NEARLYWED NEWS

NEW LOOK

Holiday Inn Gatwick Worth recently saw the reopening of its wedding and ceremony suites following a huge £9 million refurbishment and extension. The beautiful, neutrally-decorated suites have been transformed and make an ideal location to host any dream day. The team can cater for any size of wedding from intimate to grand. With the largest suite now boasting its own private banqueting kitchen and spaciously accommodating up to 250 guests large scale events are a breeze.

With the new suites comes the venue’s new bespoke wedding packages, which include everything you could need for your special day. The team recognises that each couple has their own vision, and that’s why each one can be created bespoke to meet your own requirements. After all, your wedding day should be the occasion you’ve always dreamed of.

For a personalised quote or to book a show round, get in touch at events@higatwickworth.co.uk or on 01293 884 806 ext 2019. Also, check out https://higatwickworth.co.uk/weddings-2

Nearlywed NEWS

Catch up on the latest from around the county

© Phil Weedon

WINNING WAYS

Marking its 30th anniversary this year, the UK Jewellery Awards is the country’s longest running and most prestigious trade awards event, established in 1992 to recognise the achievements of those working in the jewellery and watch sectors. We're delighted to announce some local interest as Sarah Parham of Sussex-based ring brand SVP Jewellery has been awarded Commercial Jewellery Designer of the Year.

With 21 targeted categories, the awards cover every aspect of the industry, from jewellery design and ethical business practice through to customer service and successful retailing. Ruth Faulkner, editor of Retail Jeweller, the event’s organiser, says, “We received a record number of entries for this year’s event and our judging panel had an incredibly difficult task deciding on the eventual winners. Congratulations must go to all of our shorlisted finalists and, of course, our winners. They must be applauded as the leading lights in our sector and really are the very best in the business.

For more on SVP Jewellery check out https://svpjewellery.com

CHEERS!

The UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, Majestic, is opening a new store in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Situated in the heartlands of English sparkling wine production and with domestic vineyard visits on the rise, the new store is expected to see record sales of homegrown fizz sold within its first weekend alone.

The area is already home to some of the leading names in English wine including Nytimber and Bolney, both of which will be stocked at the new Majestic store. Interest in visiting English vineyards has boomed over recent years and more and more holidaymakers are choosing to visit as part of their staycations. So much so in fact that AirBnB recently added a vineyard category to its website.

Majestic provides all of its new colleagues with WSET qualifications as one of Europe’s largest wine educators, ensuring they have the expertise in wine that sets the brand’s shopping experience apart. So, if you’re looking for advice on the perfect wine for your big day, why not head over there and check it out?

You can also find Majestic online at www.majestic.co.uk

Alice and John at The Paint Club have been busy running hen parties over the summer, and are delighted to see everything opening up with people willing and able to meet in person once more following the Covid lockdowns of the past couple of years. Able to run their arty hen parties at any venue of your choice, John tells us, “I’ve seen some amazing AirBnBs around the country recently!” However, if there’s one thing adapting to the pandemic taught them it’s the value of the hybrid event with virtual options still offered for those friends and family who can’t get together. With this latest offering, those who can’t make it are simply sent a painting kit and they can follow along with the live instruction virtually either from one of the artists or as a pre-recorded video in cases where the whole event is virtual. So, even if you wish to invite loved ones on the other side of the world, distance needn’t be a hindrance as these hybrid painting parties still allow you all to get together and have a fab time.

The perfect creative activity to add to a hen do, the team at The Paint Club will bring (or send) everything you need to paint a masterpiece, whether its in your AirBnB, home or local pub. Choose your painting or surprise the bride with a custom design and the team will take care of the rest. With your favourite drink in one hand, paint brush in the other, a professional artist will guide you through the artwork step by step.

For more information visit www.thepaintclub.co.uk or email hello@thepaintclub.co.uk to book your bespoke events.

HEN DO HOT SPOT

Getting your nearest and dearest together for a hen party can be challenging and pairing that with a cost-of-living crisis might mean you’re looking to celebrate a little closer to home. So, hen party decoration supplier Ginger Ray has done a little digging to find you the top 19 UK cities to host your pre-wedding girls trip and it may delight you to know that you don’t have far to travel for the very best!

Based on an overall ranking of cities providing the most options for a memorable stay, according to Trip Advisor data, considering everything from bottomless brunches and spa treatments to availability of the hugely popular Whispering Angel wine, our beloved Brighton came out in second place just behind Bath. With an impressive 587 group activities on offer there’ll never be a dull moment and given the strong showing in categories such as restaurants with brunch options, accessibility, spots with outdoor heating, vegan options and a good bar scene, everyone in your group should be guaranteed a fun, and above all, comfortable time.

