IT’S SNOWTIME

www.stephen-duncan.co.uk

Winter wonderland

Our roundup of Sussex’s cosiest wedding venues

SOUTHDOWNS MANOR

01730 763 800 | www.southdownsmanor.co.uk

From the romantic gardens to the quintessentially English setting, it’s hard not to fall in love with Southdowns Manor. Set amongst the breathtaking scenery of the South Downs, this historical exclusive-use venue, is a rural retreat offering a tranquil setting for your big day. Whether you’re dreaming of a lavish, formal wedding or a relaxed and intimate celebration, this venue provides a stylish setting.

THE “I DOS”

The manor is licensed for civil ceremonies and is also situated close to the Grade I listed St George’s Church at Trotton, which offers traditional Anglican ceremonies.

The Sussex Room is an informal area with a large bar where guests can meet before your ceremony. It can also be used for “I dos” witnessed by up to 40 loved ones, and is an ideal space for serving canapés and drinks post vows. The Conservatory too can host up to 40 for the ceremony and being a light and airy space makes for a romantic setting.

For larger ceremonies, the Banqueting Suite can comfortably seat 150, and with its starlight ceiling makes for a particularly magical setting at this time of year. During the summer you can exchange your vows al fresco on the terrace. Also licensed for 150, it can be used for reception drinks too, where guests can enjoy views across the South Downs.

THE CELEBRATIONS

You’ll enjoy your big-day bash in the Banqueting Suite, which as the name implies, is perfectly suited for banqueting purposes. It’s a stunning room that really makes for an elegant setting for your wedding breakfast and evening celebrations. It can seat 150 diners and allows you to welcome 200 nearest and dearest for the evening.

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TOTTINGTON MANOR

01903 815 757 | www.tottingtonmanor.co.uk

A beautiful listed manor house at the foot of the South Downs, Tottington Manor boasts 12 guest bedrooms including five suites, seven standard rooms and a choice of two honeymoon suites.

The Down’s Suite has its own private garden available for weddings with farm views to one side and an uninterrupted view of the South Downs to the other. Here, you can be sure of incredible backdrops for your photographer to take advantage of with blossom trees, bluebells, Mediterranean planting and of course the impressive Tudor manor all found within the grounds.

The venue has its own in-house team of talented chefs and you’ll be invited to a complimentary food and wine tasting prior to your big day. A complimentary dressing room will also be yours to use on the morning of the wedding. THE “I DOS”

Ceremonies take place in the Down’s Suite. A beautiful, light room it can seat 96 loved ones and benefits from French doors that allow you to enjoy the wonderful view of the South Downs. There are also chivari chairs available for use, which are included in the wedding package.

THE CELEBRATIONS

The Down’s Suite is also the place to be for your reception, where capacity can be increased to 200 for the evening with plenty of space for DJs and live bands. The new marble-topped bar stocks a full range of premium beers, wines and spirits. Alternatively, you have the option of pitching a marquee on the Down’s Suite lawn, which makes and ideal addition for your drinks reception whatever the weather.

COTTESMORE HOTEL GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

01293 528 256 | www.cottesmoregolf.co.uk

Set within 247 acres of lush, tree-lined Sussex countryside Cottesmore is home to 36 holes of golf with two lakes, a 26-bedroom hotel and seven self-catering lodges. This stylish country venue features function rooms, a farmhouse-style restaurant, health club, swimming pool and beauty salon. The existing club house and hotel forms part of the historical charm and character of the 1884 farm buildings, while the new sections have been carefully constructed to match the original brickwork. What’s more, dark dark grey window frames and panoramic views over the golf course bring a touch of that sought-after contemporary look. What’s more, a complimentary honeymoon room is offered for your wedding night. and offers peace and tranquillity in a romantic setting. Better for the winter though is the oak-beamed barn room, boasting a vaulted ceiling and elegant lighting. Both spaces have a capactiy of 150. Before you head in to your main celebration, don’t miss out on the opportunity for a champagne reception held in the French-style courtyard with ornate fountain, pretty planters and a French boules court.

