Editor loves and inspiration

Nogard Creations, a flower preservation company in Cambridgeshire, has started framing flowers as well as providing resin flower preservation. Run by a husband-and-wife-run team, they work together to design and create your precious keepsakes. The duo uses quality materials and will provide transparent progress updates, convenient flower drop-offs, insured postage and custom pieces.

Exclusively for Your East Anglian Wedding readers, Nogard Creations is offering our readers 10 per cent off any flower preservation when you use the code ‘NEARLYWED10’. This discount can be used to book your date and the code will be honoured when the rest of the balance is due later on in the preservation process.

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Louise and Naomi met on a dating app in late 2021. “We were both attracted to each other’s love of family, travel and food,” says Louise. “I proposed to Naomi on her 30th birthday at Drusillas Park Zoo during a penguin encounter. Naomi has an extreme love for penguins and this had been on her bucket list for many years. I had been working secretly with zoo keepers to arrange the surprise proposal during the encounter. I had rolled a secret note in an egg, which Naomi had to search the penguin beach to find. When she found it, it read, ‘roses are red, violets are blue; turn around; I have something to ask you’, and I was behind her on one knee.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Kate Fletcher from Flashkate Bridal Make Up worked with a team of local suppliers to create this spring-inspired styled shoot. The Red House is a new wedding venue, so the team wanted to showcase the property’s gorgeous location and abundant photograph opportunities.

See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

VIMA Photography is a two-photographer team made up of Emily and Gemma. “Fuelled by iced coffee, van adventures and wild swimming, we adore photographing unique weddings,” shares Emily and Gemma. “Our mantra is the more colour, maximalist décor, boho vibes, festival feels and quirky couples, the better! We are both energetic characters and use maximum enthusiasm to capture the people, the details and the magic of your day with zero awkwardness. From getting ready to your first dance, we can be with you for all of the day or just a part of it. Our photography is rooted in colour, joy and creativity. Both based in Suffolk, we can usually be found in the abundance of stunning wedding venues the county has to offer as well as the rest of the UK and beyond. We are passionate about inclusivity and all LGBTQ+ couples, religious backgrounds and levels of ability will be given the full VIMA experience.”

Head over to our Photography feature in the current issue to meet more local photographers. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Molly and Chris met when they were both working at a racecourse. “We had a team-building day, at which point we had never met and were partnered against each other,” says Molly. “Sparks soon started flying, and we found out we are very competitive! A few months after dating, we travelled to New Zealand and Hong Kong in a van with a tent on top of it. Chris soon learnt my love of planning everything and I discovered Chris’ love of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Wine! Everyone thought it was going to be a disaster trip, but it was the start of our amazing adventure in life together and we can’t wait to take our two boys back.”

Chris proposed in Saint Lucia while the couple were on a family holiday. “It was a complete surprise and totally magical,” shares the bride. “We drove around the island looking for waterfalls, and by the third attempt, with Chris becoming more agitated, we decided to settle for a beautiful beach, where he went down on one knee and asked me to marry him. What is so special is that he designed the ring with my uncle, who is a jeweller in Hatton Garden, London. He asked my mum for permission the night before, as she wouldn’t be able to keep a secret!”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Hair stylist Rebecca Clark shares her suggestions for an October wedding.

"Personally, I think the time of year shouldn’t affect the hairstyle that you choose. With the right hairstylist and products, your dream style can be created at any time of the year. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and that you feel like you! Don’t choose a style because you think it’s bridal or will last all day. Choose your style because it’s the hair that you’ve always dreamed of. I would quite often recommend my brides to use clip-in hair extensions to ensure that the style holds all day, including all of the dancing in the evening."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Julie and Steve met on a dating site, and over time, their relationship blossomed. In 2022, for their one-year anniversary, Steve got down on one knee and proposed, which was a big surprise for Julie.

"Steve and I tied the knot at St Peter's Church in Carlton Colville, Suffolk," says Julie. "We went to a wedding fair at the Wherry Hotel and just loved it for our reception. We wanted a summer wedding, so we chose to incorporate flip-flops for our guests and flower seeds with our names on them. We also gave our friends and family scratch cards and sweets."

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Photographer Simon Watson organised this styled shoot. “I met Kim, who owns Ormesby Manor,” says Simon. “I fell in love with the venue right away. It’s stunning and offers so much, so I knew I wanted to organise a styled shoot there.”

See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Gemma and Adrian were instantly attracted to each other. “We have a lot in common, with many of the same interests,” says Gemma. “I liked Adrian because he always had something interesting to talk about. He was also nicely dressed on dates and always made an effort.”

For Gemma, the proposal was a complete surprise. “After having dinner at a restaurant in Brantôme, France, Adrian and I walked to the end of a bridge where we’d often go get ice cream when we went on holiday there,” shares the bride. “He asked me to be his wife and it was wonderful.”

"Woodhall Manor was gorgeous and had plenty of space for our guests," adds Gemma. "The rooms and the grounds were immaculate! We really enjoyed the venue’s menu tasting day, where we tried some of the courses, pre-drinks and wine. The venue manager, Lorraine, and wedding coordinator, Beth, were incredibly helpful and we couldn’t have done it without them! We also really liked that the venue had a separate bar and dancefloor to separate the night and day. Everyone really enjoyed it there and we still talk about it now!"

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

This multicoloured festival-inspired shoot was organised by the team at Minstrel Court and Amber Cox from Ambers Bakes and Cakes. Amber tells us: “The aim of this shoot was to pull together all of my favourite local suppliers and create a fun, festival wedding. Using disco balls and an array of bright colours, we used Minstrel Court as our blank canvas to bring our vision to life. It was the perfect collaboration, with all of the suppliers bringing their strengths to the table and showcasing what they do best. I wanted to emphasise that not all weddings have to be white and formal; you can add colour, flare and personalisation and have an exciting, jam-packed day! Real couple, Saskia and Ben, were our models and the images show the true spark between this gorgeous couple.”

See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download