Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

How to style your bridesmaids…

When it comes to planning your wedding the team at Colour Me Beautiful knows only too well that dressing your bridesmaids for your big day can be beset with difficulties. Here Cliff Bashforth sets out his advice on how to avoid the pit falls. It is an honour to be a bridesmaid, and often those you have asked will be as excited as you are. Shopping for bridesmaids' outfits can be a fun experience for you all, although you will need a clear idea of what you want them to look like because they will frame you in your wedding photographs. Happy bridesmaids make good photographs, so ensuring they are comfortable in what they are wearing will guarantee everyone is radiant on the day.

This is your dream wedding according to your star sign

It's not always easy to decide on your wedding theme, and searches for 'wedding ideas' have seen a +23% increase in the past twelve months. To offer some inspiration, thortful.com have collated the best dream wedding ideas for each star sign! Perhaps you're a Taurus, and would love to be married in a mansion, or a Leo dreaming of a castle wedding? astrologer, Inbaal Hongiman, to reveal the dream wedding for each star sign in order to provide some inspiration for those planning their big day.

From Leos' wanting to get married in an opulent castle to Sagittarius' eloping on a beach, here are the weddings each star sign dreams of having

How to ensure a good night's sleep before your big day

Anxious brides and grooms-to-be have been offered top tips on beating their wedding nerves and getting a good night's sleep ahead of their all important day. The fitted furniture experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk have provided their tips to those who are likely to be overcome by nerves, affecting their sleep. Among the nerve-busting tips are incorporating sleep inducing scents into your room, planning a pre-bed workout and avoiding spicy foods. Nic Shacklock, from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: "Pre-wedding nerves often lead to a lack of sleep ahead of what is regarded as the most important day of many people's lives.

Fizz the season to celebrate at Gastrono-me

Christmas is coming and Gastrono-me, the vibrant, buzzy, all-day cafe in Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge are pulling out all the stops to make it the best one yet! Known for their utterly crave-worthy dishes inspired by every far-flung place on the planet, Gastrono-me are serving up a cracking Christmas feast with plenty of sparkle to get you into the festive spirit! Whether you're after a dazzling dinner with all the fizz and trimmings for your office 'do, a marvellous bottomless brunch with the gals, or want to sing the night away at a karaoke speakeasy (Bury St Edmunds only), Gastrono-me is THE spot to deck the halls this year!

2022 table trends from Viners

As the trend for table scaping grows - a trend we love here at CWM HQ - your wedding day is the perfect time to create stunning table displays for dining in style! Whichever trend your wedding table décor follows, iconic British cutlery brand, Viners®, has cutlery in an array of styles, shapes and finishes to complete your look. Steeped in British heritage, the much-loved brand's elegant and durable cutlery is made from the finest materials, with a guarantee of excellence across all products.

County Wedding Events comes to Smeetham Hall Barn, Sudbury, Suffolk!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events fair at Smeetham Hall Barn, Sudbury, Suffolk on 23rd October 2022! A must-visit for all those that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning, the show puts you 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.

New augmented reality bar in Norwich

Fancy something a bit different to the usual hen or stag party fun? How about discovering the thrill of axe throwing? Boom Battle Bar is launching a new augmented reality axe throwing game designed to test your skill more than your strength, perfect for friendly rivalry. With 18 sites nationwide, including Norwich, the latest game joins the list of other favourites from Crazier Golf to Augmented Reality Darts, Shuffleboard and more. With great food and drinks, including battleground-themed cocktails, there's everything you need to enjoy a whole day of game play.

Host a green wedding with Social Impact Caterers - Social Pantry

The positive impact wedding has emerged as a significant matrimonial trend of 2022 and Social Pantry, the female-led, London-based sustainable catering firm (a business working to become the first zero-waste catering company) is quietly revolutionising how weddings are planned and celebrated by putting sustainability at the heart of how wedding food is selected and prepared. Alex Head, CEO & Founder, Social Pantry – who herself is getting married in October – and Sarah Turner, Head Chef, Social Pantry have all the tips on how to plan a sustainable wedding menu regardless of budget. Please see below for top tips and if you're interested, we'd love to give you the opportunity to cover Alex's wedding as a case study.

At a time when climate change and monetary inflation are impacting weddings, sustainability has never been more relevant for couples wanting to be environmentally and socially responsible.

Top UK wedding photographer discusses the beauty of intimate weddings

Since falling in love with wedding photography six years ago after photographing a friend's wedding, Rebecca Searle, has gone on to photograph around 30 weddings every year. She has accumulated over 12,200 followers on her Instagram, and her talent has also been recognised by Professional Photo Magazine, naming her as one of the Top 50 British Wedding Photographers of 2022. Every wedding is beautiful, no matter big or small, but having planned her own wedding on the Amalfi Coast 8 years ago, intimate weddings hold a particularly special place in Rebecca's heart. Whether it's a huge wedding with 200 family and friends, or a super cool intimate ceremony with a handful of people, both have their own beauty and benefits".

Local business owner ties the knot

A big Your East Anglian Wedding high five to Ella, one part of the mother-and-daughter duo at Langton Flowers in Mildenhall, Suffolk. After three postponements from 2020, Ella and her now husband Ben, finally wed in May this year. Mum Julie reports, "This was particularly special for us as a business as it meant we could let our creativity run wild. With no design brief, we had the chance to experiment with new ideas and a variety of flowers. Large installation pieces are so popular right now, and it was the perfect opportunity to explore and create large feature pedestals and modern archways. Now we can't wait for all the weddings to come and more showstopping designs!"

