Southend Blog

From organising your hen party and helping you plan your day, to removing the confetti in your hair and delving in the depths of your dress to find that hidden hook for your train. Bridesmaids go above and beyond for their loved ones, so it is only natural to want to thank them with a gift as wonderful as they are.

Your bridesmaid tribe are an invaluable part of your wedding day team, so if you are looking for the perfect way to show your gratitude, keep reading for our pick of the best bridesmaid gifts for all budgets…

Gifts Tailored to Them

Thoughtfulness is the key to a great bridesmaid gift, so what better than a personalised present? Whether they love all things botanical, live for interiors or have an appetite for fashion and jewellery, lots of lovely businesses are now offering an in-house personalisation service – perfect for saying thank you for being on team bride.

The possibilities for personalised bridesmaid presents really are endless but below are just a few of our favourites…

Leading fragrance house, Jo Malone, offer some lovely options for personalisation on their candles, colognes and gift boxes. With a variety of scents ranging from their famous Lime, Basil and Mandarin to the quintessentially British English Pear & Freesia, there is a something to suit all tastes. A gift from this popular brand is guaranteed to be a hit in your bridesmaid gift bag.

Local to our wedding venue, West Sussex brand The Little Botanical offers personalisation on many of their gorgeous plant pots. Whether you are looking for a special Maid of Honour gift or just want to say ‘thank you for being my bridesmaid’, a houseplant with a thoughtful imprint makes a lovely bridesmaid gift that will continue to grow as your friendship blossoms.

Jewellery is a popular option for bridal party gifts and can also be worn as a bridesmaid accessory on the day, so why not take it one step further with a piece inscribed especially for your besties? From sweet pendants carved with their initials, to bejewelled earrings featuring their birthstone, the possibilities for thank you presents are endless and can be tweaked to suit the taste and style of each bridesmaid.

If you are looking for a wedding party gift they will treasure forever why not opt for a framed picture of the two of you. Whether taken during a special shared moment or from the wedding itself, this sweet bridesmaid present is guaranteed to bring a tear to her eye.

As well as wedding day gifts for the bridal party, couples are also becoming more and more creative with their bridesmaid proposals – personalisation is a great option if you are looking for a sweet way to ask the big ‘will you be my bridesmaid?’ question.

How about a personal and useful gift such as these personalised accessories from Katie Loxton? Choose from pouches, makeup bags and passport holders to bags and purses – all stylishly embellished with your bridesmaids’ initials or names.

Traditional Thank You Gifts

They are classics for a reason. These traditional bridesmaid gifts are a wonderful way to say thank you to bridesmaids, no matter what their personal style is.

Treat them to their tipple of choice, from a much-loved flavoured gin to a vintage bottle of bubbles.

One of our favourites, which we think makes a great choice as a wedding day gift is a bottle of sparkling wine from local West Sussex vineyard Tinwood Estate. A stone’s throw from Southend Barns, Tinwood offer a trio of delectable sparkling wines ranging from the soft pink Brut Rosé to the delicate Blanc de Blancs and of course the vineyard’s very first offering, Tinwood Brut. We think they are so good that the wines also feature as part of our Roots drinks menu!

If your bridesmaids are more about the florals than the bubbles, a beautiful bouquet delivered to their door might be just the thing to show them how much you care.

Chichester is full of beautiful flower shops many of whom offer same day delivery to the local area. Choose from a seasonal array of bouquets or alternatively go bespoke with an arrangement created with your bridesmaid in mind. Don’t forget to add a thoughtful handwritten card for that added personal touch.

The sweetest of treats will always be indulgent chocolate. With a range of luxury options available, chocolate now holds its own in the world of wedding party gifting. From the decadent delights of champagne truffles to Hotel Chocolat’s most mouth-watering chocolate box, this is a classic – but always popular – way to thank your bridesmaids.

Who doesn’t love a candle? Whether you’re led by the beautiful packaging, fabulous fragrances or those with personalisation options, this is always a great gift for bridesmaids. Here at Southend Barns, we have our own range of luxury candles that would make lovely keepsakes.

The Gift of Relaxation

It is always lovely to have something to look forward to once the big day is over. Whilst for you that might mean a honeymoon, why not give your tribe something special to look forward to with a group spa day? Not only is this a great opportunity for you all to get together once again, it is also a lovely way to thank your bridesmaids and reward them for all their hard work.

