NEARLYWED NEWS

Do you have an item of jewellery holding great sentimental value that you never wear? Why not consider incorporating it into your wedding band? Aurum Designer-Jewellers in Worthing can create a unique ring using your gold or platinum. So, rather than leaving precious items hidden away in a drawer, you can wear them every day – enjoying a new lease of life, treasured by another generation.

Free consultations are available now, where an expert will look at the pieces you have and discuss possible designs. Get in touch at www.aurumjewellers.com

Dial up the fun With restrictions on wedding guest numbers set to continue, we chatted to expert Sussex-based wedding caterer, Elizabeth Caton to get her thoughts on creative wedding breakfasts for intimate nuptials. Here are her top five tips: ❤ Why not serve individual mini bottles of champagne for the arrival or toast drinks? Covid-safe and totally

Insta-worthy! ❤ Rather than being brought around, canapés could be served at tables to be shared between households. This gives more scope for them to be served on smaller cute dishes, such as little slates, vintage china or framed photos of you both. ❤ If you’ve had to reduce the size of your guest list, you may find you have more to spend per head. Reflect this in your menu with something extravagant – lobster all round?! ❤ Whoever’s organising the toasts could pre-record messages from guests who are no longer able to be with you on the big day, and play them at the reception.

Alternatively, if they possess super-human organisational skills, they could even have a giant Zoom arranged with virtual guests dressed in their finery to raise a glass to the bride and groom. ❤ As your loved ones now have to sit down at small tables with fewer neighbours, the reception could feel a bit fragmented. Avoid this by encouraging interaction and introduce an activity to bring everyone together such as a quiz. This could be about the bride and groom, photos of guests as kids with everyone guessing who’s who, or on topics you're particularly interested in.

For further information on Elizabeth Caton Food and Wine head over to www.elizabethcaton.com

Visitors to Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens can expect to experience an illuminated spectacular this Christmas. An after-dark winter light trail taking place over three consecutive weekends in December, the gardens will be lit up with displays and projections onto the historic mansion and the lakes throughout the Grade I listed gardens. Live music and theatrical performances for all family add to the atmosphere.

Estate manager Adam Streeter says, “The event offers a welcome break from the Covid-19 gloom. Tickets are selling fast with visitors expected from across the South East. We’ve done a lot of work to ensure that it meets the Coronavirus rules and is safe to visit for everyone.”

Leonardslee Illuinated runs on 11th-13th, 17th-23rd and 27th-28th December. Tickets are priced at £16 for adults and £8 for children. Book online at www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk

Sloe Drinks Co is a super-cool mobile bar service, ideal for the al fresco or festivalstyle wedding. Based in Sussex, the team brings the best of the county direct to you from locally crafted gins, to craft beers and ciders on tap with classic cocktails, as well as a selection of rums, wines and other spirits.

The company’s creator, Marie, has owned vintage caravans for more than five years, having always loved camping, festivals and travelling: “They certainly appeal to my adventurous and romantic side,” she says. Deciding to turn her passion for entertaining and enthusiasm for vintage caravans into a business, she converted a 1970s Sprite caravan into a mobile bar and Sloe Drinks Co was born.

You can take advantage of the current micro-wedding package offer for 15 guests: five drinks per guest for £550. And there are also offers available on 2022 wedding bookings from £15 per person.

Check out www.sloedrinks.co.uk Jennifer Jelley is one multi-talented wedding aficionado! As well as being a passionate wedding photographer and owner of new business Divine Photography, she’s also a qualified beautician and make-up artist, as well as a former bridal boutique owner. “I spent nine years designing and cleaning my brides’ dresses and needed a change so I decided to go back into beauty, but I missed the wedding industry so much that I purchased a camera and here I am again, shooting couples’ big days, and I absolutely love it,” she says. “I like to create natural and traditional images, and those you just catch in the moment,” she continues.

