Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

County Wedding Magazine reader shares their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In December 2022, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a relaxing spa day for two!' and the winners were nearlyweds Laura and Antoni. The lucky pair enjoyed a day at The Spa at Ardencote, a luxury four-star wedding venue in Warwickshire, including a 55-minute Elemis treatment, light lunch and full access to the award-winning spa facilities worth £130!

Wedding flowers for a lifetime

If you fell in love with your wedding flowers, or perhaps your chosen blooms on the big day had a sentimental meaning, the experts from Gardening Express have named the best flowers to grow in your garden so you can have memories forever of your wedding day. Dahlias come in a variety of colours and sizes, they have a long vase life, which means they will look fresh and beautiful. Dahlias are also associated with love and commitment, making them a meaningful choice.

Cambridge Wine Merchants is celebrating its 30th birthday

I'm sure we've all sat in restaurants with wine lists longer than the entire series of The Lord of the Rings wondering what all these odd words mean and what on earth does a particular grape taste like. Luckily for you there is a sommelier on hand to guide you to wine heaven.

Fast forward to a few months before your wedding, and now imagine doing that for hundreds of people, who have different tastes, different menus and all need to be served at the same time! That's where Cambridge Wine Merchants come in; no more head scratching, Google searches and flicking through wine books for hours to find 'the one', let their wine geeks all who are highly trained and experienced do the hard work for you.

The only true way to find your perfect wine is to taste it, and after a consultation to narrow things down, you have a drink at their Kings Parade Store in Cambridge to find your favourite. The epitome of 'try before you buy'! With over 1,000 wines, 200 gins and 400 whiskeys, there is plenty to chose from and something for everyone! The best bit - as long as your spend over £250, you are able to get discounted prices.

Albert Rose Floral Design has won Florist of the Year 2023

Located in the beautiful countryside of Sandringham, Alison Mortlock has been serving her community with great distinction over the years. She offers simple yet unique designs for all occasions and includes nature in many of her designs by using naturally grown materials from the gardens of Norfolk.

Albert Rose Floral Design is the latest recipient of the Award of Excellence for Florist of the Year 2023 from South East Star – congratulations! Flowers have always been a real passion for Alison so in many ways being able to work with them every day is the fulfillment of a dream and something she finds very rewarding. It also gives her a real outlet for her natural creative flair, creating different styles and designs to meet the individual requirements of her customers.

UK wedding catering trends 2023

Restaurant Associates reveals new data shows a definitive shift in style and substance at UK weddings post-Covid. Now that the dust has settled, and government mandated guest list limits are all but a thing of the past, the UK wedding scene has seen a definitive shift. New data from Restaurant Associates shows a preference to an informal style, plant-forward menus and reception only guests - so what does a 'normal' wedding look like, post-covid?

Histon Manor is set within 11 acres of grounds

Only three-miles from Cambridge, Histon Manor is set within 11 acres of grounds, boasting formal gardens, lawns and woodlands.

The imposing Grade ll listed Georgian house is situated at the top a winding gravel drive, framed by two huge 300-year-old yew trees with views of several acres of lawns. Its windows are surrounded by roses in early summer and Virginia creeper turning golden in early autumn. The site aspect looks on to the formal topiary garden and pond.

Wedding favours that make a difference

Parkinson's UK has launched a new collection of wedding and celebration favours and place cards, meaning couples can rest assured with their ethical wedding choices. From old favourites to stunning new designs, there's something for everyone, and even better, with every purchase they're helping someone living with Parkinson's and their family, friends and carers. Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed with more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.

How to announce your wedding and involve your WIPs (Wedding Important People)

There are various levels of Wedding Important People (WIPs), which Rachel from The Wedding Party (TWP) says should govern how you tell them. "Significant WIPs, such as parents or guardians, should be face-to-face wherever possible. Getting families together to announce can kill two birds with one stone, but if your families have not met yet this can produce more nerves. If there are likely to be any reservations, then perhaps speak to your WIPs separately to allow for this. In the same breath, if parents are separated (yours or your partners), arrange to visit them separately but on the same day if possible. Finally, remember that using the video software available to you can ensure that you do this face-to-face no matter the circumstances.

Hungarian Hall are launching several new outdoor ceremony areas

This year Hungarian Hall are launching several new outside areas where couples can tie the knot. These include under the large, ancient oak tree on the meadow, in front of the pond with water fountains in the background, or the Victorian Summerhouse. Hungarian Hall offer inside wedding ceremonies for up to 170 or outside ceremonies for larger Asian weddings over 300 guests.

All weddings held at Hungarian Hall are exclusive use based on two and a half day hire.

What's more Hungarian Hall will be attending the 'Wedding Extravaganza' at Venue 16 on the 26th March, 2023. Come and have a chat with the team about your upcoming wedding. They can discuss your wedding in depth to find the best solution for you. Whether this be a 'DIY' wedding or a package offer.

How to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, provides her top tips on how to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding: "Understanding and managing your finances is never an easy task at the best of the times, however, throwing in a big goal, such as saving for a wedding, can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. Wedding planning should be fun, not daunting, therefore this Stress Awareness Month, I've pulled together my top tips to help reduce financial anxiety and make the process as enjoyable as possible.

