Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Wedding catering Q&A with Nick Bolton from Buxted-based Vine & Dine

Planning your wedding catering can feel overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. In this expert Q&A, we speak with Nick Bolton, from Vine & Dine, a leading wedding catering company based in Buxted, East Sussex, known for its bespoke menus and seamless service. Nick shares practical insights on everything from choosing the right wedding caterer to personalising your menu, catering for dietary needs, and creating a memorable food experience for you and your guests. Whether you're planning a marquee celebration or working with a dry-hire venue, this interview is packed with valuable advice for couples wanting delicious, stress-free wedding food. Read on for insider tips that will take your big day menu to the next level.

Happily ever after - making plans for the future

As nearlyweds, you may not be thinking about what happens beyond the end of your natural lives together - that's not the exciting bit - Katharine Bundell, a barrister at 4PB shares advice in this article that could make your loved ones' lives a lot easier if anything happens to you. Death and taxes remain fairly inevitable. On 16th May 2025 the Law Commission published its recommendations on wills and proposed a new statute. This is the first significant reconsideration since the Wills Act 1837 which is still effective today. Life was quite different in 1837. Queen Victoria ascended the throne aged 18 years old. Any property owned by a women on marriage was transferred automatically to her husband. It would be 40 years before Thomas Edison lit up the first electric lightbulb.

The Alfriston: Inside Signet Collection’s Luxurious New Wedding Venue

Tucked away in the picturesque village of Alfriston in the South Downs, The Alfriston is the latest jewel in The Signet Collection's crown. This newly launched boutique hotel blends historic charm with modern luxury, offering an unforgettable experience for couples seeking a dream wedding venue or a serene countryside escape. With 38 individually designed bedrooms, beautifully restored interiors, and breathtaking views, the hotel is a perfect setting for both celebrations and relaxation. Guests can enjoy exquisite dining at the 1554 Brasserie, sip local Rathfinny sparkling wine, or unwind in the soon-to-open Signet Spa. Whether you're planning to tie the knot in the charming Orangery or simply indulge in gourmet cuisine and countryside calm, The Alfriston promises style, comfort, and a warm Sussex welcome.

Why the bar at your wedding shouldn’t be an afterthought

In the grand orchestration of a wedding, couples often obsess over floral arrangements, lighting design and detailed seating charts. The dress, the photographer, the five-course dinner - each element is painstakingly curated. And yet, one of the most powerful forces behind a wedding's success is consistently left until the eleventh hour: the bar! Let's be honest, it's not often you hear a couple say: "First things first, let's lock in a great bar team." But maybe they should. "You can spend months working on the seating plan or deciding the perfect shade of napkin, but if the bar's giving bored function-room energy, it can all quickly lose its magic," says Luke Shelton-Sharp, co-founder of room two, the London-based cocktail studio and event planner.

The Number Wedding Etiquette Mistakes Guests Make, According To Expert

Picture this: you're scrolling through a friend's wedding photos and spot someone in flip-flops at a black-tie garden party, or worse, a guest in head-to-toe white stealing focus from the bride. Sound familiar? These fashion faux pas happen more often than you'd think at summer weddings. Thanks to outdoor ceremonies and relaxed vibes, many guests assume summer weddings mean anything goes. But according to wedding specialist Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use wedding venues across the UK, this casual approach often backfires spectacularly.

Hen Party Treats- Big Day Cakes

To begin planning your hen party you need to set a budget first so you can make sure you'll still have enough money to spend on your actual wedding. Once that's decided you need to choose a theme and factor in the cost of the decorations and other things you may buy. You'll also have to create a guest list consisting of only your closest friends before moving onto picking the date, location and some activities to do. In need of some inspiration for what to do at your hen party? There is a variety of options to choose that will fit your fancy venturing from whether you want to do something adventurous like rock climbing or canyoning or perhaps you'd prefer to spend the day calming down and doing something relaxing such as having a spa day or afternoon tea.

Modern monochrome - local shoot extra!