These are the UK areas with the happiest couples

There are always misconceptions about a north vs south divide, but apparently when it comes to love there is! A study by confused.com analysed government data to reveal the UK areas with the most marriages. When looking at where in the UK has the most weddings per person, one place stands out, which is Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, with 2,770 weddings per 100,000 people. Dumfries and Galloway are close to Gretna Green, which is traditionally identified with couples eloping from England, which is likely to be why many couples choose to tie the knot here. Another Scottish area comes in second, with Argyll and Bute hosting 1,165 weddings per 100,000 people each year. Located on the west coast of Scotland, Argyll and Bute is a unique area to get married. Here you can be wed on the beach, in a historic church or castle, or on the famous Mull of Kintyre. The most common wedding destination outside of Scotland is Kensington and Chelsea, in London with a marriage rate of 1077 per 100,000.

Suffolk photographer reducing carbon footprint

Suffolk-based Adam Prescott not only caters for all your big-day wedding photography needs, but he's also committed to making sure his business doesn't cost the earth. As well as his wedding photography and videography company Gecko Films, he also runs indoor photo booth service Bable & Co. and The Little Horse Picture Booth. With planet-friendly practices at the heart of the enterprise, he has partnered with Carbon Neutral Britain to further reduce the environmental impact of his whole operation.

Wedding Album of the Year winner

Professional photographer Rebecca Carpenter won the inaugural Wedding Album of the Year competition with a stunning set of images in a book printed and produced by Henley Albums. The new award was set up by The Photography Show to celebrate the talent and craft of professional wedding photographers and album makers, and championing the power of print, with the finalists being displayed at this year's show at the NEC. Rachel Carpenter, who describes herself as a destination wedding and elopement photographer, shot her winning album for her clients Helena & Mark, who got married in Las Vegas.

Suffolk coast venue's new refurb

Close to the Suffolk coast and surrounded by woodland and forest, Butley Priory is not only a magical wedding venue, but a great place to stay. Just a short walk away Butley Abbey Farmhouse can sleep up to 24 people. The Grade II Georgian property has recently been refurbished and offers luxury accommodation over three floors. Overlooking a large garden, tennis court and croquet lawn, it's a haven of peace and tranquillity. With three sitting rooms, all with open fires, and a large dining room, there are 12 spacious bedrooms, ideal for pre- or post-wedding stays.

Cambridge toastmaster's book launch

Professional toastmaster and master of ceremonies Matthew Biggin has released a new book to help couples make their dream wedding truly magical. With nearly 15 years' experience in the industry, Cambridgeshire-based Matthew shares some of the secrets gained from officiating at almost 400 weddings in The Bride Whisperer's Guide to Unveiling Your Magical Wedding. Packed with tips and advice, the guide covers everything from organising those all-important photos to making the most of your first dance. He says, "Many of the glitches that can occur, I see in retrospect – when it's already too late to fix them. It's my intention with this book to point out some simple and inexpensive measures that couples can take and consider when they plan their big day."

Suffolk florist's crowns for Ukraine

Claire Cowling of Suffolk-based Thrive Floristry created this stunning headdress as part of an appeal to help victims of the war in Ukraine. "I really wanted to show my support personally and, together with a group of fellow florists, we decided to be part of a charity campaign to raise funds through our floristry skills," she explains.Fellow florists around the country have created flower crowns and vinoks, a traditional Ukrainian headdress, and posted photographs of them to raise money for the work being done to support those in need in the war-torn country.

Norfolk’s Bradley Hatch Jewellers is celebrating

Norfolk's Bradley Hatch Jewellers is celebrating 28 years since first opening its doors in May 1994. Since then the shop in Wroxham has developed a reputation for high quality new and vintage jewellery, watches and more. A hotspot for newlyweds-to-be it offers a wide selection of engagement and wedding rings, as well as a bespoke wedding ring service, jewellery and accessories for the bride and groom, and giftware, ideal for the bridal party. With an experienced team and workshop on site, the business also offers a repairs and restoration service too, great if you're look to revamp a family heirloom for your something old and something new.

Supergroup Claire Richards & Duncan James surprise couple on their wedding day

Pop royalty, Claire Richards and Duncan James, joined forces on Saturday 17th September, as the ultimate wedding band - Simply Wed - to surprise one lucky couple with a performance of poptastic floor-filling songs on their wedding day. Anna Novelli and Samuel Hold from Bournemouth were delighted when the power duo 'crashed the wedding' at the Larmer Street in Wiltshire, to surprise guests and the lucky couple with the performance of a lifetime. The couple - both Steps and Blue superfans - were overwhelmed with joy to have the newly minted wedding supergroup perform, having known all the routines to Claire and Duncan's biggest hits since childhood!

Discuss your bridal make-up look with professional expert at The Brentwood Centre

Sam Easter of Beautiful You is a professionally trained make-up artist with more than 20 years' experience in the make-up industry and is particularly sought after for her wedding services. Sam will be on-hand at the County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd of October to discuss all of your wedding beauty needs. As an Essex- and Hertfordshire-based make-up artist, Samantha is perfectly based to travel to all of the best wedding venues that the South East has to offer from the beauty of Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire countryside, to the most prestigious London venues.

Meet photographer Claire Belson at The Brentwood Centre wedding fair

Suffolk photographer Claire Belson will be on hand to meet nearlyweds-to-be at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd of October 2022. When visiting the fair, hosted by County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Shows, couples get to meet potential wedding day suppliers - this is a must for your photographer who will be spending the whole day in your company. You need to trust their expertise and, more importantly feel at ease with them so you get the best pictures possible on your wedding day.