Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The Old Hall Ely in Cambridgeshire is hosting two open days

Visit The Old Hall Ely, in the heart of Cambridgeshire, for an evening of wedding inspiration! If you've recently gotten engaged or are one of the lucky few to have already booked your wedding at the venue, then this is an event you don't want to miss out on.

Join the team on Tuesday 27th February, from 5pm-8pm. to explore the manor house and grounds, see the wedding venue in full swing, meet some of Cambridgeshire's top suppliers, meet the venue's team and tour the beautiful bedrooms.

There's no need to book a ticket; just gather your friends and family and get ready for an evening filled with exciting wedding inspiration!

County Wedding Events coming to Crondon Park, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Crondon Park, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 11th February 2024! 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. Set in the beautiful valley of Crondon, with stunning views across the Essex countryside and our championship golf course - Crondon Park has established an outstanding reputation as a premier venue in Essex and the UK.

The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips on icebreakers and advice for the best man. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

The worst Valentine’s Day presents ever gifted

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many people in relationships will be facing one of the toughest questions of the year - "What do I buy my other half?". There have already been 43,000 online searches for "Valentine's Day gifts" as people look for inspiration and whilst some people might receive extravagant and romantic presents, some people are less fortunate. With this in mind, Ninja surveyed the nation to find out what the worst presents people had been given for Valentine's Day, and between a bag of crisps and cat food, the results will shock you

Fraser Hart has launched its new lab-grown diamond collection in its Norwich store

Fraser Hart has launched its new lab-grown diamond collection in its Norwich store. Optically, physically, and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, cutting-edge technology has been used to create timeless diamonds in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship with innovation, the diamonds are breathtaking in their clarity, delivering the same sparkling wow factor as traditionally mined gems but with a more accessible price tag.

The Born Collection includes a stunning choice of 'buy now, treasure forever' heirloom jewellery pieces with a wide choice of cuts, carat sizes and settings.

Hen do and stag party tips 2024

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on reducing the cost of a hen or stag do: "Many bridal and groom parties begin planning their respective hen and stag dos throughout the months of January and February. Taking the time to plan carefully is crucial, especially if you are planning on jetting off somewhere. "But, with rising living costs and foreign destinations being more expensive than ever, I've put together my top tips to help you have some pre-wedding fun without breaking the bank - either domestically, or abroad.

Fynn Valley Golf Course is a hidden gem in the Suffolk countryside

Nestled on the outskirts of Ipswich in the Suffolk countryside, this hidden gem provides a versatile space to create a bespoke wedding. Set within the grounds of Fynn Valley Golf Course, the distinctive three-peaked building, with its wood cladding and natural colours, blends beautifully into the breathtaking landscape.

Built in 2018, the natural internal décor includes touches of decadence, all wrapped within sliding panes to make the most of the panoramic views. The raised, open-framed ceilings give the reception area a wonderfully spacious feel, suitable for all kinds of weddings.

2024 is here and it's time to get organised with a new wedding planner

Whether it's a new year's resolution to get more organised, or you're feeling overwhelmed with the wedding planning, use the new Our Wedding Planner to keeping track of your dreams and decisions for a stress-free wedding planning experience - allowing you to focus on enjoying day! Our Wedding Planner will not only organise your big day, but also create treasured memories for years to come. Every detail of your wedding, including hen and stag parties and the honeymoon are covered, allowing you to create your perfect wedding and keep that all-important budget on track along the way. Bursting with easy to follow advice, and space to record details of every conceivable aspect of planning the big day, this new book offers a one stop depository for ideas, prices, venues, suppliers and guests.

County Wedding Events coming to Kesgrave Hall, Suffolk!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Kesgrave Hall, Suffolk, for inspiration on Sunday 4th February 2024! 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. Set in beautiful countryside, Milsoms Kesgrave Hall is a boutique hotel, luxurious spa and brasserie restaurant just outside Ipswich.

The Speech Surgery - How many speeches are too many?

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

A matchmade in heaven for wedding gifting

Habulous is excited to reveal the latest addition to their range of personalised products, the perfect match striker pot. Handmade in the UK these personalised ceramic match striker pots look at home in your living room. The wheel-thrown pot is carefully glazed with a choice of personalisation inside the heart - reminiscent of those retro love doodles! Filled with pastel matches in complementary shades, the jars come in five signature colours: Cornflower Blue, Mint Green, Off White, Pale Pink, Light Yellow.

A dog-friendly property in the village of Trunch is ideal for mini-moons

A dog-friendly property in the beautiful village of Trunch on the picturesque North Norfolk coast has been built with four-legged friends in mind. Ha'penny Cottage promises a warm, friendly welcome for up to four pooches free of charge, whilst also retaining an air of luxury in a first-class location.

