 The poet Robert Browning once wrote “Less is more”. It might not seem that way during this period of lockdown as there is certainly less - less loo paper, less flour, less social gatherings, less freedom, less jobs and sadly, less lives. Front line workers risk their lives every day, so asking us to put ours on hold during this time is the very least we can do.
It may be a tricky time but for those of us lucky enough not to be a front line worker, lockdown, whether you love it or hate it has given us a once in a lifetime chance to take a deep breath and pause - a unique opportunity to look at our lives, make decisions about our futures, and importantly discover what really matters. So, is it possible that during this time of less we discover to our surprise that we actually have more? Speaking to friends and family via zoom or Face Time, a familiar pattern is emerging - people have sought out new hobbies, dug vegetable gardens and taken up jogging. Previously, taking two hours out for a long walk would be unheard of during the working day; now it feels “allowed”. Many people are taking this time to help others; shopping for vulnerable neighbours or grandparents, even making videos that keep us all laughing. A DJ friend of mine recently had a live kitchen party raising money for food banks. And look at Captain Tom donning his zimmer frame and raising millions of pounds for the NHS! Life is different but in some ways better. Teenagers have happily taken up cooking, sewing and playing cards. Before lockdown, they might have groaned watching their parents dance around the kitchen table - now it has become a family affair as ELO’s Mr Blue Sky and laughter fills the room. What this very strange period of our lives has given us is real, old fashioned time; something that many of us enjoyed in our youth but has sadly been taken over by technology and fast paced lives. We now have time to read and play, time to take in the amazing world we live in; time to stop. In this period of less to do, we simply have more time… to do more. So, you may be asking, what has all this to do with a wedding blog? It is simple really - as a couple, you are in the rare position to pause and take stock of your wedding day. You may decide to re-think your wedding plans, - perhaps adjust your budget. If you are new to wedding planning and are looking for a venue, then use this time to find one that offers more for less (it can work both ways!). You might even revisit your guest list and plan a more intimate wedding - keeping it to those you have genuinely missed during lockdown, and those who will happily take your hand and spin you around on those kitchen tiles. Whatever you do, while planning your wedding, finding the more in the less is something well worth trying. We can’t meet you in person right now but if you would like more information or perhaps book a one to one 3d show round of our beautiful Pilgrims Rest please email us at venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk Or call us on 07552873448 Photo by Sarah Williams Photography Flowers by The Enchanted Flower Venue styling by The Pilgrims Rest
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 I have been reading many posts on wedding facebook groups over the last week or so. This pandemic has for some completely taken over from the joy, and fun, of planning their wedding. Understandably many have taken to facebook asking for advice and voicing their concerns, uncertainty and even rage. Some feel they can’t express their fears to their loved ones and find a group of strangers in the same boat a good place to offload. The only problem is that this often up ends up fuelling fear which makes matters worse.
At the same time there are also some surprisingly positive stories. For example, a front line worker who’s wedding has been cancelled and is desperately looking for a discontinued Asos dress, discovers that Provonias is offering free dresses to NHS engaged workers; photographs of smiling couples who didn’t want to wait and dashed off to tie the knot with online links to family and friends— their big celebration postponed to another date; hysterical videos that make you cry with laughter and completely lift your soul. For every wedding cup half empty there are two champagne glasses still overflowing! This is a strange and difficult time for all. But we know that this won’t last forever and when our wedding days begin again we are happy in the knowledge that they will be even better! Who isn’t going to want to party until their feet ache after lockdown?! In the meantime, Amy Lou has been on the phone reassuring booked and future couples and doing everything she can to help them. Anita is tending the garden and polishing the building to keep it perfect for when the doors of The Pilgrims Rest will once again fly open. So for everyone who is nervous our advice is to call us if you have concerns . We are here for you - ready with a little more hand holding (albeit virtual) than normal. Take a deep breath, crack open a bottle of bubbly, fill it to the top and remember… Keep Positive and Marry On! If you would like to speak to our wedding team please call on 07552873448 or email venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk Photo by the lovely Georgina Piper Photography...  "Keep Calm and Marry On”
