating the right ambience and a day to remember. If your dream venue seems grand and potentially overwhelming for your numbers, it's well worth making enquiries to find out whether they're hiding a more intimate space within their walls. For example, The Grand Hotel, nestled along the picturesque coastline of Eastbourne, may be affectionately known as the White Palace, but it's actually a timeless setting for intimate weddings too.

Ginger Ray - An Introvert's Guide to surviving a hen party

So, you've got a hen party on the horizon, but the thought of navigating through a sea of social interactions is making you break into a cold sweat. Fear not introverts, we've got your back! Follow these top tips to make sure that you don't bring down the mood at the hen party and instead boost the atmosphere of the event. Hen parties are a chance to celebrate the lucky soon-to-be bride so make it a night she'll never forget! Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared 6 strategies to ensure that you not only survive, but actually enjoy the festivities:

Dive into the world of muted colour palettes

Rebecca Brennan-Brown, founder of GetWed, a team of wedding experts based in London, helping couples achieve dreamy, fun, and unpretentious weddings, dives into the world of muted colour palettes and shares her top tips and advice for channeling this aesthetic...In a world of Instagram algorithms and Pinterest boards that feed you new inspiration every five minutes, it can be tricky to choose a colour palette for your wedding, let alone stick to one. Do you go for classic, whimsical whites and greens? Or perhaps something bolder and more fun? Or maybe you've always envisioned a summery pastel palette. The options are endless.

Bailiffscourt offers a romantic West Sussex setting for your big day

Sumptuous, timeless and inspiring, Bailiffscourt offers a romantic setting with an elegant ambience. Narrow passageways with flagstone floors lead you through intimate lounges and sitting rooms, and Gothic mullioned windows frame picture-perfect views of the gardens and rose clad courtyard. Mere steps away from the Hotel is the luxurious and contemporary spa with facilities that include an indoor pool, outdoor heated infinity pool, hot tub, fitness suite, relaxation lounge and six treatment rooms. What's more, there are 39 bedrooms and suites, some with open fireplaces and four-poster beds scattered throughout the house. The gardens even boast an original and very pretty 13th-century Norman chapel, as well as a helipad for an indulgent arrival or departure.

Sten dos are on the rise

Stag and hen experts, Adventure Connections, say it is the 'Sten do' that takes traditional trends down! A mash-up of the separate parties, the Sten do provides a popular new way for the future bride and groom to be united before the big day. Rumoured to have been recreated by Harry and Megan, Sten dos prove to be the hottest way to party. Founder of Adventure Connections, Justin Sayers mentions that "things are changing when it comes to pre-wedding parties", so why not give it a try? Sten dos offer a cost-effective and inclusive solution to those separate gatherings, perfect for those with a large number of guests. Those shared memories are sure to be irreplaceable. Reduce your stress and make it a rave to remember!

Personalisation is IN for 2024

Crafty Brewing and Lola and Luna's collaboration reveals how personalisation is being brought to the forefront of 2024 weddings. The concept of personalisation is holding a key part in redefining 'tradition' and incorporating new captivating trends in every aspect of your magical event. Aimee, a wedding expert from a wedding planning and styling company says that "Over the past few years, weddings have increasingly started steering away from the same old conventions, and opting for bespoke options more frequently." From table plans set on where the couple first met, to embroidered napkins there are so many opportunities to add a personal touch on your big day.

Scentscape your wedding day with Yankee Candle

Scentscaping your wedding day is a trend that's going nowhere! Finding the right fragrance to shape the atmosphere of your wedding is an exciting part of the wedding planning journey you can do together - beats the wedmin too! Yankee Candle, and sister brand WoodWick, boast a wide collection of candles in all shapes, colours and sizes that would work perfectly for your nuptials, reception and big-day gifting. Imagine walking into you ceremony with the scent of pink cherry and vanilla surrounding you, or at your winter reception Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl from Yankee's new collection will certainly set the tone of the proceedings and reflect the time of year. Once you've found your favourite candle, it's also something you can purchase time and again to evoke memories of the special event, alternatively gifting loved ones who supported you on your wedding day with a candle to the big-day fragrance will be a gift where guests can reminisce too!

Paperchase unveils wedding and hen party products collection

The beloved brand Paperchase has recently launched an exclusive collection of wedding and hen party products. The new range features a wide selection of unique and sophisticated wedding staples and novelty hen products for great value prices, from stationery to decorative accessories. It is perfect for those tying the knot this year or planning a spectacular hen do. Looking for luxurious wedding invitations? but want to keep costs down? Well, the Ginger Ray Wedding Invitations with Envelopes (10pack with envelopes) with a classic cream finish they combine style with affordability for those looking to advertise their big day with a stunning opening number.

Planning for the night ahead – wedding nightwear from Chelsea Peers

West London based designer brand Chelsea Peers has an glamorous array of wedding nightwear for any bride on their special day, to complement the bride's style and luxurious taste. When wedding planning, you mainly focus on the particulars of the actual ceremony and the events of the day, however what about your first night as husband and wife? With Chelsea Peers, the elegant draping allows the bride to maintain an effortless silhouette while adding just a touch of splendour. For a spectacular wedding night, consider the chic and comfortable Satin Fringe Trim Long Pyjama Set – Ivory, that features a swishy flared shape that has plenty of movement, combined with smooth, lustrous satin.

Restaurant Interlude wins national award

The 2024 National Restaurant Awards feature Restaurant Interlude, at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in Horsham, as one of only two Sussex restaurants in its Top 100. Launched in 2007, the awards celebrate "the brilliance and vibrancy of the UK's eating out scene, and reward the very best chefs, front of house staff and restaurants the country has to offer." Restaurant Interlude, which is open for lunch and dinner, was ranked at number 83 in the awards and was nominated for the Estrella Damm Sustainability Award category. South African chef Jean Delport and his team also won a Michelin Green Star earlier in 2024, one of the first restaurants in Sussex to receive the accolade. It recognised Interlude's outstanding sustainable practices and ethically sourced seasonal cuisine.

Introducing Adventure Connections – The hen and stag do experts

Sussex-based Adventure Connections, group accommodation experts, is a highly focused and professional events management team. With over 23 years' experience planning unforgettable events, including hen parties, stag dos and corporate gatherings, Adventure Connections offers an expert service when it comes to organising large group accommodation, celebrations and experiences. The dedicated team specialise in large house rentals and has strong relationships with the UK travel industry including key hotels. The team prides themselves on offering 1000s of tried and tested properties, and a wide range of activities. So, if you're in charge of creating the ultimate hen or stag party for your bestie, or you're looking to direct your friend in the right direction, Adventure Connection is the right place to be.

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy, and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: Some say addressing guests as 'ladies and gentlemen' is a mistake these days... what is the Modern newlywed speech etiquette? Let's start by saying (again) there are no wedding speech rules. When it comes to etiquette, it's simply a case of common sense and being polite. Honestly, that's it. When it comes to addressing your audience, 'Ladies and gentlemen' is becoming less common for two reasons.

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.