Editor loves and inspiration

Siobhan met Nick when she started working in the same pub as him, and according to Nick it was love at first sight! The two clicked from the outset, having similar interests in music and games, but it wasn't until Siobhan was due to leave for university some two years later that Nick plucked up the courage to express his feelings and they started dating.

We fast forward to 2020 when Nick had planned a surprise weekend away to London for Siobhan's birthday – it was just two months before the start of lockdown. He'd booked tickets to Cirque Du Soleil: Luzia, which had been a dream of Siobhan's to see. After the show, they went out for dinner, but because Nick was so nervous by this point, he didn't manage to pop the question until they were back at the hotel, alone.

The couple planned a day of venue viewings and Southlands Barn was the last on the shortlist before going back to the drawing board. “The moment we pulled onto the driveway, our hopes were high,” Siobhan remembers. “As soon as we stepped through the doors into the barn we were in love. It was everything we were looking for, a beautiful blank canvas. We had no desire for a traditional white wedding and found that a lot of other venues put a big emphasis on this.” So, they didn't even need to go home and discuss it. They secured the date right there and then, 13th October 2023.

Join us as we find out more from page 28 of the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download now.

When friends and colleagues Jennifer Jelley from Divine Photography Eastbourne and Zayna from Florals by Zayna came up with the idea of creating a chic, Vogue-style wedding shoot Jennifer wasted no time in kicking of the planning process, something that would ultimately take her months.

The colour palette of choice was white accented with light pastels, which created a beautifully fresh and clean theme. Zayna designed the floral displays using fresh blooms, while her husband put together the arches. “I had a particular idea in mind of having a harpist play soft music in the ceremony room, and we opted for a wedding dress with an open back and bow, with a black tuxedo for the groom,” Jennifer shares. “We wanted everything to ooze sophistication.” The Chanel perfume and watch too certainly helped them achieve this goal.

The cake and tablescape were designed to fit the palette and inspiration along with every other element right down to the hair and make-up finished with handmade bridal headpieces and jewellery.

You can find the full shoot and supplier list in the Apr/May24 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Kathryn from Tribeca Tips (www.tribecatipis.co.uk) says, "When planning an outdoor wedding with a focus on sustainability, opt for a local venue and suppliers, including caterers, drinks companies (check out local micro breweries and wine merchants) and vintage tableware. Utilise foraged seasonal flowers, natural confetti, and work with a sustainable florist – look for suppliers with an eco-friendly ethos."

For more words of wisdom on planning a sustainable wedding from Kathryn and our other experts, turn to Hot Topic in the Apr/May24 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

When it comes to transporting your guests from A to B a vintage bus or coach is a great idea but do consider space and location to know whether this is realistic. Peter Staveley from Southcoast Motor Services says, “Remember that a vintage bus or coach is up to 36ft (11m) long, more than 8ft (2.5m) wide and 15ft (4.5m) high, and doesn't have power steering. This means that there needs to be plenty of turning space at the venue and there can't be any low trees in the road leading up to it. Many reception venues, churches, registry offices and others simply aren't built to accommodate large vehicles on or around their grounds. Therefore, my top tip is to avoid booking your venue until you've first considered how your transport would reach it and confirming with your legal PSV operator. Don't rely on what the venue owner says, as they often won't understand the logistics of driving such a vehicle.”

For more top wedding transport tips from our experts, download the latest issue of Your Sussex Wedding free at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

“When thinking of beautiful wedding stationery, the finishing touches are what set your invitations apart,” says Florrie, from de Havilland Memories. “To create an unforgettable experience for your guests when opening your wedding paper, you can choose to elevate your invitations with little details such as silk ribbon or wax seals. By using a colour that's reflected in your stationery, these touches can either be used to make a statement or simply to uplift; but no matter your choice you'll be sure to leave a lasting impression, setting the tone for the big day ahead.

“We only use the finest, sustainably-sourced materials, meaning all of our ribbons are pure silk and hand-dyed using natural pigments. Our wax seals are only ever obtained from small, local businesses and our paper is either unbleached, recycled or made from sustainable materials, so you can create statement wedding stationery without the cost to the environment.”

For more fab finishing touch ideas, don't miss the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

Jonny and his groomsmen had a whisky and watches photo before the ceremony, and as a complete surprise to the groom his bride gifted him a love letter and a watch that he'd been admiring for some time, the Tudor Black Bay watch, which she purchased at Wakefields in Horsham. "He wore his medals too, which looked incredibly smart and Prince Charming like," says Jess.

You can read all about their big day in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download

You won't want to miss Natasha and Cameron's engagement story. it was definitely one of a kind! Plus, shout out for the stunning, rich and vibrant hue of Natasha's bridesmaids' dresses.

Find out more in the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download