Zoe & James’ Elegant Spring Wedding at Cissbury Barns

We cannot thank you and the team enough for everything. The day could not have gone any better and we could not have been happier with everything. Cissbury felt right from when we first visited and that could not have been proven more correct on the day. You work in a very special place alongside some fantastic people.

  We absolutely loved hosting Zoe and James’s wedding here at Cissbury Barns this April - it was one of those magical days that had everything we adore about a West Sussex barn wedding: love, laughter, the prettiest seasonal florals, live music floating through the barns… and an unforgettable sunset to top it all off.

The Ceremony - Rustic Barn Wedding

Zoe and James chose to have their ceremony indoors, and the atmosphere was pure magic. Our rustic wedding barns were styled beautifully by To Have & To Hire, with soft drapes, warm lighting and elegant touches that made the space feel romantic and intimate. The lovely Helen from Wild Botanicals brought in stunning wedding flowers - think soft spring tones, lots of texture, and a wild, boho edge that suited Zoe’s bridal style perfectly.

Zoe’s Bridal Style – Effortlessly Elegant

Zoe and her bridesmaids got ready in the North Wing Apartment. She looked breathtaking - elegant with a hint of boho, just as she’d envisioned. Her dress from Love Story was timeless yet relaxed, and paired beautifully with her Harriet Wilde shoes. The talented Becky Howie created a soft, glowing make-up look while Amy Rose Bridal worked her magic with Zoe’s hair - a romantic, slightly undone style that was made for a barn wedding.

Zoe smiled the entire day. Honestly, she lit up the whole barn, and the joy between her and James was completely infectious.

James looked incredibly sharp in his tailored suit from Hockerty, paired with shoes from Gieves & Hawkes. Together, they were the picture of spring wedding style: classic, joyful and totally in love.

Drinks, Sax & Sunset Moments

Following the ceremony, guests made their way out into the garden for drinks and canapés by the brilliant team at Taste Catering (always a pleasure to have here). Live saxophone from Steve Turner set the tone perfectly - relaxed, cool, and just the right vibe for a golden spring afternoon.

And then came the sunset.

Wow. We’re lucky here at Cissbury to have far-reaching countryside views, but on this particular April evening, the sky absolutely showed off. Zoe and James snuck away for a few golden hour portraits with the wonderful Sarah Legge, who captured the light (and their love) beautifully. One of our favourite moments of the whole day.

Let the Evening Fun Begin!

As the sun dipped, the barn lit up for the party. The transformation was amazing - from romantic ceremony space to full-on fun zone! Chris Haslam from Chess Disco kept the dance floor buzzing all night with a killer playlist and brilliant energy.

There was laughter, dancing, and guests also loved popping into the photo booth by Jason at Absolute Booth, with plenty of hilarious props and unforgettable snapshots.

A Perfect Day in the West Sussex Countryside

Zoe and James, your day was such a joy to be part of. From start to finish, your wedding was full of love, light, laughter (and epic dance moves). Thank you for choosing us to host your celebration and for making the barns feel so full of life.

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Planning your own rustic barn wedding in West Sussex? We’d love to welcome you to Cissbury Barns - a relaxed countryside barn wedding venue with stunning views, beautiful Sussex flint barns, and plenty of space to make your day truly yours. Whether you’re dreaming of an indoor ceremony like Zoe and James, or a summer garden celebration, our team is here to help bring it all to life.

Get in touch to book a viewing and start planning your own elegant, boho, countryside wedding in Sussex - we can’t wait to meet you!