Discover more at www.divinephotographyeastbourne.com. You can also find more of these beautiful images from a recent shoot captured by Jennifer at www.your-sussex.wedding/news-headlines

Say “hi” Here at CWM towers we’re loving life on Instagram right now. Our page is wall-towall breathtaking local wedding creativity, what’s not to adore? So, we’ve decided to hop on from 7pm to 8pm every Tuesday evening for #instahour, where we’ll be posting about current trends along with heaps of advice on planning your big day. We’ll be live, so feel free to join us and ask your questions.

Keep your eyes peeled for #instahour over the coming weeks at www.instagram.com/cwm_wedding

www.samfrostphotos.com

For those of you looking to get married in 2022 and beyond, Park House Hotel in Midhurst is offering the chance to have “Run of the House” with it’s new exclusive hire package. Accommodating up to 75 guests, the package means you can treat family and friends to the ultimate country house party wedding experience in the heart of rural West Sussex, with private access to all bedrooms, event spaces and onsite facilities.

The ceremony and entertaining will take place in The Barn, with the venue’s team of local specialists on hand to help bring your vision to life. You’ll enjoy a champagne and canapé reception, followed by a three-course wedding breakfast showcasing ingredients from local growers, also accompanied by a half bottle of wine per person. Bed and breakfast is also included for guests and you have the run of the beautiful grounds for your wedding photography. Operations manager Stuart Brown says, “Every detail is taken care of to ensure total enjoyment for couples and guests alike, with our quintessential countryside location guaranteed to make the day unforgettable.”

Prices for this package start from £12,000 for 50 guests. To discover more call 01730 819 000 or email events@parkhousehotel.com, and check out www.parkhousehotel.com

Wedding Doves... release the magic to create meaningful memories (Ask for extra doves to represent those who can only be with you in spirit) www.sussexdoverelease.co.uk | Call Viv on: 07746 450814 WWW.GREATBRITISHTIPIS.CO.UK

HELLO@GREATBRITISHTIPIS.CO.UK

Quote this magazine for a FREE glass of Prosecco during your pre-arranged viewing.

HOTEL ASHDOWN FOREST, EAST SUSSEX

This historic Palladian mansion, located in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, has hosted countless weddings for generations, delivering fl awless events with memories to last a lifetime. With our elegant function suites, newly renovated feature bedrooms, vast sunny terraces and stunning gardens along with a pretty church in the grounds, the estate provides the ultimate backdrop to your special day.

For wedding showcase dates throughout the year along with packages and exclusive use options, please visit our website.

01825 733333 handpickedhotels.co.uk

Queens Hotel

County Wedding Magazine readers have the opportunity to win a two-night stay at either Queens Hotel Cheltenham or Castle Hotel Windsor two MGallery Hotel Collection properties. The winner and a guest will stay in the best available room on the date of their stay. The prize includes breakfast, car parking, and a three-course dinner one evening in the hotel’s restaurant.

Situated opposite Windsor Castle, the Castle Hotel is established as one of the Windsor’s finest boutique properties steeped in history dating back to 1528. The 108-room hotel exudes elegant glamour, a striking, spacious conference and events space, as well as a highly regarded Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill.

Equally as opulent for even the most discerning of traveller, Queens Hotel – which first opened in 1838 – has an impressive Palladian façade exuding elegance and grandeur from the moment guests walk in.

The hotel has 84-luxurious rooms and suites, designed subtly to accommodate the hotel’s history whilst seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technologies and amenities. Guests can choose to dine in newly launched Victoria’s or Duke’s Tea Room, where classic comfort dishes are served with sharing at the heart of the experience. The Gold Cup bar provides an intimate space in which to enjoy one of the over 40 gins available. Boasting the original listed bar, gifted by India to Lord Charles Napier, the intricate wooden design creates a warm, intimate and inviting space in which to sip a signature cocktail or two.

Check out https://mgallery.accor.com

Castle Hotel Queens Hotel

Here at County Wedding Magazines and Events HQ we’re looking forward to kickstarting our Spring wedding show season. From must-visit local wedding shows in some of the region’s best wedding venues, to our larger Signature Wedding Shows home to more than 150 exhibitors each, we can’t wait to welcome back our couples and help plan their wedding days. Here’s what to expect when attending one of our events..

