Your Sussex Wedding - December 2020/Janaury 2021 (Issue 88)

KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY 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 Catch up on the latest from around the county Nearlywed NEWS  THE LIGHT FANTASTIC 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 11 th -13 th , 17 th -23 rd and 27 th -28 th December. Tickets are priced at £16 for adults and £8 for children. Book online at www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk YOUR ESSENTIALS 9