Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

What's on in September at Cowdray

SAVE THE DATE Walled Garden Autumn Open Day Sunday 15th October, 12:00pm - 4:00pm, The Walled Garden. Open the oak-framed door and uncover a magical wedding venue in its autumn glory. Enjoy complimentary canapés and refreshments as you explore this hidden gem, partake in a lawn game or two, and discover our two spacious reception rooms, Dressing Room, and of course the garden itself. Meet a selection of trusted suppliers and friends, including Cowdray's in-house caterers The Yellow Kitchen, along with the experienced Cowdray Weddings team, and learn what they can do to make your day that much more special. Book your complimentary tickets at www.cowdray.co.uk/events/walled-garden-autumn-open-day

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

Hand Picked Hotels launches special autumn package for the ultimate getaway

Luxury hotel brand Hand Picked Hotels is launching its Glorious Autumn Getaway package for the most colourful season of the year – the perfect antidote to Britain's grey summer. Choose a country or coastal getaway this autumn and enjoy laid-back luxury with endless outdoor adventures and cosy nights in to warm the soul this season. Make the most of spacious bedrooms for a great night's sleep, sparkling wine by a roaring fire, woodland walks or seaside strolls and stargazing beneath an uninterrupted sky. The longer you stay, the more you can enjoy! Guests staying one night will be treated to a complimentary bedroom upgrade for ultimate comfort and relaxation.

It's time to spa with Historic Sussex Hotels

Dip and dine, chat and chill, laugh and lounge - can you think of a nicer way to spend time with a loved one? The team at Historic Sussex Hotels has created the simplest way to enjoy all these things with its new Spa & Lunch package for just £65 per person. Start your day with a freshly brewed coffee or herbal tea in the conservatory at The Spread Eagle to help ease you into your me-time. Arrive from 9am and take time to relax and unwind in the Spa until lunchtime and then enjoy a delicious two course lunch in the hotel restaurant with a chilled glass of Sussex sparkling wine.

Five reasons why Champagne is the pinnacle of sparkling wine

The Champagne Bureau UK* have rounded up five reasons why Champagne is the long-standing pinnacle of sparkling wine. Firstly, Champagne only comes from Champagne. Champagne is a 100% French product - the Champagne region is located in France, approximately 90 miles east of Paris. It is a protected appellation (AOC). From 816 to 1825, France's royalty was crowned in Champagne's Reims Cathedral, where Champagne was said to flow freely at all the coronation banquets. Soon, highly prized for their taste and finesse, it became customary to gift these wines to any royalty visiting the region. This is how the Champagne came to be known as the wine of coronation and known in France as "the wine of Kings and the King of wines".

7 ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids

Bridesmaid proposals are a special moment in any friendship so it's natural to want to put some thought behind popping the question. Personalising gifts such as photo frames or pyjamas are a great way to give friends something they can keep forever. The glass experts at MeandMyGlass.co.uk have shared some of the best bridesmaid proposal ideas to make the occasion memorable.John Cutts, founder of MeandMyGlass said, "Asking your friends and family to be bridesmaids is a special moment and should be done in a special way. "You can't go wrong with a personal touch which is why things like photo frames and pyjamas are a great way to show appreciation to your bridesmaids and you know they'll keep their gift.

Green People in Horsham set to reopen

Green People, the Sussex-based natural and organic beauty brand, has announced the grand reopening of its Horsham store. The sustainable skin care store will reopen on Saturday 26th August with a pop of prosecco and a 3 for 2 offer on every item in store, including Green People's new collection of natural shampoo bars and SPF essentials. The Horsham store was forced to temporarily close its doors in May following severe water damage and is celebrating its return to Piries Place by offering a free goodie bag worth £77 to the first 200 customers that visit the store on its opening day.

Wedding fragrance suggestions

Floral, citrus, or woody - and everything in between - wedding scents are becoming more popular as couples incorporate them into their day. They can provide an ideal way to remember the occasion, the trigger of a special memory when you come across that fragrance connected to it. What's more, key scents can also help control emotions according to psychologists. Yasmin Sharp, essential oils expert at Nikura, says, "With more than 12 million hashtag views on TikTok, wedding scents (#weddingscent) are becoming more and more popular

Ashdown Park: Making a dent in homelessness one life at a time

Sam Dickinson, a 25-year-old who has recently started working at Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club in the kitchen, has a story to tell. He'd been living at Crawley Open House Hostel for the last three months after running out of accommodation options. An initiative set up by the hostel to help residents into work gave Sam the opportunity to participate in a cooking workshop at the Parsons Pig Pub in Crawley, where he impressed so much that he came to the attention of the team at Ashdown Park. Executive chef, Tony Sanders, agreed to give Sam a trial and was immediately impressed, soon after offering him a live-in commis chef job working alongside him.

Wedding ring mistakes to avoid!

Aimee Howlett, jewellery expert at Diamonds Factory, has shared how to choose and clean your wedding band. 'When choosing your wedding band, it's important to consider your lifestyle and daily activities. If you're someone with an active lifestyle you might want to go for a more durable material like platinum or tungsten that can withstand potential scratches and avoid a ring that has diamonds. With this in mind, it's worth visiting a jewellery store and trying on different styles of wedding bands, which can be really fun! Pay attention to comfort, fit, and how well it pairs with your engagement ring (if you have one).

