Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

High Lodge offers exclusive use of the venue for weddings

Set in 80 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, High Lodge offers exclusive use of the venue for your big day. Located between Aldeburgh and Southwold, just three miles from the Suffolk coastal village of Dunwich, it's a destination hotspot – ideal for those of you looking to extend your celebration to explore all the area has to offer. There are also traditional, luxury holiday lodges set in tranquil woodland that are available for weekend-long weddings.

You can host your whole day in the versatile Champion Suite, a bright and airy function space with a private bar and garden area that's perfect for intimate weddings or grand celebrations of up to 300 guests.

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Hintlesham Hall has launched a new wedding package

Hintlesham Hall, a Suffolk venue surrounded by peaceful gardens, has a new wedding package available on its remaining dates until the end of March 2025. The package includes drinks for the canapés and meal, a three-course wedding breakfast, a menu tasting, an evening buffet, accommodation and breakfast for 64 guests and a music license until 1am.

There's a choice of distinctive rooms where you can tie the knot, including the Georgian-style Salon, which has an impressive chandelier, an ornate gold-leaf ceiling, and space for up to 100 friends and family. There's also the charming Justice Space, which overlooks the back lawns.

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

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!