The message from the wedding industry - “Keep calm and marry on”; it makes it sound easy doesn’t it? But, in reality this is a message worth taking on board for couples looking to make plans and tie the knot. The next few weeks are a very uncertain time for everyone but we know this time will eventually pass and things will return to normal. The concern is that there may be a shortage of available dates with weddings being postponed. While possible, visiting wedding venues and securing your wedding date is a good idea. With this in mind it is, however, important to find out what wedding venues are doing to protect people visiting their building whether for a show round or an actual wedding. We cannot speak for other venues but at The Pilgrims Rest we have put in measures which will hopefully put couple’s minds at rest. Those with elderly family or with health issues have understandable concerns but also desperately want them to be there on the day. So as a wedding venue what are we doing to make sure our venue is as safe an environment as possible for your loved ones? It goes without saying that our wedding team is already working from home. We never have back to back weddings anyway as we like to give the building a deep clean followed by a good airing (call us old fashioned) after every wedding to keep it fresh. Although this is standard practice for us, it also means that in this climate, our normal processes actually reduce any risk of cross contamination. We have increased our already fastidious cleaning regime and Anita, who maintains the building in-between weddings, is on hand both before and after weddings to disinfect surfaces, door handles - anything that might be touched basically, as well as her normal sprinkling of fairy dust around the venue. Importantly, we are still showing The Pilgrims Rest to couples and are keeping exclusive appointments (as we always do) to set times, ensuring the venue is kept as empty as possible. Amy Lou will welcome you with an elbow knock rather than a hand shake (she would normally prefer a hug) and show you around our beautiful historic venue. She is also asking anyone coming into the building to wash their hands straight away. In-between appointments Anita sweeps round like a whirling dervish making sure everything is clean. It might sound over the top, but we feel this is incredibly important for the safety of all our couples, and their families. For those wary of coming to visit but still wanting more information we are also working hard to do personal remote show rounds using a video link. Although it isn’t possible to completely capture the real soul of the venue it will give couples a better idea of the space and layout. If you would like to book a remote show round then we shall arrange a time and a member of our team will walk you around from The Great Hall upstairs to both the Fitzherbert and Bryant dressing rooms, answering any questions you might have. Please contact the team on 07552873448 or venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk to book a viewing. We look forward to welcoming you to The Pilgrims Rest either in person or by video link... Photography: Simon Booth Photography  When engaged couples are looking at planning their wedding they can become frustrated with some venues being restrictive in what they allow (and don’t allow) them to do. For some, venues that promote a “blank canvas” can seem like a breath of fresh air but beware - this can become a more costly route than you might think. Often these venues really are what they say - blank and also completely empty. Barns especially can be dark, cavernous spaces until cleverly lit, furnished and decorated. It is easy to spend thousands of pounds of a wedding budget turning a blank space into a spectacular one. To re-create that Pinterest wedding you have been hankering after takes a great deal of time, money and effort. If you can afford a venue dresser that can be a great solution, but this does come at a price. If your budget does not stretch to a venue dresser you will probably be relying heavily on friends and family to help you achieve your dreams. So what if you could find a wedding venue that doesn’t need lots of decorating to make it sing? One that has been thoughtfully designed and furnished to make life as easy as possible? One that provides lots of added extras to keep costs down for their couples? So where, I hear you ask, can you find such a place? The Pilgrims Rest is a truly unique wedding venue in the heart of East Sussex. You won’t need to pay for a venue dresser here. In fact, many couples end up bringing almost nothing at all partly due to our team designing and creating beautiful seasonal looks. Not only a stunning 600 year old venue with a vaulted Great Hall and three working inglenook fireplaces, but one that has been thoughtfully designed and furnished. Full of rustic charm and historic soul The Pilgrims Rest is a wedding venue unlike any other.  We now have two separate changing rooms to keep everything under one roof, complete with vintage dressing tables, full-length mirrors and chaise longues to fur topped benches in The Great Hall; every detail has been considered. The Dining Room comes with beautiful limewashed trestle tables wide enough for sharing platters and Chivari chairs. A cake table and stand, wine buckets and garlands wrapped in pea-lights as well as pewter candlesticks, candles for the tables and vintage decanters are all included. The cosy Webster bar has a rustic bar, drinks fridge, drinks dispensers and champagne baths - all ready for you to use. Don’t forget the piles of wood for the fires! To top it off you can set up the afternoon before, and collect anything left behind the morning after the wedding.
The Pilgrims rest is a dry hire venue with a difference. We offer couples the flexibility and choice to have their wedding just how they want, with no fixed suppliers, no corkage charges and no hidden extras. Bring your own caterers or have a DIY wedding if you choose and, if you want more help, The Pilgrims Rest team have a little black book of all their trusted Sussex suppliers. Importantly, a member of the wedding team will be there on the day to hold your hand and ensuring the day runs smoothly, leaving you, your family and your friends to relax and really enjoy your wedding day. If you would like to book an appointment to see this stunning Sussex gem then contact The Pilgrims Rest team today on 07552873448 or email at venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk. |