Weddings « Services

Civil Weddings, Baby Naming Ceremonies and Renewal of Wedding Vows

East Court Mansion is an 18th Century Grade II listed building set in parkland with lovely views across nearby Ashdown Forest.

Fully restored in the 1980s and newly redecorated, East Court is licensed for weddings, naming ceremonies and the renewal of marriage vows and is a popular venue for parties, seminars and product launches.

The Mansion is equipped with a large kitchen suitable for catering a wide range of events and also has a separate kitchen/bar. Hirers can cater for themselves or pick from the Town Council's approved list.

There is ample free parking on site and rooms of varying sizes make East Court the perfect choice for any event.

Weddings

Weddings can take place only on approved premises with the presence of a Registrar and with the issue of authority for the marriage by the Superintendent Registrar to who notice of the marriage was given.

Once a provisional booking for the use of East Court has been made, couples are themselves responsible for ensuring a registrar is available on their chosen day. Half an hour is allocated to wedding ceremonies, which must take place punctually as Registrars often have to attend more than one.

For full details of the legal requirements and charges contact Crawley Registration Office, Southgate Avenue, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6HG. Telephone: 01243 642122. Also see the West Sussex County Council web site at www.westsussex.gov.uk.

Naming Ceremonies

A Naming Ceremony is a special way to celebrate the birth of a baby and welcome it into the family and the local community.

Ceremonies which are conducted by professional celebrants from the Local Authority usually take about 15 minutes and include six elements:

the introduction and welcome
a reading
the naming of the child
parents' promises
promises from supporting adults
closing words

However parents can choose to personalise ceremonies further with additions including the reasons for their choice of name, the presentation of a gift to the child or the renewal of their own vows.

To find out more see www.westsussex.gov.uk or telephone 01243 642122.

Renewal of Wedding Vows

Many couples decide to renew their wedding vows on a special anniversary or to mark a moment in their lives when they wish to reinstate their commitment to each other.

Every ceremony is different as the couple themselves and the celebrant provided by the Local Authority will work with you to make sure your ceremony is unique and personal.

For more details about the Renewal of Wedding Vows see www.westsussex.gov.uk or telephone 01243 642122.

East Court Mansion and the Meridian Hall

East Court's flexible facilities offer hirers the perfect venue for any event, from an intimate party to a large wedding, dinner/dance or commercial event.

The Main Hall

The Mansion's Mail Hall, with it's many period features, can be linked to the adjacent Cranston Suite, making it suitable for anything from a small family party to a gathering of up to 100 people.

The Cranston Suite

This large elegant room is registered for civil weddings with up to 40 guests and offers views across East Court's grounds to the Ashdown Forest beyond.

An anteroom with patio doors gives easy access to the terraces and gardens which are a popular backdrop for photographs.

The suite is also suitable for a small parties, meetings and lectures of up to 50 people.

The Meridian Hall

The sympathetic architecture of the Meridian Hall blends perfectly with the 18th Century elegance of the next door East Court Mansion. Set in lovely grounds, the Hall is conveniently close to the town centre and the railway station and offers guests plenty of free parking.

The layout takes full advantage of the magnificent views across East Court gardens to Ashdown Forest and hirers can also enjoy the enclosed paved piazza.

The building is fully equipped with air conditioning, lighting and sound equipment and access for the disabled, and has an extremely well-equipped kitchen and bar facilities. Hirers are free to make their own arrangements for catering except on Saturdays when the must choose from the Town Council's list of local caterers, all of who have established reputations for quality, value and customer service.

The Hall can accommodate up to 220 for conferences, 160 for dinner/dances and weddings and 200 for dancing alone.

Charges

Charges for the above for 2010/2011 financial year are:

Mon to Fri £250 per hour or part thereof
Sat £300 per hour or part thereof
Sun £320 per hour or part thereof

Further Details

For further details about any of the facilities at East Court, or to book, ring 01342 335054 or email bookings@eastgrinstead.gov.uk