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Choosing a wedding venue in Sussex
Sussex packs a lot into one county. In an hour you can drive from a seafront hotel in Brighton to a flint barn on the South Downs, a vineyard in the Weald or a country house near Chichester. That choice is the fun part, and also why it helps to know what you want before you start visiting.
Start with three numbers
Before you look at a single venue, agree on roughly how many guests you want, your budget for the venue, and the month or season. Those three things rule out more venues than anything else. A barn that seats 200 can feel empty with 50, and a pretty country pub will not take 150 for dinner.
The main types of Sussex venue
BARNS AND FARMS Rustic, roomy and popular, especially on the Downs and in the Weald. Many are dry hire, so you bring your own caterer and bar. See venues across Sussex.
COAST AND SEAFRONT Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Eastbourne and the Witterings all have venues near the sea. Think about wind for outdoor photos and parking for guests. Start with Brighton & Hove or Eastbourne.
COUNTRY HOUSES AND ESTATES Often exclusive use, with rooms for guests to stay. Look around Horsham, Mid Sussex and the Weald.
VINEYARDS Sussex wine is well known now, and several vineyards host weddings with their own sparkling wine on the table.
MARQUEES If you have a field or a large garden, a marquee or tipi gives you a blank canvas, but you will need to organise toilets, power, lighting and catering yourself.
Questions to ask every venue
Is it licensed for the ceremony, or will you need to marry somewhere else first? Is it exclusive use? How many guests can sit down to eat, and how many in the evening? What time must the music stop, and is there a sound limiter? Can you use your own caterer, bar and suppliers? What is included in the price, and what costs extra: chairs, linen, staff, a coordinator? Is there parking, and how will guests get home?
Think about getting guests there
Many of the prettiest Sussex venues are down narrow lanes with little parking and no buses. Booking guest transport for the ceremony and the end of the night keeps everyone together and means nobody has to drive after the bar.
Book early, or go off-peak
Saturdays from May to September go first, often well over a year ahead. A Friday, a Sunday or a winter date can give you a venue you love for less, with more choice of suppliers too.
When you have a shortlist, save them to your shortlist and ask them all for prices in one go.