Editor loves and inspiration

Charlotte and Thomas met on Hinge and swiped right during lockdown in 2020. Charlotte found herself immediately attracted to Tom as he was always a man with a plan for each date, making it impossible for her to say “no.” He'd been looking to settle down and knew he'd found a “good one” in Charlottle when he got to date her and keep his Harlequins season ticket!

Tom proposed in 2023. The jig was almost up when Charlottle bumped into him carrying a bouquet of flowers for her while she was out running. Not usually one for giving flowers, he had to think on his feet to dodge the inevitable quizzing, and explained they were a surprise for the hard work she'd been putting into to training for a marathon. Charlotte started to grow even more suspicious when her sister booked her a nail appointment as a treat, but she didn't realise that the Saturday would be the day. She came home to find Tom on one knee in their kitchen with their neighbour's cat there for moral support! “It was an easy 'yes' and we celebrated with drinks at The Shard,” Charlotte remembers.

The couple planned to celebrate their wedding day in style with a big party and the church, and Southend Barns made this possible for them. St Thomas à Becket Church in Warblington is a rural place of worship close to Charlotte's parent's home and has a great many sentimental connections for her since her grandparents are buried there and various family members have married there. “It felt special to be able to share the day with loved ones who couldn't be there in person,” Charlottle says.

Southend Barns came highly recommended by a work colleague of the bride's, and when the couple viewed it they were impressed by the team's organisation and attention to detail – “The resident alpacas clinched it for us,” says Charlotte. “We also loved the flexibility the various spaces offered, allowing us to have different areas for each part of the day and the opportunity to incorporate special touches such as cocktail hour, fireworks and live music. You can tell the venue is a labour of love and we felt lucky to be able to use it for our day.”

For the lowdown on the big day from the bride, download the Apr/May25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Lewes Castle (https://sussexpast.co.uk) is a beautiful, 1,000-year-old romantic ruin, which offers panoramic views across the Sussex countryside and offers several settings for both your ceremony and reception. Find out more about this and other romantic, historical venues in the Apr/May25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Gabriella Casemore's innovative approach design extends to her exquisite hair accessories, which are designed to transform into wearable jewellery. “Brides can return their pieces to my studio after the wedding to have them reimagined into stunning necklaces or earrings, creating a lasting memento of your special day,” she explains. For bridesmaids, she offers accessories that instantly convert into elegant jewellery, making them a thoughtful and memorable gift. “By choosing handmade, sustainable designs like these, you're not only investing in beautiful bridal pieces but also in a future filled with meaningful and wearable memories,” Gabriella says.

For more on Gabriella and more of Sussex's wonderful jewellery and accessory designers, including out wedding ring buyer's guide, download the Feb/Mar25 issue at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Cynthia Green was born in Bolton and her illustrious 27-year-long career as a celebrant and registrar is peppered with firsts. She conducted the first same sex civil partnership ceremony in 2005 and made history by leading the UK's first opposite sex civil partnership at midnight in 2014. She has also conducted the first and only ever Scientology wedding. To date, Cynthia has married more than 20,000 couples.

Find out more: Download the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Kerrie Bridger from Highgate Florist (www.highgateflorist.co.uk) says, “I'd recommend you start by researching what flowers are in season in the month you're getting married. Your florist can help you with this. Using seasonal flowers won't only mean there have been less resources used to grow them, but you'll also get better quality, as they're grown without force and as nature intended.”

For more floral inspiration and words of wisdom, check out the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Helen met Dan when he joined the company she worked for. Over time they became friends, eventually best friends. Six years later, they realised their strong connection was something more and became a couple. “We call ourselves split-aparts (Plato's theory of soulmates) and constantly share the same thought at the same time. It's kind of spooky actually,” Helen says. “We laugh at the same things and are impossibly co-dependent, which in turn makes everyone else laugh at us!”

