Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Say yes to saving for the big day - Top tips from Rathbones

Top tips from Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones Group Plc on budgeting together for the important day. A wedding is the beginning of a new chapter and likely one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be full of joy and stress free, a lot of our time and money goes into pre-wedding planning, to make sure this is the case. The cost of living crisis and sticky inflation are impacting prices across the board and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Kindar shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

The Harper Hotel is a contemporary take on the English country escape

The Harper Hotel is located in Langham, a pretty village just a mile inland from the coast at Blakeney, Norfolk. After a transformation of the original well-known brick and flint-built barns, this charming coastal retreat is a contemporary take on the English country escape. Retaining the fabric of the building and retelling its story with a bold, industrial aesthetic in its public areas, The Harper combines modernity with continuity, marrying past and present.

The Harper's 32 bedrooms beckon for weekend breaks. Find the room that's right for you, enjoy some Norfolk nibbles and a cocktail, and relax.

Most popular TikTok wedding car revealed

Gone are the days of a horse-drawn carriage or a Rolls Royce pulling up to the wedding chapel, now it's all about modern cars! Couples across the UK are planning their dream weddings, with a twist. Searches for 'modern wedding cars' have surged by 60% in the last month according to Google Trends, signalling a shift from traditional vintage choices to sleek, contemporary vehicles that add a touch of modern elegance to the special day. ATS Euromaster, the tyre, MOT and vehicle services provider, has analysed TikTok hashtags and trends to reveal the changing popularity of wedding cars, both vintage and modern. Additionally, ATS has estimated rental costs for three-hour periods to help couples choose the perfect car for their special day.

The Flint Room is full of quirky places to take photographs

If you're looking for something different for your wedding ceremony, then The Flint Room is the perfect choice. Often referred to as one of Norwich's hidden gems, it's a deconsecrated Medieval church on the outside and a quirky wedding venue on the inside that looks stunning in wedding photographs.

As it's no longer a church, only non-religious wedding ceremonies can be held at the venue. It can seat up to 80 guests in its selection of vintage chairs and funky sofas. It even has a little bar, so your guests can toast to you once you have tied the knot.

National Art Pass - perfect wedding gift for culture lovers

A National Art Pass is a great way to enjoy time at hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, and the Double Membership makes the perfect wedding gift for any culture lovers! Annual membership is only £88.50* and lets the happy couple enjoy free entry to hundreds of cultural destinations, plus 50% off major exhibitions, and special shop and café discounts. What's more, two cards will be issued for the happy couple!

Say 'I do' to shared planning - wedding expert shares tips for involving family and friends

Amy Greenshields, wedding expert at Card Factory has shared 7 tips to help you let your loved ones contribute.

Asking for help can be hard but getting friends and family involved in wedding planning can not only lighten the load but will also make them feel included and valued. Wedding planning contains many different elements, from table designs and seating charts to your floral bouquet, everything must be accounted for. A bride normally has the most influence over everything wedding-related, leading to as state of overwhelming stress. Why not share out the responsibilities – even the little ones can have a job!

Elle-Events Management has rebranded

Cambridge-based event planning and management business Elle-Events Management is celebrating its rebrand with a plethora of services suitable for an array of special occasions.

Founder of the business and industry expert, Elle Roberts-Nissen, says: "I have been working towards the development of Elle-Events and its offerings for a number of years. I am thrilled that the time has come where I can launch the business to its full potential and continue to evolve it over the coming years, making more of a mark on the industry."

Ginger Ray - An Introvert's Guide to surviving a hen party

So, you've got a hen party on the horizon, but the thought of navigating through a sea of social interactions is making you break into a cold sweat. Fear not introverts, we've got your back! Follow these top tips to make sure that you don't bring down the mood at the hen party and instead boost the atmosphere of the event. Hen parties are a chance to celebrate the lucky soon-to-be bride so make it a night she'll never forget! Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared 6 strategies to ensure that you not only survive, but actually enjoy the festivities:

The High Barn at Bressingham Hall is perfect for weddings

The High Barn at Bressingham Hall is a breathtaking space that's perfect for both ceremonies and wedding breakfasts. The impressive traditional brick and stone building has a wooden frame with exposed beams and high ceilings. Beautifully renovated, it's a romantic big-day backdrop, full of character with contemporary finishing touches to complement its authentic charm.

You can say 'I do' inside the High Barn with up to 120 guests or outside in the courtyard or gardens. The world-renowned gardens are what really set this Norfolk gem apart. Spanning 17 acres, they're bursting with colours, plants, trees and water features, providing a wealth of great photo opportunities.

Sten dos are on the rise

Stag and hen experts, Adventure Connections, say it is the 'Sten do' that takes traditional trends down! A mash-up of the separate parties, the Sten do provides a popular new way for the future bride and groom to be united before the big day. Rumoured to have been recreated by Harry and Megan, Sten dos prove to be the hottest way to party. Founder of Adventure Connections, Justin Sayers mentions that "things are changing when it comes to pre-wedding parties", so why not give it a try? Sten dos offer a cost-effective and inclusive solution to those separate gatherings, perfect for those with a large number of guests. Those shared memories are sure to be irreplaceable. Reduce your stress and make it a rave to remember!

Dive into the world of muted colour palettes

Rebecca Brennan-Brown, founder of GetWed, a team of wedding experts based in London, helping couples achieve dreamy, fun, and unpretentious weddings, dives into the world of muted colour palettes and shares her top tips and advice for channeling this aesthetic...In a world of Instagram algorithms and Pinterest boards that feed you new inspiration every five minutes, it can be tricky to choose a colour palette for your wedding, let alone stick to one. Do you go for classic, whimsical whites and greens? Or perhaps something bolder and more fun? Or maybe you've always envisioned a summery pastel palette. The options are endless.

