Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Romance beneath the stars at Black Down

From admiring crystal-clear constellations to witnessing the mesmerising Northern Lights, astro-tourism is rapidly growing in popularity. In 2025, the trend is set to reach new heights, with a 53 per cent increase in travellers seeking destinations to experience the Aurora Borealis, while almost a third plan to visit Dark Sky Reserves this year. To help stargazers find the perfect location for their next cosmic adventure, Planet Cruise has conducted a study ranking the top UK destinations for astrotourism. While Snowdonia, Wales, takes the top spot, the good news for Sussex locals is that Black Down, West Sussex, makes it onto the list in seventh place.

10 per cent off at The Walled Garden at Cowdray

The Walled Garden at Cowdray is a historical and charming setting for weddings. Surrounded by beautiful, private gardens and set against the stunning backdrop of Cowdray Ruins and Lawns polo pitches, you'll find this local lovely nestled in the West Sussex countryside. Whether you wish for an intimate occasion with 10 guests or a lavish celebration for up to 100, The Walled Garden is an ideal wedding venue to begin your married journey. Dating back to 1550, this historical gem features two spacious reception rooms and a first-floor suite, the Dressing Room. At its centre is a flourishing walled garden featuring many floral delights including lavender, roses and cherry trees. What could be more romantic?

Couples seek help with their Wedding Checklist

With the average 2025 wedding costing £20,822, it's understandable that couples are feeling the pressure to ensure their special day runs smoothly. Wedding costs have more than doubled since the pandemic and with higher budgets often comes increased planning and the need for checklists. Last year "wedding checklist" received 6,600 average monthly searches online as UK couples turned to Google for guidance, to make sure nothing was missed. As your 2025 wedding day approaches and the big elements are secured, from venue and dress to guest list, there will still be a number of important details to manage in those final weeks.

Outstanding employees are honoured by Elite Hotels

Elite Hotels, a privately-owned collection of three luxury hotels in prime locations across the southeast of England - including Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, near East Grinstead and The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne – has just celebrated its outstanding employees of 2024. Three award ceremonies took place at each of the three hotels, providing a chance for employees to express their gratitude for hard-working individuals during 2024. The Employee of the Year is selected based on the colleague who receives the most Going the Extra Mile (GEM) awards over the course of the year.

Blog spotlight with Sunflower Celebrations

Here at Your Sussex Wedding, we love to stay up to date with local suppliers' blogs, they are the ones with their fingers on the pulse of weddings after all! So, when celebrant Gayle Davis-Tyrrell from local lovely Sunflower Celebrations told us about her new post, we knew it was one to share. Over to Gayle... As we enter 2025, the wedding landscape continues to evolve. Micro-weddings, with guest lists of 50 or fewer, are becoming increasingly popular. This shift reflects a growing desire for more authentic and unique celebrations, prioritising personal connections. There are some key trends shaping 2025 weddings.

Ashdown Park Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Ashdown Park, East Sussex for inspiration on Sunday 13th April, 2025! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events. Surrounded by the Ashdown Forest, which according to the famous children's author, A. A. Milne, is the woodland that inspired his Winnie The Pooh stories, the Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club offers the heights of luxury in the heart of East Sussex.

From smart invites to livestreams: the tech-savvy wedding trends of 2025

Like the tides of fashion, wedding trends come and go; however, the coming online age of nuptials is coming in fast and causing quite the wave. From AI-generated floor layouts and digital invites, modern couples are finding new ways of broadcasting their love. Here are some of the biggest trends in technology that will shape weddings in 2025, and how the industry is adapting to meet couples' expectations.

Spoilt for choice at Pangdean Old Barn

All weddings here are exclusive use and you can hold your ceremony at Pangdean in one of the venue's beautiful locations. Choose from the 300-year-old romantic barn with its high ceiling and twinkling lights, the more intimate stables or outside under the apple trees in the charming Mulberry Lodge. Whatever, the weather, the team will have it covered and none of the options here are considered second best, so you can relax in the knowledge that you've beaten the elements and still got to have your dream day. It's even possible to switch the ceremony venue on the morning of.

150 years of the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne

This year marks a remarkable milestone for The Grand Hotel, as it celebrates 150 years since its construction. Since opening its doors in 1875, The Grand Hotel has been more than just a place to stay or to celebrate, it has been witness to history, a haven for world travellers and a symbol of Eastbourne's very best. To mark this milestone, the Hotel has an array of exciting events and promotions, allowing guests to experience its timeless elegance, exceptional service, and the rich history that has delighted visitors for generations. Celebrations will continue throughout the year, so sign up for the Hotel's e-newsletters and keep an eye on your inbox and its social media for more ways to celebrate.

