Any tips for Brighton area?

2003wastheyear

I'm thinking anything from venues to food to photographers!:money:

roxalana

have a look at B & H council website for lists of approved venues.

It really depends on your budget. I think the Old Market and Brighton College look really pretty and the Barn Theatre in Southwick looks nice but I suspect they will be pricey! As will Stanmer house!

Brighton Town Hall regency room looks nice in the photo on the web but I haven't seen it in the flesh - only has a capacity of 50 though.

Shoreham airport could be a little bit different but again I don't think it is cheap!

The pier also does weddings.

Plus someone is selling cake stands for £5 each suitable for cupcakes in the friday ad this week!

For food and photographers how about approaching City College or the University of Brighton. Brighton even has the School of Service Management which does Culinary Arts!

What sort of things are you looking for and what sort of budget are you thinking of - I migth have more ideas!

2003wastheyear

Thanks Roxalana!
Ohhh Brighton College?! no way I went there, so not a goer lol
Reception venues is my main worry. Something for about 40 people, either buffet or sit down, cheap as possible, but nice (!?) Then a club/bar for a larger knees up...
Good idea re City College.
thanks my dear!

roxalana

Sorry can't PM you for some reason!

I haven't done a lot of research into the practicalities of venues (as I'm not engaged!) but we did have a party for Halloween/birthday for about 40 people. I have to say that our budget was more of an issue than the look of the place too!

The branch tavern on london road (next to richer sounds) has a function room that accommodates 40 well but it isn't that pretty (proper old-school pub function room). However, it is only about £7-8 per hour (including your own barmaid and bar) and the staff couldn't do enough to help us and they had a stereo you could play your own CDs on or MP3s if you have the cable. We brought our own buffet but they did offer to cater for us for £2.50 per head! They were happy for us to decorate and even cleaned up afterwards (including tupperwaring the leftover birthday cake for me to collect the next day!)

Similarly the Railway club at Seven Dails has always been nice to us.

I suspect you may be looking for something less 'retro' though!

Someone was having a wedding reception in the Westbourne on Portland Road on Saturday. It isn't the prettiest pub ever but the drinks prices aren't too bad and their fairylights and tealights do make it look quite cosy at night.

For something a bit different, the Geisha Bar in the laines (used to be sante fe) has modern decor and specializes in cocktails. They also have a karaoke booth upstairs meaning people can sing without neccesarily broadcasting to the whole pub.

Entourage is also in the laines near casablanca and is quite small but over 3 floors. Downstairs they have a big screen and a variety of games available for use including singstar and Rockband!

I believe that the Freemasons on Western Road might be free to hire if you meet certain conditions.

Not sure if the Ancient Mariner in Hove does private hire but if you want speciality sausage and mash for your meal (many many varieties!) that might be the place to go!

Will keep thinking though!

roxalana

Also how about koba on western road (not that I've been in there!)

http://www.kobauk.com/intro.html

Or another one you will either love or hate (as the decor is an acquired taste!) is the bali brasserie in hove. Personally, it made me smile! I haven't been there for a while but I seem to remember that their tropical bar has palm trees in it!

http://www.balibrasserie.co.uk/

2003wastheyear

OOHhhh thanks so much honey! I love the sound of the Bali place, I've never been there but I think I know the place. Koba- been there, great idea, ditto Geisha. I have tried to sort out my pm settings now! sorry about that.

brightonman123

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1134021

B&H specific thread!

Lilith1980

Hi

I got married in Brighton in August 08.

We used Jacqui McSweeney as our photographer and loved what she did. We wanted reportage photography and something a bit quirky. She was pricey though - I think we paid about £1,200 but photos were important to us so we wanted to shell out a bit extra.

Wedding cake was with "Pink Rose Cakes" - we had 40 individual cakes and had to have them gluten and dairy free (due to me!) and they were lovely.

The venue is a bit contentious. We got married in the Royal Albion Hotel on the seafront and it was fantastic. However, I saw on the website that other people had stayed there and had thought it was awful so mixed reviews.

Our wedding co-ordinator was called Benoir and he was fab, no stress on the day at all. But as I say, the hotel has had mixed reviews. Admittedly it was a bit tatty in places but nowhere where it mattered to me and DH - it had character and we loved it.

After the wedding breakfast at about 1am we went out clubbing with a few friends in our wedding gear - I am so glad I got married in Brighton

Good luck with your plans!

2003wastheyear

ha ha love the clubbing idea! thanks for your tips Lilith x

Thanks for the thread Brighton man, will check it out x

roxalana

These aren't mine and I don't know the person so hope I'm not breaking any rules but thought someone in the brighton area might be interested in 81 chair covers and sashes for £200 (don't know if this is a good price).

http://brighton.gumtree.com/brighton/95/36649995.html

sunshinejoclaire

ChoccyWoccyDooDah for the cakes

http://www.choccywoccydoodah.com/#welcome

Unfortunately I am in the North East so couldn't order from them, but they make stunning cakes which are divine to eat too