If you are looking for an extra special way to treat your Maid of Honour then why not gift her a stay in our luxury shepherd’s hut? Located on our farm in the tranquil West Sussex countryside, the hut comes fully equipped for ultimate relaxation – complete with sparkling wine and a delicious breakfast hamper from our Roots kitchen.

DIY Bridesmaid Gifts

Wanting to do something a bit more sentimental? Why not put your creative skills to good use and create some handmade bridesmaid gifts. You could present them with a surprise getting ready kit on the morning of your wedding with customised dressing gowns, slippers or PJs and a mini bottle of bubbly. Or create goodie bags filled with all their favourite things in celebration of your friendship – their favourite sweets, a photo montage, nail varnish or a charm as well as a well written thank you card.

Whether you are looking for something fun, meaningful or practical, there are so many ways to say thank you to your bridesmaid team. There are no set rules on budget either – from splashing out to creating something low-cost but made with love, your bridesmaid besties will appreciate the token.

Located in picturesque Sussex, our rustic wedding venue has so much to offer. As well as beautiful indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, landscaped gardens and a stunning reception barn, Southend Barns also has two beautiful and luxurious accommodation spaces for you and your beau on the night of your wedding.

For your wider wedding party, this part of the world does not disappoint, offering a range of choices from luxury hotels to boutique B&Bs all located near our rustic barn wedding venue.

At Southend Barns we strive to make your wedding planning as stress free as possible and so our team have gathered together some of the best accommodation near our wedding barns – all located in Chichester and the surrounding area.

The Milking Parlour, Southend Barns

With views across its own private rose-filled courtyard, our Milking Parlour Bridal Suite is a dreamy place to spend your first night of married life. Complete with roaring wood burner, the Milking Parlour also offers a luxurious place to get ready for your wedding or steal a quiet moment alone during the festivities.

Find out more.

Mama Lou Shepherd’s Hut, Southend Barns

Set in our alpaca’s grazing field with its own festoon lit path and pretty garden, our shepherd’s hut is the epitome of luxury glamping. Fitted with everything you could possibly need including a wood burner and prosecco stocked fridge, this is a peaceful and beautiful place to relax after a wonderful wedding day.

Find out more.

Boutique Accommodation near Southend Barns

If your guests wish to continue their luxurious wedding day experience even after the clock has struck 12, then our surrounding area of Chichester, West Sussex does not disappoint. A stones throw from our wedding venue, you can find some charming boutique hotels or self catering options that we’ve tried and tested:

Tinwood Estate
Musgrove House Boutique B&B
Purchases

Chichester City Centre Accommodation

Famed for its magnificent Cathedral, Roman walls and impressive culture, the stunning city of Chichester is the perfect location for guests to find accommodation for your wedding weekend. Only three miles from Southend Barns, the city boasts a great selection of hotels and B&Bs:

East Walls Hotel
Chichester Harbour Hotel and Spa
The George & Dragon Inn
The Clock House

Large Hotels near Southend Barns

If you would rather your loved ones stayed under one roof, there are several hotels local to our Sussex barn wedding venue with plenty of space for larger groups:

Chichester Harbour Hotel and Spa
The Goodwood Hotel
Chichester Park Hotel

Budget Hotels near Southend Barns

We know some wedding guests simply need a warm place to rest their head following your special day and we are pleased to say Chichester offers several budget friendly options when it comes to lower cost accommodation.

Travelodge
Premier Inn

If you need some help or advice on finding the right accommodation for you and your guests, please do get in touch to chat to our team.

As more and more couples opt for a plant-based menu on their big day, our Roots team are continually redeveloping our vegan and vegetarian offering. With produce sourced from across the local area, including our own Roots Kitchen Garden, the menu packs a punch both in flavour and creativity.

In honour of Veganuary we thought we would celebrate some of our most popular plant-based dishes, guaranteed – whether you are plant-based or not – to satisfy.

Scrumptious Starters

Gone are the days of a measly side salad to accommodate plant-based friends. Our Roots starter menu is full of flavoursome and imaginative dishes, delicious enough to tempt even the most carnivorous wedding guests.

