Your Sussex Wedding - April/May 2021 (Issue 90)

V icky and Chris started out as neighbours in the block of flats where they lived. Chris had obviously caught Vicky’s eye as she asked him out for a drink, and this visit to the local pub began their beautiful romance. Chris proposed while the pair were on holiday in Cornwall two years later. They’d met up with family for breakfast and that’s where he got down on one knee and asked Vicky the all-important question. “I had a feeling it was coming as we’d just moved in together, but he still caught me by surprise,” she says. Read on as the bride shares her account of the big day… SETTING THE SCENE When it came to the ceremony location, the decision was simple. St Peter’s Church, Henfield, holds particular meaning for the bride as she grew up attending its services and had marked several significant events there. With the nuptials arranged, the couple planned a special celebration at Pelham House with 75 of their nearest and dearest. Then, in the final stages of preparations, Covid struck and the nation was plunged into lockdown. Vicky recalls, “Our venues and all of our suppliers were amazing and supported us completely throughout the upheaval.” Having moved the big bash to the following year, the pair were still understandably impatient to tie the knot and proceeded to plan a micro wedding in line with the Covid guidelines in place at the time. Vicky explains, “We managed to keep the key elements of the ceremony largely the same, but we had to change the music slightly as we weren’t allowed to sing or have the bagpipe entrance we’d planned.” The bride was, however, still able to walk down the aisle to her chosen music, which she couldn’t imagine doing without. The piece was A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman , played by family friend and Guildhall scholar, Ramon Branch Biescas, having learned it especially for the occasion in less than three weeks. The most significant change was, of course, the reception and finding a venue for the wedding breakfast proved difficult. The bride tells us, “Despite guidelines saying that venues could cater for a 15-person reception, a lot of local independents were reluctant. I was keen to support local business, as well as finding somewhere special and away from the crowds. Happily, Heritage by Matt Gillan said ‘yes,’ and we’re so glad they did.” Matt, of Great British Menu fame, Hannah and the team carefully prepared a private room for the newlyweds and their guests. Vicky continues, “The food was exquisite and they very kindly allowed us to bring in our own flowers, cake and finishing touches.” On the day the couple did everything within their power to adhere to government regulations and took great care in looking after their guests. Vicky hopped on the sewing machine and hand made luxury face masks for everyone in keeping with the wedding’s “We couldn’t believe it when we heard the news the next day that we were about to go into lockdown for a second time. We’d snuck our wedding through just in time!” 38