Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Introducing Limekiln, a stunning new Sussex countryside venue

From the team behind Kin House comes Limekiln, a new private-hire events venue in Sussex, opening its doors in April 2024. Designed with the same hallmarks of considered interior design, service, curated activities and signature luxuries, Limekiln provides space for guests to gather and tell a story – hosting everything from private lunches, weddings, and wild parties to team away days and creative showcases. Set against a backdrop of Sussex countryside, Limekiln is surrounded by 60 acres of private, re-naturalised land including a nine-hole golf course and ancient woodland, from which the lodge takes its name.

Does your mum need help with her wedding speech? Read these tips from Speechy

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. Firstly, reassure your mum that we work with lots of mothers (both of the bride, and increasingly, the groom's) so it's no longer unusual to see a mum on the mic. Whether your mum is standing in for your father, speaking in addition to him or your dad isn't part of the picture, we generally find mothers have a lot to say! In terms of getting your mum excited at the prospect of delivering a speech, rather than dreading it, send her a few blog posts to show her how simple writing her speech can be.

Your ultimate hen do survival guide by SilkFred

With April being the most popular month for hen do's, and online fashion destination SilkFred finding that 625 people will be attending at least one hen do this 'hen do season' (with 93 of respondents attending 3+ hen do's)*, we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert at Silkfred and Head Stylist Megan Watkins, who have shared their ultimate 'Hen Do Survival Hacks' to manage everything from budgets and schedules to styling tips and mastering the art of saying "no".

Five myths about Champagne

For centuries, great occasions in life have been punctuated with Champagne. However, there are several myths surrounding the drinking, storing and essence of Champagne. As a result, the Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to bust those myths to separate fact from fiction and demonstrate how best to enjoy the pinnacle of sparkling wine, as well as ensure that you aren't fooled by some of the most common Champagne myths. Myth: Pop the cork and spray Champagne in times of celebrations. The blunt pop of the cork and the fizz of the fine bubbles – instantly reminiscent of celebration – is a sparkling start to any special occasion.

Escape to the Roaring 20s at Buxted Park

Transport yourself to the opulent Jazz Age with Buxted Park's immersive Gatsby Experience from 6th - 7th July. This exclusive escape invites you to embrace the glamour and decadence of the 1920s, where Champagne flows freely and the rhythm of jazz sets pulses racing. Arrive adorned in your finest flapper attire and lose yourself in the magic of this captivating experience. From Champagne Afternoon Tea on the manicured lawns to a sumptuous banquet in the vintage-inspired ballroom, every moment is curated to whisk you away to the era of excess and elegance!

Find your big-day venue with County Wedding Events

The team from Hampshire's Audleys Wood Hotel will be on hand at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows at Ascot Racecourse and Mercedes-Benz World to discuss your big-day requirements. When you arrive at Audleys Wood Hotel, you'll be captivated by the ornate stonework and beautiful stained glass windows of this Victorian mansion. This historic venue is set in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, surrounded by picturesque private grounds. Its gardens provide an ideal setting for your outdoor wedding ceremony, reception drinks and even your evening party in the Garden Pavilion.

Tick finding your wedding rings off of the list at Mercedes-Benz World

Looking to tick finding your wedding rings off of your wedding planning to-do list? Pop along to the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World to chat to Goldfinger Rings. "Goldfinger Rings are a family run jewellery manufacturer who offer a home design service, we specialise in Wedding, Engagement and Eternity Rings. We work in yellow, white and rose gold, platinum, palladium and tantalum. Our prices are good and the quality of our rings is excellent. We have been making and designing rings for over 30 years. Please contact us if you would like to book a free home appointment."

Powering your celebrations with Gofer

Gofer offers a complete power management service of reliable and sustainable generators and power equipment. Enabling you to hold your wedding in the remote location of your dreams. With over 35 years' experience, our qualified team work directly with clients or with the event or marquee companies to power your wedding. Our team have a strong understanding and connections with different wedding suppliers. Enabling your wedding tor run effectively and efficiently, with the highest quality of power provision.

Book your 2024 wedding for £2,024 - find out more at Mercedes-Benz World

Pop along to the County Wedding Events' Signature Show at Mercedes-Benz World to chat to the team about what's new at this exciting wedding venue - what's more, Brooklands Hotel sits opposite Mercedes-Benz World so you can also visit and see for yourself! The venue's currently shouting about a great offer - book your 2024 wedding for £2,024 - so click on the link to find out more! Additionally, the venue's announced new spa facilities and new Glasshouse restaurant opening on 1st May.

Dream dresses at Signature Wedding Shows

Bespoke dress and bridalwear designer, Tanya Dimitrova, founder of London-based Mia La Vida Bridal, will be on hand to talk through your dream wedding dress ideas at our Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, April 28th. With a vision and passion to create timeless wedding and evening pieces, and to fulfil a lifelong dream of making a defiant mark on the high-end world of couture bridalwear, Tanya listens to her clients' requirements to design and make a creation you'll never want to take off!