The Grade I listed Hanse House is the last surviving Hanseatic Warehouse in England

Situated in historic King's Lynn, Grade I listed Hanse House is the last surviving Hanseatic Warehouse in England. It has a delightful, enclosed courtyard for photos, canapés and drinks! Ceremonies take place in the Hanse Suite Ceremony Room with 40 guests which boasts gorgeous beams with a view over the quay and the courtyard.

Post-vows the Hanse Suite Ceremony Room can host 40 people, and the Gallery 80 for seated receptions and evening dos of up to 100 loved ones.

What's more, when tying the knot here there's also on-site accommodation available

Becky's Cake Bakes is a talented cake maker in Cambridgeshire

Becky's Cake Bakes is a talented cake maker based in Soham, Cambridgeshire. The owner Becky Coverdale offers a bespoke service and works closely with her clients to create their dream wedding cake.

"I handmake all of the flowers that I use in the designs out of wafer paper, which makes them very lightweight, realistic and a beautiful keepsake from your wedding day," says Becky. "I also love to make bride and groom cake toppers. I use photos of the couple and details of what they will be wearing on the day to create the topper. If the couple chooses, I can also include bridesmaids, pageboy or pets. Toppers make a lovely keepsake from your special day that you can keep for many years to come."

The number one cause of wedding planning stress and how to reduce it!

What causes stress in wedding planning is something that is individual to each couple, but where does it mainly come from? Friends? Family? Finances? "A staggering 92% of our couples planning a wedding are feeling the pressure financially and it is causing overwhelm", says Rachel Allen, the CEO of The Wedding Party (TWP)." This was the reason that Rachel formulated The Overwhelm Button® to help couples to get good support. Rachel continues, "Being stressed over finances can take several different forms, the main three being as follows...

Check out Bake a Shoe’s newest range of handmade wedge cake handbags

Bake a Shoe's newest range of handmade wedge cake handbags! Hand-iced to order with realistic faux frosting, fruit and sprinkles they're perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth and eye for glamour. Made from a mixture of felt, vegan leather, foam, polymer paste and Bake a Shoe's secret icing recipe, they're hand-painted for a master finishing touch. Currently available in Victoria Sponge and Rainbow Sprinkles, although handbags can be made into any requested cake by the Bake a Shoe team in five to six weeks weeks.

Sustainable wedding table ideas from LIGA

Known for their love of nature's wonder material - cork, LIGA's sustainable tableware collections are a stylish and unique wedding dining-setting choice. With their extensive collection of placemats, coasters, trays and candle holders, all made from eco-frendly and recycled materials, LIGA create clean and contemporary pieces, bringing a naturally beautiful element to the tablescape. Each with a unique grain and pattern, the organic cork selected by LIGA is lightweight and soft to touch, a wonderful raw material which is naturally water resistant and easy to clean. Sourced from the Montado Forests in Portugal, LIGA's cork is hand harvested using age-old skills without damaging the trees or the delicate eco-systems which thrive in the forests. Once cork has been made into a LIGA product it continues to absorb CO2, so a living and breathing piece of homeware.

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is a 17th-century Georgian house

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is a 17th-century Georgian house built originally as a hunting lodge for the sixth Duke of Bedford. Set back from the road, the impressive entrance draws you around the sweeping driveway past the perfectly manicured lawns and avenue of trees to the beautifully elegant white stucco building entrance.

Set in three acres of perfectly manicured gardens, with established rose gardens and a beautiful wisteria-clad ivory pillared walkway, the Classics Garden is a formal garden which can be exclusive to the bridal couple. This space allows guests the freedom to relax during the day in quietersurroundings.

Team Hen's new Jelly Bag has landed

Meet the jelly bag that every bride tribe wants their hen party favours to arrive in 2023. Landing in three gram-worthy hues (off-white for the bride, dusky pink for the bridesmaids and maid-of-honour and pink for the hens). These reusable beauties are perfect for filling with Team Hen's latest array of coveted hen party favours and gifts whilst flaunting a cool, retro vibe. Plus, each comes tied with a matching ribbon, professionally printed in a luxe puffed design to create a slightly raised font effect. Not only are they the gift that keeps on giving (post-hen recipients can use them from beach to bar) but at £3.99 they're a steal!

County Wedding Events coming to Haycock Manor in Wansford, Cambridgeshire!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Haycock Manor, in Wansford, Cambridgeshire, for inspiration on Saturday 26th March 2023! 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.

Graduate Cambridge has launched its 2023 wedding packages

Graduate Cambridge is a handcrafted hotel inspired by the prestigious University of Cambridge and its surrounding town. The hotel offers riverside event spaces, inspiring service, and a wide range of customisable catering capabilities. The riverside Gazebo offers the perfect location overlooking the River Cam for a quintessentially Cambridge wedding.

What's more, the hotel has launched its 2023 wedding packages from £34 per person based on a minimum of 30 guests which includes: Menu tasting for the couple - dedicated hotel coordinator - room hire for the wedding breakfast and evening reception - red carpet reception -white linen tablecloths and napkins - use of cake stand and knife - reception glass of prosecco for the couple - easel stand for your table.

County Wedding Events coming to the Compleat Angler, Marlow, Buckinghamshire

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at the Compleat Angler, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, for inspiration on Sunday 2nd April 2023! 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.