Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The ultimate commitment: What couples must know before buying a home

For decades, the "gold standard" of commitment was a ring. Nowadays, many are opting to get on the ladder first, before considering a bigger wedding celebration. What's important to remember however is that while a wedding is a promise to each other, a mortgage is a legal commitment with your lender or bank. You aren't just responsible for your half of the loan; you are both legally liable for every penny of it. So, if you're planning to make the ultimate commitment this Valentine's Day, Ryan Etchells, Chief Commercial Officer at Together shares his top four tips for navigating the path to co-ownership:

Local supplier spotlight: Foxearth Hall Barn

Nestled on the outskirts of the charming village of Foxearth, just minutes from Long Melford and Sudbury, Foxearth Hall Barn is a beautifully restored 16th-century barn offering modern comforts within a relaxed, rustic setting. Set amidst rolling countryside on the Suffolk–Essex border, the barn can accommodate up to 200 guests and provides an idyllic backdrop for weddings and celebrations of all kinds.

The venue is run by Pam Pluck, whose wealth of experience in hospitality ensures every event is seamless and stress-free. Pam's aim is to allow couples to focus on enjoying their big day, offering as much or as little involvement as they wish. From floral arrangements and themed décor to wedding cakes, stationery and hand-written place cards, Pam's extensive skills and trusted contacts allow every detail to be tailored with professionalism, while enhancing the barn's natural charm.

Trending Stag Do Destinations for 2026

2026 looks set to be the year of the European stag weekend, with more guys looking at heading abroad than staying in the UK. Yes, according to one of the UK's leading stag do providers, a whopping 59% of stags are jetting off to celebrate in Europe with Benidorm, Albufeira, Prague and Lisbon all top choices for the groom's big send-off. "With the rise of budget air travel and comparatively cheaper costs abroad for food and drinks, it's no huge surprise more stags are looking at a weekend away over staying in the UK," said Jon Stainer, Creative Director at StagWeb.co.uk.

Riverhills has launched two new romantic offerings

Riverhills in Ipswich has launched two new romantic offerings, guaranteed to please this Valentine's Day. Afterall, nothing beats a blissful spa escape to celebrate love or to celebrate Galentine's with friends!

The Sweet Valentine Package includes a 30-minute treatment in one of the newly refurbished double treatment rooms, up to four hours of exclusive access to the luxurious spa facilities, a robe, towel, and slippers provided for complete comfort finished with a warming hot chocolate and a homemade chocolate truffle.

I SA-y yes! How soon-to-be wedded couples and newlyweds can use their ISAs 

From venues and catering to the dress and rings, wedding expenses can quickly add up. With the average cost of a UK wedding now more than £20,000, and with so many other pressures on our finances, putting money aside for your special day can feel challenging. A Cash ISA can be an efficient way for couples to save for their big day. With the Personal Savings Allowance limited to £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers, the tax-free allowance in an ISA has the potential to help you reach your goals sooner. Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, shares his top tips on how couples can save for a wedding and beyond.

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa has launched a new spa package

This February, the award-winning Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel invites couples to unwind with its Time for Each Other spa packages – thoughtfully designed for relaxation, indulgence and quality time together. Whether it's a luxurious spa day or a complete getaway with dinner and an overnight stay, there's an option to suit every style of Valentine's celebration.

Guests will unwind together with a glass of Prosecco on arrival at the Time for Each Other Spa Day before slipping into robes and enjoying a private Rasul mud treatment and a 60-minute ESPA personalised couples massage. They'll also have full access to the luxury heat and hydrotherapy facilities, including the hydrotherapy pool, rooftop hot tub, sauna and steam room. A one-course lunch in the Spa Lounge completes this indulgent day.

Married to your surname? 26% of women are planning on keeping theirs

Lots of people are ditching traditions when it comes to modern weddings and marriage - one of which quickly losing favour is the tradition of taking your partner's surname. In a recent survey carried out by Pandora UK, almost nine in ten (88%) women said they think that attitudes to married names are changing in 2026 ¹. When asked, over a quarter (26%) of unmarried women said they'd keep their last name if they got married, whilst less than half (45%) said they'd take their partner's name. This is indicative of the shift in opinion in recent years, as when married women were asked, only a sixth (17%) of women said they kept their maiden names when they got married, whilst the majority (78%) took their partner's surname, with just 4% choosing to double-barrel their last name with their significant other.

Love is in the air: Eden Mill and COCO Chocolatier partner to create the perfect Valentine's bundle

Independent distiller, Eden Mill and Edinburgh-based artisan, COCO Chocolatier, have launched a limited-edition bundle just in time for Valentine's Day - featuring award-winning gin and a luxurious chocolate bar. The Love Gin & COCO Chocolatier Bundle pairs a bottle of Eden Mill's iconic Love Gin with a bespoke bar of Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate. Designed with gifting in mind, the chocolate is presented in stunning, custom packaging inspired by the Love Gin's romantic aesthetic, beautifully merging the two brands.

Crondon Park Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Crondon Park, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 8th February 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events. Set in the beautiful valley of Crondon, with stunning views across the Essex countryside and our championship golf course - Crondon Park has established an outstanding reputation as a premier venue in Essex and the UK.

