East Sussex Wedding Photographer Peter Prior has been recommended as a Preferred Wedding Photography at the idyllic Powdermills Hotel, Battle for 19 years. In this interview, Peter speaks with Stella Brown, the Events Manager, about the venue and how they can help brides and grooms.
As an East Sussex Wedding Photographer, Peter has shot in excess for 50 weddings at the Powdermills and has probably photographed at every time of the year. Being in a rural setting, the character of the grounds changes with the seasons so no two weddings are alike.
Peter: Please can you tell me a little about the Hotel and what it offers.
Stella: The PowderMills is a 18th Century Country House Hotel nestling in 150 acres of magnificent Sussex countryside and offers a stunning location for your wedding. The elegant Georgian house and beautiful grounds provide a relaxed and friendly setting to say “I do”. Located just outside the medieval town of Battle, the hotel is steeped in history going back 400 years.
The PowderMills is a suitable venue for weddings at any time of year – with log fires to welcome you and your guests on a cold winter’s day and stunning lakeside views for your drinks reception on a glorious summer day.
The hotel has an impressive selection of purpose built function suites that can be easily adapted to your personal needs. The Pavilion Suite, located by the poolside, is suitable for large weddings and our new Cloisters Suite caters for the smaller wedding reception and has a secluded spot overlooking the hotel.
The wedding packages have been specifically designed to guide you through the day, but at the same time are flexible enough to accommodate your individual needs. From an intimate gathering to an elegant reception for up to 250 guests, you will find everything you need.
The hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies, civil partnerships, naming ceremonies and the renewal of vows. Our Lake House which overlooks the lake and is licensed for weddings outside.
Peter: What sets you a part from your competitors? Why should couples book your venue particular?
Stella: The hotel is privately owned with dedicated staff to ensure the day runs smoothly.
The hotel is set in stunning ground and we have our new Lake House for outside weddings for up to 100 guests
Peter: How many weddings a year do you host?
Stella: 50-60 a year
Peter: Can brides contact you at the moment and how can you help them to view the hotel? (Do you offer video show rounds etc?)
Stella: Yes via email events@powdermillshotel.com or telephone 01424 775511. Unfortunately the hotel is closed due to lockdown
Peter: Do you have any exciting new offerings in the pipeline for 2021 and beyond i.e. new products/services etc?
Stella: We have our Wedding fair / Wedding show in February 2021where we can showcase all the hotel and grounds have to offer.
Peter: I expect you’ve been super buys re arranging weddings and events for your poor clients. How have you found it?
Stella: We are living in difficult and uncertain times, we take everyday as it comes and hope the hotel will be up and running in the near future. I have a great friendship/relationship with our couples and having to postpone their special day has been heart breaking. Thankfully, my couples have been flexible and understanding that their weddings can’t go ahead in the current situation. 50% of our bookings for this year have now decided to reschedule to either later in the year or on to 2021.
Couples should keep their guests updated with the situation, a lot of guests will have had to make plans in advance so there’s a financial risk as well as a health risk especially if traveling from abroad or elderly
You can find out more about the Powdermills Hotel on their website here.
You can view my wedding portfolio on my website here and my Facebook and Instagram pages.