Your Sussex Wedding - April/May 2023 (Issue 102)

THE GRAND HOTEL, EASTBOURNE 01323 412 345 | www.grandeastbourne.com Affectionately known at The White Palace, The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne exudes five-star luxury and 19th-century elegance throughout its 152 bedrooms and array of celebration spaces. The Hotel is located a mere pebble’s throw away from Eastbourne’s beach and boasts splendid views out to sea and along the coast. The Princes Lawn in the hotel grounds is the ideal spot for an al fresco drinks reception. ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS Built in 1875, a time when the upper classes ruled the land and took their holidays by the sea, the Hotel has welcomed a galaxy of the great and good including Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Arthur Conan Doyle and King Constantine of Greece. WHERE TO WED The largest of the ceremony spaces here is the Princes Room, which can seat 120. The high ceilings and twinkling chandeliers create a true sense of romance, while the delicate palette of golds and creams mean it will suit any theme. The Dukes room can host 80 loved ones. Originally the hotel library it offers a real sense of sophistication. The most intimate of ceremony spots is the Arundel Room, which can seat 60. It boasts wall-to-wall windows, a neutral colour scheme and stunning chandeliers. A SPACE TO CELEBRATE There’s a myriad of reception spaces here at The Grand. Ranging in capacities from 16 in the Gallery Suite to 192 in the Compton Room for the wedding breakfast. The Compton Room’s elegance harks back to its beginnings as the Hotel’s ballroom. Boasting ornate plaster work, vast ceilings and a sprung dancefloor, it’s the ultimate setting for a wow-factor wedding. It can accommodate 250 or the evening. A further highlight is the Arlington Room, which can host 55 for the wedding breakfast and 70 for the evening. This fairy tale of a room with wrought iron moulded fireplaces dominating each end is arguably one of the most romantic rooms in the Hotel. To find out more about the wealth of other spaces available to you, be sure to check out the venue’s website. SOUTHEND BARNS 01243 641 247 | www.southendbarns.co.uk Set on a working farm in the beautiful West Sussex countryside, Southend Barns has been lovingly restored with rustic charm and romantic touches. Surrounded by stunning landscaped gardens and peaceful courtyards, it’s a delightful setting for your nuptials. ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS Despite celebrating its 10th anniversary as a wedding venue in 2022, the roots of the buildings themselves go back way further, with the beautifully rustic and magnificent Threshing Barn dating back more than 200 years. WHERE TO WED The Dairy Barn is fully licensed for all ceremonies. With a delightful, 22-metre, sweeping aisle, exposed wooden beams and benches made of sweet chestnut, the barn is an idyllic setting for the “I dos.” Holding up to 120 guests it can also be used for a drinks reception or transformed into an entertainment room for the children. Southend Barns also has a fully-licensed outdoor ceremony area known as The Secret Garden. An enchanting and tranquil spot, it’s nestled between the resident alpacas’ field and the flint walls of the Dairy Barn. It can seat up to 100. A SPACE TO CELEBRATE The Threshing Barn can seat 120 diners, while 200 guests can attend the evening bash. This historical space radiates rustic charm with its authentic wooden beams and wrought iron chandeliers. There’s ample outdoor space with a picturesque courtyard that lies at the heart of the venue, the perfect spot for reception drinks and garden games. As night falls, guests can gather around the relaxing Collecting Yard with its sumptuous sofas, firepit and al-fresco bar to enjoy a truly magical evening setting; the perfect end to a perfect day. There’s also on-site accommodation, with a luxurious shepherd’s hut and larger bridal suite that comes with everything you could need for a relaxing and romantic stay. https://adorlee.co.uk https://hanavenn.co.uk www.johnscofieldphotography.co.uk www.johnscofieldphotography.co.uk 28

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