Some of our stand out options include:

• Crispy gochujang cauliflower, Nutbourne tomato, coriander, mango and miso chutney
• Halloumi fries, green slaw, torched gem lettuce, pomegranate, mint yoghurt
• Beetroot and chickpea scotch egg, three beet salad, watercress salad and mayonnaise. Beetroot ketchup

Magnificent Mains

Our plant-based mains feature a mouth-watering and diverse selection of dishes that will form a memorable centrepiece to your wedding breakfast. From katsu halloumi to delicious butternut gnocchi, below are some of our most popular options:

• Sussex wild mushroom, leek and toasted pumpkin seed tortellini, local asparagus and pea salad, pumpkin puree, pine nut pesto
• Butternut gnocchi, Sussex wild mushrooms, miso, spinach, charred spring onions, toasted sesame seeds
• Katsu halloumi, sesame rice, green slaw, pickled carrots and radish, katsu sauce

Delicious Desserts

Our decadent menu of plant-based delights elevates vegan desserts to new heights. Whether deconstructed sweets are your thing, dark and indulgent chocolate or a twist on a British classic, these are just some of our most loved plant-tastic puddings…

• Deconstructed strawberry and mango pavlova, mango sorbet, mango and pink pepper jelly, vanilla cream, strawberry gel
• Chocolate brownie, chocolate goo, chocolate meringue, raspberry sorbet
• Pink Lady apple tarte tatin, salted caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream

Click here to browse our full plant-based menu

There is nothing like a winter wedding at Southend Barns. From the frost dancing across our landscaped gardens to the warm glow of twinkling lights inviting you in from the cold, there really is a touch of magic here during winter.

Over the years we have seen our couples embrace their winter nuptials with some truly wonderful ideas. Read on for a dose of seasonal wedding inspiration…

Where The Love Light Gleams

With a canopy of twinkling fairy lights, striking old wooden beams and elegant, tall Christmas tree, our Threshing Barn lends itself beautifully to winter wonderland styling.

Whether your heart sings for flowers in crisp, cool seasonal whites or traditional festive greenery elevated with vibrant touches of red and gold, our barns provide the perfect backdrop to all winter themes.

Our Elegant Ivory Styling Selection is also a beautiful choice for winter, embracing seasonal tones with white and green silk flowers, antique silver touches and the warm glow of candlelight. Find out more about this and our other in-house Styling Selections here.

Have a Cup of Cheer

Delighting in the decadent is what cold weather cuisine is all about, so why not pepper your menu with some yuletide classics?

Roots catering has created some delicious seasonal dishes over the years including “pigs in blanket” with cranberry, mustard and honey dip, overnight shoulder of lamb with a cranberry and mint glaze, slow-cooked blade of beef with allotment vegetables and pink pepper mash, and a mouth-watering mince pie and frangipan tart served with rosemary pine custard.

And don’t forget the drinks – from hot chocolate complete with all the trimmings to warm and fragrant mulled wine (one of our chef’s specialities) and of course the ever popular espresso martini, set your winter’s scene with delicious drinks enjoyed to the backdrop of our roaring firepit and sheltered Collecting Yard.

The Prettiest Sight to See

Whether you dream of old Hollywood glamour or ethereal beauty for your wedding day look, winter offers a wealth of possibilities. Is your style a stunning long sleeved lace dress with sweeping train, a faux fur cape or jewel encrusted gown? The cooler months lend themselves perfectly to everything from high glamour to edgy wedding day chic.

Make the Season Bright

Nothing says celebration like a dazzling display of fireworks – particularly on a crisp night. Here at Southend Barns we are mindful of our surrounding countryside and so use a specialist, low noise supplier to fill our skies with sparkle and cascading colour. If you are interested in arranging a firework display for your big day, do chat to our team who will be more than happy to help.

Sunday 19 February 2023, 10.30am – 2.30pm

Are you planning a wedding and looking for some inspiration? Then look no further, as we are hosting our Wedding Fair on Sunday 19th February 2023!

We have handpicked wedding suppliers that offer high-end and distinctive services. The chosen suppliers have all been tried and tested by our own wedding couples, and will be on hand to showcase their services and answer any questions guests may have.

The Wedding Fair will cover every wedding aspect, with suppliers being spread across the Dairy Barn, Threshing Barn & Bridal Suite. The plethora of stands will include videographers and photographers, wedding stationers, cake makers, musicians and stylists, to name just a few.

To book your place at this FREE event click here.

 

This year we are delighted to be launching a special offer for those dreaming of a beautiful weekday wedding!