Moonpig reveals weddings cards are the hardest to write

Greeting cards have been a popular way to express celebrations and affection for our loved ones. We're used to purchasing cards for milestones from birthdays, weddings, new jobs and more, but how often do we struggle with what to write in a card? With the recent growth in popularity of AI models like ChatGPT, Moonpig has launched its "Smart Text" tool, a feature which uses generative AI as a writing assistant for customers who need help in those moments where they don't know what to put in a card to their loved ones.

Meet Paul a charismatic wedding host at Mercedes-Benz World's wedding fair

Paul Evers, a charismatic compere and wedding host, is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on April 28th. The live event host was TV presenter for more than 25 years with a reputation for his dynamic personality and performance. He has a real gift for people on and off stage, lending itself perfectly to your big day. Paul can contribute as little or as much as you need him to and can tailor to whatever you need. He will naturally build a great relationship with you and your guests meaning he can also warmly present the important elements of your ceremony if required as well as all other celebrations throughout the day and evening, with a real sense of fun.

Your dream destination wedding or honeymoon awaits at Sandals Resorts

Nestled along the Caribbean's most idyllic beaches and lush landscapes discover 18 breathtaking all-inclusive resorts, designed exclusively for adults. Here at Sandals Resorts we capture the very essence of romance. Choose between an array of spectacular wedding locations, each meticulously designed to turn your special day into an unforgettable celebration. Creating your dream destination wedding, honeymoon, or milestone celebration is more than an idea — it's reality.

Meet Jess, the founder of The Soirée Planner at Mercedes-Benz World

Meet Jess, the founder of The Soirée Planner, lover of sunsets, matcha lattes and dreamy floral décor at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 28th April 2024. Serving London, Essex and surrounding areas, The Soirée Planner provides event coordination and a range of wedding décor styling services to suit every couple. DON'T MISS OUT! Take advantage of The Soirée Planner's exclusive, one-time offer: 20% off all packages! Secure your date by 31st July 2024 with code CWSP20.

Looking for a Honeymoon that’s as unique as you are? Sirocco Luxury Travel offers bespoke travel at package-holiday prices.

Long-standing honeymoon experts Sirocco Luxury Travel believe that since no two couples are the same, no two honeymoons should be either! Specialising in tailor-made honeymoons to destinations such as Kenya, Borneo, Tahiti, Indonesia or Madagascar, their look-book style brochure for couples is called 'Not Your Average Honeymoon' for a reason! Owner Alice Burns believes every couple should get the chance to create a totally bespoke honeymoon to suit their own interests and passions, rather than having to pick their once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon from a list of pre-packaged holidays off a travel agent's shelf. She says "Your honeymoon should be totally unique to you as a couple, and we don't believe you should ever have to pay extra to create something tailor-made for you, either!".

Start-up brand Art of Couture showcasing at County Wedding Events

A new environmental trend in the fashion world, start-up brand Art of Couture presents an innovative concept of combining custom tailoring with dress rental. Ukrainian fashion designer Kateryna Orlovska announces the launch of a new fashion brand, Art of Couture, which not only impresses with style and elegance, but also has a significant impact on preserving the environment. Since moving from Ukraine to the UK two years ago, Kateryna Orlovska has been exploring the aesthetics of English culture, which has become an important source of inspiration for her new collection of evening dresses, bridal dresses, and other elegant outfits.

A new lease of life for Lordington Park

Hidden away in the folds of the South Downs rolling hill landscape you'll find Lordington Park, a rural retreat recently renovated, where guests can escape the hustle and bustle of life by immersing themselves in the tranquil natural beauty this stunning country house has to offer. Following an evening of festivities, which saw Lordington Park open it's doors to the local community, this exciting venue with it's new lease of life also launched its brand new website, created by a local company, where guests can book their stay direct. Back in December, dozens of local farmers, families and business owners were invited to discover first-hand what this 14-bedroom dog friendly boutique B&B plus, three idyllic selfcatering cottages, has to offer.

Thinking of doing a joint wedding speech? Read Speechy's top tips

The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. A joint speech follows the same etiquette principles as your standard bride and groom speech but allows you to present it as a team and play up to your relationship dynamic. But, despite the two voices, be careful not to make the speech double the length! No more than 1,500 words maximum. When it comes to writing a joint speech, it all comes down to your ability to collaborate, discuss and bounce ideas off each other.

Things to consider when booking your big-day musicians

As the UK's largest and most sustainable musician bookings platform, musicians for weddings account for around 50% of Encore's bookings. As such, the company is well-versed in the most cost-effective ways to cut down on one of the more expensive aspects of a wedding. Please see below some best tips to help you save the most money when booking your wedding entertainment. On average, couples book musicians for their wedding seven and a half months in advance, but if your big day falls on a Saturday during peak season, you should book your musicians at least nine months in advance.

Planning a hen (or sten) party? These activity-based bars need to be on your list

Tasty food, gorgeous cocktails and a bit of healthy competition equals a winning recipe for an amazing time for your pre-wedding get together! How does a side of shuffleboard or darts with your cocktails sound? Whether you're looking for a daytime plan or something to keep you partying into the early hours, Electric Shuffle and Flight Club are great options. Both have resident DJs banging out the tunes, and both offer fab bottomless brunch packages if an afternoon booze session is more what you're after. They're also perfectly designed for the most amazing insta-worthy pics