Editor loves and inspiration

Emily and Craig went to the same school, and years later, they reconnected via the internet. “We shared the same interest in films and found it easy to converse with each other,” says Emily. “Craig always knew how to make me laugh, and our bond grew over the years. Craig proposed on the anniversary of us moving into our first home together. He attached a ring he had made to our spaniel's collar and asked me to be his wife.”

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

Wendy from Blush & Bloom Florals tells us her top tips for choosing your wedding flowers.

“Most couples have no idea what flowers are seasonally available and the truth is you don't need to know; that's why you put trust in your suppliers to do what they do best and guide you every step of the way. The first thing you should do when deciding on your flowers is create a moodboard. Use your wedding venue, colour palette and theme as an influence and put all your ideas in one place, so you can visualise what it will look like on the big day.”

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

Kate Lake the spa manager at the Spa at Bedford Lodge tells us why you need to change your skincase routine in the summer.

"As we transition into the warmer seasons, it's a good idea to focus on rejuvenating and refreshing your skin after months of harsh cold weather and central heating. Look out for the following ingredients in your skincare – they may already be in your bathroom cabinet waiting to be used.

"Hyaluronic acid – this amazing ingredient binds to water and helps to hydrate the skin; it's perfect for when the air is not as dry as it is during winter.

"Vitamin C – This works as an antioxidant and helps to brighten skin and protect it from damaging UV rays, making it ideal for when the sun finally comes out again.

"Niacinamide – This is quite a trendy skincare ingredient at the moment, it can work wonders reducing inflammation and soothing the skin. Ideal if you suffer from allergies and skin sensitivity."

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

Like most modern couples, Maite and Luke met online. “We are very different but complement each other well,” says Maite. “He is funny and never fails to make me laugh. He's the rational aspect of our relationship, while I'm more fiery and creative.”

Luke popped the question at Maite's family home in the South of France. “He knew the house meant a lot to us, and it was the last time we would be there as it was going to be sold,” shares the bride. “He gathered a group of our closest friends and proposed by the river behind the house underneath a beautiful bridge. It was very thoughtful and a total surprise. The engagement ring was made by a small jewellery studio in Cornwall who specialise in sand casting; he cast the engagement ring with Cornish sand and we collected some from the place where he proposed to use in our wedding rings as a souvenir.”

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

Emma Thorburn from Buns Of Fun tells us how you can wow your guests with an impressive wedding cake.

"If you're after a cake that will impress your guests, this can be done in several ways; think about the flavours and finish of the cake and the colours used.

"The cake pictured used autumnal tones, echoing the AW23 Pantone report, in tender peach, rose violet and Persian jewel. Teamed with spiced carrot and an orange-blossom buttercream, zesty lemon and triple raspberry, it's finished with bright colours and quality fresh and dried flowers. This style works well with small and large budgets and will create the wow factor every time."

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

Sophie and Ed started dating in 2010, but the timing wasn't right, so the relationship ended. Fast forward to 2016, when Ed messaged Sophie on Facebook asking if she'd like to go out for a drink. “We met up and instantly felt a connection and have been inseparable ever since,” says Sophie. “A few years later, we went away to the Peak District for a few days. We hiked to the top of one of the mountains and when we'd finished and reached the bottom, Ed got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. He told me he had planned to do it at the top, but there were too many people around!”

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

The theme for this styled shoot, love is simple, was all about capturing the overwhelming happiness that comes after the formalities on a wedding day.

“Focusing on the intimacy of this stunning venue in the winter, the magical festoon lighting against the night-time sky captivated those special moments shared by a couple on their wedding day,” says shoot coordinator Michelle Tinsley from Lily Francis Bridal. “Reds and pinks were included by the florist, stationery, make-up artist and stylist to add an element of vibrancy to match the crispness of the rest of the shoot and bring some warmth to a (literally) freezing day!"

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

Now that weddings are back in full swing, we wanted to celebrate with a feature full of wonderful images from some of the area's best photographers.

“Matt and Jon married at Cley Windmill with a small group of family and friends. This is one of my favourite photos because it shows how much fun these guys have together and their love for one another.” – Arienne from AJ Feather Photography.

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

Susan McGregor is a new celebrant based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

“One of my skills is in creative writing and being able to weave the beautiful story of couples together for their ceremony,” says Susan. “Everyone wants to feel special on their big day, and a relationship built between a couple and their celebrant will ensure that they feel that their story is at the forefront of everything that happens that day. A celebrant-led ceremony will be completely bespoke and unique. I'm also a seasoned presenter, I have further qualifications in speech and drama, and was a high school teacher of English for 10 years so I'm in a position to be able to offer couples a quality service for their special day. In addition, alongside my role as a celebrant I can also provide sessions for couples and families in presentation skills and/ or speech writing. I know, from years of experience, how many family members dread having to make a speech on the day and how that fear can be crippling for them, but with just a few one-to-one sessions, I can take that fear away, helping them prepare and present with confidence. I'm looking forward to meeting new couples, hearing their stories and working with them to create their wonderful ceremonies.”

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

Florence and Harry met almost nine years ago during a night out in Ipswich. “Harry was due to go travelling in Australia three months later, and I had just moved home from university,” says Florence. “We were seeing each other up until he left, and we both thought things might fizzle out when he moved, but we ended up talking every single day. After a few months, he asked me to visit him; I flew out for a four-week trip in February 2014, and we both returned two years later.”

Harry proposed on their sixth anniversary. “It was coincidentally also the day that we picked up the keys to our first home,” shares the bride. “We walked into the house, and he asked me to go upstairs to take some measurements. When I came back down, he was on one knee with a basket full of champagne and flowers and the song Purple Rain by Prince playing in the background (something we both danced to on the night we met). As it was halfway through the pandemic, we weren't able to celebrate properly with family and friends, but we spend the afternoon crying and FaceTiming our loved ones.”

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