Editor loves and inspiration

Danielle and Sam met while on a night out. “A mutual friend introduced us,” says Danielle. “She still calls herself cupid for setting us up. He added me on Facebook after I left; we got talking and went from there. On our first date, we took my dog for a walk, and she ran off, which she had never done before. I don’t think she approved, but she absolutely loves him now.”

Sam proposed on the couple’s fifth anniversary in 2021. “He proposed in our garden,” shares the bride. “He organised for our florist to come and decorate the garden with roses and flower arrangements and he stood under our pergola with ‘marry me’ written in carnations. It was definitely a surprise, as he told me he was going to play golf and I went out shopping with my mum for the morning. When I arrived home, the hallway was covered in rose petals leading to the back door. Music was playing and he had bought me a gift. I assumed it was an anniversary gift, so I stood there for ages opening the gift, not realising Sam was waiting outside in the middle of the garden to ask me to marry him.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

We love flowers here at Your East Anglian Wedding, but with so many gorgeous blooms to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. To give you some inspiration, we've asked Bracken and Twine Flowers to share one of their favourite on-trend images.

Head over to our Flowers feature in the current issue to see more. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Make-up artist Hayley Clarke tells us her top beauty tip.

"It’s important to start thinking early about getting your skin in good condition ahead of your wedding day," says Hayley. "Book a facial up to three months prior to the wedding and don’t leave it until the month before. This gives your skin time to calm down, ensuring any breakouts are done and dusted before the big day!

"I recommend most of my brides visit Louise Thomas Skin Care in Norwich as they have looked after many of my clients ahead of their weddings and they always turn up on the big day with the best skin they’ve ever had. Having healthy skin ensures the very best base for your make-up application."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Rachel and Lauren met through a mutual friend. “We had a lot in common and got along well from the off,” says Rachel. “However, as Lauren was in the military, it was around 10 months before we got together, as she was posted in Cyprus for six months.”

Lauren popped the question on Rachel’s birthday in 2021. “We went out for a meal and she proposed over dinner,” shares Rachel. “However, I had bought a ring for Lauren earlier in the year! When she started to propose, I got my ring from my handbag and gave it to her when she gave me the ring that she bought. Lauren had arranged for our closest friends to meet us for drinks after. It was a really nice evening. We have a lot of friends and they are always involved in the special moments in our lives.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Katy Rayner from Bracken and Twine Flowers tells us her top tips for planning an outdoor wedding.

"Embracing the beauty of seasonal, locally grown flowers is a wonderful way to reflect the charm of nature, seamlessly complementing the atmosphere of your special day. Opting for blooms that are in season not only ensures freshness but also harmonises perfectly with the environment around you.

"To achieve a natural and unstructured look, consider designs that mimic the organic beauty of a garden, hedgerow, or wildflower meadow. Think loosely gathered bouquets, rambling arrangements, and centrepieces with a just-picked feel. Embrace asymmetry and varying textures to add depth and character to your floral displays.

"Partnering with a florist who resonates with your love for natural and informal styles is key. Seek out someone who not only comprehends your vision but can also breathe life into it with their expertise and boundless creativity. A florist should not only elevate the visual allure of your wedding but also guarantee that each arrangement is a true reflection of your individual style and personality."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Emma and Marwen met while on holiday. “It was your typical holiday romance that turned into a life together here in the UK,” says Emma. “Marwen proposed to me during a holiday to Istanbul with our friends. He bought me flowers and a beautiful gold ring with a diamond and asked if I would marry him.”

"Marwen is Tunisian, so we had a civil ceremony in his home country in 2016," adds Emma. "We didn’t have any of my family with us apart from my mum and a friend, so we decided to have a blessing in the UK for our seventh anniversary with everyone who couldn’t travel to Tunisia."

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Samantha Jayne Photography and Holly Hambling Photography wanted to produce a styled shoot that had a modern, luxe vibe. “We had a ‘more is more’ mindset, albeit selective and intentional with our choices,” says Samantha. “We started with custom wedding invitations, a great way to clue your guests in on the formality of the occasion. Our modern vibe continued with our tablescape, tying the black and white theme in with the stylish tuxedo. Lavender & Jude provided the beautiful dress called Chloe from the French Collection by Wendy Makin. It’s a fitted crepe gown with a high neckline and low cowl back detail, which was perfect for our vision. The boat neckline with small cap sleeves gives a modest impression from the front, but when the bride turns, the addition of the cowl back adds movement and interest.

“Emma B Beauty gave our model a romantic, natural look, emphasising her eyes and skin, which looked flawless,” adds Samantha. “Alice, our hair stylist from Hair By Alice Rose, chose two looks for the day: a smooth, low bun that changed into a stylish ponytail, which was very fitting for the gorgeous low cowl back dress. Providing the flowers for the shoot was Emma Quinn from Bloomcore, who created a fun, colourful and relaxed bouquet. Also joining us on the day was the amazing Liv from Livvid, who definitely made our bride stand out with her video footage.”

See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Rob and Andy from Embrace Photography tells us about the latest photography trends.

“In the ever-evolving world of photography, several trends are making waves in the industry. One notable trend is the incorporation of drone photography, which provides breathtaking aerial perspectives and dynamic compositions that add a unique dimension to wedding albums and event coverage.”

Head over to our Photography feature in the current issue to see more. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Film Kinetics is a video production company run by Fin Hanlon. After being a freelancer for several years, Fin launched Film Kinetics last year, combining his professional cinematography and short film background with a view to creating wedding films. He works with his two colleagues, Francis and Sam, who, between them, have many years of experience.

“Film Kinetics was founded with the purpose of connecting with businesses, artists, and organisers in order to provide video as a solution in whatever capacity you require,” says Fin. “We will work as a partner in your process and we pay particular attention to how you require a video to benefit you. As well as this, we always aim to bring a creative approach to the table. If your project involves a story to be told, then we always aim to capture this.”

Fin offers a variety of wedding film packages, ranging from full-length films to cinematic highlight films.

See more local news in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Harriet and Bernie met at young farmers and connected over their shared sense of humour. After their relationship blossomed, Bernie proposed to Harriet on Christmas Eve at Waxham Beach. “It was a complete surprise and he had picked out a beautiful opal and diamond ring,” says Harriet. “It was lovely getting to visit our friends over Christmas to share our exciting news.

"We always talked about the things we’d like to have at our wedding, creating a day completely personal to us as a couple,” adds Harriet. “We wanted to handcraft as many elements as possible and work with lots of local small businesses. So, it felt right to marry on our family farm, The Old Vicarage Campsite, where we have a field for such events and have hosted weddings before. Our ceremony was held in the woodland, which means a lot to us as a couple. When we discovered a clearing under a beautiful oak tree, we knew it was where we wanted to start our married life. It felt very special to be among the trees and natural surroundings. Our reception was held nearby at Bluebell Corner, just a short walk away, in a marquee provided by Dottie Events & Hire. Within our marquee, we kept the décor simple, opting for wooden trestle tables, folding chairs and natural tablecloths. Each table was decorated with a mix of vintage glass and earthenware bud vases, filled with airy grasses and flowers to mirror the colours of my bouquet."

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download