Your Sussex Wedding news and ideas from around the area

South Of England wins battle of the spas reveals Spabreaks.com

Spabreaks.com 2022 booking data has revealed that spas in the South totalled 57.4% of all bookings made in 2022, winning the battle of the spas against the north of England. The UK spa industry has a lot to offer, whether you're looking to escape to the countryside or fancy break in the city. Whether it's in the north or south, there's a place in the UK that will accommodate whatever spa break you're looking for.

Weddings in 2023: Make sure your big day is protected

A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up and even run into the tens of thousands. And with the current cost of living, couples will also be navigating rising costs. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day and make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.

Five minutes with... Laura Hedger, One Moment In Time Bridal Boutique

Being a curvy lady herself, Laura found shopping for wedding dresses to be a stressful experience. It's often the case that boutiques only carry one or two sample sizes in each dress, so it can be difficult to get a good feel for your final big-day look if they're not close to your own usual size. So, she decided to change all of that and opened her own boutique, One Moment In Time, stocking each sample gown in sizes 6 to 22, so there really is something for everyone. "I feel passionate about making sure every bride feels amazing, no matter what their size," Laura says. We chatted to her recently about everything from shopping sustainably to dealing with lack of body confidence.

Mental Health Awareness Week 15th-21st May

Planning a wedding can certainly be an exciting time, from picking the cake to choosing the entertainment, it's full of fun tasks to check off a to-do list. However, wedding planning can also come with a host of negativities such as worrying about money and feeling anxiety about family politics on the big day. Increasing evidence shows that gardens and green spaces are associated with better physical, social and mental health.

Wine at dine at renowned Sussex vineyard, Tinwood Estate

Renowned Sussex vineyard, Tinwood Estate, has recently opened a new onsite restaurant. Serving lunch every day and dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings, there are 50 covers in the restaurant and picnic baskets supplied for those days when nothing could be better than sitting among the vines with delicious food and sparkling wine. The new restaurant is situated in the existing picturesque tasting room near Chichester, which boasts a vast south-facing terrace overlooking the vines.

Maileg Wedding Mice back at Bluebell's Burrow

Award-winning, family-run toy business, Bluebell's Burrow, is one of the UK's leading stockists of Maileg toys. These super-stylish, picture-perfect collectable toys are loved by both children and adults. With the wedding season fast-approaching, Maileg Wedding Mice Set (priced at £64) comes in a pretty presentation box, which opens up to reveal the bride and groom on their wedding day. Their clothes and accessories are removable, providing dress-up opportunities and imaginative play for children.

Bizarre wedding traditions: The Eurovision edition

Wedding traditions are dramatically different around the world. From the type of cake served to the attire of the bride, you'll be amazed at what happens on wedding days around the continent. To celebrate Eurovision 2023 taking place in the vibrant city of Liverpool, engagement and wedding ring experts at Steven Stone have rounded up some of the most bizarre traditions from participating countries – including the Big 5.

The do's and don'ts of having pets at weddings

Are you considering including your dog in your wedding festivities? While it can be a lovely way to honour your furry best friend, there are some important considerations to remember to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Dog Behaviourist at Pooch & Mutt Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, PhD, shares the do's and don'ts of including your dog in your wedding, from making sure your dog is properly trained and socialised to creating a comfortable and safe space for them during the event. These tips will help ensure your dog is happy, healthy, and well-behaved throughout the celebration...

Spring is in the air at Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate

Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate has announced its wedding services for 2023. The venue, located near Horsham in West Sussex in an area of outstanding natural beauty, offers sublime views across the 500-acre Estate. The venue has benefited from investment in new facilities by its owners, the Streeter family, of late. The 17th-century mansion house features original fireplaces, wooden beam ceilings and ornate chandeliers, and there are two function rooms licensed for wedding ceremonies. Goldings and the Latilla Campbell Suite have a capacity of 30 to 110 guests, as well as extensive outside terraces for drinks receptions for up to 200 loved ones.

Introducing Story Locker’s wedding podcast

With the ever growing popularity of podcasting, welcome to the next big thing which makes podcasting accessible. Story Locker, a one of a kind in the UK podcast recording service that lets participants create a personal podcast based on their life story or to celebrate other special moments in life. The couple can choose to either record their podcast before their wedding day and recall the journey of their love story – from when they first met & the engagement (how it all happened!) to setting the date, the planning and build up to the big day or record their podcast after their wedding day to include memories of the big day too!

Field Place Manor & Barns in Worthing wins its third successive TWIA

Field Place Manor House & Barns in Worthing has recently won its third successive national accolade at the 2023 Wedding Industry Awards. The prestigious awards are held annually in celebration of the most talented and hard-working suppliers in the industry. In November 2022, Field Place won the South East regional award for Best Events Team, which secured them a place at the national finals in January 2023. The awards are voted for by couples married during October 2021 and October 2022 at the venue; their scoring and feedback is then passed on to a judging panel who decide the winners.

