​According to the recent Bridebook survey the average wedding in the UK is now £11 shy of £27,000; the same as the average annual wage.  A very scary and sobering thought for anyone about to pop the question to their loved one.   Young couples often have to make the decision between buying a home or having a wedding day.
 
But getting married doesn’t have to be quite so financially daunting – there is another way!
 
The Pilgrims Rest is a licensed, Grade 2* listed, East Sussex wedding venue that looks to make a wedding day both affordable and at the same time aspirational.  We charge a fixed amount to hire the venue for the day with no corkage charges or hidden extras. You can choose your own caterers or have a complete DIY wedding.  You can have a cash bar or set up a DIY cocktail bar if you prefer. 
 
We have designed The Pilgrims Rest so that it needs little decoration.  The 600 year old vaulted Great Hall with inglenook fire comes with lime-washed chivari chairs and iron chandeliers.  The dining room is furnished with beautiful rustic tables, benches and furs.  You can use our vintage decanters and pewter candlesticks - we even provide the wood for the fires and candles for the tables.   All at no extra charge.
 
The Pilgrims Rest is a wedding venue that gives you the opportunity to have a wedding that reflects you and your personality without breaking the bank.  Quite simply, we want to make it possible for you to tie the knot without tying yourselves in financial knots in the process.
 
So forget that average wedding cost, restrictive wedding packages and crazy corkage charges.  The Pilgrims Rest is the other way…..
 
 
Contact Amy on venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk to make an appointment to view The Pilgrims Rest.  

In the last month, we have been exploring the DIY wedding and how to achieve significant savings when it comes to venue hire and avoiding drinks packages. We thought we would take it a step further and produce a wedding guide on how to keep wedding costs down.

​​The Wedding Dress:
Every girl dreams of their wedding dress however the dream dress does not have to cost the earth. Many large charity shops now offer a bridal range which includes second hand wedding dresses priced 75% less of what you would normally pay for a brand-new dress. When visiting The Cancer Research Shop in Eastbourne and the Delmeza Shop in Canterbury, we were so impressed by the quality and the designer dresses we found.

The Guest List:
Stay true to the saying, ‘As you get older you can count your true friends on one hand.’ Try to keep the guest list to close family and friends. Use Phillipa Middleton’s rule…no ring no bring! If you can, keep the children at home, it’s a nice treat for the parents to have a child free weekend and let their hair down.

DIY Flowers:
In our last blog, we spoke about the lovely Caroline & Kate who own Sussex Cutting Garden. They offer the DIY service. You can buy 100 stems for £55.00 for a selection of home grown flowers and foliage and create your own table centres and bouquets.

DIY Catering:
Keep the catering simple and relaxed. Create large sharing platters, cold buffets, or a simple BBQ. Everyone loves good wholesome food at a wedding. Keeping the food simple and delicious creates a great atmosphere amongst guests. Use big wooden or slate boards to present the food plus creating a beautiful table centrepiece at the same time.

DIY Bar:
Avoid the expensive drink packages. At The Pilgrims Rest we do not charge corkage and are happy for you to bring your own alcohol and drinks. Create a fun bar with all your favourite drinks and cocktails. Personalise it to you and your party. Keep an eye out for the great deals in the supermarkets.

Wedding Cake:
Bake your own wedding cake or if you’re not that great in the kitchen, Marks & Spencer’s have a wide range of plain wedding cakes available. Just add your own personal touch such as fresh flowers.

Weddings can become expensive but there are plenty of ways to make sure you have the best day without it costing a fortune. At The Pilgrims Rest we have tried to eliminate these costs by offering a dry hire price but with a great deal of extras. With exclusive use, no corkage charge and no hidden extras, our unique, licensed venue gives you choice and flexibility to create your perfect day. Whether you choose a DIY wedding, a fully catered wedding (or anything in-between) we offer flexibility in a stunning building.
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To find out how you can have your exclusive venue and enjoy significant savings, please contact us on 07552873448 or venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk.