Look what catches the eye of the editor with a special emphasis on local Sussex wedding businesses, shops and suppliers.
Mark Inscoe, Civil Celebrant Sussex (https://civilcelebrantsussex.com) says: Spring is the perfect time of year for celebrating nature. It's a time of renewal, a time of new growth. Young, fresh greens and spring flowers enhance those outdoor ceremony settings. For thousands of years, the seasons, especially spring, have been integral in ritual ceremonies reflecting our respect for nature. A perfect addition to your day might be a symbolic tree or shrub planting. Depending on the location of your ceremony, this could be done afterwards in your garden or elsewhere (with necessary permissions). During the ceremony, the sapling could be in a pot while you and others spoon soil onto it with a ceremonial trowel. As you're doing this, significant words reflecting the symbolism of this action are spoken by your celebrant. Different trees have their own meaning. Apple is associated with knowledge, faith and fertility; birch represents truth and new beginnings; and elm is thought to strengthen relationships.
For more ideas on how to incorporate a fresh springtime vibe into your wedding day, check out our Hot Topic feature in the current issue, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
Always look for a reputable supplier you can rely on. Jennifer from Something Blue Wedding Car Hire says, “Check out reviews. This will give you an idea of reliability, customer service and what to expect. Consider using a local supplier to reduce miles travelled as this may affect the price. Also, make sure the car service you're booking is chauffeur driven and appropriately insured. A chauffeur gives you the peace of mind of having an experienced driver behind the wheel.”
For more top transport tips check out our annual transport feature in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
Venue scenting is set to be big for 2023 and beyond, and local lovely Scent My Wedding offers a number of ways to achieve this. Find out more in the finishing touches feature, in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download.
Charlotte from C&C Imagery tells us her trend predictions for 2023. “Wedding photography has always been a key part of couples' big days and given the huge range of photographers to choose from with a wide variety of styles, picking the perfect match can be overwhelming. Last year, weddings made their comeback and 2023 is set to build on this. Trends in wedding photography are forever evolving, stemming away from the traditional and formal shots of yesteryear, instead benefitting from a more relaxed approach.
“The candid, documentary style, including the much-loved confetti shot and family group images is here to stay. However, a lot of our couples are now opting for something different. Smoke flares lead to some fantastic imagery and are a wonderful way to bring a pop of colour to proceedings. Sparkler send-offs were a popular choice for 2022 and 2023 will be no different.
“For us, we see 2023 being the year of bridal portraits. They're not for everyone, but when done correctly these are a beautiful reminder of how you looked and felt on your big day. We can't wait to see what the rest of the year has in store!”
See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
Jess and Matt met through Tinder, despite the fact neither of them had much faith in it initially and were extremely cautious using it. “We met up one afternoon in a local pub. Once we got talking time flew by and before we knew it, we'd been there for hours,” Jess remembers. So, they decided to extend their afternoon date into the evening and stayed for dinner. Jess had been gone so long her mum had started to worry, especially since the mobile signal at the pub was non-existent. So, unbeknownst to them, she turned up at the pub to check her daughter was ok, and peering through the window was able to see the start of this budding romance. “Luckily we didn't see her, otherwise we may have a different story,” Jess laughs.
We fast forward three-and-a-half years now and the happy couple were out for a stroll along their local beach. On reaching the family's beach hut, which has been handed down through generations and holds many special memories, Matt suggested they take a photo. He then got down on one knee and presented Jess with a beautiful engagement ring. “It was a complete surprise with loads of screaming and tears,” Jess tells us.
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
Launching in May is Emma Dodi Cakes' new Wild Flowers macaron collection, featuring hand-painted designs inspired by the great gardens of Sussex. Paying homage to local glorious gardens such as Great Dixter, Glyndebourne, Charleston and Gravetye, this stunning collection celebrates the delicate beauty of English wild flowers in summer. Emma Dodi, who lives part time in Camber Sands, was inspired by a recent visit to Great Dixter, with its wild and almost untamed elegance.
The Wild Flowers collection is filled with delicious summer flavours including rose, orange blossom and elderflower ganache. Priced at £32 for a box of six and £64 for a box of 12, they can be purchased from Monday 1st May at www.emmadodicakes.com
See more news in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
The latest designs are making waves in the world of bridal fashion, so in our Jewellery feature, we've taken a look at how to style some of our favourites from CWM fashion editor's recent 2023 trend picks.
These Florence Earrings from Shelly Bond Accessories are ideal for dresses with high necklines or heavy embellishments.
See more from our Jewellery feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
Baliffscourt Hotel and Spa in Climping, West Sussex, offers the ultimate country escape. Thirty-nine beautiful bedrooms and suites, some with open fireplaces and four-poster beds, are scattered throughout the Medieval-style house, thatched houses and cottages all set within 30 acres of private gardens and parkland. What's more, there's plenty to enjoy as you take a stroll around the grounds with a moat, small streams and an abundance of wildlife all leading to the unspoilt Climping Beach.
We've partnered with this local lovely to offer readers the chance to win a romantic one-night stay for two at Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa worth £550. The prize includes overnight accommodation for two people in a romantic room with four-poster bed, a delicious three-course dinner in the Tapestry Restaurant, a full-English breakfast, and full use of the award- winning spa facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Enter online at www.your-sussex.wedding/giveaways by 31st March, 2023.
See more from our Freebies and Offers feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
Doris and George met for the first time virtually, through a mutual friend on Facebook, before bumping into each other at a music festival – their first encounter #IRL. Fast forward to a family holiday in Cyprus where the now couple were visiting a wine festival, and George proposed. It was the date of his late grandma's birthday, so this was a hugely significant and meaningful choice.
The duo decided on Montague Farm as their all-important venue thanks to its gorgeous outdoor spaces and breathtaking views. “It's a hidden gem in East Sussex,” Doris says.
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
Surely, it's the gentle, romantic nature of flowers as well as their long-standing association with love that make them such a key feature at weddings. There are so many ways to incorporate them in your venue styling as well as your attire that you can choose to go all out or keep it minimal. Not only the style of your floral displays but also their palette can bring the overall look and vibe together. Some couples have even taken inspiration for their entire colour theme from inspiring Pinterest pics of beautiful wedding blooms.
In our flowers feature, the county's incredible floral designers have helped us to put together a swoon-worthy moodboard based on the most enduringly popular modern wedding palettes. Look out for Pantone colour of the year for 2023, Viva Magenta, which makes an appearance. We hope you'll find something here to fall in love with.
Bouquet by Arabella Floral
See more from our Flowers feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
