Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The Old Hall Ely is a romantic wedding venue in Cambridgeshire

If luxury and romance are on your wedding wish list, check out this Cambridgeshire venue. You're sure to be impressed from the moment you arrive down the winding driveway and catch your first sight of the Jacobean manor house and immaculate grounds. With 10 acres to explore, there are plenty of picture-perfect spots for romantic photos. Step inside and be prepared for more stop-stare moments. The interior oozes style with luxury furnishings, bright colours, patterns, textures and antiques to complement the house. Set within a mile of the heart of historic Ely, with 16 individually designed bedrooms and views of the city's cathedral, it's an idyllic big-day retreat.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.

The Speech Surgery: Indian wedding speeches with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. I'm giving a Maid of Honour speech at a large Indian wedding. I've never been to one before... any etiquette I need to be aware of? Speeches are finally getting the attention they deserve at Indian weddings. A couple of decades ago they still weren't that common but now they're finally taking centre stage. And quite literally. In terms of etiquette, there's no major difference but the scale of the event will impact your speech. As we know, most Indian weddings are big events. It's not uncommon to have a guestlist anywhere from 400 to 1,000 guests and speakers are often up on a stage with lighting, sound crews and being filmed too! Check with the bride and find out...

Show your bridesmaids some love with the One4all Beauty & Spa Gift Card

Finding a range of gifts all your bridal party will love can be a struggle, especially when you've got a long wedding checklist to tick off. That's why the One4all Beauty & Spa Favourite Gift Card is an ideal addition to any bridal box or thank you card, it gives your hens the choice to pamper themselves with much-loved brands such as Boots, The Perfume Shop, Rituals, SpaSeekers and many more. It can be loaded with any amount from £15 to a generous £100, perfect if you've got a tight budget but still want to treat your bridesmaids.

CONCRETE&WAX offers a collection of handmade concrete homewares

CONCRETE&WAX offers a collection of handmade concrete homewares and home fragrances hand-poured in small batches in their Suffolk workshop, which would make perfect wedding gifts. Since its launch, the homewares collection has grown to include candles and reed diffusers with multi-functional concrete lids, as well as a tableware collection of coasters, placemats, centrepieces and stunning statement bowls.

The new Warm Neutral Tealight Trio brings together three beautiful spring colours in one modular and stackable candleware arrangement. An elegant addition to any home, these tealight holders are delivered tissue-wrapped in one of the company's signature dripping wax tubes with a choice of tealight fragrance.

Jewellery expert shares how to match your nails to your rings

Whether you're searching for an engagement ring for your partner or treating yourself to some new diamond earrings, there is so much to consider when it comes to finding the ideal jewellery. From complementary colours to chunky or more delicate styles, the experts at Abelini have shared four things to consider when purchasing new jewellery. Nilesh Rakholia, Director at jewellery retailer, Abelini, comments: "There are many factors to think about when it comes to buying new jewellery. Whatever the occasion, and whether it's a purchase for yourself or for a loved one, different styles and colours complement people in different ways - there's a perfect jewellery match for everyone!"

Isaacs On The Quay in Ipswich is a local landmark

Set on the Ipswich waterfront, Isaacs On The Quay is a local landmark that's full of character and charm. Once a wool merchant's home and workplace, the Grade I and Grade II* listed building boasts a rich history spanning centuries and has been lovingly restored to provide a charming setting for weddings. Some of the oldest parts are thought to date back to between 1430 and 1550, and there are original features throughout, including exposed beams and vaulted ceilings, with exhibits from the building's industrious past on display.

The Speech Surgery: funny photo inclusions yay or nay?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: My husband has been asked to be his brother's best man. We have lots of funny photos of his brother through the years. Should we utilise them in the speech? A decade ago, nearly every best man speech involved a PowerPoint presentation of embarrassing photos of the groom. These days are over. Maybe it's because social media now allows people to look back at laugh at their mates 'fedora' or 'drop crotch' years without needing to wait for a wedding. Or, maybe it's just because using PowerPoint is generally awkward and clunky anywhere other than the boardroom.

Don’t let your wedding decor go to waste: five creative ways to repurpose it!

With the time, money and effort you put into creating the perfect wedding setting for your special day, it only makes sense to make the most out of it, don't you think? If you want to give your decor another ounce of life but are not sure how, look no further. Experts at Diamonds Factory have shared five ways you can repurpose your wedding decor beyond the ceremony. 1.Get creative and repurpose your extra wedding invitations into a DIY project.

Film Kinetics is now a full time video production company

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."

