Editor loves and inspiration

To help you create your dream outdoor ceremony, we spoke to humanist celebrant Dawn Rees and asked for her top planning tips.

"As an experienced celebrant with hundreds of ceremonies under my belt, I know that an outdoor wedding can be absolutely stunning," says Dawn. "Choosing an outdoor wedding gives you lots of options and can be incredibly photogenic, but what criteria should you consider when selecting an outdoor wedding venue? Here are some top tips based on my years of experience:

"Visit the property at least twice and try to meet the staff you will be dealing with and get a feel for the place and the people. Consider what type of ceremony you want and share your ideas when you visit the venue. Is it going to be formal, informal, or have a party vibe? How many guests will be coming? Where in the grounds will the ceremony be held? Many venues have specific places where it is either shaded, woody, sunny, under a tree, or on a stone terrace. But what factors should you consider before making up your mind?

"Think about your guests. Is the site accessible? How far away is the car park? Is there a path for friends and family with mobility issues? Is the ground even or uneven? Is it a formal or informal space? What will suit your vibe? Think about how you will reach the ceremony site. How far is it from the main building and/or the reception area? Is your walk in music of sufficient length?"

Head over to our Outdoor Weddings feature in the current issue to see more. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Becky’s Cake Bakes, a talented cake maker based in Soham, Cambridgeshire, is offering our readers two special discounts. The owner, Becky Coverdale, offers a bespoke service and works closely with her clients to create their dream wedding cake. She tells us: “I handmake all of the flowers that I use in my designs out of wafer paper, which makes them very lightweight, realistic and a beautiful keepsake from your wedding day. I also love to make bride-and-groom cake toppers. I use photos of the couple and details of what they will be wearing on the day to create the topper. If the couple chooses, I can also include bridesmaids, pageboys, or pets. Toppers make a lovely keepsake from your special day that you can keep for many years to come.”

Exclusively for Your East Anglian Wedding readers, Becky’s Cake Bakes is offering couples that order a couple cake topper 10 per cent off the price! What’s more, Becky is also giving couples who book their wedding cakes for 2024 or 2025 a 10 per discount! To claim these amazing offers, get in touch with Becky and mention Your East Anglian Wedding by email or via her website.

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

Danielle and Sam met while on a night out. “A mutual friend introduced us,” says Danielle. “She still calls herself cupid for setting us up. He added me on Facebook after I left; we got talking and went from there. On our first date, we took my dog for a walk, and she ran off, which she had never done before. I don’t think she approved, but she absolutely loves him now.”

Sam proposed on the couple’s fifth anniversary in 2021. “He proposed in our garden,” shares the bride. “He organised for our florist to come and decorate the garden with roses and flower arrangements and he stood under our pergola with ‘marry me’ written in carnations. It was definitely a surprise, as he told me he was going to play golf and I went out shopping with my mum for the morning. When I arrived home, the hallway was covered in rose petals leading to the back door. Music was playing and he had bought me a gift. I assumed it was an anniversary gift, so I stood there for ages opening the gift, not realising Sam was waiting outside in the middle of the garden to ask me to marry him.”

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

We love flowers here at Your East Anglian Wedding, but with so many gorgeous blooms to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. To give you some inspiration, we've asked Bracken and Twine Flowers to share one of their favourite on-trend images.

Head over to our Flowers feature in the current issue to see more. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Make-up artist Hayley Clarke tells us her top beauty tip.

"It’s important to start thinking early about getting your skin in good condition ahead of your wedding day," says Hayley. "Book a facial up to three months prior to the wedding and don’t leave it until the month before. This gives your skin time to calm down, ensuring any breakouts are done and dusted before the big day!

"I recommend most of my brides visit Louise Thomas Skin Care in Norwich as they have looked after many of my clients ahead of their weddings and they always turn up on the big day with the best skin they’ve ever had. Having healthy skin ensures the very best base for your make-up application."

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

Rachel and Lauren met through a mutual friend. “We had a lot in common and got along well from the off,” says Rachel. “However, as Lauren was in the military, it was around 10 months before we got together, as she was posted in Cyprus for six months.”

Lauren popped the question on Rachel’s birthday in 2021. “We went out for a meal and she proposed over dinner,” shares Rachel. “However, I had bought a ring for Lauren earlier in the year! When she started to propose, I got my ring from my handbag and gave it to her when she gave me the ring that she bought. Lauren had arranged for our closest friends to meet us for drinks after. It was a really nice evening. We have a lot of friends and they are always involved in the special moments in our lives.”

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

Katy Rayner from Bracken and Twine Flowers tells us her top tips for planning an outdoor wedding.

"Embracing the beauty of seasonal, locally grown flowers is a wonderful way to reflect the charm of nature, seamlessly complementing the atmosphere of your special day. Opting for blooms that are in season not only ensures freshness but also harmonises perfectly with the environment around you.

"To achieve a natural and unstructured look, consider designs that mimic the organic beauty of a garden, hedgerow, or wildflower meadow. Think loosely gathered bouquets, rambling arrangements, and centrepieces with a just-picked feel. Embrace asymmetry and varying textures to add depth and character to your floral displays.

"Partnering with a florist who resonates with your love for natural and informal styles is key. Seek out someone who not only comprehends your vision but can also breathe life into it with their expertise and boundless creativity. A florist should not only elevate the visual allure of your wedding but also guarantee that each arrangement is a true reflection of your individual style and personality."

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

Emma and Marwen met while on holiday. “It was your typical holiday romance that turned into a life together here in the UK,” says Emma. “Marwen proposed to me during a holiday to Istanbul with our friends. He bought me flowers and a beautiful gold ring with a diamond and asked if I would marry him.”

"Marwen is Tunisian, so we had a civil ceremony in his home country in 2016," adds Emma. "We didn’t have any of my family with us apart from my mum and a friend, so we decided to have a blessing in the UK for our seventh anniversary with everyone who couldn’t travel to Tunisia."

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

Samantha Jayne Photography and Holly Hambling Photography wanted to produce a styled shoot that had a modern, luxe vibe. “We had a ‘more is more’ mindset, albeit selective and intentional with our choices,” says Samantha. “We started with custom wedding invitations, a great way to clue your guests in on the formality of the occasion. Our modern vibe continued with our tablescape, tying the black and white theme in with the stylish tuxedo. Lavender & Jude provided the beautiful dress called Chloe from the French Collection by Wendy Makin. It’s a fitted crepe gown with a high neckline and low cowl back detail, which was perfect for our vision. The boat neckline with small cap sleeves gives a modest impression from the front, but when the bride turns, the addition of the cowl back adds movement and interest.

“Emma B Beauty gave our model a romantic, natural look, emphasising her eyes and skin, which looked flawless,” adds Samantha. “Alice, our hair stylist from Hair By Alice Rose, chose two looks for the day: a smooth, low bun that changed into a stylish ponytail, which was very fitting for the gorgeous low cowl back dress. Providing the flowers for the shoot was Emma Quinn from Bloomcore, who created a fun, colourful and relaxed bouquet. Also joining us on the day was the amazing Liv from Livvid, who definitely made our bride stand out with her video footage.”

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

Rob and Andy from Embrace Photography tells us about the latest photography trends.

“In the ever-evolving world of photography, several trends are making waves in the industry. One notable trend is the incorporation of drone photography, which provides breathtaking aerial perspectives and dynamic compositions that add a unique dimension to wedding albums and event coverage.”

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