East Sussex is a county packed full of vibrant culture and amazing scenery. From the Brighton coast with the instantly recognisable skeletal remains of the West Pier, to the rolling hills of South Downs National Park, East Sussex has so much to offer. Not only is it a beautiful part of the country with loads of history, but it also has a fantastic arts and culture scene. On top of that, East Sussex has a great connection to the LGBTQ+ community, with Brighton in particular known as the gay capital of the UK. So it’s safe to say that the region celebrates love, which is why it makes for such an amazing place to host your wedding.
Our 2025 Wedding Report uncovered that East Sussex and the rest of the South East region is where 16% of all UK weddings take place, making it the most popular part of the country to tie the knot. The average cost of a wedding in the area is £22,644, which is almost £2,000 more than the national UK average of £20,822. Clearly, couples don’t let this put them off, with the landscape, atmosphere and variety available being more than worth it.
From romantic coastal towns to rolling countryside and historic castles, East Sussex offers a picture-perfect setting for weddings of all shapes and sizes, as well as options that suit every budget.
East Sussex is known for its creative, fun and personalised weddings, from Brighton’s vibrant, inclusive energy to the boho countryside vibes of Lewes and beyond.
Rustic-chic remains a firm favourite, with couples opting for barn venues, wildflower bouquets, vintage props and relaxed sharing-style menus. Many celebrations take inspiration from the landscape, with seasonal flowers, local wines and Sussex produce making regular appearances.
Coastal weddings bring a more playful and colourful vibe, often featuring fish and chips, beach huts and the must-do seafront photos on the Brighton Pier and in front of the ruins of the West Pier. For those getting married during Pride season, LGBTQ+ inclusive celebrations are particularly popular in Brighton and Hove.
Sussex is home to 140 vineyards, with sparkling wine being among the most commonly produced in the area. Couples love to celebrate this by including local fizz in their big day, such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier or Chardonnay.
Eco-conscious weddings are also on the rise in East Sussex, with couples looking for sustainable and local catering, florists and venues with green initiatives, to help lower the environmental impact of their big day.
Whether you’re after a beachside wedding, a celebration hidden away in the woods or a luxury affair at a stately manor, East Sussex has you covered, no matter what you’re looking for in your wedding venue.
With 140 miles of coastline running through the county, you might not be too surprised to hear that East Sussex has absolutely bags of history, including plenty of castles and historic manor houses. Many of these places date back centuries, and with plenty of them having space for you to host your wedding, you can immerse yourselves in all the stories they have to offer – while making your own! Is there anything more magical than getting married in a castle? Wadhurst Castle, Battle Abbey School and Lewes Castle each have their own grandeur and charm, meaning they should shoot right to the top of your list of considerations. If you’d prefer a manor or stately home, East Sussex has an amazing selection, including Brickwall House, Buxted Park Hotel, Great Ote Hall, Buckhurst Park and Stone House Country Estate. If luxury and elegance are what you’re after on your wedding day, East Sussex certainly has you covered.
From a variety of beaches and dramatic cliffs along the coast to the beautiful countryside of the South Downs National Park, East Sussex is the ideal place to host an outdoor wedding ceremony and reception, especially during the warmer months. And loads of venues have great outside spaces, immersing you in the great outdoors. Take a look at venues including Bower in the Wood, Frickley Lake and Crockstead Fields, which all have truly wonderful outdoor wedding venue space in East Sussex.
As East Sussex is known for its fun, inclusive and creative culture, this is reflected in many of the region’s wedding venues, which themselves offer something a little bit different. The Royal Pavilion is arguably one of Brighton’s most iconic buildings and a real showstopper. Hastings Museum & Art Gallery is filled with historic artefacts, and is based in a town steeped with major history. Anne of Cleves House was once home to Henry VIII’s fourth wife, and one of the lucky ones to have avoided execution. Alfriston War Memorial Hall is a beautiful village hall with so much character. And Brighton i360 offers stunning views across the county and the English Channel.
If you’re on a budget, despite being one of the more expensive counties to get married in based on average spend, there are actually loads of options when it comes to affordable wedding venues in East Sussex. And a lower cost doesn’t have to mean lower quality, either. Venues like Hendall Manor Barns, East Sussex National Resort, Oculist, Plumpton Racecourse and Wingrove House are all affordable and absolutely worth considering.
