On 27 Jul 2015 at 7:01pm Edward wrote:
Hello,
We're looking for somewhere to have our wedding ceremony in Lewes in July 2016. We wanted to get married in The Town Hall but they're leaving in June 2016 and can't guarantee they'll have moved back to Southover Grange by then - so we can't book it and therefore don't want to book our wedding reception venue yet either. Anyone got any ideas? We're just looking for a wedding ceremony venue. Anne of Cleves' house isn't quite big enough and some members of our party can't manage the stairs at Lewes Castle.
Thanks
Ed
On 27 Jul 2015 at 8:07pm Amon wildes wrote:
The grange would be super - just had an ad hoc pagan ceremony in the Priory Ruins as no where else big enough and didn't want the Town Hall! After ceremony we had 120 in the Grange Gardens with Champagne and then a great party at Zu Studios. Zu was great and Martin and rest of Zu staff really fantastic. When the Grange finally re-opens, you will be able to have around 80 plus at ceremony in One of the downstairs rooms and the gardens are perfect for photos. What's not to like ....
On 27 Jul 2015 at 8:36pm Wedding photographer wrote:
In the town you could choose Pelham House Hotel or the Shelleys Hotel. Both probably more expensive than The Grange or Town Hall, but of course you can have your reception there too. You could also choose The White Hart, but if I'm honest I wouldn't! (See recent post on this forum).
If you're willing to travel out of Lewes you could try Broyle Place, or Laughton Barns, or Northease Manor. Maybe try East Sussex Council website, which will have a list of all licensed venues.
On 27 Jul 2015 at 9:28pm Newell Fisher wrote:
Without any reservation we would recommend Westgate Chapel.
On 27 Jul 2015 at 10:35pm Gary wrote:
I'm afraid I don't have any real suggestions for you but wish you all the best for the big day.
Kind regards,
Gary
On 28 Jul 2015 at 10:37am 8 miles from home wrote:
You'll probably get to use all the above venue's in the next 10 years. 
On 28 Jul 2015 at 11:06am huw wrote:
I've been to a few weddings at Pelham House and they've been great. Wedding, lunch and evening bash all in the same place.
Other than churches I'm not sure where else you can get married in Lewes (you've already discounted Anne of Cleves and the Castle and Southover Grange/Town Hall may not be available).
For receptions for a large party I liked the new Cooksbridge Hall, it's got a small but usable kitchen and plenty of outdoor space if the weather is nice.
I thought Zu Studios and the Santon owned places in the Phoenix estate were no longer able to host parties with booze but am unsure of details.
On 28 Jul 2015 at 2:04pm Nancy Boyes wrote:
Michelham Priory is a bit further out than you might have intended but it is a great place for weddings. They can cater for larger parties and will do the whole package if you wish. It belongs to the Sussex Archeaological Society too so your expenditure would go straight back into helping preserve the place as well as Anne of Cleve's House, Lewes Castle and a host of other properties.
On 28 Jul 2015 at 3:43pm Merlin Milner wrote:
Not sure that I understand why you cannot use ten Town Hall. It hosts many weddings and will continue to do so. A with other venues the registrar can always visit if they have moved to Southover House.
On 28 Jul 2015 at 6:44pm Merlin Milner wrote:
Meant to write Grange not House. Doh.
On 28 Jul 2015 at 9:47pm Bit out of town, but... wrote:
Wilmington Priory. Landmark Trust. Big and beautiful and a church right next door. I echo the lovely Gary's sentiments--good luck on your special day!
On 28 Jul 2015 at 11:17pm Amon wildes wrote:
Well Huw, we've just had a great wedding at Zu Studios - 11th July. They have a proper license, and the Fire Officer visits,,and has ok'd it - fire doors etc. in place. They have a bar and charge a fair corkage for the booze we had for the meal. All in all, it is to be recommended for a great, slightly out of the ordinary wedding. All our guests loved it and thought they had returned to the '60's!
On 29 Jul 2015 at 3:35am Fairmeadow wrote:
Broyle Place is good, if you are prepared to go 3 miles out of town. All on one level, wheelchair friendly.
On 29 Jul 2015 at 9:01am huw wrote:
Sorry Amon I must have been mistaken.
I knew that Santon had made it so that the Sausage roll cook off couldn't go ahead (we tried to help out by hosting it) and that other events had been cancelled due to this.
It must mean that Santon have backed down from their stance of a month or so ago or it wasn't a blanket condition laid down on all the premises.
Zu do not hold a licence but run events on a TENs system (Temporary Event Notice) and this may be where some of my confusion lies as they had been refused a TENs after an incident there. Maybe they have put controls in place and the police are no longer objecting to them.
Obviously I'm wrong about something as you had a wedding there a couple of weeks ago so I appologise again for the mistake and am glad you had a good event.
On 29 Jul 2015 at 11:41am Amon wildes wrote:
You may well be right that it was a temporary licence Just for our wedding Huw and obviously everyone down there is on a wing and a Prayer and Santon's ?goodwill. However, the fire office did inspect that morning and obviously ok'd it. I know about the incident but they have cctv in now I think and all was very quiet down and behind there that night...... So, we had a great time. Can't fault them; everything pretty clean and tidied up and plenty staff.
On 29 Jul 2015 at 6:31pm little wren wrote:
Use a local independent celebrant then you can have your wedding ceremony anywhere you choose. You can then book any room in the Town Hall, registrar doesn't have to be there and there doesn't have to be a license.
Zu good. Priory Field. Any local hall (very cheap) Any hotel. Buttercup cafe. Any pub with a functions room.
The legal bit can be done in the registry office during the week at the cheaper range and make the ceremony with the Celebrant the main ceremony.
Using a Celebrant means that you can have a ceremony that is magical and about YOU. The registry one is the usual ceremony that everyone has seen lot's of times.
If you need a local Celebrant I can recommend lots of good ones.
On 31 Jul 2015 at 1:28pm CheckYourFactsPlease wrote:
Town Hall WILL be available in 2016 - the County Registrars have block-booked it for the past couple of years, and will go back (sometime) to a revamped Southover Grange, but the Town Hall held weddings for years before they came, and will continue after they have gone. Talk to the Town Hall manager - Lee Symons - very helpful bloke.