Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Happy Valley Norfolk is a secluded woodland venue

Happy Valley Norfolk is a secluded woodland venue, boasting a lake and wide-sky views. The woodland gardens and open glades make a picture-perfect setting for weddings. The site comprises of a traditional carrstone and flint barn with an indoor bar and a larger industrial-style barn with a cocktail bar plus an undercover adjoining courtyard, perfect for al fresco celebrations.

For vows, the woodland and bridged island are very popular, followed by a reception utilising the outdoor areas for a wedding breakfast of up to 180 guests and a reception of 300 friends and family. If the weather is not suitable, there are plenty of indoor spaces to choose from.

Worried about your dad's wedding speech? Here's some top advice from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. At Speechy, we believe that all great speeches have good story-telling at the heart of them. So instead of hunting down one-liners, encourage your dad to simply tell his favourite stories. Remind him that he can call on your mum or siblings for help with content and constructive feedback, and send him links to lots of various speech examples to get his brain thinking.

Local Ely businesses are being encouraged to celebrate their achievements by the SME Ely Business Awards

Local Ely businesses are being encouraged to celebrate their achievements by the prestigious SME Ely Business Awards, which have launched for 2024. The SME Ely Business Awards are made up of 20 categories that any successful business in Ely can enter. Entries are judged by a panel of local expert judges and the pinnacle of the awards is the Grand Celebration, a black-tie evening taking place in May 2024.

The best place in the UK for a springtime wedding

A new study has revealed the areas in the UK with the best vendors and venues for spring wedding ceremonies, with Essex being crowned top for both. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analyzed data from a popular wedding planning site, to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated vendors and venues, including vineyards, cake companies, and stationery brands. Most brides and grooms will agree that planning a wedding is stressful, as trying to pull off an event that feels unique to the couple while managing expectations, budget, and family can be difficult at times. Thankfully, beautiful venues exist to help make the whole process easier.

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is a charming 17th-century Georgian house

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is a 17th-century Georgian house built originally as a hunting lodge for the sixth Duke of Bedford. Set back from the road, the impressive entrance draws you around the sweeping driveway past the perfectly manicured lawns to the elegant white stucco building entrance. The hotel provides the perfect blend between old and new, retaining the charm and character of a country house but with the modern luxury and comfort of an exquisite boutique hotel.

Set in three acres of perfectly manicured gardens, the hotel has established rose gardens and a wisteria-clad, ivory-pillared walkway to The Spa. The Classics Suite Garden is a formal garden that can be exclusive to you. This space allows your guests the freedom to relax during the day in quiet surroundings.

Does your mum need help with her wedding speech? Read these tips from Speechy

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. Firstly, reassure your mum that we work with lots of mothers (both of the bride, and increasingly, the groom's) so it's no longer unusual to see a mum on the mic. Whether your mum is standing in for your father, speaking in addition to him or your dad isn't part of the picture, we generally find mothers have a lot to say! In terms of getting your mum excited at the prospect of delivering a speech, rather than dreading it, send her a few blog posts to show her how simple writing her speech can be.

Your ultimate hen do survival guide by SilkFred

With April being the most popular month for hen do's, and online fashion destination SilkFred finding that 625 people will be attending at least one hen do this 'hen do season' (with 93 of respondents attending 3+ hen do's)*, we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert at Silkfred and Head Stylist Megan Watkins, who have shared their ultimate 'Hen Do Survival Hacks' to manage everything from budgets and schedules to styling tips and mastering the art of saying "no".

Five myths about Champagne

For centuries, great occasions in life have been punctuated with Champagne. However, there are several myths surrounding the drinking, storing and essence of Champagne. As a result, the Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to bust those myths to separate fact from fiction and demonstrate how best to enjoy the pinnacle of sparkling wine, as well as ensure that you aren't fooled by some of the most common Champagne myths. Myth: Pop the cork and spray Champagne in times of celebrations. The blunt pop of the cork and the fizz of the fine bubbles – instantly reminiscent of celebration – is a sparkling start to any special occasion.

The Business Awards UK has announced the winners and finalists of the 2023 Wedding Services Awards

The Business Awards UK has announced the winners and finalists of the 2023 Wedding Services Awards. These awards recognise the exceptional talent and dedication of professionals in the wedding industry, celebrating those who have demonstrated excellence in their services and contributed significantly to making wedding experiences memorable. The 2023 Wedding Services Awards honour these distinguished companies and individuals who have set high standards in the wedding industry, showcasing exceptional creativity, professionalism and passion. These awards not only recognise their outstanding achievements but also celebrate their role in creating dream weddings and unforgettable moments for couples.

Moonpig reveals weddings cards are the hardest to write

Greeting cards have been a popular way to express celebrations and affection for our loved ones. We're used to purchasing cards for milestones from birthdays, weddings, new jobs and more, but how often do we struggle with what to write in a card? With the recent growth in popularity of AI models like ChatGPT, Moonpig has launched its "Smart Text" tool, a feature which uses generative AI as a writing assistant for customers who need help in those moments where they don't know what to put in a card to their loved ones.