Set in the heart of West Sussex at the stunning Farbridge wedding venue, this styled shoot brings together some of the best local wedding suppliers to create a look that is effortlessly chic and contemporary. With a crisp monochrome palette softened by organic textures, the vision was all about contrast—modern yet timeless, bold yet romantic. Bringing this vision to life was Lucy Davis Photography, capturing every stylish moment with a natural, light-filled touch. The seamless coordination and design were led by Keshira Creative Events, who blended modern elegance with subtle, understated luxury. The tablescape, featuring contemporary tableware and stylish chairs from Black Saucers, was softened with flowing fabrics, delicate florals by Flowers x Foliage, unique and personalised embroidery from Studio Brice.

How Much Should You Really Gift At Weddings In 2025?

Many people are unsure of how much money to give when they attend a wedding, statistics showed Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' soared by a whopping 5,000% in April of 2025 alone and 11% of guests go into debt just to attend a wedding, with the average spend hitting £451. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes, has broken down exactly what you should spend based on your relationship to the couple, plus clever tricks to make your gift feel luxe on a budget.

How to Beat the Heat: Tips for a Comfortable Summer Wedding

A summer wedding sounds like a dream, and it often is. Long days and gorgeous sunshine can make your big day truly unforgettable. But there's one little guest that always turns up uninvited during summer: the heat. No one wants to be a sweaty mess in their wedding photos but luckily with a bit of planning, you can keep everyone cool and comfortable from start to finish. Leading wedding experts, The Foxy Hen explains how. If you're going for a full-day celebration, think about having the ceremony indoors or under cover, then move the party outside once the sun starts to ease off.

Culinary excellence at Ashdown Park

Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club in Forest Row, East Sussex, has reappointed executive chef Andrew Wilson to oversee the hotel's extensive food and beverage services. This appointment comes as the distinguished Sussex country house hotel looks to build upon its outstanding reputation, offering a more relaxed dining atmosphere while retaining its high culinary standards. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Wilson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. His career highlights have included working in renowned establishments such as the one Michelin starred Drakes Restaurant in Surrey, the two Michelin starred restaurant at The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, London, and more recently working with Glyndebourne Opera.

The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne is 150 years young!

To mark the occasion of The Grand Hotel's 150th anniversary, the iconic Eastbourne seafront Hotel is hosting a spectacular event: 150 Years of Music, Monarchs and The Grand Hotel. Taking place from Friday 21st to Sunday 24th November 2025, this three-day celebration promises an immersive journey through the Hotel's rich musical and royal heritage. Throughout the festival, guests will be treated to a curated programme of live classical performances, themed dining experiences, and engaging talks that highlight the hotel's unique role in shaping cultural moments since 1875. The festival's programme has been thoughtfully curated by artistic directors Stephannie Williams and Christopher Morley, known for their successful musical events at The Grand Hotel and Ashdown Park in recent years.

Doctors Tips To Avoid Last Minute Wedding Stress

Dr Ravi Lukha, Medical Director at Bupa UK Insurance, advises on how to combat wedding stress! Peak wedding season is upon us, and the UK's Google search habits show huge leaps in people seeking quick turnaround weddings - and planners to help make those nuptials happen. According to Google Search Console analysis, UK volumes for searches around quick weddings have seen significant increases, recently. In the last six months, the following searches have seen steep climbs:

A true local talent

If, like us, you're an avid follower of the BBC's Great British Menu, you'll have no doubt enjoyed cheering for Sussex's local representative, Restaurant Interlude's executive chef, Michelin-starred Jean Delport. Now in its 20th anniversary year, the show invited the UK's top chefs to create dishes inspired by this year's theme: historical figures from the past of their region. The winning dishes were served at a magnificent banquet at Blenheim Palace. We're happy to report that exceptionally talented chef Jean won an incredible two courses through to the banquet: fish ('An ode to Elizabeth...' inspired by British cookery writer Elizabeth David) and main course ('There and back again' inspired by British abolitionist, writer and composer Charles Ignatius Sancho).

