Oh how I love this time of year!  Autumn is slowly creeping in with leaves and bracken turning from green to shades of orange, making the rolling views of the Sussex countryside prettier day by day. The morning sunlight catches the mist nestled in the valleys and there is nip in the air reminding us that winter is on its way.  
 
After a summer to die for, there is something about the prospect of evenings in front of a fire, period dramas and long Sunday lunches with friends and family that we actually look forward to.  The Danes call it Hygge, the Scots “Coorie”.  In England we don’t have an exact word for it - some might say cosy or snug is the closest description but really it is a feeling -almost a feeling of coming home.
 
In the world of weddings more informal, smaller weddings have become increasingly popular with winter weddings high on the wish list.  More and more couples are searching for a wedding venue that is cosy and friendly; one where they feel completely at home and can spend their day surrounded by people they love, with whom they can laugh (and cry) and be completely at ease.  
 
Couples are looking for more than just a beautiful venue these days - they are searching for a venue that also has that certain feeling - a feeling of coming home.  Finding the right venue can tricky; there are plenty of beautiful venues out there to choose from but some can be lacking in soul or need huge amounts of decoration to bring them to life.  The search for the perfect, intimate venue can be tricky indeed…unless you know where to look!
 
The Pilgrims Rest is a 600 year old wedding venue in the heart of East Sussex.  Full of rustic charm, this grand old lady also has historic soul.  Over the centuries she has hosted medieval banquets to Victorian tea dances with numerous flagons of ale and glasses of champagne consumed beneath her eaves. Designed to need little decoration.  The Great Hall with its huge inglenook fireplace and vaulted ceiling is furnished with benches and furs; The Dining Room comes with lime-washed trestle tables wide enough for sharing platters and en-famille dining. With three inglenook fireplaces with crackling fires, candlelight in the dining room and a suite of bridal changing rooms to get ready, The Pilgrims Rest is a truly magical venue.  
 
There are no corkage charges and no fixed suppliers.  Instead their friendly wedding co-ordinators can make suggestions and introduce you to their tried and tested Sussex suppliers.  If you prefer to have a DIY wedding and rope in the family, then you are more than welcome.  The Pilgrims Rest offers you the choice and flexibility to have your wedding just how you want it and is perfect for weddings all year round.  When the sun shines your guests can flood out into the pretty walled garden; as the evening draws in the fires are stoked, the candles lit and this grand old lady literally sparkles into life…
 
Join us next Sunday 7th October for our Autumn wedding showcase. For more information or to make an appointment to view the venue contact Amy today on 07552873448.

One of my favourite photographs is one taken at my parent’s wedding in 1950.  Both of them had lived through the war with Dad fighting in France at the age of 18.  They first met at a dance in London; Mum was 17 and Dad was 23.  He took one look at her and told himself, “That is the girl I am going to marry”; he was right.

A while later they married on a freezing cold, January day in the same church in where Hugh Grant walks out on “Duck face” in the film, Four Weddings and a Funeral.  Their wedding guests said it was the coldest wedding they could remember.  Being of the “Make do and mend” era, my mother had become a dab hand with a needle during the war years and, coupled with being a broke university student, had made her own wedding dress.  At the last minute she borrowed her father-in-law’s large wool vest to keep her warm.  After the ceremony, my father held open the car door for his beautiful new wife as the winter wind caught in her veil; the camera clicked and this lovely photograph of my parents, young and happy, was taken.

A few weeks ago my mother, now aged 88, was going through a box of old photographs with my daughter.  She picked one out and smiled, “Molly”, she said, “ Try to find a husband like this and you will be happy for the rest of your life”.   

Enough said…

If you are looking for a perfect winter wedding venue to begin your happily ever after, then The Pilgrims Rest in East Sussex might be just what you are looking for you. For more information please contact Amy on 07552873448 or email at venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk.

 
In December 2016 we launched The Pilgrims Rest as a new wedding venue.  At the time there were venues with completely catered packages and venues that came completely bare.  We wanted to offer a beautiful venue that gave couples the option to add their own spin but also offered some hand holding to ensure they actually enjoyed their wedding day.
 
The hand holding came in the form of Amy, our wedding manager.  I first met Amy after her boyfriend Sam who happened to be our farrier had come to trim our  particularly naughty donkeys’ feet.  After one of the donkeys decided to knock me to the ground and grind me into the gravel, Sam pulled me to my feet and we got chatting.  I discovered that his girlfriend, Amy, wanted to move from her 5 star hotel job where she was a wedding co-ordinator.  The timing was perfect as I was just about to advertise. Amy came to our house and I instantly knew she was the right fit.  Importantly, she laughed at my jokes (always a good start), she was enthusiastic, dedicated and really experienced - she was perfect!
 
Four months ago, with wedding bookings flooding in we advertised for another member of the team.  Very impressive C.V’s came in and we were ploughing through them when we had a call from one of our caterers.  He had met a lovely girl and thought we should meet her…
 
I have always felt I landed on my feet (when the donkey knocked me off mine) when I met Amy but I didn't expect it could happen twice.  This time there was no grazed arm but there she was, a little, smiley person shaking our hands, laughing at our jokes full of enthusiasm and energy.  Unbelievably, her name was Amy who also had a boyfriend called Sam.  Perhaps it was a sign but Amy and I both knew we couldn’t have found someone who was a better fit to join our little team.  
 
Our new Amy calls herself Amy Lou at work to avoid any confusion but I still call her Little Amy, Both Amys are a total joy to work with, going the extra mile to make our weddings perfect. It goes without saying that I think very highly of my professional, helpful team but when we receive letters of thanks from couples I am always particularly proud.  Here are a few comments from some recent weddings:
 
“We got married at The Pilgrims Rest in June 2018. From our first meeting Amy (and her sidekick 'little Amy') were absolutely brilliant. We wanted a DIY low-key, relaxed day in a beautiful venue and we got everything we could have hoped for and more. They both helped us with so many parts, from helping us find a bartender and staff who helped serving the food…  I would recommend them without a doubt, and all of our guests had a brilliant day. We chose The Pilgrims Rest for its beautiful old building and ambience, but the two Amy's with their unwavering hard work which is carried out with smiles and pure enthusiasm to make others happy made it a day we will remember forever.”
 
“Dear Amy and Amy We just wanted to say a very BIG thank you for helping to make Saturday such a wonderful day. You were both tremendous - so helpful, supportive and lovely to work with. Everyone is telling us what a lovely venue Pilgrims Rest is, not just because of the beautiful building but also because of the key part that you two play in making it so special. Thank you so much.”
 
“Honestly it was just the best day and I can not thank you enough for all you did for us, you were just wonderful and not once did I feel nervous or stressed about anything as I knew it was all in good hands by yourself :) I had so many people comment on how wonderful and lovely you were and how you just did everything you could to help our guests so thank you.”
 
If you are looking for an Amy to hold your hand on your wedding day with a stunning venue to match then look no further than The Pilgrims Rest. If you would like to arrange a time to view the venue please contact us on 07552873448 or email at venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk.