Editor loves and inspiration

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

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.”

Fin offers a variety of wedding film packages, ranging from full-length films to cinematic highlight films.

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

Harriet and Bernie met at young farmers and connected over their shared sense of humour. After their relationship blossomed, Bernie proposed to Harriet on Christmas Eve at Waxham Beach. “It was a complete surprise and he had picked out a beautiful opal and diamond ring,” says Harriet. “It was lovely getting to visit our friends over Christmas to share our exciting news.

"We always talked about the things we’d like to have at our wedding, creating a day completely personal to us as a couple,” adds Harriet. “We wanted to handcraft as many elements as possible and work with lots of local small businesses. So, it felt right to marry on our family farm, The Old Vicarage Campsite, where we have a field for such events and have hosted weddings before. Our ceremony was held in the woodland, which means a lot to us as a couple. When we discovered a clearing under a beautiful oak tree, we knew it was where we wanted to start our married life. It felt very special to be among the trees and natural surroundings. Our reception was held nearby at Bluebell Corner, just a short walk away, in a marquee provided by Dottie Events & Hire. Within our marquee, we kept the décor simple, opting for wooden trestle tables, folding chairs and natural tablecloths. Each table was decorated with a mix of vintage glass and earthenware bud vases, filled with airy grasses and flowers to mirror the colours of my bouquet."

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

Celebrant Dawn Rees explains why you should book a celebrant for your wedding.

"A wedding celebrant is a professional trained to undertake weddings for couples who choose to have a ceremony in addition to their legal register office ceremony. I am a humanist celebrant, which means I am trained, accredited and insured by Humanists UK. As a humanist, I do not include religious elements in my ceremonies. An independent celebrant is often trained by other professional bodies and often includes religious elements within the wedding ceremony if the couple requests it.

"What’s the difference between a celebrant-led ceremony and other wedding ceremonies? I’d say it’s all about the relationship you build with your celebrant. By getting to know you, they can weave your story into the most wonderful pattern of words and symbolism. It enables you to have a ceremony that truly represents who you are. The biggest difference is probably the level of personalisation you can build into a celebrant-led ceremony. If you choose to have a registry office marriage for the legal bits, consider having a brief ‘you plus two witnesses’ ceremony that deals with the legal aspect, and choose a celebrant-led ceremony for the personal aspects. Most of my couples tell me that they consider their humanist ceremony to be their real wedding day."

To meet more wedding planning tips, head over to our Planning SOS feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download

Jeweller April Dace shares her tips for incorporate the spring season into your wedding jewellery.

"There are so many ways to add a little spring to your wedding jewellery. My first thoughts are to incorporate some subtle hints of colour. Look for jewellery in mixed metals, such as rose gold and silver or yellow gold and white gold, to bring some warmth and freshness. If you’re not shy about colour or sparkle, look for jewellery with gemstones such as tourmalines and sapphires. These gemstones have a beautiful range of tones, ranging from bold and vibrant to soft and subtle. Pale pinks and woodland greens are my favourites and showcase the beauty of the season perfectly.

"Alternatively, if you’re looking for something more traditional or prefer things simple, diamonds are a classic and timeless addition to any dress or suit and won’t clash with your hair, make-up, or other wedding day accessories. If you’re a pearl lover, even better! Pearls are a great way to add subtle colour and softness without breaking the bank."

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

Tilly and Jordan met when they were teenagers. “We got along really well and had lots in common,” says Tilly. “Jordan proposed in 2017 at Centre Parcs. He bought our daughter a babygrow that said, “mummy, will you marry daddy?” It was a complete surprise and I was very shocked.”

"We chose Hungarian Hall for our reception because the hall was perfect for our chilled-out, relaxed day and the grounds were just beautiful. The owners were also very kind and attentive to our needs."

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