Dan proposed in 2023, exactly 10 years to the day they met for the first time. He chose to do so on a beach in Christchurch, Dorset, the setting for their first break away as a couple. He'd intended to do it on the cliff top with a picnic he'd prepared but as they sat down to eat, they were besieged by tiny black flies. Undeterred he suggested they go down onto the beach instead. “I had no idea what was about to happen,” Helen says. “First, he presented me with a book of the cute little notes he'd written every day for me since we'd been together. He told me it was a 10th anniversary present. The final note ended, 'Our relationship has changed volumes – from colleagues to friends, to best friends, to split-aparts. Today, 10 years later, marks the day it changes once more...'” As she finished reading, she turned to find him holding a box containing the most beautiful ring and asked her to marry him. “Yes, I cried,” she says.

The couple had their hearts set on an al fresco ceremony and found several beautiful locations including barns. They loved them all, but accommodation was sometimes an issue. They had set some quite specific criteria and Cottesmore Hotel Golf & Country Club ticked all the boxes. When they saw the wedding lawn, they fell in love straight away. “The entire place feels like this most amazing, relaxed barn-like venue,” Helen says. “It feels so exclusive, and is so pretty, rustic and relaxed while still having a very fresh modern feel. Any guest would be as at home in chinos and a shirt as they would in a tuxedo.” So, they wasted no time in securing their date 19th July 2024.

Discover the story of the day in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download now at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Ronan proposed to Gráinne outside the house where they first kissed in White Street, Brighton. The couple live in Ireland, but met in Brighton, which was where it all began for them back in 2011.

The pair refer to Brighton as 'their special place,' so it was here they wanted to marry. “The Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole is a classy venue on the seafront, where a lot of our memories together began,” Gráinne explains. So, with the venue chosen, the date was set for 6th September 2024.

Discover more about the couple's big day in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

"My first memory of George is him drunkenly giving me a fireman's lift during freshers week at university,” Alice says. The two lived in the same halls accommodation and were part of the same friendship group. It wasn't until they moved into a shared house of 10 people for their second year that they grew closer. The two shared the same taste in music, which led to George offering Alice his spare concert ticket to see The Killers. Despite trying to convince their families that they were just friends, George asked her out a few weeks later.

George popped the question on their first night on holiday in Spain. He found a private spot complete with stunning views that he knew from previous family holidays growing up. “I was caught completely off guard, as we'd been so busy that I was hoping for an uneventful bit of rest and relaxation!” Alice remembers. Needless to say though, once she'd said “yes” she was both excitable and emotional for the rest of the week. “I wouldn't have changed it for the world,” she says.

The couple began their venue search locally and Southend Barns immediately became a top contender. “When we were welcomed to the venue the first thing we noticed was the wonderful attitude of the wedding coordinators who showed us around,” Alice remembers. “They were genuinely interested in our story, and you could tell that they really cared about making our day special.” A stunning, sophisticated barn venue, the duo also found themselves attracted by the fact that it didn't require too much additional decor.

The chefs were open to the idea of a fully vegan, bespoke menu, which was important to the couple. “They even seemed excited by the challenge,” Alice recalls. “They were also exceptionally considerate of the environment. Big celebrations can often be very wasteful, which is something we wanted to avoid.”

Alice shares her memories of this super-special day in the Feb/Mar25 issue. Download it now at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Michelham Priory is a seven-acre historical estate with medieval gate house, Tudor house and Elizabethan wedding barn, all surrounded by the UK's longest moat. It's a tranquil island in the heart of rural East Sussex with delightful grounds for you and your guests to enjoy.

Find out more about this local lovely and other characterful hotspots in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding.

Download it now at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Couples are set to begin marching down the aisle at one of Sussex's most iconic heritage attractions as Newhaven Fort unveils a new range of wedding packages for 2025.

Find out more on our Nearlywed News pages of the Feb/Mar issue, where you can also catch up on other news from around the county.

Download Your Sussex Wedding now, free at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download