Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

The Gallivant Camber Sands appoints Conor Sheehan as its new hotel manager

The Gallivant Camber Sands, a boutique adults-only property located a short journey from historic Rye, has recently appointed Conor Sheehan as its new hotel manager. Conor's journey in the hospitality industry began at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, where he worked his way through the ranks before assuming a variety of leadership roles across some of the most recognised and celebrated hospitality brands in the industry. Assuming responsibility for The Gallivant's operational running, Conor's expertise, dedication to and personal interest in the food and beverage industry will see him collaborate closely with The Gallivant's head chef, Nico Fitzgerald, to enhance the restaurant's local and national standing.

Looking for a calm, friendly, down to earth wedding photographer?

Myriame Lawley Photography is an award-winning Surrey-based photographer exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on April 28th. Myriame's adds, "Based in Surrey and covering the south of England I am dedicated to delivering you beautiful and timeless memories of your wedding day, so if you think we would be a good match, then pop by my stand at Mercedes- Benz Signature Wedding Show - I would love to meet you, hear your plans and ensure you remember your wedding day! "I shall be offering a £200 discount off any of my three collections if booked on the day, or 10% off any collection if booked within two weeks of the show."

Come and meet Sandra and Paul, an instrumental duo on violin and guitar

In the last ten years Sandra & Paul, with the violin and a guitar, have made hundreds of events memorable and will be showcasing their musical repertoire at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World on April 28th. What makes them stand out is their imaginative, tasteful arrangements and synergic, communicative playing. Their repertoire spans many genres and styles covering songs from every decade from the 1920s till today.Whether you're after an elegant and refined duo at the reception, an upbeat and wild country folk barn dance, or DJ freestyle violin impro, Sandra and Paul are able to enhance and excite your event with music and make it memorable.

Find out more about Surrey’s licensed wedding venues with County Wedding Events

Find out more about Surrey's licensed wedding venues and have your questions answered by the Ceremonies Team at Surrey County Council's Registration and Nationality Service who are very excited to be exhibiting at the Mercedes-Benz World Signature Wedding Show in April 2024. "Our experienced team of Registrars will be available to discuss your ceremony queries and questions. We'll also be on hand to show you all of the beautiful, licensed venues Surrey has to offer, including our three fantastic Register Offices in Leatherhead, Guildford and Weybridge.

Experts share 5 tips on accommodating deaf guests at your wedding

Planning a wedding can be challenging, especially when there are so many decisions to be made and so many things to be considered. Whilst this is your big day, considering your guests can go a long way, especially for those who have disabilities or are hard of hearing. In the UK, one in five adults is deaf, has hearing loss or tinnitus, so the likelihood of having someone who may need additional help when it comes to hearing in attendance is quite likely. Ashish Shah, Audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership has offered his expert advice on how you can better accommodate your deaf and hard-of-hearing guests.

These daily habits are ruining your wedding ring

If you've been the lucky recipient of a diamond ring or a piece of jewellery, Nilesh Rakholia, jewellery expert and founder of Abelini, has shared exactly how to care for your precious diamonds to ensure they last a lifetime... Nilesh says: "While it can be tempting to wear precious items such as an engagement ring all the time, daily habits such as cooking and cleaning can damage your jewellery. To avoid this, we always recommend removing jewellery before showering or washing up because the soap can cause a film to form, which can leave rings and bracelets looking dull.

A third of Brits decline wedding invites due to cost Klarna finds

The wedding season is just around the corner! What is normally a cause for joy can often become a financial strain for guests. Travel, outfits, gifts – the costs can quickly soar to unexpected heights. This is also confirmed by a recent survey by Klarna*, the flexible choice for smart, secure payments: One third (36.4%) of those surveyed said they had declined wedding invitations in the past due to associated costs. Moreover, 30.2% of respondents said they have not attended a Stag or Hen party due to the expenses involved.

