Planning a Barn Wedding in Sussex: A Month-by-Month Timeline

12-18 Months Before: Laying the Foundations

The moment that ring slides onto your finger, the excitement begins. While it’s tempting to dive straight into Pinterest boards and start bookmarking table decorations, these early months are about making the fundamental decisions that will shape everything else. Get these right, and the rest of your planning will flow much more smoothly.

Have ‘The Money Talk’

Before falling in love with any venue or imagining elaborate floral installations, sit down together and have an honest conversation about your wedding budget. This might not be the most romantic part of wedding planning, but it’s arguably the most important.

The average UK wedding now costs over £18,000, but costs can vary enormously depending on your choices. Consider:

• How much you can realistically save between now and the wedding

• Whether family members are contributing (and any expectations that come with that)

• What elements matter most to you both, and where you’re happy to economise

• Whether you want a single all-inclusive venue or are happy to coordinate multiple suppliers

Barn weddings in Sussex can actually offer excellent value, particularly venues that include exclusive use of the entire property in their packages. This means you’re not just hiring a room—you’re getting the whole estate for your celebration, which often works out more cost-effective than you might expect.

Discuss Your Vision as a Couple

Before you start viewing venues, spend time talking about what kind of wedding you both want. You might be surprised to discover you have different ideas—and it’s far better to discover this now than when you’re standing in a venue trying to decide.

Ask yourselves:

• Do you want a large celebration or an intimate gathering?

• Is a traditional format important, or would you prefer something more relaxed?

• What atmosphere are you hoping to create—formal elegance, rustic charm, bohemian romance?

• Do you want a single-day celebration or a whole wedding weekend?

• How important is having your ceremony and reception in the same place?

Start Your Venue Search

Sussex barn venues are in high demand and book up quickly, particularly for popular summer Saturdays. Begin your venue search as early as possible, and don’t be disheartened if your first-choice dates aren’t available—flexibility can often lead you to discover even better options.

When visiting barn wedding venues in Sussex, come prepared with questions:

• What’s included in the venue hire fee?

• Do you offer exclusive use of the venue and grounds?

• What are the options for ceremonies—indoor, outdoor, or both?

• Is there onsite accommodation, and if so, how many guests can stay?

• What time can suppliers arrive to set up, and when does the celebration need to end?

• Do you have preferred suppliers, or can we bring our own?

• What happens if it rains on an outdoor ceremony?

• Is there a wedding coordinator included, or should we hire one separately?

Take photos and notes at each venue, and try to visit at a similar time of day to when your wedding would take place—the light and atmosphere can be quite different at midday versus late afternoon.

Secure Your Venue

When you find ‘the one’, don’t hesitate. Secure it with a deposit before another couple snaps up your perfect date. Make sure you understand the payment schedule, cancellation policy, and exactly what’s included in your booking.

Look for venues that offer flexibility and support. The best barn wedding venues in Sussex will have experienced coordinators who can guide you through the planning process and help you make the most of their unique spaces.

Consider the Season

Each season transforms a Sussex countryside venue in different ways, and your choice will influence everything from your colour palette to your photography:

Spring: Fresh blossoms, new lambs in the fields, and gardens coming to life. The weather can be unpredictable, but the countryside is at its most hopeful and pretty.

Summer: Long golden evenings perfect for outdoor drinks on the terrace, photographs in sun-drenched meadows, and dancing until late. Peak season means peak demand, so book early.

Autumn: Rich copper and gold colours, harvest-inspired décor, and a cosy atmosphere as the evenings draw in. Often excellent value with stunning photography opportunities.

Winter: Romantic candlelit celebrations, fairy lights twinkling against dark skies, and the chance for something truly intimate. Venues often offer special winter packages.

9-12 Months Before: Building Your Dream Team

With your venue secured and your date set, it’s time to assemble the talented suppliers who will bring your vision to life. Think of this as casting the perfect team for your special day.

Book Your Photographer

Your wedding photographs will be one of the few tangible things you keep from your big day, so this is not the place to compromise. The best wedding photographers in Sussex book up a year or more in advance, so start your search early.

When choosing a photographer:

• Review multiple full wedding galleries, not just highlight reels

• Look for experience shooting in barn venues and handling mixed lighting conditions

• Meet in person or via video call to ensure your personalities click

• Ask about their approach—documentary, traditional posed, or a mix?

• Check how long they’ll stay and whether they have a second shooter

• Understand what’s included: prints, albums, digital files, editing style

Arrange Your Catering

If your venue doesn’t include catering, now’s the time to find your perfect caterer. Food is a huge part of the guest experience, and a barn wedding offers wonderful opportunities for relaxed, generous dining.

Consider catering styles that suit the barn wedding atmosphere:

• Family-style sharing platters for a convivial, relaxed feel

• Farm-to-table menus featuring local Sussex produce

• Barbecue or wood-fired options for summer celebrations

• Hearty, warming dishes for autumn and winter weddings

• Food stations and grazing tables for a modern, interactive approach

Book Entertainment and Music

Music sets the tone for your entire day, from the emotional ceremony moments to the packed dance floor at night. Consider what you need for each part of the celebration:

• Ceremony music: live musician, string quartet, or recorded tracks?

• Drinks reception: acoustic duo, jazz trio, or background playlist?

• Evening entertainment: DJ, live band, or both?

• Any special performances or surprises?

The best bands and DJs also book up well in advance, so don’t delay. Ask your venue about any noise restrictions or curfews that might affect your entertainment choices.

Find Your Florist

Flowers can transform a barn space, adding colour, fragrance, and romance. Book a florist who understands barn venues and can work with the architecture rather than fighting against it.

A skilled florist will consider:

• The natural elements already present—exposed beams, stone walls, wooden features

• The scale of the space and what impact you want to create

• Seasonal availability and locally grown options

• Your colour palette and overall aesthetic

• Sustainability and what happens to the flowers afterwards

Send Save-the-Dates

Give your guests plenty of notice, particularly if you’re planning a countryside wedding that may require travel arrangements or overnight stays. A well-designed save-the-date sets the tone for your celebration and builds anticipation.

Include:

• Your names and wedding date

• The general location (full address can wait for the formal invitation)

• A note that formal invitations will follow

• Your wedding website URL if you have one

• Information about accommodation options in the area

6-9 Months Before: The Details Take Shape

Now the fun really begins. With your major suppliers booked, you can start focusing on the details that will make your wedding uniquely yours. This is when your vision starts becoming reality.

Choose Your Wedding Party

Select your bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, page boys, and anyone else who’ll play a special role. These are the people who’ll support you through the planning process and stand beside you on the day, so choose people you truly want by your side.

Once you’ve asked them:

• Discuss expectations openly—what will their role involve?

• Talk about budget for their outfits and any pre-wedding events

• Set up a group chat or communication channel for wedding party updates

• Start thinking about hen and stag celebrations

Begin Wedding Dress Shopping

Wedding dresses can take 4-6 months to order and may need several fittings for alterations, so now’s the time to start trying on gowns. When shopping for a dress you’ll wear in a barn setting:

• Consider the practicalities—will you be walking on grass, gravel, or uneven ground?

• Think about the season and whether you need options for warmth

• Remember that heavily embellished trains can catch on rustic surfaces

• A dress that moves beautifully will photograph wonderfully in outdoor settings

• Take photos in each dress and sleep on your decision before committing

Plan Your Ceremony

If you’re having a civil ceremony at your barn venue, book your registrar now. Registrars also book up well in advance, particularly for popular dates.

Consider where you’d like to exchange vows. Many Sussex barn venues are licensed for ceremonies both indoors and in their grounds, giving you options:

• An outdoor ceremony overlooking rolling countryside is magical on a summer’s day

• An indoor ceremony in a characterful barn space offers reliability whatever the weather

• Some couples have a ‘Plan A’ outdoor ceremony with a wet weather backup

Start thinking about your ceremony content: readings, music, personal vows if you’re writing your own, and any special rituals you’d like to include.

Design Your Wedding Stationery

Your stationery is your guests’ first glimpse of your wedding style. Create a cohesive suite that includes:

• Formal invitations with all the essential details

• RSVP cards or clear instructions for online responses

• Information cards about accommodation, travel, and the local area

• Order of service for the ceremony

• Menu cards and table names or numbers

• Signage for the venue

A rustic barn setting lends itself beautifully to natural textures, kraft paper, botanical illustrations, and handwritten-style fonts. But don’t feel constrained—a barn is a blank canvas that can work with many styles.