Six things you need to insure when tying the knot

As wedding season draws nearer, couples are scrambling to tie up loose ends and ensure their special day goes off without a hitch. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, there have been 11K Google searches for 'wedding insurance' in the past month alone. The insurance experts at Bionic have looked into some of the most useful insurances to have for your big day. As of 2023, the average amount spent on wedding venues in the UK was nearly £8,000, meaning a significant amount of money would be at stake if the day were to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the venue. Similarly, the average spent on wedding videography and photography was nearly £3,000. In the event of any technical faults on the day, you could be at risk of memories of your special day not being captured, and also losing out on thousands if you weren't to take out cover.

Huntingdon Town Hall is a restored Grade II*-listed Georgian building

Built in 1745, the restored Grade II*-listed Georgian Town Hall is situated in the heart of Huntingdon on the historic Market Square. The building features authentic Georgian sash windows and a first-floor balcony surrounded by floral displays in the summer. As a former courthouse, the building is full of character and original features.

Huntingdon Town Hall boasts four licensed spaces for ceremonies, including two renovated courtrooms, great for intimate 'I dos' with up to 60 guests.

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.

‘The Speech Surgery’ with Speechy's Heidi Ellert McDermott

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches' We're planning on having five speakers at our wedding. How do we make sure the speeches don't take over the whole day? Great speeches can add so much fun and meaning to a wedding day – but you can have too much of a good thing. Guests don't want to feel like they're sat at a conference, so firstly, think about how you schedule the speakers. Perhaps have a couple before the meal, two before the dessert and one (funny speech) after everyone's finished eating. You want your guests to interact with each other on a regular basis, rather than listening to a succession of speakers for an hour!

The Office for National Statistics: journeying through modern life

The Office for National Statistics has published an article exploring life's most important milestones and how they have changed over time. Using a range of data sources, the article looks at key life events such when people enter the workforce, get married, and earn the most money. Kerry Gadsdon, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "Everyone's journey through adulthood is different, but we can use a range of data to explore key events in life. We've examined how these milestones of adulthood have changed over the past decade and can see how society is shifting. "In England and Wales, people are doing many things later in life; like leaving their parent's home, getting married, and retiring. But not everything has changed. Most people still enter the workforce at 23-24 years old and make the most money in their 30s to 50s."

These are the UK’s most popular manor house wedding venues for Bridgerton-inspired ceremonies!

As we all wait in anticipation for tonight's first episode of season three of Bridgerton to hit our screens, we're ready to immerse ourselves in Regency splendour once again. If you're engaged, in the throws of wedding planning, there's so much to be inspired by when watching this hit series. New data collected by ethical jewellery brand Sacet has revealed the top manor house wedding venues across the UK that would make the perfect location for a Bridgerton-inspired ceremony. By analysing a number of factors, including number of reviews, professionalism, quality of service and value for money, of over 230 wedding venues that offer manor house weddings in the UK, the top 20 were revealed.

Ashlee Jane has won an award for her floral e-commerce business

Ashlee Jane, a home décor influencer and entrepreneur, has won an award for her floral e-commerce business, The Suffolk Nest. When the COVID-19 lockdowns swept the UK, Ashlee was able to focus more of her time on faux-flower arranging. Increased content was met with greater engagement and interest, and her arrangement tutorials and advice sessions on Instagram brought audiences in their thousands. Her first product, the DIY Christmas Wreath Kit, sold out in minutes, so in January 2021, Ashlee took a leap of faith and officially founded the floral e-commerce business, The Suffolk Nest.

Make sure your big day is protected

A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day to make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.

The Boathouse is set on Norfolk’s Ormesby Broad

Just a few miles from the coast and the seaside town of Yarmouth is The Boathouse. Set in an idyllic spot on Norfolk's Ormesby Broad, the venue is in a picturesque location where your guests can relax on the terrace and take in the stunning views while waiting for you to arrive for the ceremony.

Wonderfully light and airy, The Ceremony Room is big enough for up to 120 of your friends and family. The sliding glass doors open onto the spacious terrace, and beside it, there's a pretty wedding arbour where you can say your vows.

WoodWick® reveals its latest collections

WoodWick® reveals its latest collection designed to effortlessly elevate the home with its unique fragrances and contemporary designs - perfect for big-day gifting. What's more, the gorgeous colour palettes would also suit spring and summer wedding themes adding aroma to your ceremony or reception, evoking memories of your wedding day for years to come. Created to make a statement with its one-of-a-kind multi-sensory experience, the WoodWick® Spring/Summer 2024 range re-energises the home and adds an extra layer of sophistication. With the soothing sound of the crackling wicks, and trend forward scents evocative of the brighter days ahead, this collection is sure to add a bold, yet stylish, touch to the home.