Your Sussex Wedding - Jun/Jul 2019 (Issue 79)

HEN ARTY The Paint Club is about to open its new studio in Lewes, where the team will run hen parties as well as private and regular classes and events. The venture’s Alice and John pride themselves on offering a fun, relaxed, creative and sociable atmosphere. They told us: “It’s like an art class, but probably not like one you’ve ever been to!” You can grab a drink, chat with friends, have a laugh and leave with your very own masterpiece to hang on your wall. Regular events run in venues around Sussex and include those for hen groups looking for something creative, relaxed and out of the ordinary. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve painted before, so everyone can join in and create something special to remember the day. The sessions allow everyone to be an artist. The Paint Club can work with any venue, pub, restaurant, village hall or private home, as long as there’s a table big enough for the group. For more information, check out thepaintclub.co.uk CAUSE A STEN-SATION! Brides- and grooms-to-be are turning away from the traditional hen or stag in favour of hosting a joint-celebration: the sten. They’re now so popular that Red7 has reported a 200 per cent increase in requests for this type of celebration in the past two years alone. The group travel specialist and bespoke sten planner shared its top tips on planning your own. ❤ Base it around what you and your partner want. It can be tempting to seek the opinions of everyone involved, but with double the number of attendees, this can get complicated. ❤ Large groups can be chaotic, so planning an expert-led activity such as chocolate or cocktail making is a great way to ensure everyone enjoys themselves at the same pace and under the same instruction. ❤ Theme it! Team Bride vs. Team Groom, The Only way is Marbs, Glitter-Festival Chic – the choice is yours. ❤ Choose a great destination. Hot spots for 2019 include: Lisbon, Marbella, Barcelona and Ibiza. In the UK, you can’t beat London, Brighton, Manchester or Liverpool. ❤ Don’t feel pressured to do everything together. Some might prefer an afternoon of pampering at a spa, while others would prefer white water rafting. Stay flexible and open-minded about the schedule, and you’ll all feel super-relaxed by the time you meet up again in the evening. Check out redsevenleisure.co.uk RAISE A GLASS The English Wine Centre, located within the South Downs National Park, close to the historic village of Alfriston, was recently purchased by new owners following its closure at the start of the year. There are exciting plans afoot to implement a wide range of improvements to the venue while retaining its beauty and charm. These include: new sound and lighting equipment for the barn, the complete refurbishment of the hotel bedrooms and public spaces and extended parking facilities. Further plans include the development of an English Wine Heritage Museum, a luxury glamping site to be utilised by wedding guests and a sympathetic redevelopment of the gift and wine shop and the tearoom. With a view to secure the long-term future of the venue and develop it to its full potential, not only as one of the top wedding venues in the area but also as a major visitor attraction, a permanent wedding planner has been recruited as the overall site manager to ensure every wedding day is perfect. Bookings are already being taken for 2021. To find out more, head over to @englishwinecentre TOP DJ Horsham-based wedding DJ and master of ceremonies Brian Mole was recently announced as the regional winner for the South East in The 2019 Wedding Industry Awards for the second year running. Brian has been helping couples and their loved ones celebrate their big days for more than three decades, receiving accolades for his enthusiasm and dedication. This latest recognition is the icing on the cake for him, as the awards are voted on by his couples. Brian says: “I’m very humbled by this. It’s a testament from my clients of the commitment and service I consistently provide, year on year.” Recent bride and voter Annie said: “From the moment he turned up, everything was at our convenience. He simply went above and beyond what we asked for, tailor-making things to suit our day and needs.” For more information on booking Brian for your big day, check out dancemix.co.uk/brianmoleweddings nickifelthamphotography.com johnscofieldphotography.co.uk The latest news from around the county Nearlywed NEWS sarahlondonphotography.co.uk 10