Book Additional Suppliers

Depending on your plans, you may also need to book:

• Videographer

• Wedding cake designer

• Hair and makeup artist

• Transport for you, your wedding party, or guests

• Photo booth or other entertainment

• Celebrant if you’re having a non-legal ceremony

• Children’s entertainment if you’ll have young guests

3-6 Months Before: Refining Your Vision

The halfway point in your planning journey. Your wedding is taking shape, and now it’s about refining the details and making decisions that will bring your vision to life.

Finalise Your Guest List and Send Invitations

Send your formal invitations at least three months before the wedding, giving guests time to make arrangements. For a countryside venue in Sussex, include:

• Clear directions, including what3words or GPS coordinates for rural locations

• Parking information and any arrangements for those without cars

• Accommodation suggestions ranging from budget to luxury options

• Information about the nearest train stations and taxi services

• A clear RSVP deadline (usually 6-8 weeks before the wedding)

• Dress code guidance so guests know what to expect

Consider creating a wedding website with all this information in one easy-to-access place.

Plan Your Menu in Detail

Meet with your caterer for a tasting session—one of the most enjoyable parts of wedding planning! Consider how your menu reflects the relaxed, countryside feel of your barn wedding:

• Canapés that guests can enjoy while mingling in the grounds

• A wedding breakfast that celebrates seasonal, local produce

• Evening food that keeps the energy going on the dance floor

• Options for dietary requirements and allergies

• Drinks packages that suit your budget and preferences

Think about the dining experience you want to create. Long family-style tables suit the convivial barn atmosphere beautifully, encouraging guests to chat and share.

Attend Hair and Makeup Trials

Book trial appointments with your hair and makeup artist. Bring inspiration images and be honest about what you like and don’t like. Consider:

• Styles that will last from morning until late-night dancing

• How your look will translate in photographs

• The overall style of your wedding and dress

• Whether you’ll be having outdoor photos in wind or sunshine

• Any accessories—veil, headpiece, jewellery—that need to work with your hairstyle

Finalise Your Flowers

Meet with your florist to finalise your floral scheme. Bring fabric swatches, photos of your venue, and any inspiration images. Discuss:

• Bridal bouquet and wedding party flowers

• Ceremony arrangements

• Table centrepieces and reception décor

• Buttonholes and corsages

• Any large installations or statement pieces

Book Your Honeymoon

If you’re planning to jet off after the wedding, now’s the time to book. Even if you’re delaying your main honeymoon, consider booking a ‘mini-moon’—a few nights away to decompress after the big day. Many couples staying at venues with onsite accommodation enjoy a leisurely morning after, then head off for a few days of relaxation.

Arrange Wedding Rings

If you haven’t already, choose your wedding rings. Custom or engraved rings need to be ordered with plenty of time to spare. Consider whether you want your rings to complement each other or express your individual styles.

1-3 Months Before: The Final Countdown

Your wedding is approaching, and excitement is building. These weeks are about confirming everything, tying up loose ends, and preparing for the celebration of a lifetime.

Confirm Every Booking

Contact every single supplier to confirm timings, deliveries, and requirements. Create a master document with:

• Contact names and phone numbers for each supplier

• Arrival times and setup requirements

• What each supplier needs from you or the venue

• Final payment amounts and due dates

Share this document with your venue coordinator, wedding planner, or a trusted member of your wedding party who can field questions on the day.

Create Your Wedding Day Timeline

Work with your venue and photographer to create a detailed schedule for the day:

• Hair and makeup start time

• When the photographer arrives for getting-ready shots

• Ceremony start time (and what time guests should arrive)

• Time allocated for formal photographs

• Drinks reception timing

• Wedding breakfast service

• Speeches

• First dance and evening party

• Any other key moments

Build in buffer time—weddings rarely run exactly to schedule, and that’s absolutely fine.

Final Dress Fitting

Attend your final dress fitting, ensuring your gown fits perfectly. Practice moving, sitting, and dancing in it. Make sure you know how to bustle your train if needed, and that someone in your wedding party knows too.

