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All that sparkles
Jewellery inspiration for the big day
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Real weddings
Be inspired by other brides and grooms
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Baby, it's cold outside
Perfect accessories for a glam winter look
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Get budget-savvy
How to get the reception look you want... for less
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Wedding of the year
Meet our four finalists and find out who won the last heat
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Blushing bride
The County Wedding Magazines team tries out a range of blushers
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Crawley and Horsham
Picturesque settings in West Sussex
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Hidden beauty
Undecided about wearing a veil? Our guide will give you plenty of ideas
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Religious ceremonies and traditions
We take a look at eight different types of weddings from an array of cultures
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Get your groove on
How to choose the all-important first dance song
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Planet Dubai
Adventure and romance await you in the city of the future
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 23rd March 2012 |
| Love is in the air |
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Baliffscourt Hotel and Spa
With oak-panelled passageways, a rose-filled courtyard and open log fires, the Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa is a luxurious setting for an intimate wedding. The Music Room is licensed for civil ceremonies and can accommodate up to 60 guests, while couples preferring religious nuptials can opt to receive a blessing in the original Norman chapel. The venue can cater for up to 75 people for the wedding breakfast, however, there is also the possibility of exclusive hire, holding up to 300 guests in a marquee within the grounds. The wedding party can also make use of the hotel's prestigious spa and sports facilities, while the couple can enjoy the Baylies honeymoon suite, which features a four-poster bed and his and hers roll-top baths.
Ceremony licence: Yes
Contact: 01903 723 511
www.hshotels.co.uk |
| Our big day: Rebecca and Sam |
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| Image provided by James Pepper Photography |
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Rebecca Brooks and Sam Doran enjoyed a magical day on 10th September, 2011. An ivory and diamante theme gave a glamourous feel to their nuptials
Rebecca and Sam met six years ago in Chichester. "We fell in love almost immediately, although the chocolate brownies we enjoyed on our first date might have contributed!" says Rebecca. The pair soon started dating and Sam asked Rebecca's father for permission to marry his daughter. "When I arrived at the house, he had been out shooting and walked in with a gun in his hand which definitely didn't help my nerves. Luckily, he said 'yes' and I popped the question on Christmas day in our new home," says Sam. Read on for Rebecca's account of the big day.
"Sam proposed with a ring my grandma Sheila had given him, the same one my late granddad had proposed to her with in 1953. It's so special to me and I feel privileged to be wearing it."
"We got married at St Richard's church in Aldwick. My parents got married there and it has always been our family parish."
"The ceremony was beautiful and the church was filled with emotion. It was the happiest moment of our lives and I practically skipped down the aisle."
To read on see page 31 of the current issue. |
| A toast to the bride and groom |
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Introducing Upperton Vineyards, located between Petworth and Midhurst in the South Downs National Park. The vineyard has more than 32,000 vines and produces sparkling wine, perfect for the big day. The Upperton Vineyard makes two varieties of sparkling wine, the Nebula, a white, and the Erubesco, a rose, both of which are light and refreshing on the palette; ideal for an afternoon garden-party reception. Furthermore, couples can do a tour and tasting to find the perfect tipple for their nuptials.
To find out more, telephone 01798 343 695 or visit www.uppertonvineyards.co.uk |
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| Wedding fever |
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One of the things I love most about my job is seeing all the fantastic real weddings drop into my inbox. The creativity and personal touches are thoroughly inspiring and give me food for thought when putting together features for you to enjoy. I am constantly drawn to the quirky details and fresh outlooks in the world of weddings, and I hope to provide you with some of that throughout the magazine.
I particularly love seeing the different themes and colour schemes couples have opted for. I was inspired by a bygone era for my nuptials and filled the barn with grand candelabra, pale pink roses and wore a heavy satin Jenny Packham gown that was reminiscent of the fashions from the 1930s. This issue is jam-packed with three real weddings; Rebecca and Sam opted for a classic feel with ivory and diamante details, Kayleigh and Mark enjoyed celebrating their nuptials al fresco, while Lyndsey and Daniel embraced a vintage theme with an antique pink colour palette and beautiful amnesia roses.
Enjoy reading!
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| Louise Prance, Editor |
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| Make sure you email editor@yoursussexwedding.co.uk to keep us up to date with all your news |
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| Win a horse-drawn carriage for your big day worth £750 |
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Your Sussex Wedding has teamed up with Maple Leaf Carriages to offer readers the chance to win their transport for the big day
Are you looking to arrive in style? Look no further than Maple Leaf Carriages which provides horse-drawn carriages, perfect for making a grand entrance. Whether you're planning a fairytale day or looking for something a little more eco-friendly, a horse and carriage is a classic way to travel. Maple Leaf Carriages is a family-run company based in Hailsham and has a range of carriages to choose from depending on the style of wedding, everything from traditional carriages to wagonettes. The cart can be pulled by either one or two horses and the biggest carriage seats up to four people. "A horse-drawn carriage means couples can enjoy the scenic route and is a great way for the bride and her nearest and dearest to soak up the surroundings before the ceremony," says Adrian Matthews, director of Maple Leaf Carriages.
