Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

County Wedding Magazines launch new websites!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ the office is abuzz with excitement at the launch of our new websites – I'm sure you can hear the *collective oohs and ahhs* from where you are! So yes, it's here, after months of hard work, sweat and tears (maybe less tears but more cheers!), our shiny, new, glorious websites are ready to be viewed by our much-loved readers – we really hope you like them as much as we do! Wedding planning at your fingertips - What's new, we hear you ask? Well, everything! The County names are as important as ever, it's our ethos after all, but we have a lush new font and modern colour scheme that really makes our County Wedding Magazine titles jump off the page.

The best of English sparkling wine, with Amelia Singer this National Champagne Week (1-7th October)

There's the New World of wine, and then the New New World: English Sparkling Wine is on the rise. This National Champagne Week, wine expert, Amelia Singer selects her favourite bubbles from our own green pastures... Which country comes to mind if you think of "wine"? For most, I imagine France, Italy, or perhaps even the USA these days, probably dominates. We all know, however, that the world is a-changing and so should our concept of wine and where it comes from. English wines are on the rise, and it's my opinion, along with a fair few of the worlds top wine experts, that they are the new frontier of wine making – even beating out top champagne houses in sparkling wine competitions.

Personalised wedding gifts from Pen Heaven

Find beautifully crafted, meaningful, and personalised wedding gifts to cherish forever with Pen Heaven. A master of exquisite stationary design, Pen Heaven was founded in 2008 and offer a comprehensive range of luxury writing instruments, leather journals and gifts. Specialists in classic brands such as Parker, Cross and Lamy, Pen Heaven also boast some more unusual and hard-to-find items such as the Japanese hand painted Platinum range, Italian calligraphy sets and the design focused Worther brand. Offering an in-house, by-hand engraving and embossing service, Pen Heaven are the ultimate destination for meaningful gifts with a personal touch perfect for big-day gifting.

Bridal party attire with Signature Wedding Show exhibitor

Surrey-based Katie Binns Dress Studio, will be showcasing its bridal party attire at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows. "I'm Katie and I absolutely love dressing up for a special occasion. Whether it's for a black tie event, wedding, a big occasion, any excuse and I'm there planning my outfit!. I will take my clients into a world of dresses where I can help to advise on what colours will make them radiate, to what style dress suits their unique body shape. I am also fully qualified in Colour Analysis and Personal Styling. When it comes to Proms and buying dresses, my amazing teenage daughter Daisy always likes to be with me on the buying trips to keep the dresses current."

County Wedding Magazines' readers share their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.

Find your big-day photographer at Mercedes-Benz World

Hertfordshire-based Ami Louisa Photography is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on 29th October 2023. Amy says, "I love photographing romantic, joyous weddings that are full of personality. Getting to meet so many wonderful couples and be with them in their happiest moments is a privilege that doesn't get old." What other people say about Ami Louisa Photography, "We honestly couldn't have asked for a better photographer! Ami is the sweetest, most genuine person we've ever met. Our photos are magical and looking back through them makes me emotional all over again. I can't thank her enough!"

Find out more about Woo Illustrations at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show

Surrey-based artist Megan, of Woo Illustrations, is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 29th October, 2023. Creating mementos that guests and couples can cherish after the big day, Megan's a live, retrospective illustrator that can capture loved ones throughout the special day. From the happy couple, to the bridesmaids, best men and bridesmaids to the ceremony and evening guests, there's plenty of loved ones on a wedding day who would love this special keepsake - and it makes for great entertainment watching Megan and work!

Halloween hen party ideas for 2023

If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.

Join Sight ‘n’ Sound at Mercedes-Benz World to see all they have to offer

Hertfordshire-based Sight 'n' Sound will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 8th September - a must-visit event for those tying the knot. At the event, couples and visitors on the day will be able to see Sight 'n' Sound's full wedding service set-up including: Wedding disco, wedding DJ, sound system, lighting, white LED dancefloor and low smoke generator.

Surrey's Artypix Photography will be showcasing its photo booth with County Wedding Events

Surrey-based Artypix Photography will be showcasing its photo booth at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 29th October 2023 - a must-visit event for all those couples looking to tie the knot in the Surrey area. New to Artypix, is the Inflatable Photo Booth and with its hire couples will get: personal booth operators, props, instant image share, unlimited visits, and unlimited online downloads. Packages can be booked in two, three or four hour slots to suit couples' requirements when tying the knot.

Wedding day aesthetic according to your star sign

Jewellery brand Diamonds Factory, has spoken exclusively to celebrity psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman, who has shared her top tips on how to plan your wedding according to your zodiac. Vibrant Colours for Aries, known for their fiery and youthful nature, embrace the vibrant energy of red. This intense hue symbolises their passion and dynamism. To capture their directness, a bow and arrow motif, reminiscent of Greek deity Eros, perfectly embodies Aries' spirit on their special day.