Say I Do with Chelsea Peers

Chelsea Peers have made the morning of the wedding even more stylish than before. You and your bridal party can now get ready in soft satin and lace trimmed nightwear, bringing together the joys of wedding morning excitement and the wow factor for your photo album. Why not have your bridesmaids in matching pyjamas? The bridal collection caters to the whole wedding party and would make those getting ready photos all that more special.

Baliffscourt offers a romantic setting with an elegant ambience

Sumptuous, timeless and inspiring, Bailiffscourt offers a romantic setting with an elegant ambience. Narrow passageways with flagstone floors lead you through intimate lounges and sitting rooms, and Gothic mullioned windows frame picture-perfect views of the gardens and rose clad courtyard. Mere steps away from the Hotel is the luxurious and contemporary spa with facilities that include an indoor pool, outdoor heated infinity pool, hot tub, fitness suite, relaxation lounge and six treatment rooms. What's more, there are 39 bedrooms and suites, some with open fireplaces and four-poster beds scattered throughout the house. The gardens even boast an original and very pretty 13th-century Norman chapel, as well as a helipad for an indulgent arrival or departure.

Three cheers for mum!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and with this comes the worry of buying the right present. Mum does so much, how can we possibly repay her? For many mothers, they'll be sat there thinking they don't want the fuss, maybe just a cup of tea and a lay in. However, it's important we show them that they're worth the extra day of love and affection. The mother of the bride is a special role, and I'm sure one all mums look forward to. The extra support we get from our mums on our wedding day is three-fold, so let's unpack them and remind ourselves why we should be treating them on the 30th of Mach 2025.

Don't miss Michelham Piory's spring wedding fair

Discover the charm of the stunning Michelham Priory and meet some of Sussex's top wedding suppliers at the venue's Spring Wedding Fair on 26th April 2025, 10am to 4pm. From caterers, florists and stylists to cake designers, stationers, musicians and more, you'll find everything you need to create your perfect wedding day. For a personalised experience, book a private tour with one of the venue's experts. Simply email weddings@sussexpast.co.uk to arrange. Tickets are £5 for adults and free for children, they include all day access to the wedding fair, historical house, and blossoming gardens. Enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee and be among the first 100 attendees to receive a fabulous gift bag packed with goodies and information.

The Most popular Wedding Gifts and Their Impact Post-Wedding

You've received your invitation, you've picked out your outfit, now you just need to select your gift! A simple task that can bring reality crashing in "what on earth can I get them?" Here's Not on the Highstreets most popular wedding gifts, along with expert insights from their exclusive interview with multi-award-winning relationship coach Gemma Nice on how these gifts can strengthen relationships and keep the connection alive long after the wedding day.

Tie the knot at Sullington Great Barn

Sullington Great Barn is delightfully unconverted with a warm, friendly feel exuding charm and happiness. It sits at the heart of the buildings that make up this ancient farmstead. To the front is a sheltered rose garden and lawn, perfect for your drinks reception, which is surrounded by Byre Cottages, providing accommodation for your closest guests. Located in the heart of the South Downs National Park Sullington Manor Farm boasts a spectacular Downland setting offering plenty of opportunity for your photographer. The venue is ideal for bespoke weddings for 80 to150 guests.

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

It's time to get our purses out and to spoil mum. Rituals is a luxurious brand that offers gorgeous gifts for affordable prices, which is one of the many reasons why they are a great place to start for Mother's Day. Rituals recognises that maternal love manifests in various forms and can come from unexpected sources, such as a caring neighbour or a trusted babysitter. Rituals' goal is to honour and celebrate all forms of love.

Fortify your love at Newhaven Fort

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. The historical 19th-century fort is currently undergoing a £7.5 million restoration and will soon be ready to host couples looking to tie the knot following its reopening in February 2025. From April to October, three exclusive wedding packages will be available. Whether you envision a glamorous 1930s or 1940s themed celebration or are seeking a venue boasting stunning coastal scenery, Newhaven Fort promises soon-to-be-weds a blend of local history and rich tradition.

Quality Over Quantity: The Surge of Micro Weddings

The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.

Castle Goring - the most romantic castle in the land

Set within the South Downs National Park on the outskirts of Worthing, Castle Goring was said by Lord Byron to be "the most romantic castle in the land." One of its claims to fame is as the first house ever to be built with dual facades: Greco Roman on the south and castellated Gothic on the north. The Castle has many magnificent rooms that can be used to stage your fairytale day, including the grand State Rooms and the stunning horseshoe staircase with its famous steps down to the Italian Terrace and South Lawns.

Stargazing at Bailiffscourt

The collection of Britain's finest independent hotels, PoB Hotels, invites guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of stargazing, the ultimate in honeymoon romance. With PoB Hotels' Under The Stars collection, you can explore the awe inspiring beauty of dark skies and stargazing, as well as experiencing the wellness benefits it offers. From exclusive packages to expert-guided tours and prime viewing locations, you can enjoy celestial wonders while indulging in the exceptional comfort and luxury that characterises these distinctive properties.