Tempting favours with Sweetzboxes

SweetzBoxes is a Berkshire-based company specialising in creating beautiful favours for your special day designed according to your colour theme and style. Pop along to the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April, and Mercedes-Benz World on 28th April to see what SweetzBoxes can do to make your day one to remember for your guests.

Wedding traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations

Researchers surveyed Gen Z couples and found many traditional wedding and proposal traditions which are falling out of favour with younger generations. But it's good news for the father-of-the-bride, as 54 percent said expecting parents to cough up for the big day was no longer necessary. Other things which are likely to fall out of favour are asking the bride's father for permission to propose (43 percent), sleeping apart the night before the wedding (38 percent) and the bride taking their partner's name (35 percent).

Of the 2,000 18- to 27-year-olds, surveyed by Churchill, as many as 86 percent believe the traditional stereotype of men proposing to women is old hat – and women should be able to pop the question too.

A third (29 percent) think that being given away is no longer necessary, while 27 percent say that tossing the bouquet is out of style. Being carried over the threshold (26 percent), promising to obey in the vows (25 percent) and wearing a veil (19 percent) are also falling out of favour.

Let your love grow with The Paint Club Studio in Lewes!

The team at The Paint Club Studio in Lewes are pleased to announce their new plant pot sculpting workshops, which are perfect for hen parties and private events. Where do we sign up? In this two-hour session you're shown how to create your very own plant pot using air dry clay. Get creative with your own design or use some of the Studio's designs as inspiration. Each person gets a plant to take away with them, plus some sealant to finish its pot once it's dry. Sculpting with clay is known to have therapeutic qualities, making this event relaxing as well as fun. The Paint Club Studio is also running prosecco bottle painting workshops from April 2024.

9 in 10 newlyweds say budgeting is the biggest wedding stress

New research of newlyweds has revealed that 9 in 10 newlyweds find budgeting to be the biggest wedding stress. Queensmith's research surveyed 1,000 recently married couples throughout the UK, exploring the most and least enjoyable aspects, as well as the most stressful moments, leading up to their weddings and during the day itself. Weddings take a lot of time to plan in order to make them fabulous, but they also cost a pretty hefty sum of money too. Looking at the most stressful aspects of wedding, a whopping 93% of respondents said budgeting was the most stressful part of planning a wedding.

South Lodge, West Sussex, launches a series of one-day wellness retreats

Country house spa hotel South Lodge in West Sussex, heralds another revolution of the year with a series of one-day wellness retreats that embrace the evolving energy of the seasons. Here, you're invited to switch off from the everyday and engage your senses, as you recharge and reconnect in the Sussex countryside with forest-bathing expert Helena Skoog. The one-day Nature Immersion Spa Experiences harness the power of Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese awareness meditation of forest bathing, thought to be an antidote to anxiety, depression, fear and tension. It sounds to us like the perfect remedy to wedding-planning stress! Led by Helena, who has lived off-grid for five years among ancient forestrylanguages of renewal, growth and change.

Hen party dos and don'ts according to brides

Planning a hen party can be a stressful task, and with more and more brides opting for weekends over one last night of single life, there's even more pressure to get it right. To help you create the perfect celebration, Amy Greenshields, party planning expert at cardfactory spoke to 10 recent brides and bride-to-bes, unveiling their hen party dos and don'ts. Using this insight, Amy shares her top tips for 'kissing the miss goodbye' in style.

Must-see refurbishment at Pennyhill Park

Surrey-based Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April and Mercedes-Benz World on 28th April; the team will be on hand to discuss your big day, as well highlight the venue's stunning new refurbishment. Newly refurbished and opened in Summer 2023, the venue's Wedding Terrace is a beautiful space offering both indoor and outdoor opportunities for couples. The whole of the terrace wing will be dedicated to you and your wedding, including the newly renovated and refurbished Parkview Suite and Water Lily Suite. Taking your pick of The Library for indoor ceremonies or the Pavilion for outdoor ceremonies, your wedding will flow seamlessly inside and out with the beautiful backdrop of the ivy-clad main house. You'll also have the rooms located in the terrace wing for your wedding party, so there isn't far to go at the end of the celebrations.