Wedding gift inspiration from L'OR

Coffee brand L'OR provides the perfect machine which will ensure you capture the heart of any coffee-loving couple, whilst also providing a useful gift that lasts! With a unique double-spouted design that offers flexibility to adapt to different coffee preferences, the L'OR BARISTA is powered by Phillips technology and has become a much-loved coffee machine since its launch. What's more, the machine is not only compatible with L'OR pods, but also a wide range of alternative branded coffee capsules on the market*, providing maximum flexibility and choice.

L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Machine (£104.99*) is available in Piano Noir, Satin Blanc and Sunset Rubis, while the L'OR BARISTA Original Latte Machines (£164.99*) is available in Piano Noir and includes built-in milk frother.

7 topics all couples should cover in a prenup

While a prenuptial agreement is unlikely to be on many people's wedding checklist, a family lawyer has urged couples who will be tying the knot in the coming months to consider making it a key priority. With research by the law firm revealing that Google searches for terms related to prenups including 'what is a prenup?', 'meaning of prenups' and 'prenups in the UK' have increased by 21% in the last three months compared to the three months previous, it is clear they are growing in popularity.

Classical concerts coming to Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in West Sussex is hosting the Bernardi Music Group classical concert series on the 20th of September and the 11th of October. Visitors can also enjoy luxury overnight accommodation at Leonardslee House, and a second night, dining at Michelin Starred Restaurant Interlude. On the 20th of September at 6.30pm, an Opera Gala will feature the acclaimed Stradivarius Piano Trio, consisting of Andrew Bernardi on violin, Maria Marchant on piano, and Jonathan Few on cello. Accompanying them will be the formidable vocal talents of soprano Charlotte Bröker and tenor Dominic Bevan. Guests will experience a range of musical highlights including The Marriage of Figaro, La Bohème, Nessun Dorma and West Side Story.

Garden wedding ideas for the big day

Co-founder of Togather.com, Hugo Campbell, unveils garden wedding ideas for the big day. As wedding trends evolve, couples may be seeking unique ways to celebrate their special day. For those looking to embrace a laid-back atmosphere and the shabby chic aesthetic, from Ottolenghi-style dining and Aperol carts, to enchanting fairylights and the perfect venue. A festival theme: Many couples are looking for maximum flexibility and the ability to perfectly match their food to the vibe of the day. This summer Togather.com is seeing many couples opting for a festival feel for their food, hiring multiple different street food trucks and allowing their guests a choice of handheld food rather than a sit-down meal. This means they can cater to all sorts of dietary requirements and preferences as well as give their guests a more relaxed feel.

Tie the knot at Deans Place, Alfriston

Deans Place Hotel is a four-star country house hotel surrounded by four acres of beautiful gardens. Nestled in the historical village of Alfriston, on the banks of the River Cuckmere in the South Downs National Park, its idyllic location offers a wonderfully picturesque backdrop for your wedding. The venue's exclusive packages give you the run of the house for the day, with its cosy bar and lounge, a gorgeous restaurant and two bright function rooms offering views of the surrounding landscape. Following your ceremony, you can leave guests to enjoy drinks on the lawn, while you head off to seek some of the endless photo opportunities within the grounds and nearby. In the warmer months you can marry beneath the Wedding Garden Gazebo in the wedding garden, surrounded by glorious gardens and views of the South Downs. There's space here for 120 guests to join you.

How Brits are spending and saving on weddings in 2023

New data from Barclays reveals how macro trends such as the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and social media pressures are impacting weddings in 2023. The report combines proprietary spending data with a survey of 1,000 newlyweds and people engaged to be married to determine this year's top wedding trends and cost-saving behaviours. Two fifths (38 per cent) of newlyweds, and brides- and grooms-to-be are going over budget on their special day, with most of these couples citing the rising cost-of-living (51 per cent) and suppliers being more expensive than they anticipated (44 per cent) as the reasons for this increased spend.

Planning an outdoor wedding? Check out Wildflower Events

Sarah Duncan from Wildflower Events tells us how the company can help you with your al fresco nuptials. How can you help? We help couples transform fields or gardens into their own personal stunning wedding venue with our collection of tents, dining and lounge furniture, lighting and décor items. We also offer outdoor wedding packages at Everflyht Vineyard and Meadow Lake, which are both beautiful locations for a Sussex wedding. Top tip: Make sure you have enough shelter for your guests. Most people think about needing cover in case of a shower but in the Great British summertime it can more often be about providing shade for your guests from the scorching sunshine!

Truffle Tablescapes Launches Luxury Tableware Rental Range

Truffle Tablescapes, a leading UK-based online tablescaping boutique, has launched its first range of rental tableware and accessories that is aimed at those wanting to decorate their lunch and supper parties, events or small weddings. Truffle has been helping at-home entertainers elevate their dinner party looks since it launched during the first lockdown in 2020. Founded by tablescaping expert and interiors lover Kate Fairlie, the brand has expanded again by launching an extensive, yet carefully curated, rental collection of luxury table linens and accessories.