In your Cowboy Era? Check out Posh Totty's latest collection

Sussex-based jewellery brand Posh Totty Designs has recently launched The Wild Collection, the result of a collaboration between Alice Rivers-Cripps, founder and creative director of Posh Totty Designs, and model and presenter Hannah Cooper-Dommett. The collaboration was born from Hannah's desire to fill a gap in her own jewellery collection: timeless, soulful pieces with a vintage edge and a free-spirited feel. Together with Alice, she set out to create designs she was craving but couldn't find anywhere else. Inspired by Hannah's personal style, creativity, and free spirited approach to life, The Wilde Collection celebrates individuality and the courage to embrace your unique sense of self.

Love is in the Air: Wedding Fragrances with Yankee Candle and WoodWick

When it comes to planning a wedding, it's the little details that make the biggest impact; from scent to style, every element helps tell the story of your day. No matter how you choose to incorporate fragrance into your wedding, a beautifully chosen candle can create a sensory signature that stays with you and your guests forever. We asked Taylor Perlis, Yankee Candle Fragrance Evaluator to share how best to use candles to create a beautiful, memorable atmosphere on your special day.

The Royal Pavilion - a true Brighton jewel

The Music Room in the Royal Pavilion isn't only one of the most opulent rooms in the palace itself but in Brighton as a whole. The space is only bookable for wedding ceremonies from 6:30pm onwards, however, due to this time restriction the venue is now offering a ceremony in the grand and elegant space for only £2,760 (including VAT), which is almost half the rate previously charged. "We've already noticed this has proven popular with couples who are less concerned about a traditional format but very much want a grand space for their big moment," the Royal Pavilion's David Purdue told us. To hire the spectacular Music Room for your own "I dos," check out https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/commercial/venue-hire/the-music-room-at-the royal-pavilion for further information.

Discover Artelium this English Wine Week

English Wine Week (21st - 29th June) is a celebration of this small but mighty region, offering internationally recognised, award-winning wines, championing innovation and excellency. Enjoy English Wine Week at Artelium, a contemporary wine estate which celebrates English wine and art. Deep in rural East Sussex, but just 20 minutes from Brighton and an hour from London, explore Artelium on a guided vineyard tour, admire original art and sculpture commissioned from Sussex artists, enjoy a tutored wine tasting and finish with an alfresco lunch overlooking the vines created and cooked by resident chef, and fresh from MasterChef: The Professionals, Michael Notman-Watt.

Elite Hotels are giving back

Elite Hotels, a privately-owned collection of three individual and distinctive hotels in Sussex and Hampshire, recently announced its charitable partners for 2025/26. This year, the group including The Grand Eastbourne and Ashdown Park in Sussex, is proud to be supporting the life-saving work of the Air Ambulance associations serving the communities of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and also Sussex, Kent and Surrey. Throughout the year, to support the charities in question and raise vital funds, Elite Hotels has a variety of exciting initiatives from meet and greets to a sponsored run, a gala dinner to CPR training sessions.

Til' death do us part - financial tips for couples approaching marriage

There are few life events bigger than getting married - and very few more expensive! In order to fully enjoy your big day, make sure you have planned and budgeted for the cost early. When you're giddy with excitement, picking out the perfect dress, money is often the last thing on your mind. However, so there's no black cloud hanging over your head as you prepare to say "I do", Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones shares her tips on saving for the big day and beyond...

Creating Safe Spaces: The Emotional Journey of Wedding Wear

Jake Allen, co-founder and CEO at inclusive tailor, King & Allen shares his insights on inclusive attire. "Many people experience anxiety about being fitted for their wedding outfit. We look to create an environment where clients of all gender identities and body types feel genuinely welcomed and affirmed. The whole process begins with a welcome email, before they even step foot in one of our shops - we have premises in Surbiton/Surrey, Liverpool Street/London, Savile Row/London, Knutsford/Cheshire and Birmingham/Midlands).