Expert advice on how to plan a wedding in 2024

Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner and Wedding Expert for online fashion destination Silkfred, shares her expert insight on how to plan a wedding in 2024. "Figure out your goals! Every wedding starts very differently and couples want different things. Sit together and decide what is the most important part of your wedding day - are you looking for a big party? Therefore drink and music may be key. Alternatively, if the look of everything is the most important thing, then this is where your money will be spent. Ensure you then allocate the budget and start with these suppliers."

Do you believe in magic? Be in awe of Liam Ball at our Signature Wedding Show

Looking for your wedding day entertainment? There's nothing better than seeing it live and that's particularly important if you're thinking of hiring a magician. At County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows at Ascot Racecourse and Mercedes-Benz World you can see magician Liam Ball perform. He says, "Weddings are one of the most magical days that two people can share, and I can't wait to be a part of yours. I'm Liam. An expert wedding host and master magician. Not only will I help to make sure that your day flows smoothly and on time, I will also ensure that your guests are entertained and have the best time celebrating your special day.

Say 'I Do' to your dream smile: Transform your wedding smile within three hours!

Specialising in dental aesthetics, Smiles and Smiles will be exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse on Sunday 7th April, and Mercedes-Benz World on Sunday 28th April, where the team will be on hand to answer all of your questions. Are you envisioning your perfect wedding day, ready to dazzle everyone with the most radiant, picture-perfect smile? At Smiles and Smiles, with its state-of-the-art AI and 3D design technology, expert dentistry, and exceptional customer service, they will collaborate with you to craft your uniquely perfect smile. "We ensure that the results will leave you with newfound joy and a confidence boost for your special day," shares the team. "We're also thrilled to offer you a chance to win a smile transformation worth up to £3,000 when you visit us at our stand!* Don't miss out on this opportunity to turn your dream smile into reality!"

Considering a magic mirror? Pop along to our Signature Wedding Shows

Windsor's The Best Magic Mirrors will be exhibiting at two of County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show. If you are considering a magic mirror for your wedding day, then popping along to the wedding fair gives you the perfect opportunity to see see one for yourself and speak with owner Lauren, who's on hand to answer all of your questions. She says, "When it comes to evening entertainment at your wedding, you want something that's going to capture the memories of your special day that you can re live over and over again. That's why our Magic Mirror is the perfect choice. We take photobooth fun to a whole new level, providing a unique experience with our state of the art Magic Mirror using colourful animations and touch screen technology to give you a magical, interactive 'selfie' experience.

Get the reception started with Nightlights DJ & Event Services

As a DJ and event services provider, Nightlights understand that events and celebrations are not just ordinary occasions. They are moments that deserve to be remembered and cherished for a lifetime. That is why they incorporate high-quality music, lighting, and entertainment to create a memorable atmosphere for their clients. With years of experience and dedication to customer satisfaction, Nightlights DJ & Event Services is committed to taking your event to the next level. Whether it is a wedding, corporate event, birthday, or any occasion that needs a touch of excellence, trust Nightlights DJ & Event Services to provide a one-of-a-kind experience."

A spiritual wedding journey with Connected Collective

Bring the esoteric to your love journey by incorporating tarot in to your wedding day with exhibitor, Claire Laveaux of Connected Collective; showcasing her Psychic, Spiritual and Tarot work at Ascot Racecourse and Mercedes-Benz World Signature Wedding Shows, hosted by County Wedding Events. Intertwine Tarot with your Love story. Gain clarity and calmness during planning your big day. Connect deeply with each other through learning how to read Tarot for each other. A Couple's Journey is tailored to celebrate this magical moment, offering profoundly meaningful connections to the energies that surround you and your partner. Let Tarot reveal the beauty and wisdom that await in your union.