Perfect for mini-moons, Ha'penny Cottage sleeps up to four people in two bright bedrooms and has a light and airy open-plan design complete with a cosy wood burner and sofas on which people and pets can comfortably relax. The underfloor heated, textured slate floors make it easy for dogs to walk on easily without slipping, and the secure garden, with its furnished patio and six-foot fence, is a real draw for pet parents.

HARIBO giving free wedding cake to Gummy Ring proposals this Valentine's

From lockdown couples to celebrities, the last few years has seen the nation embrace their inner child by getting engaged with HARIBO's iconic Friendship Ring. To mark this Valentine's Day, HARIBO, the UK's number one sweets manufacturer, is delighted to declare that lovebirds ready to unleash their inner child and dive into marital bliss with its iconic gummy ring will get the sweetest reward – the chance to win their very own HARIBO Heart Throb Wedding Cake for their big day.

TikTok’s wedding trends - what we can expect in 2024

TikTok has become the best place to source beautiful wedding inspiration, from wedding dress fashion to food. But what were the biggest TikTok wedding trends of 2023, and what can we expect to see in 2024? By analysing TikTok hashtags, ethical jewellery brand Sacet provides insights into the most influential trends of 2023, the wedding trends on the decline, and predictions for the upcoming year.

Sheene Mill is a tranquil haven set among acres of blissful countryside

Sheene Mill in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, is a tranquil haven set among acres of blissful countryside. Nestled along the meandering River Mel, this elegant country venue can be exclusively yours on your wedding day. History embraces you as you say your vows in the 400-year-old flour mill or outside in the outdoor wedding pavilion suspended across the river. There is space for more than 55 vehicles to park at the venue, so your guests can enjoy the day without worrying about moving their cars. The venue has an exquisite shabby chic interior design, beautiful landscaped gardens, luxurious accommodation, and an award-winning catering and events team to help make your special day perfect.

Inside the UK’s most ‘Traitorous’ castle

The Traitors is Britain's hottest new reality competition, where a group of twenty strangers come together for the investigation of their life: to find and stop the Traitors from stealing the ultimate prize pot! It's a show full of mind-games, backstabbing and trust, and its second series proves to be gripping the nation once again. And the setting of this treacherous game makes it all the more entertaining: a beautiful castle in the Scottish highlands. In fact, enquiries about this castle have shot up since the show first aired in 2022.

Wedding floral trends for 2024

Bloom & Wild florist, Emma Forsey, presents a vision of floral enchantment that goes beyond the ordinary. From local blooms and wild meadows to bold colour clashes and the evolution of AI, here's what to come in 2024 for wedding blooms. Local flowers have been getting the love they deserve in the wedding scene, and it looks like they're going to be the go-to choice for UK weddings in 2024. More and more couples are valuing the eco-friendly element of homegrown blooms, appreciating the chance to support local flower growers. British flowers aren't just a trendy word anymore; they're becoming a significant and lasting part of the wedding flower industry.

That's so Fetch: 10 Ideas for the ultimate Mean Girls-themed hen party

It's time to channel your inner Regina George and party like it's October 3rd! To celebrate the release of the new Mean Girls movie on 19th January 2024, Fizzbox has the rundown on Mean Girls themed hen party ideas that are so fetch! In a world where wearing pink on Wednesdays isn't just a choice but a lifestyle, this is the ultimate way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials in style, whether you're an aspiring Spring Fling Queen or a Mathlete. So break out the Burn Book and dust off your Plastics-approved heels. Get in loser, we're going on a hen do!

From casual to formal, here’s how to plan your picture-perfect engagement party

Firsty, congratulations! You're getting married! After a proposal, there are so many things to think about, but before preparing for the big day itself, an engagement party is a great way to share your exciting news and get your nearest and dearest together to celebrate. Pinterest trends1 revealed the largest peak in searches for 'engagement party ideas' were in January last year, now is the time to get the ball rolling and start planning for the prelude of the main event. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a lavish affair, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares 10 tips for your celebration, no matter how big or small:

Caley Hall Hotel is running a special wedding offer

Caley Hall Hotel, a charming wedding venue offering a relaxed atmosphere with a country-chic feel, is running a special offer. Couples will receive free venue hire when all of the hotel's bedrooms are booked by wedding guests. This fabulous offer is available until March 2024.

Tastefully decorated and recently refurbished, the property has wooden beams and tartan carpet, long tables with white cloths and hessian runners, teamed with gypsophila and candlelight, perfect for a simple but stylish celebration.