Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The 10 most popular first dance songs for 2023

Over the past year, UK searches for 'first dance songs 2023' have increased by +4,700%, whilst searches for 'fun first dance ideas' have increased by +100% showing that more couples are looking for inspiration. The first dance is likely to be one of the most memorable moments of your wedding, so naturally, newlyweds are determined to pick the most suitable song. A decision needs to be made whether to choose an old classic or maybe the new love song that's currently on the charts.

The winners of the SME Ely Business Awards 2023 have been announced

The cream of the crop of businesses operating across Ely, Cambridgeshire, have been revealed as the winners for the exciting SME Ely Business Awards 2023 have been announced.

The awards are a great opportunity to bring the thriving local business community together to celebrate their success and shine a spotlight on their achievements over the last 12 months.

Businesses who won gold in their category will go on to compete for another trophy at the SME National Business Awards 2023 Final, held at the iconic Wembley Stadium later this year.

Pride & Seek has launched a new service

Pride & Seek is a small shop based in Dereham, Norfolk, offering a range of fun and exciting products. New for 2023, Pride & Seek has launched a service called Take A Peek Parties. The owner, Kerry, tells us more: "I'm really excited to be launching Pride & Seek's Take A Peek Parties. Here we sell items like jewellery, flags, pins, greetings cards, mugs, stickers, T-shirts, shoelaces, coasters, gift wrap, pens, hats, and lots more. There is lots of choice for everyone and something to suit all budgets. I'm looking for representatives to sell for me all over the country from September 2023, which is a massive development for me, and I can't wait to get started! I have my first party booked for the start of July, so feel free to get in touch if you'd like to attend.

How to make your wedding day dog-friendly

For many, dogs are considered to be a key member of the family, so when it comes to one of the most important days of a couple's lives, their wedding day, it's only natural that they want their four-legged friends to be involved in the celebrations. That being said, lots of strangers, loud noises and the unfamiliar location of a wedding can prove quite overwhelming for our canine companions, so if you want to include your dog in your big day, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of. Below, Carolyn Menteith, Behaviourist at tails.com has offered her top tips and advice on how to throw the 'paw-fect' wedding that will ensure both humans and dogs remain happy at all times.

Kimberley Hall is a romantic Queen Anne house built in 1712

A romantic Queen Anne house built in 1712, Kimberley Hall offers breathtaking views of a vast lake and private park designed by Capability Brown. The house is distinguished by a classical redbrick façade and a symphony of colour when illuminated at night. It boasts central pediments, curved colonnades, wings, turrets, and architectural features that provide it with its unique character.

When choosing this big-day venue, you will benefit from a wine and food tasting, a choice of caterers, in-house advice and a professional wedding planner. What's more, there's ample accommodation for 40 guests in the main house or cottages on the estate, including four-poster beds and a Drummonds double shower in the bridal suite, which has a raised bath to enjoy spectacular views of the romantic lake and beautiful landscape.

UK wedding guests set to spend £16.6bn in 2023

As summer approaches and wedding season hits full swing, new research from American Express has found that UK wedding guests are set to increase their spend attending weddings by 18% this year, compared to 2022. The average wedding guest is expecting to spend £1,045 on average per wedding this year, equating to £16.6 billion across the UK. In 2022, wedding goers spent an average of £883 to mark the first year of restriction-free ceremonies, totalling £15.6 billion as a population.

On trend flower arrangements for summer 2023

With Summer here at last, it's time to elevate our flower arrangements in align with all the 2023 trends. Much like the fashion designs we follow year upon year, the world of florals is equally monitored for on-trend flowers and colours of the seasons. Bloomsbury Flowers are here with all the top tips on keeping your flower arrangements on trend for 2023. The luxury and longstanding florist (based in Covent Garden) has served some of London & the UK's most stylish venues and beyond with their individual designs and scents. With their reputation for premium and bespoke flower arrangements, they certainly know what they're talking about when it comes to flower trends.

New Etsy Registry launches for weddings

Etsy has launched its Etsy Registry, a new wedding gifting experience that allows couples to register for truly meaningful gifts. In addition to handmade and vintage gifts, couples can register for personalised items and specify the exact customisation for their guests, making Etsy the place people can go for gifts, decor, and even bridal party items – all while supporting UK small businesses.

Tips for making the perfect wedding gift hamper

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the couple who has everything this wedding season? Hampers are one of the best wedding gifts for newlyweds because of their practicality, variety, versatility and thoughtfulness. As well as being the perfect personalised and affordable gift that can be done on any budget. Cartwright & Butler's hamper and recipe developer, Karolina Glowacka, has given 8 tips on building the ultimate wedding gift hamper for the newlywed couple to continue to enjoy even months after their big day.

Moments Frame from Inkifi, the ultimate wedding gift

The Moments Frame from inkifi is a stylish way to display treasured memories at home, suiting both contemporary and traditional interiors schemes. A 52 aperture premium framed print to showcase the most special moments at home. Perfect for savouring a memory for each week of the year or for celebrating landmark moments like a wedding, a child's first year or photos from treasured holidays.

