We're looking for Sussex newlyweds who have said 'I do' this year. Any couples can enter the competition: it doesn't matter whether the event was large or small; modest or spectacular. Just click on the heart to put your wedding forward. If you've been successful, we'll be in touch.
Here are our most recent shortlisted couples - vote for who you'd like to see go through to the final, which will be held in spring next year.
Voting for this round closes on 20 August 2010.
Wedding Fact File
Couple: Nicola & Vincent
Date: 20th February
Ceremony venue: All Saints Church, Herstmonceux
Reception venue: The Sundial Restaurant, Herstmonceux
Theme: Winter elegance
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Nicola says:
A memorable part of the day for us was... as we sipped our last glass of champagne at The Grand Hotel where we stayed the night of the wedding. Earlier that day we'd had True Love Ways by Buddy Holly playing while we signed the register, then at The Grand Hotel there was a house band on which played the same song. It was a beautiful ending to a gorgeous day; what were the chances of them playing that particular song?
A particularly funny moment was... my dad's speech. He has been waiting 20 years for us to get married, so he dipped his speech in tea to make it look like a very old piece of paper.
The biggest surprise on the day was... when we received handmade wedding cards from our three- and six-year-old bridesmaids - it was very sweet.
Overall our day was... just perfect.
Photography by Justine Claire Photography
www.justineclaire.com
Click here to vote! |
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Wedding Fact File
Couple: Beki & Phil
Date: 29th May
Ceremony venue: Brighton Town Hall
Reception venue: Drinks on the pier followed by a weddingbarbecue at a friend's house in Upper Beeding
Theme: Birds and hearts
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Beki says:
We had originally planned to marry... in Iceland but we decided rethink this when the volcano causing the ash cloud showed no signs of letting up; it was just 10 miles away from where we'd planned to tie-the-knot. So, as our first date was on Brighton Pier it seemed like the perfect place to celebrate our marriage.
A memorable part of the day for us was... walking from Brighton Town Hall to the pier under umbrellas with the rest of the wedding party. It was comical to see everybody getting wet and windswept.
The biggest surprise on the day was... being picked up by a wedding tuk-tuk at the end of the pier.
Our day was... soggy but special, we wouldn't change anything.
Photography by Sussex Wedding Photographer
www.sussexweddingphotographer.com
Click here to vote! |
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Wedding Fact File
Couple: Gill & Robert
Date: 8th May
Ceremony venue: Royal Pavilion, Brighton
Reception venue: Radisson Blu hotel, Brighton
Colour scheme: Claret and cream
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Gill says:
Our wedding day was very special because... we currently live in Dubai so we don't see our family and friends very often. We chose to have an intimate wedding, with just immediate relatives and our closest friends so that we would have plenty of time to catch up with everyone. We have some great photographs that bring back wonderful memories of the day.
Although we have been together for a number of years... being able to refer to Robert as my husband for the first time was very special.
The most pleasant surprise of the day was when... our friends arranged for the best man, who was unable to attend the wedding as he was ill with laryngitis, to give his speech using skype. They had set up a projector screen and he had flash cards to use when his voice gave out.
Overall our day was... lovely and relaxed.
Photography by Sussex Wedding Photographer
www.sussexweddingphotographer.com
Click here to vote! |
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Wedding Fact File
Couple: Helen and Gavin
Date: 17th April
Venue: Wiston House, Steyning
Theme: Subtle Indian touches |
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Helen says:
A memorable part of the day for us was... our humanist ceremony. All of our guests stood in a 'circle of love' surrounding us so that they could see the exchanging of rings, vows and readings at close hand. Everyone enjoyed feeling involved, and it was very moving for us to have our loved ones so close.
My dress was... very special to me. I wanted something a bit different and I really liked up-and-coming designer Judy Clarke's work, so I emailed her to see if she was interested in designing a wedding gown, and she agreed. I didn't see the finished dress until the day before the wedding, but I think the final design is pretty special.
The biggest surprise was... that we were blessed with a gorgeous, warm and sunny day - there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It really added to everyone's cheery spirits and lent an extra special feeling to the day.
Overall our wedding was... so special, thanks to absolutely everyone involved. We had such a wonderful day and couldn't believe how lucky we were - we still can't.
Photography by Peter Prior
www.peterprior.com
Click here to vote! |
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The overall winners will not only claim the all-important Wedding of the Year title, they'll also win a night's stay at the luxurious five-star Grand Hotel on Eastbourne's seafront, worth £1,000. As well as bedding down in a master suite, the lucky winning couple will be treated to dinner at The Mirabelle - the hotel's fine dining resturant - a relaxing spa treatment and use of the health club. For more information visit www.elitehotels.co.uk.
