One of the best things about what we do is the meeting the people we do – our couples, their loved ones and the amazing people working behind the scenes to make each and every wedding special and as unique as those saying I do.
This couldn’t be truer of Amanda Millis, Weddings and Events Manager for Field Place Manor House & Barns in Worthing – which was the national winner of The Wedding Industry Awards’ 2020 Venue (Town or City) award. We’re absolutely delighted to be ‘recommended supplier’ for this beautiful venue, and have been fortunate to work with Amanda many times – seeing her passion, enthusiasm and love for the venue and ensuring couples have the days they’ve dreamt of come to life.
That’s why this month we’re highlighting Field Place Manor House & Barns (which has been a wedding venue since the 1950s!) in our new blog series. Over to Amanda to hear more!
Hi Amanda! First things first, Why do you think Field Place Manor House & Barns makes such a lovely wedding venue?
Field Place Manor House & Barns gives guests options of where to choose to get married, with the possibility of getting married in the garden in the open air if the weather allows. Few venues can offer guests options and choices. We have superb caterers – Hardings Catering – who look after weddings and events perfectly; supported by a small events team that really do invest time in each guest and look after them all properly.
Field Place Manor House & Barns is nestled within 8 acres of Green Flag award-winning gardens, just outside Worthing, West Sussex. As a wedding venue, guests have the option of marrying in four locations. Within our Grade II Manor House we have The Chichester Room (licensed for 95) and The Oak Room (20), The Pavilion Barn (150) and The Bandstand and open-air gardens (150) so there is a plenty of choice for the perfect start to each and every wedding. The two barns are situated just opposite The Manor House, between our new wedding gardens. We have spent the last 18 months investing in our grounds, taking the main area from lawn to beautifully designed wedding gardens, so that guests can marry under a wooden bandstand in the open air.
How would you describe what you do?
To establish Field Place Manor House & Barns as the premier wedding venue within the South East. Providing a beautiful location for bespoke, personalised weddings where couples feel that they are cared for and will receive the best possible service. Our aim is to provide continuity throughout making it a seamless experience from enquiry to wedding day.
As a venue we are a little bit different from most barns, in that we do far more than weddings. We are run by Southdowns Leisure Enterprises which is the charity side of South Downs Leisure. SDL runs 5 sites: Worthing Leisure Centre, Splashpoint Leisure Centre, Worthing College Fitness Centre, Davisons High School Fitness Centre and here, Field Place Manor House and Barns. Our contribution to SDL is that from Monday – Thursday we become a centre of well-being. Calm classes that run in the mornings and evenings such as Pilates, Yoga, Mindfulness, Ti Chi, and Qigong. Then Thursday – Sunday, we host many types of events; from weddings, conferences, awards nights, parties and events such as craft fairs, Winter Wonderland.
What do you, personally, love most about what you do?
I love looking after people, supporting and advising them through the planning stages, getting to know them, and then seeing them through their wedding day and staying in touch afterwards gives me such a sense of pride. I love my job. Best job ever.
What’s been your highlight so far?
Winning the national title for “Best Venue Town & City 2020’ at The Wedding Industry Awards!
What would be your top tip for choosing a wedding venue?
To choose a venue that you feel at home in, you invest a great deal of time and money within your wedding day, so to get the venue exactly as you’d like it is critical. It is the basis and foundation of making memories so it’s vital that it is right.
5 second questions
The song I love to dance to most is…
Reach! S Club 7 (sorry).
What biscuits would you like to see most in the biscuit tin, and why?
Custard Creams, every time, because they are simply the best.
What bit of advice would you give to your younger self?
To not worry so much, what you can’t change you shouldn’t worry about.
Who is your secret celebrity crush?
Colin Firth!
If you were to host the ultimate dinner party what four guests would you invite and why?
My granny – I adore and miss her terribly.
Julie Andrews – she is an amazing woman who has an amazing story.
Monty Don – because his knowledge of fruit and veg is fabulous.
Dean Millis – best husband ever.
Cats or dogs?
Cats
Tea or coffee?
Tea
Find out more about Field Place Manor House & Barns by visiting: https://www.fieldplace.co.uk/.
I am proud to be a recommended supplier at Field Place. Don’t forget to pop in to one of the venue’s open days, and say hello!
Many thanks to the lovely Shelley Welti for the help in putting this feature together for me.