Create the perfect al fresco drinks reception with House Coren

This issue we asked the experts for their advice on planning an outdoor wedding. Thinking about the all important drinks offer, William Coren, CEO and founder of House Coren (www.housecoren.co.uk) had plenty of great ideas... Planning drinks for your outdoor wedding reception is crucial for creating an unforgettable experience. Think about these key considerations: Guest preferences and dietary restrictions. Offer a diverse range of options, including sparkling wine, non-alcoholic alternatives, and cocktails to accommodate everyone. Weather conditions. Adapt your drink selection based on the weather. Serve refreshing drinks like spritzers and fruity cocktails on hot summer days, and warm beverages like mulled wine for cooler weather. Time and duration of the reception.

'Say yes to the dress!' with Lace & Button and County Wedding Events

Lace & Button Bridal is a renowned studio in London that specialises in bridalwear and bridal alterations; and will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows as Ascot Racecourse and Wembley Stadium, in October 2023.With over a decade of experience of helping brides to get the dress of their dreams to fit them perfectly. Unrivalled quality and expertise, attention to detail and to your requirements is the essence of the brand's philosophy, these elements make Lace & Button the ultimate choice when it comes to your special dress.

Let's talk about sleep - the importance of rest

A new nationwide study has revealed as many as 86 percent of us now regularly struggle to drift off - not good if you're wanting to look and feel your best physically and mentally in the run up to your wedding day and on-the-day itself! Research has revealed the top 20 natural sleep inducers in the modern age – and counting sheep or mugs of Horlicks did not make the cut. In fact, modern Brits are more likely to get intimate with their other half, listen to a true crime podcast, watch a comedy show, tidy their room from top to bottom, or cuddle up with their pet. But the survey shows, simply reading a book is the number one snooze inducing activity (23 percent), followed by scrolling through social media (22 percent), despite the consensus that looking at phones is bad for our sleep patterns.

Suited and booted with Wembley Signature Wedding Show exhibitor

Operating out of Bristol, London and Exeter, made-to-measure and retail suitors, Zebel, will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday 8th October. Zebel looking to revolutionise and democratise suiting; doing away with the stuffy, elitist atmosphere of traditional tailor's shops and giving customers the opportunity to design their perfect garment. With Saville Row quality fabrics from some of the most prestigious clothiers in the world, a team of suit specialists with a keen eye for detail, and an incomparable passion for quality service, the team hope its customers will always think of Zebel when it comes to high-quality suiting at a reasonable price.

Meet planners Eventaholics Weddings at CWE's Wembley Stadium wedding show

Meet Ruth from Eventaholics Weddings at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium on 8th October 2023. Eventaholics Weddings is a premier choice for creating unforgettable, modern weddings in the heart of London and throughout the enchanting landscapes of the South East of England. With a passion for creativity and a dedication to making your special day truly unique, Ruth and her team aim to transform your dream wedding into a breathtaking reality. The team of experienced professionals will craft every detail with precision and elegance, ensuring your celebration is a reflection of your love story. Ruth says, "We take the stress out of wedding planning, so you can focus on cherishing every moment of your extraordinary day. Trust Eventaholics for a wedding that is as exceptional as your love."

Calling all newlyweds and nearlyweds - County Wedding Magazines need you!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, there's nothing we love more than our real wedding features - and we couldn't do them without you! If you would like to see your wedding grace the pages of one of our County Wedding Magazine titles, then please do get in touch! Grand and big-budget extravaganzas, to small and intimate I dos, themed from beginning to end, or personalised with a sentimental touch - we want to hear about them all!

Reconnect in the Sussex wild with South Lodge

This Autumn, South Lodge encourages guests to recharge and reconnect with a series of expert-led holistic wellbeing retreats in the heart of the Sussex countryside. From 14-15 October, guests are invited to Reset, Recover and Realign with Olympic silver medallist Keri-anne Payne for wild swimming and cold-water exposure; a sound bath and energy healing journey; Vinyasa yoga and breathwork. The following weekend, forest bathing expert Helena Skoog leads a traditional Japanese awareness meditation and immersive experience in South Lodge's 93-acre estate, inviting guests to reconnect with the natural world. New for October, South Lodge's inaugural weekend wellness break in partnership with holistic wellbeing agency Oyogo launches from 14-15 October.

Dream wedding venue inspiration at October's Signature Wedding Show at Wembley Stadium

When attending one of County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows couples can be rest assured they'll find suppliers to tick off of their to do list, including the venue. Celebrate one of the most important days of your life at one of the most luxurious wedding venues Northamptonshire has to offer. When it comes to five-star wedding venues, Kettering is able to boast Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa's stunning grounds and luxurious accommodation as true highlight. Weddings evoke wonderful memories and joyous moments of celebration; they are symbolic of dreams becoming reality. From the second you arrive at the grand wedding venue, you're invited to become part of our history as they cater to your every need and support you throughout your wedding journey.

Come and meet Dawn Clarke Designs at Mercedes-Benz World Wedding Show!

British designer Dawn Clarke is so happy to be returning to the Signature Mercedes-Benz World Wedding Show on Sunday 29th October 2023, to meet with couple looking to tie the knot! The event is the perfect opportunity to meet Dawn in person and view her latest collection of silk celebration flower girl dresses. Showcasing her first limited edition collection of British manufactured pure luxury silk children's celebration dresses; Dawn Clarke specialises in UK-made luxury, sustainable celebration children's garments perfect for weddings - the range is so stunning you'll be hard pressed to pick a favourite from her wedding day collection.