Available on Thursdays and Fridays during November 2022 and select months in 2023 and 2024, the offer includes exclusive use of Southend Barns for up to 60 day guests and an additional 20 evening guests, plus a range of other benefits.

As well as full use of the Barns – including our Milking Parlour Bridal Suite and Mama Lou Shepherd’s Hut for the night of the wedding – our weekday offer features a mouth-watering catering package. This includes a delicious three course set menu with a choice of some of our most popular Roots dishes, evening food and a drinks package.

To give you the relaxing wedding day you deserve and ensure our venue is looking its absolute best, the Threshing Barn will be lit with a canopy of fairy lights and tables will be decorated in our Elegant Ivory Styling Selection. This timeless styling option features tablescapes of beautiful white and green silk flowers offset by antique silver touches, glass table numbers and the warm glow of candlelight. All tableware including white table linen and napkins is also included as is a selection of other styling additions such as drapes, sheepskin rugs and a cake stand and knife.

For more details about our Midweek Offer including prices click here.

There is something we all love about a spring wedding! Maybe it’s the longer days, warmer weather or the gardens coming to life with a wash of gorgeous colour – and it doesn’t hurt that our wedding venue looks rather spectacular at this time of year too!

Springtime provides a wealth of glorious wedding inspiration. From embracing florals in all forms to making the most of the improving weather, keep reading for all the spring wedding inspiration you could ask for…

The Great Outdoors

From our tranquil landscaped gardens right through to our outdoor ceremony space and countryside setting, make the most of our picturesque location with outdoor reception drinks and ensure your photographer captures perfect wedding day pictures in all of the secret beauty spots dotted around our venue.

Worried about the weather? Never fear, many of our outdoor spaces can be enjoyed all year round. Carefully designed to be the perfect outdoor reception space, our Collecting Yard comes fully equipped with a roaring fire pit, heaters, glass screens and cosy blankets.

Flirty Florals

Nothing says spring like bouquets bursting with glorious blooms! Whether you are planning a vibrant tablescape or luscious greenery, our barns are the perfect place to let your creative juices flow. We also offer a range of styling options including Wild & Green and Champagne Rose – perfect for adding that spring touch to your big day.

Let the Good Times Roll

With a little more mood boosting sun around, spring is also a great time to include some fun lawn games, alfresco acoustic music, balloon installations and floral confetti.

Taste the Season

Finally, don’t forget the menu! From the best in seasonal produce to botanical drinks and more, our talented Roots team can help you create a feast to perfectly complement your wedding day theme.

 

Our team are experts in predicting the rise and fall of new wedding trends – from classic looks to hot-off-the-press styling, here we divulge some of our predictions for the hippest wedding themes for the coming year…

All the colours of the rainbow

Following a shift towards romantic neutrals in recent years, beautiful brights are on the rise! After the postponement of many weddings due to the pandemic, lots of couples are embracing the colours of the rainbow to ensure the most uplifting wedding day possible.

Even if you aren’t onboard with employing the full paint-box in your wedding styling, this vivacious trend is wonderfully simple to weave into your day. From a bouquet of vibrant flowers to silken bridesmaid dresses in an array of hues, or perhaps bright and beautiful.

Bringing the inside out

Although for several years now we have seen a penchant for bringing the outside in, in a historically Edwardian move, couples are turning the tables and taking home comforts into the great outdoors for both their ceremony and reception – think outdoor chandeliers, cosy sofas, twinkling fairy lights and luxurious fabrics.

Our Secret Garden plays to this trend perfectly with plenty of room to embellish the simply stylish pergola and benches with sumptuous throws and glistening outdoor lighting.

Here in England the weather isn’t always on your side, but if a luxurious outdoor reception is what you want, we have you covered – literally! Our sheltered and heated Collecting Yard is spacious enough to accommodate a variety of outdoor reception options. Whether you are dreaming of an outdoor festival vibe or have more of an alfresco drawing room in mind. The Collecting Yard has an outdoor bar, fire pit and faces our landscaped central gardens so – whatever the weather – our beautiful surroundings can be enjoyed by all.

A feast for the senses

More couples are looking to create an unforgettable wedding day experience that engages all the senses – sights, sounds, smells and tastes! A big part of this movement involves the wedding day food and drink. From Pimp your Prosecco and our outdoor cocktail and espresso martini bar, we’re going a step further by creating features such as a new outdoor kitchen area where guests can see the food being cooked in front of them and delight in the visual spectacle of the chefs at work.