Nearlywed NEWS

Catch up on the latest from around the county

TOP-NOTCH PAMPERING

East Sussex National Golf Resort and Spa has been revealed by Spabreaks.com as Sussex’s top spa, totalling 27.12 per cent of all bookings made in the county this year. In second and third place, situated close by in the same region was Alexander House Hotel Utopia Spa and Chakra Spa at Crown Plaza Felbridge Gatwick; with Ockenden Manor and South Lodge following close behind in fourth and fifth place on the list.

So, just why has East Sussex National proven to be so popular with spagoers? All rooms in this contemporary hotel overlook either the resort’s 18-hole championship golf course or the lush green South Downs countryside, setting the scene for a relaxing weekend getaway. To keep in shape, the hotel’s Health Club runs yoga, pilates and studio cycling classes, after which a refreshing swim in the indoor heated pool will be just the tonic. Besides an aromatherapy room and monsoon shower, the main event here is the luxury treatments, which range from an invigorating massage to a relaxing facial.

Find out more at www.eastsussexnational.co.uk and check out www.spabreaks.com for the latest deals.

Past Meets Future

On Sunday 26th February, 2023, the magnificent Michelham Priory House & Gardens near Hailsham in East Sussex will be throwing open its doors from 11am to 3pm to host a Sussex Wedding Showcase. We reckon it’s an event not to be missed with hand-picked, preferred suppliers from across the county; a chance to visit the historical house, barn, moat and grounds; plus opportunities to meet specialist wedding experts.

Set within the Priory’s Grade II listed Tudor mansion and Elizabethan Great Barn, the Showcase offers you and your entourage wedding inspiration aplenty. The Prior’s Chamber in the house will be themed for winter weddings on the day, while in the Elizabethan Great Barn, the focus will be on summer weddings.

You’ll receive a welcome drink on arrival and a free goodie bag to take away. The event is free to attend, but reservations are required. You can book your spot online at https://sussexpast.co.uk/event/sussex-wedding-showcase

Where Dreams Become Reality

Whatever your wedding dreams, the team at The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne take great care to ensure every detail is just how you imagined. On a day when only the very best will do, where could be better to celebrate than one of the South Coast’s most iconic and historical hotels?

Now you have the chance to see how stunning your big day could be when you attend the Hotel’s inspiring and illuminating Wedding Showcase on 5th March 2023, 11am-3pm. The venue caters for a multitude of wedding styles and all of its celebration rooms will be on view with a wide variety of wedding suppliers in attendance. The Grand’s wedding coordinators will also be on hand to answer any of your big-day questions and to show you around this one-of-a-kind five-star venue – no formalities, just a friendly welcome and some special offers on the day.

Admission is free and to book your tickets head over to https://thegrandhoteleastbourneweddingshowcase.eventbrite.co.uk. For more information on the venue see www.grandeastbourne.com

5 minutes with...

SKY’S THE LIMIT

Your Sussex Wedding editor Kelly Andrews caught up with Lydia Champion, event sales manager at the Brighton i360 (https://brightoni360.co.uk) to find out what a typical day looks like for her.

When a couple books their wedding day at Brighton i360, what’s next for you?

It’s great to meet them and find out exactly how they envision their big day. From there, I can offer recommendations and feedback. As a group, we tour the site and discuss the style and design that will bring their vision to life.

Planning a wedding from an events point of view involves so many steps from outsourcing suppliers and entertainment, to creating a menutasting session and looking at aisle music. We have great connections with our recommended suppliers and hotels, so we support local businesses where we can.

For many of our clients it’s their first wedding, so we even advise them on the small things such as sending out save-the-date cards. It’s a really exciting time for the client and it’s great to be a part of that.

What does a wedding day at the venue look like for you?

We have two licensed event rooms including the giant glass pod that

Dates For The Diary

While you’re planning your 2023 diaries, we recommend popping in some time to visit local wedding fairs. They’re a great way to meet potential suppliers and start assembling your W-day team. Here are our suggestions to keep you busy for the next few months!

FEBRUARY 2023

19th | 11am-2pm

Avisford Park Hotel Wedding Fayre https://www.ibookedonline.com/avisford-park-hotel/events

26th | 11am-3pm

Michelham Priory Wedding Showcase https://sussexpast.co.uk/event/sussex-wedding-showcase showcases unfolding views of Brighton as it travels to the grand height of 450ft. Plus, our event rooms open onto West Beach and our glass capsule sits above the iconic seafront, so thanks to our stunning location, a wedding at Brighton i360 captures that vibrant Brighton vibe in all its glory. We also have a huge upper deck, which is fantastic in the spring and summer months for pre- and post-ceremony drinks.

I’m always really busy making the day perfect to suit the brief, whether that’s dressing the room or glass pod, or meeting and greeting guests.

What’s the highlight of the job for you?

Being able to provide couples with the wedding of their dreams and seeing their excitement ahead of and then throughout their wedding is so joyous. I love being creative and offering my recommendations for design and colour schemes. It’s great taking a theme and watching it come to life. I also love seeing the excitement of the guests as they travel to 450ft – which for many is the first time they have experienced the pod. The excitement really adds to the atmosphere!

What are your wedding trend predictions for 2023?

Couples are looking for different experiences for their big day, something to make their wedding stand out and leave lasting memories for their guests. Backdrops are so important, which is why many people choose to marry in the clouds.

MARCH 2023

26th | 10am-2pm

Manor Barn Spring Wedding Showcase www.manorbarnbexhill.co.uk

APRIL 2023

16th | 11am-3.30pm

County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show www.countyweddingevents.com/ signature-wedding-show-mercedes-benz-world

MAY 2023

21st | 11am-3pm

PMN Fontwell Park West Sussex Wedding Expo https://pmnweddingfayres.co.uk/venue/fontwell-park-racecourse

The perfect country wedding venue set within 247 acres of stunning Sussex countryside

Ceremony Room, Reception Rooms, Enclosed Courtyard, Outdoor Ceremony Space, Lakes, Bar & Restaurant, 26 Hotel Rooms, 7 Self-Catering Lodges, Health Club, Swimming Pool, Beauty Salon & 27 Holes of Golf

0794 119 1194

TopWeddingDJ djbrianmole brian@dancemix.co.uk www.dancemix.co.uk weddingdjbrianmole topweddingdj

Based in the heart of West Sussex, Caritas Cake Design offers a bespoke design service for your wedding cake, to make it unmistakably perfect for your big day.

Our focus is quality, and attention to detail. Your cake will be delivered on the day, fresh and delicious, to beautifully compliment your style.

WWW.CARITASCAKEDESIGN.CO.UK 07793 678187 | carrie@caritascakedesign.co.uk | @caritascakedesign