Couples can rest assured our venues are Covid-19 secure, here’s just some of the measures we’re taking to ensure you can enjoy the day in a safe environment: • Attendees will need to pre-register to attend events • Personal details for Track and Trace will be kept for 21-days • All venues will also have enhanced cleaning procedures, with hand washing and sanitising facilities at frequent intervals • Spaces between exhibition booths will be increased and aisles widened to achieve social distancing requirements • Events will be planned around one way systems for visitors • Visitors must wear a face mask or suitable face covering at all times • Anyone with a high temperature or other symptoms related to COVID-19 must refrain from visiting.

Each event will boast a huge range of specialists who will be on hand to talk through your planning ideas and requirements; venues, bridal boutiques, photographers, florists, cake makers and more, there’s everything you could need to plan your wedding under one roof.

On the day refreshments will be available to purchase from each of the venue’s on-site restaurants, bars and cafés, and attending our exhibitions is free!

For more information on our Covid-secure policy or any of our exhibitions visit County Wedding Events’ website.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our events.

Sarah Ellis, Sales and Events Director County Wedding Events.

Psst! Our pre-registered Signature Wedding Show visitors will have the chance to win a £250 gift voucher courtesy of Spabreaks.com

WEMBLEY STADIUM, 7TH FEBRUARY 2021 THE BRENTWOOD CENTRE, 21ST FEBRUARY, 2021

ASCOT RACECOURSE, 7TH MARCH 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD, 21ST MARCH, 2021

unless otherwise stated

BERKS, BUCKS, OXON

18 High Street, Windsor, SL4 1LJ SUN 28 FEB

EAST ANGLIA

Norfolk, IP22 2AA SUN 28 FEB

The Green, Tannington, Woodbridge, IP13 7NH SUN 18 APR

HERTS & BEDS

Hare Street Road, Buntingford, SG9 0AA SUN 7 FEB

ESSEX

Great Braxted, Witham, CM8 3EN SUN 7 MAR

Coggeshall, CO6 1TG SUN 21 MAR

Houchin’s Lane, Coggeshall, CO6 1RT SUN 28 MAR

Witham Road, Braintree, CM77 8PD SUN 9 MAY

At County Wedding Events each show is professionally and meticulously run to ensure a variety of suppliers are on hand to help you plan your big day and are hosted by some of the loveliest premier venues in your area.

All our shows offer you free entry and parking, a goody bag each containing gifts, and useful local information to plan your wedding. You will also have the opportunity to enter prize draw competitions and take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts on the day.

KENT

Ashgrove Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1SR SUN 7 MAR

SURREY

Hook Lane, Shere, GU5 9QG SUN 11 APR

Oatlands Drive, Weybridge, KT13 9HB SUN 9 MAY

Hambleton Road, Godalming, GU8 4AY SUN 16 MAY

SUFFOLK

Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP30 9JA SUN 11 APR

SUSSEX

Arundel Road, Worthing, BN13 3UN SUN 11 APR

LONDON

Morden Hall Road, Mordon, SM4 5JD SUN 28 MAR

As part of KD Events and Publishing Ltd, County Wedding Events (CWE) is ideally placed to offer you a wealth of experience organising events in the wedding industry. If you would like more information about either holding a wedding show at your venue or exhibiting at any of our shows, please contact us at info@countyweddingevents.com, call 01376 514000 or visit countyweddingevents.com.

• Free entry • First 100 couples receive a free wedding journal keepsake • Goody bag for each couple • Up to 200 stands • Bridal fashion shows • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Demonstration areas • Competitions • Entertainment • Refreshments • And more...

London, HA9 0WS SUN 7 FEB 2021 | 11AM - 4PM

Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, CM15 9NN SUN 21 FEB 2021 | 11AM - 3:30M

High Street, Berkshire, SL5 7JX SUN 7 MAR 2021 | 11AM - 3:30PM

Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, KT13 0SL SUN 21 MAR 2021 | 11AM - 3:30PM