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa has won an award

Suffolk-based wedding venue Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa has won 'Best Boutique Spa' at the Boutique Hotelier Awards and was shortlisted at the Professional Beauty Awards in the 'Boutique Spa of The Year' category.

The judges of the award were particularly impressed that The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel had invested a significant amount of time and money into training its staff to offer a more diverse and inclusive treatment menu, such as the Wellness For Cancer Treatment Menu, while always maintaining the highest standard of service.

Demand for dry weddings increases

Whether it's teetotallers, the 'sober curious' or simply those wishing to cut back on the amount of alcohol they consume, dry weddings are an emerging growth market according to one leading events planner who has seen a 28% increase in requests for completely alcohol-free weddings, and a notable focus on alcohol free drinks in weddings that aren't forgoing it altogether. Liz Taylor, CEO of leading wedding and events management company, the Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), has been at the forefront of the wedding industry for over thirty-five years and has never seen such demand for no or low alcohol weddings, with requests rising nearly a third in the last two years.

Top trending wedding readings #WeddingTok #PoetryTok

With wedding season upon us, and many people looking for reading inspiration, the experts at Poem Analysis have found the top trending (and least cheesy) wedding readings on TikTok! There are 140.4 million views for the search 'best wedding readings' so you're not the only one if you're struggling with the right words to say on your big day! What's more, there's been 2.6 billion views and counting on #PoetryTok and #WeddingTok has 7.4 billion views and rising with advice for every element of your big day, and 140.4 million of those views are for the search 'best wedding readings'.

Wood Farm Barn is situated in an Area of Outstanding Beauty

Wood Farm Barn is situated in its own grounds, surrounded by a stunning rural landscape in an Area of Outstanding Beauty. The main barn and annex barn are surrounded by thatched outbuildings, a walled garden, a natural pond, a copse and a beautiful tree-lined avenue offering lots of opportunities for memorable photographs. At night the area can be lit with strategically placed lights giving enough illumination without destroying the magical atmosphere of this rural venue.

8 actionable tips for a more sustainable wedding

Weddings cause a surprising amount of waste and CO2 emissions. And, as more and more people consider the effect, many couples are starting to plan greener weddings. Lucille, jewellery expert at ethical jewellery brand Sacet shares eight actionable tips for a more sustainable wedding...Use conflict-free rings and jewellery - consider the ethics of your wedding rings and any other jewellery you may wear on the day. Diamond mining has a devastating impact on the environment and communities. So, choosing conflict-free, lab-grown diamonds, particularly diamonds created using Chemical Vapour Deposition or CVD - a method which requires lower temperatures than the first successful High Pressure, High-Temperature process, which requires a great deal of energy, and recycled metals is the way forward, particularly when it comes to the star of the show, your engagement ring.

Love and gin - matchmade in wedding heaven!

Tied the Knot Wedding Gin by Manchester Gin was crafted by founders Seb and Jen to celebrate their own wedding in 2022. Relaunching in time for wedding season as part of the distillery's core range, Tied the Knot contains 11 botanicals in perfect harmony. Juniper-forward, like most of the Manchester Gin range, this very special edition also celebrates the delicate summer flavours of elderflower and hibiscus, which work beautifully with bright lemon and grapefruit.

It's World Gin Day (10th June) celebrate with seven gin cocktails

World Gin Day on the 10th June is a celebration of all things gin. Here's a selection of amazing gin cocktails originating from different countries for you today and for your hen/stag/sten do and wedding day - well why not on the honeymoon too! There's lots you'll be celebrating! Happy World Gin Day! Ryan Reynolds' Aviation Gin Negroni create at home: 30ml Aviation American Gin, Campari and Sweet Vermouth. Stir all ingredients in a glass, add ice and a fresh twist of orange peel

Macmillan Cancer Support launches letter-box gifting service

GoodPost, is the new online gifting service from Macmillan Cancer Support that allows customers to shop personalised greeting cards, letter box gifts, hampers and more which can be sent straight to a loved one's door at the click of a button. It's really convenient and with every purchase, all proceeds go straight to the charity. As part of the new service, buyers can pick from a new range of exclusive gifts and cards.

Norfolk’s Bayfield Catering has won two awards

Norfolk's Bayfield Catering has won 'Caterer of the Year East' and 'Caterer of the Year Overall Winner (UK)' at the English Wedding Awards 2023.

"Winning feels really strange, as it has taken a long time to get recognised," says Emma Boubaker from Bayfield Catering. "There were so many people there, but when they called my name, it was amazing. We're a small company, so it's so nice to be recognised and appreciated as we work so hard."

Wedding Gifting with Le Creuset

As we head towards wedding season, here's a selection of suggested gifts from Le Creuset. From the staple Cast Iron Casseroles to Stoneware Mugs and sophisticated Red Wine Glasses Le Creuset has the perfect gift for every newlywed couple. What's more, with varying price points, the ranges are also budget-friendly for guests. The extensive product options come in a wide range of colours making for a personal and thoughtful present.