Jess Martin, decoration expert at Ginger Ray says, “It’s surprising to see how the different cities ranked, with some unexpected ones such as London and Manchester towards the bottom of the list. While the bride is the main focus of your hen party, so many people are involved in making it special so it’s really important to factor this into your planning, whether it’s dietary needs or accessibility. The index is also a great way to scope out which city suits your group’s vibe, whether it be outdoor activities or bars and restaurants. Making sure the place you visit is the best for those preferences will ensure there’s no disappointment among the group.”

So, there you have it. In case there was ever any doubt, here’s the proof: Brighton is the place to be!

MEET AND GREET

The team at The Old Tollgate in Steyning understand that your wedding day is one of the most special days of your lives. That’s why, dedicated and experienced as they are, they’re above all passionate about providing you both with a personal and focused service. They’ll be out and about this autumn with stands at various wedding shows around the county, so if you can’t make it along to the venue, be sure to catch them for a chat at The West Sussex Wedding Fayre, Horsham on Sunday20th November.

From your first point of contact through to the day itself, you’ll be able to rest assured knowing that your very own wedding coordinator will be taking care of every detail, whether you’ve opted for a traditional reception, civil ceremony or partnership.

Find out more at www.oldtollgatehotel.com

Wickerwood Farm has fast become a popular choice for weddings in the South East not only due to its beautiful rural location, but owner/ founder Jude is now offering additional services for your wedding day from styling and planning assistance to on-the-day management, and now boasts an oh-so cool boutique hire collection all under one umbrella.

Wickerwood Farm proudly flies the eco flag for hosting sustainable weddings, so by offering these services in-house not only can you feel reassured that everything is offered under one roof, but you also get to see the venue demonstrating its commitment to lowering its carbon footprint and helping the environment. Jude says, “Our new hire collection has proven popular with weddings this summer, with many of our items nodding towards a rustic, boho-luxe feel. It’s really important to me that all of the props I hand-select for my hire collection are preloved, up-cycled and show signs of age. This is what gives each one its charm and character.”

She continues, “It’s so important we all work towards diminishing the throw-away mentality that unfortunately still exists within the wedding industry and become aware of alternative ways of styling. By hiring from us you can be sure items will be loved and used time and time again. You certainly won’t find any plastic or disposable items here!”

Discover more about Wickerwood Farm, along with details of its new boutique hire collection at www.wickerwoodfarm.com

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

Debbie Vickers from Chopperwhoppers

Tell us about yourself I’m Debbie, single mum of three and cabin manager for a well-known airline. I discovered rolled ice cream while on a trip in Thailand back in 2015. I heard a loud chopping noise and saw a gathering of people watching a local lady create ice cream rolls right there in front of us using a cold plate, fresh mango and condensed milk. I was in awe. I’d never seen anything like it in my travels during my flying career. I chose a mango and banana one and watched eagerly as she worked her magic. It was all very theatrical and beautifully presented. The taste was astonishing, so light and fresh, unlike anything I’d had before. I knew then that I had to bring this new creative idea back to the UK. Back home I started researching suppliers of the ice pan machines, created a logo, and then dreamt up the name of my new venture… Chopperwhoppers.

Rolled ice cream is new to us! What makes it different to the ice cream we usually get? Rolled ice cream is so different from the usual soft or scoop ice cream, because you actually watch it being made. It doesn’t get any fresher than that. No nasty ice crystals and no deep freezing for months on end.

The ice pans freeze the ingredients super-quick. The mixture is then spread out in a thin layer over the pan, which usually is set at around -30. Once it’s set it’s then carefully teased off the pan using the chopping spatula – et voila, the ice cream rolls are made. They’re placed upright into a tub and look like flowers, so pretty.

What can you offer couples for their wedding? As rolled ice cream is so unusual it makes a memorable addition to a wedding. It really brings that extra something, that wow factor. Newlyweds can even try their hand at creating it too, providing a great photo opportunity.

We offer unlimited flavour combinations, three or four of which are chosen and can be mixed and matched. Flavours vary from delicious local seasonal fruits or your favourite indulgent chocolate, all with unlimited serving options. If you fancy a tipple in your ice cream rolls, we can offer that too. Baileys works really well with smooth white chocolate. Of course, it goes without saying that we can also offer vegan alternatives, which taste amazing too.

Our toppings table has been remodelled and now offers lots of goodies to adorn your tubs of ice cream rolls – from mini marshmallows, crushed nuts to creamy fudge pieces. Not forgetting those sprinkles that the children love.

There are various packages available for smaller weddings of 40 guests using just one ice pan, right up to 1,000 guests using four ice pans. All come with the same bespoke, quality, personal and professional service.