Personalisation is IN for 2024

Crafty Brewing and Lola and Luna's collaboration reveals how personalisation is being brought to the forefront of 2024 weddings. The concept of personalisation is holding a key part in redefining 'tradition' and incorporating new captivating trends in every aspect of your magical event. Aimee, a wedding expert from a wedding planning and styling company says that "Over the past few years, weddings have increasingly started steering away from the same old conventions, and opting for bespoke options more frequently." From table plans set on where the couple first met, to embroidered napkins there are so many opportunities to add a personal touch on your big day.

Scentscape your wedding day with Yankee Candle

Scentscaping your wedding day is a trend that's going nowhere! Finding the right fragrance to shape the atmosphere of your wedding is an exciting part of the wedding planning journey you can do together - beats the wedmin too! Yankee Candle, and sister brand WoodWick, boast a wide collection of candles in all shapes, colours and sizes that would work perfectly for your nuptials, reception and big-day gifting. Imagine walking into you ceremony with the scent of pink cherry and vanilla surrounding you, or at your winter reception Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl from Yankee's new collection will certainly set the tone of the proceedings and reflect the time of year. Once you've found your favourite candle, it's also something you can purchase time and again to evoke memories of the special event, alternatively gifting loved ones who supported you on your wedding day with a candle to the big-day fragrance will be a gift where guests can reminisce too!

Paperchase unveils wedding and hen party products collection

The beloved brand Paperchase has recently launched an exclusive collection of wedding and hen party products. The new range features a wide selection of unique and sophisticated wedding staples and novelty hen products for great value prices, from stationery to decorative accessories. It is perfect for those tying the knot this year or planning a spectacular hen do. Looking for luxurious wedding invitations? but want to keep costs down? Well, the Ginger Ray Wedding Invitations with Envelopes (10pack with envelopes) with a classic cream finish they combine style with affordability for those looking to advertise their big day with a stunning opening number.

Norfolk and Suffolk Hideaways has partnered with Wildfood UK

Norfolk and Suffolk Hideaways has partnered with Wildfood UK to provide guests with the opportunity to forage for food. Ideal for a pre-wedding getaway, couples will be taken on a journey through woodland, discovering how to identify edible plants as well as how to use them for culinary purposes.

Wildfood UK founder Marlow Renton explains more: "Suffolk and Norfolk, with their sprawling woodlands and pristine coastlines, offer a perfect canvas for foraging adventures. We are delighted to offer visitors staying at Suffolk and Norfolk Hideaways the opportunity to become foraging experts through our courses."

Planning for the night ahead – wedding nightwear from Chelsea Peers

West London based designer brand Chelsea Peers has an glamorous array of wedding nightwear for any bride on their special day, to complement the bride's style and luxurious taste. When wedding planning, you mainly focus on the particulars of the actual ceremony and the events of the day, however what about your first night as husband and wife? With Chelsea Peers, the elegant draping allows the bride to maintain an effortless silhouette while adding just a touch of splendour. For a spectacular wedding night, consider the chic and comfortable Satin Fringe Trim Long Pyjama Set – Ivory, that features a swishy flared shape that has plenty of movement, combined with smooth, lustrous satin.

Number 47 is a historic wedding venue in the heart of Norwich

Number 47 is a historic building in the heart of Norwich. Boasting stunning Georgian architecture, this magnificent building is Grade II-listed and part of Norwich's rich architectural heritage. It was originally built in the late 18th century by Mr. Ruben Deaves and later sold to Horatio Bolingbrooke, the first Sheriff of Norwich, in 1848.

Number 47 has several spaces available for your wedding ceremony. The Mancroft Suite is fully air-conditioned and suitable for up to 90 seated guests and 130 for a buffet style.

The Garden Room is suitable for up to 25 seated loved ones for a civil ceremony. For a private function, the Garden Room can comfortably seat 20 or cater for 40 standing. This room also has access to the charming private garden.

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy, and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: Some say addressing guests as 'ladies and gentlemen' is a mistake these days... what is the Modern newlywed speech etiquette? Let's start by saying (again) there are no wedding speech rules. When it comes to etiquette, it's simply a case of common sense and being polite. Honestly, that's it. When it comes to addressing your audience, 'Ladies and gentlemen' is becoming less common for two reasons.

Two Magpies’ Bake School is offering two new classes

Two Magpies' Bake School in Darsham, Suffolk, is offering two new classes that are perfect for date night or as a wedding gift.

Dedicated to Doughnuts is a half-day course that teaches you how to make your own delicious doughnuts. You will leave the class with six filled doughnuts and the dough to make six more at home.

Alternatively, the Pizza Masterclass runs in the evening and is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to make and shape your own sourdough pizza dough. You will create your own pizza, then enjoy eating it with a glass of wine or a beer in the cafe, followed by a delicious dessert.

Creative ways to preserve and display your wedding bouquet

Your wedding day is one of the most magical days of your life, so you'll no doubt want to hold onto your memories for as long as possible. Here, Clare Price from framing specialists Wall Space shares their tips for preserving your wedding bouquet for years to come. Preserving your wedding bouquet can be a wonderful way to keep the memories of your special day alive. Techniques like drying and pressing are some of the best methods of flower preservation, and there are countless ways to show off your preserved blooms in your home once you're done. With the tips and ideas below, you can create lasting reminders of your cherished moments and remember your special day for years to come.