For more information about Maple Leaf Carriages, telephone 01323 847 482 or visit the website www.mapleleafcarriages.com
One lucky reader will win a horse-drawn carriage to take them and up to three guests to the venue and then on to the afternoon reception. |
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| Enter here |
| Rocking retro |
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Still searching for the finishing touches to your venue decor? Look no further than Vintage and Made, which provides a retro decor hire service. The company focuses on antique items, some of which include china, glassware, display furniture, bunting and cake stands. As well as helping brides-to-be with their venue styling, Vintage and Made provides pop-up hen tea parties, perfect for a decadent occasion.
For more information, telephone 07534 512 112 or visit www.vintageandmade.co.uk |
| Romantic venues |
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Wadhurst Castle
If you're looking for a fairytale setting for your big day, then Wadhurst Castle could be the answer. Built in 1818, there are three ceremony rooms to choose from and each can accommodate up to 100 people. Alternatively, the newly restored Walled Garden is available in the summer for couples who prefer to marry al fresco, while receptions on the south lawn can hold up to 200 guests in a traditional marquee or modern capri tent. Couples can choose from an array of additional services to incorporate into the day, such as having rose petal confetti, pressed apple juice from the estate's own fruit, or champagne truffles made by a local chocolatier.
Ceremony licence: Yes
Contact: 01892 784 262
www.wadhurstcastle.co.uk |
| Please don't stop the music |
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| Image provided by www.hazelhannant.co.uk |
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Francesca Lee takes a look at creating the perfect soundtrack for your big day
So, you've booked your venue, hired the caterers and already spotted your dream wedding dress. It may feel like
you've got everything in place, but another major aspect to think about is the music. Whether you opt for a string quartet, harpist or jazz band, music plays a big part in the day. From the ceremony through to the evening celebrations, it helps to set the mood, provide entertainment, and gives couples another creative outlet for those all-important personal touches. Ensure you and your husband-to-be take the time to explore the musical options out there, as you'll reap the rewards when the time comes. Whether it's a meaningful first dance song to bring tears to your guests' eyes, or a groove to get them up on the dancefloor, you can have lots of fun picking the musical options for the big day.
Where do I start?
With an array of options to choose from, it can be daunting picking the tunes for your ceremony. One way to get around this is to use your wedding theme as a starting point, and draw your inspiration from there. Next, think about how you would like the music to be played. Some couples provide a CD to be played over a PA system; however if you're looking to add wow-factor, it might be worth looking into hiring a solo musician or band.
If you're planning to marry in a religious setting, most couples will opt for traditional hymns. If, on the other hand, you choose a civil ceremony you're not permitted to play music with religious connotations. So if you have something in mind, make sure to check with your registrar first.
To read on see page 65 of the current issue. |
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| Take a look at our regularly updated Find a Supplier feature on our website where you find profiles, photographs and contact information from businesses in your area who will help you with your dream wedding. |
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| Find your local wedding suppliers... |
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| Hidden beauty |
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Veils are the cherry on the top of the whole bridal ensemble, and there's a special design to suit everyone
Style to suit
The variety of veils on offer is endless; do you opt for one with subtle sparkle to catch the light, one scattered with pearls or crystals, or something plainer? And then there's the length; should it be long, medium or short and how many tiers is too many? Here, Sharon Bradford from The Bridal Room offers her top tips to help navigate you through the daunting task of choosing the perfect veil.
1 Choose your dress first. You need to take into account the style and detail of the gown you have chosen. The simpler the design, the more elaborately decorated your veil can be, whereas a more detailed ornate dress calls for a plainer style.
2 Don't choose a veil that cuts across any details at the back of your dress. The veil should finish below the embellishment.
3 Choose a veil that is the same shade as your gown. It should enahnce the dress, not clash with it.
4 Petite brides should try to avoid fingertip veils that usually end mid-thigh, as this would make them appear shorter by visually cutting their legs in half.
5 Two-tiered veils suit most brides because they are fuller and will frame your face on both sides.
6 An elbow length veil perfectly complements a dress with a full-skirt.
7 Long veils are very much back in style. A floor or cathedral length veil can create a romantic look.
8 Try on lots of different lengths and fabrics - your bridal shop should be happy for you to try on all of their veils.
To read on see page 87 of the current issue. |
| Is this the bride? |
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With Vera Wang's latest collection having a distinctly gothic palette, non-white dresses are officially en vogue. But will you still feel like a bride if you go to the dark side?
Catwalk-side trend-spotters watched bug-eyed as models paraded Vera Wang's latest collection at New York Bridal Fashion Week. The creations, as always, bore the designer's mark of excellence. They were romantic, elegant and beautifully made with the most luxurious fabrics.
They were everything a bride would expect from Wang, the wedding dress fairy godmother to thousands of contemporary Cinderellas. But this time they were black. And if Wang is stepping away from white, it is almost certain other fashion houses will follow her lead.
Indeed she is not the only designer dismantling the traditional bridal palette this season - the UK's own Vivienne Westwood has created ripples with her formidable scarlet wedding dresses.
But while colour may be the latest way to make a statement, there are many things to consider before turning your back on white.
To read on see page 91 of the current issue. |
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