THE CELEBRATIONS

For your wedding breakfast and reception, The Challis Suite has been designed with a contemporary feel. Adorned with mirrors, beams and Antler-chandelier lighting, it has a lightly-hued wooden floor and calming interior. The marble-topped bar completes the space and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the courtyard bring in plenty of natural light. Here, there’s space for 150 day guests and a total of 200 evening guests.

Your Sussex Wedding 195mm x 141mm 2021.indd 1

WEDDING BAR THE PERFECT BOUTIQUE MOBILE BAR

Sloe Drinks Co has a range of drinks packages for your wedding day, to suit your tastes and budget.

“Amazing, beautiful and professional. Would 100% recommend Marie and Sole Drinks Co. for any event. From meeting her first time through every communication to the day itself, nothing was too much bother and she really went the extra mile to make everything perfect.”

Our award-winning boutique mobile bar is perfect for an outdoor or festival style wedding, hen or stag party, with our wooden bar perfect for an indoor or marquee wedding.

weddings@sloedrinks.co.uk | 07737249162

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copyright Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust, Brighton & Hove www.vivaweddingphotography.com WINTER WONDERLAND

ROYAL PAVILION, BRIGHTON

03000 290 905 | www.brightonmuseums.org.uk

This breathtaking former royal Regency palace offers a one-of-a-kind wedding venue in the heart of Brighton and Hove’s cultural quarter. One of the most exotically beautiful buildings in Britain it was designed to entice, enrapture and enchant the great, good and grand of King George IV’s court.

The Royal Pavilion’s glorious garden is one of the few fully-restored Regency gardens in the country. Groups of flowers emulate jewels against the flourishing evergreens that frame striking views of the palace, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for images of your wedding day.

THE “I DOS”

Your ceremony can take place in the Red Drawing Room, which has a maximum capacity of 44. This beautiful room retains much of George IV’s striking 1820s decorative scheme, incorporating the venue’s distinctive dragon wallpaper and palm-tree pillars. Located on the ground floor it’s not open to the general public and benefits from its own private entrance leading directly from the Regency garden and offering the feel of true exclusivity on your special day.

For evening “I dos” the dazzling Music Room, one of the palace’s most spectacular state rooms, is available. It has space for 90 loved ones who enter via the Pavilion’s grand entrance and are led there via the exotic, Chinese-inspired Long Gallery. Its extraordinary interior is lit by nine lotus-shaped chandeliers, with stunning walls decorated with rich red and gold canvases in Chinoiserie style, supported by painted dragons. The gilded dome ceiling is made up of hundreds of plaster cockleshells creating the illusion of height. All in all, a truly regal and unforgettable setting to mark the start of your married life.

THE CELEBRATIONS

The Royal Pavilion can be hired for your reception even if you’re not holding your ceremony at the venue. The King William IV Room, situated on the first floor offers and elegant setting for day and evening. With hand-painted Chinese-style wallpaper and hanging lanterns, it also benefits from a private entrance, its own lobby and a caterer’s kitchen. It can host 80 for a drinks reception, 70 for a standing buffet or 60 for a seated meal.

BUXTED PARK HOTEL

01825 733 333 | www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/buxtedpark

This impressive Grade II Georgian country house boasts a whole host of period features lending the most picturesque of backdrops to your special photographs. The hotel is nestled amongst stunning Ashdown Forest parkland and is reached by a long tree-lined drive. Built in 1722, it has a wealth of history, having once welcomed William Wordsworth, Winston Churchill and Marlon Brando as guests.

THE “I DOS”

similarly ideal for a winter ceremony is The Library, with room for 50 loved ones. When the weather is warmer, The Coat of Arms Lawn and The Orangery are fine alternatives. There’s even a chapel within the estate’s grounds offering another dimension to your big day.

THE CELEBRATIONS

Receptions take place either in The Ballroom, for 120, or The Orangery, for 70. The former is the state wedding room and features no less than five Empire chandeliers, complementing the five full-length Georgian sash windows. It also features two ornate fireplaces and access to the balcony.

The seven spacious master suites have all undergone a recent refurbishment and use of the bridal suite is included in your wedding package.