Why Champagne is the number one choice for weddings and celebrations

Champagne naturally goes hand in hand at weddings and there is no shortage of creative ways to share the pinnacle of sparkling wine. The Champagne Bureau UK*, has included useful tips below on how to best serve Champagne at a wedding and help select the right style for the occasion. Using the correct glassware: whilst trends come and go and flutes have commonly been thought of as the crème de la crème - a tall, rounded, tulip-shaped glass is the perfect choice and expertly shows off your Champagne's aromas and bubbles.

#ThisBarbie is getting married! New cards from Thortful

thortful has launched a Barbie card range to send to your bestie on her big day! The internet has been coloured pink with over 107,000 views on Tiktok for #ThisBarbie following the release of a new Barbie trailer. Greetings card marketplace, thortful, has created Barbie cards to send to your nearest and dearest, including 'This Barbie has passed her driving test', and 'This Barbie is getting married'

Echo Wedding Films has been creating a buzz with new take on wedding highlight videos

Echo Wedding Films has been creating quite a buzz with its fresh new take on wedding highlight videos and has recently refined its wedding film-making packages: Standard and Signature.The standard package is perfect for those who've always wanted a special film to remember their big day, without breaking the bank. Echo creates each of its films to reflect the uniqueness of each couple, so no two are alike. The team will take the time to learn who you are and what matters most to you, enabling them to create the perfect film to tell your story. So, if you want to be left a laughing, crying mess, they've got you!

Avoid a pet custody dispute - get a petnup

Ella Welsby, a senior associate at law firm DMH Stallard and specialist divorce lawyer, explains below how a petnup can help avoid a costly custody battle. Ella Welsby, a senior associate at law firm DMH Stallard and specialist divorce lawyer, said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, but consideration of how pet ownership would be dealt with in the event of a relationship breakdown often comes too late. Given the continued trend for couples to embark on pet ownership as a first foray into family life, it is important to appreciate how to best protect respective interests.

Enjoy a treetop mini-moon escape at Cowdray Estate

Cowdray Estate in Midhurst, West Sussex, has recently opened a four new tree houses, in collaboration with Tree House Retreats. Each one offers secluded accommodation in the heart of the 16,500 acre Estate, bringing Scandi-chic interiors to the surrounding woodland. The décor combines natural materials and antique furniture with contemporary artwork and locally-sourced designs. Floor-to-ceiling windows, wraparound balconies, and outdoor bathtubs complete the tree houses, and offer views over Cowdray's world-renowned polo fields, the historical Cowdray ruins and beyond to the South Downs.

5 ways to plan a sentimental bridesmaid proposal

Planning your wedding is such a personalised experience, and getting to do it your own way is part of what makes it so special. With this in mind, have you thought about how you'll ask your bridesmaids to be part of your wedding party? Add a sentimental touch to this moment with these tips from Kirsty Prankherd, Managing Director of Write From The Heart. Getting everything planned for your wedding is such a personal process, and asking your bridesmaid to be in your wedding party is one of those special moments you'll remember long after the event. So naturally, you'll want to add some individual touches to this proposal to make it an even more special moment between you and your friends.

Noble Macmillan is celebrating this year's wedding season

Luxury leather goods brand Noble Macmillan is celebrating this year's wedding season with a stunning collection of exceptional quality, personalised leather gifts. This thoughtfully curated edit includes a variety of exquisite items from their ever popular classic travel games and bound photo albums, to their brand new glassware range, specifically their stunning hand-blown decanters - all would make wonderful additions to any wedding list.

Critically acclaimed chef Tom Kemble joins the team at Chalk Restaurant

Wiston Estate has announced that critically acclaimed chef Tom Kemble has joined the team at Chalk Restaurant as executive chef, bringing more than 15 years of experience at some of the world's most prestigious restaurants to the West Sussex. Formerly head chef at Bonhams Restaurant, which he led to earn a Michelin star within seven months of opening, Tom brings his precise cooking style, ingredient-led approach and dedication to celebrating local produce to Chalk. Located on the Wiston Estate's North Farm winery site, 122-cover restaurant Chalk opened in December 2021 and draws its name from the soft white limestone that the vineyard sits on, which gives its award-winning wines their distinctive, terroir-driven profile. The eatery occupies a renovated 18th-century threshing barn, which has been thoughtfully restored to create a warm and welcoming space.

The Bell In Ticehurst is a welcoming wedding venue with a gorgeous design throughout

Set in the heart of the historical village of Ticehurst, The Bell is at once welcoming to you and your guests. Its design is fabulously eclectic and features wallpaper especially designed for the venue by Hastings artist Melissa White. You'll love the illuminated "I Will Always Love You My Friend" sign in the Stable. Plus, the Love Nest, the round bridal suite, comes complete with copper bath, double shower, wood burner and roof terrace.

The Bell's gardens were designed by Chelsea Gold Medallist Jo Thompson, and the firepit there is a popular place for guests to gather to toast marshmallows. There's also a fabulous double-sided sculpture representing romance and marriage.