Editor loves and inspiration

“Having dyslexia, pictures have always made more sense to me than words,” photographer Andy Dorrington tells us. He always enjoyed photographing bike racing as a young adult and then in 2010, with their first child on the way, Andy and wife Jenny bought their first DSLR camera, which was the game changer. In 2011, with the support of their nearest and dearest, the couple started their business, Dorrington Photography to fit around family life. From that moment on, they've gone from strength to strength, now building their professional network with fantastic second photographers, Lizzie and Colin.

To find out more about Dorrington Photography, visit www.dorringtonphotography.co.uk

See more from our Photography feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Here at Your Sussex Wedding, we've been obsessed with the idea of giving succulents as wedding favours for a while now, so when we heard about The Little Botanical's plans, we did a little jump for joy! This summer, the Sussex- based business is adding a special touch to its beautiful range of succulents with a new personalisation service. The plants on offer combine horticultural expertise with a passion for design and interiors and now you can add a bespoke message to their super-cute ceramic-dipped pots for wedding favours or thank- you gifts your guests will adore.

The Little Botanical was launched by husband-and-wife team Greg and Morag, who are fourth-generation plant growers based on the south coast. Your chosen plants are delivered straight to your door and are pre-styled in perfectly fitting beautiful pots for effortless, green-filled gifting.

The personalisation service is available now on selected ranges exclusively at www.thelittlebotanical.co.uk and priced at £6 for up to 16 characters.

See more news in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Charlotte and Ryan met at university and soon became inseparable. “Despite being very different people with many different interests, it just worked,” Charlotte says, “Being at uni could be stressful and Ryan was always there, being a calming influence, which I definitely needed as I was the opposite. He never failed to make me laugh and became, not only my boyfriend, but my best friend.” The couple decided to move in together during their last year of studying and have lived together ever since.

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

The wedding cake: sweet treat, reception dessert or showstopping centrepiece? Who's to say it can't be all three? Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, the big-day bake has been an enduring tradition and wedding stalwart since couples first said “I do.” Its origins are thought to date back to Ancient Rome when a cake of wheat or barley was broken over the bride's head to signify good fortune. Thankfully, you won't be forced to wear the delicacy today, so it's something that's well worth thinking about. The modern cake maker is now more versatile than ever and can whip you up a sweet showstopper big enough to take the place of your wedding breakfast dessert, or be served at your evening reception. Handing out the slices is also a lovely way of making sure you get round to see all of your guests.

Image provided by: www.caritascakedesign.co.uk

See more from our Cakes feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Alison J. Smith from Bridal Beauty reveals her favourite summer hair styles.

"I like all aspects of a wedding to flow together, so my favourite look for summer will depend on the style of dress, venue and the general theme of the wedding. Garden weddings can often be less formal, so flowing hair and boho looks work well. Half-up hair, waved with soft twists or braids is the perfect look for this time of year. A textured bun with a few tendrils to frame the face is another relaxed vibe I love. If your dress needs a more elegant and structured style to show it off in its full glory, you can consider having a second less formal look for the evening by letting your hair down."

To find out more about Bridal Beauty, visit www.bridalbeauty.co.uk

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Rachel and Ed met in 2013 when they started teaching at the same school. Ed remembers, “Rachel introduced herself as a new member of staff, with a lovely smile, and from that moment I was hooked!” The pair quickly realised that they had a great deal in common, both sharing a passion for sport and the great outdoors, and began going for drinks after school. Ed proposed during a long walk on the South Downs, accompanied by the family's black labrador, Pepper.

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Stationery expert Stacie Gould tells us how you can incorporate a summer theme into your big day.

"Summer flowers are always a lovely way to incorporate bright colours into your wedding stationery and can also link in nicely with your chosen bouquet or floral arrangements. I have many designs that would work perfectly for this particular theme or I can create bespoke stationery by looking at your chosen palette and matching it accordingly.

"On-the-day welcome signage will bring a pop of colour and can continue the invitation theme right through to the wedding itself. This feels even more inviting for guests, as the familiar colours and embellishments add a more personal feel."

To find out more about Stacie, visit www.rosegouldprinting.co.uk

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Annicke met Chris at the age of 17 while working part time in the same shop. They got along like a house on fire and she found herself attracted to his sense of humour. The pair have been together ever since, and as we leap forward in time to Christmas morning 2017 we find Annicke expecting their second child. Chris handed her one last present to unwrap, a super-cute photo album of their life together so far including pictures of when they first met as teenagers, their first holiday, the time their first daughter came long and scans of the next new arrival due the following April. Annicke turned to the last page, where she found a photo of their little one holding up a sign that read: “Mummy, will you marry daddy?” It was such a wonderful surprise as she'd suspected nothing.

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Cottesmore Hotel Golf & Country Club offers a beautifully modern blank canvas thanks to its recent renovations following a fire in 2018. So, venue stylist Katie Black of Forget Me Nots Events set out with her team to dress the space to its full potential with a bright and crisp springtime vibe, complete with oodles of foliage, a pastel palette and a romantic feel. The totally on trend styling and model bride's soft boho look combine seamlessly to showcase this gorgeous and versatile space.

See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

You can now say “I do” anywhere within the grounds of your approved wedding venue. Whereas under previous laws, the legal ceremony was required to take place in a licensed room or permanent structure such as a gazebo, bandstand or pavilion if outside. “Now, as long as the person conducting the ceremony has the authority to make the wedding official, you have a lot more flexibility with regards to where you tie the knot,” Katherine from The Arabian Tent Company explains.

See more from our outdoor weddings feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download