Create Your Seating Plan

Once your RSVPs are in, create your seating plan. This can feel daunting, but a few principles help:

• Seat people with others they’ll enjoy talking to

• Consider the view from each table

• Place elderly guests away from speakers

• Think about traffic flow for serving staff

• Don’t separate couples unless they specifically request it

Write Your Vows and Speeches

If you’re writing personal vows, now’s the time to put pen to paper. Speak from the heart, keep them a similar length to your partner’s, and practice reading them aloud. Similarly, anyone giving a speech should be finalising and rehearsing.

Plan Your Rehearsal

If your venue offers a rehearsal, take advantage of it. Walk through the ceremony, practice your entrance, and familiarise yourselves with the space. This reduces nerves enormously on the actual day.

Break In Your Shoes

Wear your wedding shoes around the house to break them in. There’s nothing worse than blisters on your wedding day. Consider whether you need different shoes for outdoor photographs on grass or gravel.

The Final Two Weeks: Nearly There

You’re so close now! These last days are about final confirmations and preparing yourself mentally and emotionally for the celebration ahead.

Confirm Final Guest Numbers

Chase any outstanding RSVPs and give your final guest count to the caterer and venue. This is also the moment to confirm any dietary requirements, allergies, or special needs.

Prepare Final Payments

Settle final balances with all your suppliers. Prepare cash tips if appropriate, and write thank-you cards to hand out on the day or shortly after.

Prepare Your Packing List

If you’re staying at your venue the night before (highly recommended for reducing stress), create a comprehensive packing list:

• Wedding dress, shoes, and all accessories

• Underwear, including any special items for under your dress

• Vows, rings, and marriage licence if applicable

• Emergency kit (painkillers, plasters, safety pins, tissues)

• Phone charger

• Toiletries and any specific products for hair and makeup

• Outfit for the morning after

• Any personal touches or décor items you’re bringing

• Gifts for your wedding party

Brief Your Wedding Party

Make sure everyone in your wedding party knows exactly where they need to be and when. Share the day’s timeline and make clear who’s responsible for what.

Have Your Final Beauty Appointments

Haircut, manicure, any other treatments—schedule these a few days before, not the day before, in case of any reactions or issues.

Wedding Week: The Moment Has Arrived

Take a deep breath. You’ve done the planning, made the decisions, and prepared beautifully. Now it’s time to let go and let your wedding unfold.

Delegate Everything

Hand over responsibility to your venue coordinator, wedding planner, or a trusted member of your wedding party. Create a list of emergency contacts and empower someone else to handle any issues. Your only job now is to relax, be present, and enjoy every moment.

Enjoy Your Surroundings

One of the greatest joys of a countryside barn wedding is the setting itself. If you’re staying at your venue the night before, take time to wander the grounds. Watch the sunset over the Sussex countryside. Breathe in the fresh air. Let the tranquillity wash over you.

This is what you chose this venue for—the space, the beauty, the escape from everyday life. Soak it in.

Sleep Well

Try to get a good night’s sleep before your wedding. This is easier said than done, but avoiding excessive alcohol, having a relaxing bath, and going to bed at a reasonable hour will help you feel your best on the most important day.

Be Present on Your Wedding Day

The day will fly by in a blur of joy, emotion, and celebration. Make a conscious effort to pause, look around, and take mental photographs. Hold your partner’s hand. Make eye contact with the people you love. Let yourself feel it all.

And when it’s over, you’ll have not just beautiful photographs but vivid memories of a perfect day in a stunning Sussex barn, surrounded by everyone who matters most.

Begin Your Barn Wedding Journey

Planning a barn wedding in Sussex is an adventure filled with exciting decisions, creative possibilities, and the anticipation of celebrating your love in one of England’s most beautiful counties. With this timeline as your guide, you can approach each milestone with confidence, knowing that your dream countryside wedding is steadily taking shape.

The most important first step? Finding a venue that captures your heart. Visit barn wedding venues across Sussex, ask questions, imagine your wedding day unfolding within those characterful spaces, and trust your instincts when you find ‘the one’.

Ready to start your search? We’d love to welcome you to Selden Barns and show you around our 65-acre estate in the heart of the South Downs. From our beautifully restored ceremony room to our spacious wedding barn with its fairy-lit beams, from our onsite accommodation sleeping up to 24 guests to our breathtaking countryside views—we have everything you need for a truly unforgettable celebration.

Get in touch to arrange your personal viewing and discover why couples fall in love with Selden Barns.