Sennowe Park is an impressive Edwardian Grade II* listed house

Sennowe Park is a large and impressive Edwardian Grade II* listed house set on a knoll overlooking terraced gardens and sweeping parkland. Offering picture-perfect settings in abundance, its Edwardian Garden statuary, flower-filled urns and topiary make for a stunning location for a marquee. While the Italianate gardens overlook rolling parkland and offer glimpses of the romantic boathouse on the park lake.

Thinking of doing a joint wedding speech? Read Speechy's top tips

The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. A joint speech follows the same etiquette principles as your standard bride and groom speech but allows you to present it as a team and play up to your relationship dynamic. But, despite the two voices, be careful not to make the speech double the length! No more than 1,500 words maximum. When it comes to writing a joint speech, it all comes down to your ability to collaborate, discuss and bounce ideas off each other.

Things to consider when booking your big-day musicians

As the UK's largest and most sustainable musician bookings platform, musicians for weddings account for around 50% of Encore's bookings. As such, the company is well-versed in the most cost-effective ways to cut down on one of the more expensive aspects of a wedding. Please see below some best tips to help you save the most money when booking your wedding entertainment. On average, couples book musicians for their wedding seven and a half months in advance, but if your big day falls on a Saturday during peak season, you should book your musicians at least nine months in advance.

Magical Events LTD is hosting an open weekend in April

Magical Events LTD, based in Norfolk, offers giant hat tipis, bell tents, furniture and lighting for weddings and events. The team at Magical Events LTD is hosting an open weekend on Saturday 27th April and alongside the Quirky Wedding Fayre at Hubbard's Farm in Norfolk on Sunday 28th April 2024. Doors open from 11am to 3pm both days and will feature a handpicked group of wedding professionals who all offer something different from standard wedding packages.

Planning a hen (or sten) party? These activity-based bars need to be on your list

Tasty food, gorgeous cocktails and a bit of healthy competition equals a winning recipe for an amazing time for your pre-wedding get together! How does a side of shuffleboard or darts with your cocktails sound? Whether you're looking for a daytime plan or something to keep you partying into the early hours, Electric Shuffle and Flight Club are great options. Both have resident DJs banging out the tunes, and both offer fab bottomless brunch packages if an afternoon booze session is more what you're after. They're also perfectly designed for the most amazing insta-worthy pics

Huntingdon Town Hall is a beautifully restored Grade II*-listed wedding venue

Built in 1745, the beautifully restored Grade II*-listed Georgian Town Hall is situated in the heart of Huntingdon on the historic Market Square. The building features authentic Georgian sash windows and a first-floor balcony surrounded by floral displays in the summer. As a former courthouse, the building is full of character and original features.

Huntingdon Town Hall boasts four licensed spaces for ceremonies, including two renovated courtrooms, great for intimate 'I dos' with up to 60 guests. For larger affairs, the Assembly Hall on the second floor is a grand ballroom with space for up to 120 family and friends.

Revealed the UK’s best venues with woodlands to achieve dreamy cottage-core weddings

A recent study revealed the UK's highest-rated venues for woodland-themed weddings, with Creeksea Place being named the best. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analysed user-generated review data to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated woodlands venues by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Creeksea Place is the most highly rated woodland in the nation. Located in Essex, the manor house, which includes picturesque woodland, has been rated five stars over 220 times giving it a perfect score of ten out of ten.

The new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection

Find an oasis this spring with the new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection, Under the Desert Sun. The new collection will brighten the home with fragrances that exude memories of warmer days, including four refreshingly light and bright fragrances including, Desert Blooms, Aloe & Agave, Sweet Vanilla & Horchata, and Stargazing. Inspired by the unique beauty of the desert, the new collection has been designed to help escape the ordinary and satisfy wanderlust, immersing the home in sun-drenched scents. The Under The Desert Sun collection features exotic fragrances such as aguaro cactus, aloe and blue lotus, as well as soothing lavender and eucalyptus.

Three spicy but sophisticated hen party ideas

Throwing a hen party that will please all attendees can be tricky. Striking a balance between risque and tame activities can be one of the most controversial challenges you'll face when planning. In fact, some of the more crude hen party gimmicks came out in the top 10 most hated parts of a hen party in this report. However, you can create a hen party that strikes the perfect balance between spice and sophistication, ensuring a night to remember for both the bride and her friends. Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared three amazing themes for the perfect spicy but sophisticated hen party:

Creative Pixel Photography has won an award

Allen Blasdell from Creative Pixel Photography has had an exciting few months. He was awarded a Wedisson Award for the above image and was accepted by 'This is Reportage' and 'Masters of Wedding Photography' – congratulations!

Fully booked for 2024, Allen is taking bookings for 2025 and will be exhibiting at the Ravenwood Hall Wedding Fair on Sunday 21st April 2024. This is the perfect time to meet Allen and discuss your big day requirements.