The average cost of a wedding venue in East Sussex is £5,626, which is over £1,000 more than the national average. But it’s important to remember that this figure is just that – an average. There’s a massive selection of venues across the region, so no matter what you’re looking for and what your budget is, you’re practically guaranteed to find something that fits your vision.
As the South East is such a popular area of the country to get married in, you might not be surprised to hear that many venues in East Sussex have a fairly lengthy lead time. The average wait is around 12 to 18 months, but many popular venues, or dates during the summer or at weekends, can be longer – sometimes, in excess of two years. If you know you’re likely to have a lot of competition from other couples, we recommend you get in there early.
If you’re flexible, this can really work in your favour. By being open to different venue types, as well as dates during the winter or the middle of the week, you can shorten this wait to as little as six months. Not only that, but most venues will offer a discount for off-peak dates, which makes it a great option if you’re on a budget.
Being on the south coast, East Sussex enjoys some of the sunniest weather in the UK, making it a popular region for spring and summer weddings.
Spring (March – May) brings mild weather and big blooms, and is when parks and gardens like Wakehurst really come to life. Average highs range from 10°C to 16°C (50°F to 61°F), and if you plan things well (and get a little bit of luck), you can have an amazing outdoor wedding. Venues like Firle Place are perfect, with a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Summer (June – August) is the busy wedding season in East Sussex, with long days and sunny evenings. With average temperatures of 19°C to 22°C (66°F to 72°F), seaside and country venues like The Orchard and Wickerwood Farm are extra popular during the summer.
Autumn (September – November) is the tail end of the tourist season, so East Sussex sees fewer crowds as the weather gets cooler and more drizzly. But, there can still be plenty of sunny days, so if you choose a venue like Pelham House with both indoor and outdoor wedding venue space, you can spend your day mixing it up.
Winter (December – February) weddings in East Sussex can be cosy and elegant, particularly in historic venues or hotels with plenty of lights and even festive decorations. Temperatures typically range from 4°C to 9°C (39°F to 48°F), and many venues offer attractive off-season rates. If you’re by the coast, it can often be rather grey and windy, so you’ll want to consider a venue with lots of indoor space, like Brighton Dome or The Grand Hotel Brighton.
One of East Sussex’s biggest advantages is its accessibility, making it an ideal choice for couples with guests travelling from London or further afield.
By train, Brighton is just over an hour from London Victoria or London Bridge, with regular services running to towns including Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings. You can even catch a direct train to Brighton from Bedford, making it ideal if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of London.
If you’re driving, the A23 and A27 provide easy access from London, Kent and the south coast. Quite a lot of rural venues are in the middle of nowhere, which can make it tricky to reach them by public transport. This is something to bear in mind if you know a large portion of your guest list don’t have access to their own car.
For guests who are flying in, Gatwick Airport (LGW) is around a 30 to 60 minute drive from most areas of the county, offering a convenient option for international visitors.
East Sussex also offers a wide range of accommodation, from quaint coastal B&Bs to luxury five-star resorts. There are also loads of hotels across the county that have their own event space, making them an ideal wedding venue. Hotel du Vin Brighton, The View Hotel Eastbourne, The Star, Alfriston, Cavendish Hotel and Bannatyne Spa Hotel Hastings all have space for you to get married, so you can spend your entire day under the convenience of one roof.
It depends on the specific wedding venue you have chosen in East Sussex. Some venues may include setup and breakdown costs in the overall cost of renting the space, while others may charge additional fees for these services. It is important to check with your chosen wedding venue regarding their policies on setup and breakdown costs, as this can be a significant expense for your wedding. You should also check if the venue provides setup and breakdown service, some venues may require you to hire an external vendor for that service and costs like that will add up. Also, check if the venue have any rules or restrictions regarding setup and breakdown time, and if there are any additional charges for overtime.
There are several luxury wedding venues in East Sussex that you can be sure will provide incredible service in luxury surroundings on your wedding day. -The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne -The East Sussex National in Uckfield -The Buxted Park Hotel in Buxted -The Pines Calyx in Eastbourne -The Hotel Du Vin & Bistro in Brighton
It depends on the specific wedding venue you have chosen in East Sussex. Some venues may provide complimentary parking for guests, while others may charge a fee for overnight parking. It is important to check with your chosen wedding venue regarding their parking policies, as this can be a significant expense for your guests. It could be a good idea to check with the venue about the parking situation, if it's only for overnight or if it's for the whole event, and also look for options like valet parking, shuttle services or other alternatives to help your guests with parking.