Countdown to the County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey

We live and breathe weddings at County Wedding Magazines and Events, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey on Sunday 26th April, 2026! It's one of our biggest wedding shows of the spring wedding show season. The event brings couples in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

Braxted Park Estate Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Braxted Park Estate, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 15th February, 2026! The sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

County Wedding Events coming Kimberley Hall, Norfolk!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Kimberley Hall, Norfolk, for inspiration on Sunday 8th February 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples face-to-face with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events. Built in 1712 during the reign of Queen Anne, Kimberley sits at the centre of a 700 acre park laid out in 1778. The house boasts spectacular views past grazing cattle and Norfolk's greatest concentration of ancient oaks, to a large lake at the bottom of the River Tiffey valley. Centrally located in Norfolk, 9 miles west of Norwich and close to arterial road, rail and air links (plus a private airstrip), Kimberley is ideally positioned.

Wedding venues in South Suffolk

South Suffolk is a dream destination for couples searching for romance, charm and timeless countryside beauty. Renowned for its quintessential villages, rolling landscapes and wealth of historic architecture, the area offers an enchanting setting for weddings of every style. Whether you're planning an elegant celebration in a stately home, a laid-back day in a rustic barn or a contemporary affair with rural views, South Suffolk's diverse collection of venues has something to suit every love story. From intimate gatherings to grand occasions, these stunning spaces provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable "I dos". Here are some of the local venues to choose from:

Monty Bojangles' new White Rose Kit-Tin makes for a quirky wedding favour idea

Looking for a wedding memento that really stands out from the crowd? As wedding season comes back around, Monty Bojangles, the multi-award-winning UK confectionery brand, has unveiled a new addition to its hugely popular Cat Tin collection. Say hello to White Rose, the enchanting wedding Kit-Tin. Marking the brand's first foray into the wedding space, the elegant keepsake has been beautifully designed as the perfect wedding favour, whilst also serving as the sweetest engagement, bridesmaid or wedding gift.

The wellness trends set to shape 2026 according to Riverhills Health Club & Spa

In 2026 wellness will move beyond surface-level self-care and into a more meaningful, personalised, and education-led space. According to the team at Ipswich's Riverhills Health Club & Spa, guests are no longer just seeking an escape; they want experiences that restore, empower, and adapt to how they truly feel.

Drawing on emerging guest behaviours and new initiatives launching at the Suffolk spa, Riverhills' Spa Manager Debbie Lawes shares the key wellness trends set to define 2026.

In 2026, spa days are becoming smarter. Guests want to leave feeling not only relaxed, but informed, inspired, and equipped with tools they can use in everyday life.

2026 Brides’ First Dance Forecast: The Songs Brides Can't Resist

For many couples, choosing the perfect first-dance track is a heartfelt decision, the song that will forever anchor the memory of their wedding day. Grace Loves Lace, the bridal company renowned for its effortless, romantic designs, has released a first-of-its-kind "Spotify Wrapped" for first dance songs. The new exclusive study analysed more than 70 of the most popular first dance playlists, listing over 3,800 unique songs, to uncover the best first dance tracks of all time. "Music is one of the most memorable parts of a wedding day, and the first dance sets the emotional tone for the entire celebration," comments Rosie Keating Leary, Head Designer at Grace Loves Lace. "It's fascinating to see the patterns emerge across genres, it mirrors how our brides approach dress selection. There's no one-size-fits-all; the perfect choice is simply the one that feels like you."

County Wedding Events coming to Houchins in Coggeshall, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at to Houchins in Coggeshall, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 14th April 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

Wedding venues in South Cambridgeshire

South Cambridgeshire is a region that quietly steals hearts. With its gently rolling countryside, characterful villages and elegant historic buildings, it offers an idyllic backdrop for couples dreaming of a wedding that feels both personal and picturesque. Whether you're envisioning a grand celebration steeped in history, a relaxed rural gathering or something effortlessly contemporary, this corner of East Anglia has a venue to match every style of "I do". From romantic barns and charming manor houses to stylish modern spaces surrounded by nature, South Cambridgeshire is brimming with beautiful settings ready to bring your wedding vision to life. Here are just a few for you to choose from:

Local supplier spotlight: Trish Thompson Photography

Trish Thompson Photography captures natural, unscripted moments in Norfolk and across the UK.

"Photographs are so important; they are moments captured in time, memories to treasure and heirlooms to pass on to the next generation," shares Trish. "For as long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated with photography. My parents bought me my first camera when I was 13, and I started to develop an eye for a great shot; my passion for photography and a desire to tell a story through the lens carried on from there."

What’s next for weddings? The Wedding Shop reveals all

Multi-award-winning gift list service, The Wedding Shop has revealed new data, showing the trends that are shaping weddings and couples' gift lists for 2026. Based on information from over 80,000 couples gathered since 2019, the leading personal gift service has looked at changes in how couples are choosing to celebrate, and how their dearest and nearest are gifting them to mark their special day with some surprising results.