A DECADE OF FLOWERS, FOOD AND FABULOUS WEDDINGS Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, Petal & Feast has grown organically over the decade to form a focus on wholesome, nourishing celebratory feasts; all-natural, wild floral arragements for weddings, and more; all from the all-female team's charming Secret Barn wedding venue nestled at the foot of the South Downs near Storrington in West Sussex. Surrounded by the glorious Sussex countryside, they can boast an everexpanding flower field where they grow their own British blooms, and workshops for Sussex residents to enjoy creative time making their own floral arrangements in a relaxed, picturesque setting. Founder Hannah Best tells us more: “Nearly all our flowers are grown on site by us. We love putting them together in big installations to bring the beauty of the outside into celebrations. Using seasonal flowers is so important to us; not just for environmental reasons, but because fragrant, beautiful locally grown blooms add further romance to a couple’s story. I love how you can almost date a bouquet to the week depending on the components – roses with the first of the dahlias is a particularly delicious moment. “Our feasts are also a very big part of what we do. We all love our food and aim to create celebratory dinners that are relaxed and delicious. Our menus have grown over the years, but plentiful, seasonal salads have always been a mainstay.” For 2024, the Petal & Feast team have expanded their flower field to grow some of their own vegetables, and even more flowers due to popular demand. Hannah adds, “Over the last few years, we’ve had a lot of demand from couples wanting to collect our freshly picked flower buckets so they can DIY their wedding flowers.” Discover more at https://petalandfeast.co.uk LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION Kane Harman, otherwise known as Kandid Kane Photography, based in East Sussex, specialises in beautiful documentary-style photography. While he covers the whole of the South East, he most regularly shoots weddings on his home turf of East Sussex and nearby Kent. Kane is very excited to enter the world of videography, having recognised a demand from couples for a short video to enjoy alongside their photos. “That’s why I’m learning the ropes and, while I’m still in the learning phase, am offering this service free with all full-day packages,” he tells us. “The videos so far have been a huge success and have been thoroughly enjoyed by my happy couples. I love making them and creating different versions with copyright-free audio that they can share, or a cherished song from the wedding day.” You can find out more at www.kandidkane.co.uk STARS OF THE SMALL SCREEN If you’ve watched BBC’s My Big Gay Wedding recently you may have recognised the venue chosen by Adam Johnson and Dan Mackay for their big day as Trading Boundaries, East Sussex. The Brighton-based couple celebrated their 10th anniversary of meeting at the time the BBC was looking for participants for its documentary commemorating 10 years of same-sex marriage being legalised. So, the two were the perfect choice for the show, hosted by comedian and TV presenter Tom Allen. When the couple discovered Trading Boundaries they instantly fell in love with it. “Beautifully quirky and not the generic venue, it was equipped with everything we’d need,” Adam explains. “Across the lawn stood a beautiful handmade fabric Indian marquee that somehow gave a wonderful nod to Brighton Pavilion. Then we met the in-house wedding coordinator, Jenny, who was just lovely and exactly what we needed.” On the wedding day, Saturday 7th October, host of the show Tom Allen was on hand to assist the couple, as well as acting as ring bearer alongside the couple’s pug, Egg. Meanwhile, celebrant Chloe Green led the service on the lawn, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor performed al fresco for Adam and Dan’s first dance. Afterwards, they made their way into the bespoke Indian marquees for the wedding breakfast with entertainment from Dolly Rocket. As dusk fell, the fairylights came on around the venue and the festivities moved into the main building for more dancing with Brighton DJ Boogaloo Stu spinning the tunes. Trading Boundaries is an enchanting setting in the heart of the Sussex countryside offering couples exclusive use of the recently refurbished 18th-century coaching inn and grounds. The venue offers a blend of elegant English style with unique twists of rustic India, perfect for escaping the everyday! Discover Trading Boundaries at www.tradingboundaries.com, or pop along to the venue’s next Open Day on Saturday 22nd June, from 10am-3pm. www.sideyclark.com Scan to view video Image and video courtesy of www.kandidkane.co.uk www.facebook.com/saccophotography www.sideyclark.com LOCAL NEWS 9
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