Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Editor Melissa Cullen visits Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort

In the days leading up to Christmas, I had the pleasure of being invited to stay at the magical Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort. Located just outside of Norwich, the impressive 18th-century building and surrounding 150 acres of grounds encompass multiple restaurants, a spa and a golf course. My husband, David, and I were excited to explore the area and see what made this hotel such a popular gem.

Newly launched NimNik Glitter Tattoo Kit ideal for kids at weddings!

Boasting an impressive array of features, with 35 vibrant glitter colours, six fluorescent powders, 204 stencils, three adhesives, five brushes, and 215 rhinestones - the possibilities are limitless and will keep children happy for hours. This comprehensive set ensures that every user can unleash their imagination and bring their temporary tattoo visions to life. This glitter tattoo kit is not limited by age or gender; ideal for kids, girls, teens, men, women, and adults, it's perfect for occasions. The versatility of the kit allows users to explore different applications, such as eye shadow, body painting, DIY crafts, Christmas cards, birthday celebrations, or party decorations. The only limit is your creativity.

Bloom & Wild's exclusive insights into this year’s most anticipated flower trends

Brace yourselves for a vibrant floral revolution as 2024 bids adieu to the serene luxury trends of 2023, welcoming back maximalism with open arms. Bold statement pieces and lively colours are reclaiming their spotlight in the realms of fashion, interiors, and floral arrangements, marking a dynamic shift in the aesthetic landscape. Jo Reason, Director of Brand & Range at Bloom & Wild, predicts a surge in hyper-colour bouquets featuring fuchsia and electric lilac flowers paired with lime yellow foliages.

As the wedding season approaches, turn to Viners for a gift ideas

If you've been invited to a wedding and need some inspiration for what to give as a gift, we're sure you will find something within the Viners® range that the happy couple will enjoy for years to come. Opting for a cutlery set is a guaranteed hit. A sentimental and thoughtful gift to give your loved ones, a cutlery set will take care of any special dinner parties or occasions hosted by the newlyweds.

Expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024

Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner and Wedding Expert for online fashion destination Silkfred, shares her expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024. A beautiful white gown has been the norm for centuries, however, as Georgie explains, 2024 is set to change these traditional bridal tropes: "I think, in 2024, we'll see loads of individuality. Brides will be wearing different designs, colours, necklines with more of a focus on styles that not only make them look and feel good, but won't look like everyone else. I also think they will be very romantic, textured, patterned with touches of colour. Gone are the white dress brides."

Susan McGregor Celebrant is celebrating one year as a wedding celebrant

Susan McGregor Celebrant is celebrating one year as a wedding celebrant – congratulations! "I have loved officiating the weddings I undertook this year; the highlights include my first wedding in a beautiful family garden in the Suffolk countryside and another marrying a fabulous couple who, having married each other over 35 years ago and then sadly divorced, decided they were 'better together' and tied the knot for a second time," says Susan. "Next year I have a range of bookings already; June and August are the busiest months so far, and I'm looking forward to giving them all a wonderful ceremony to cherish and remember forever! I would love any couple looking for a beautiful, personalised wedding ceremony to get in touch with me for a no-obligation chat to talk over their plans. Having a wedding ceremony planned and prepared with love and attention is what every couple deserves.

Wedding trends and tablescaping predictions for 2024

We've seen a number of popular wedding trends take centre stage over the past few years, from the soaring popularity of micro weddings to cosy and intimate sweetheart tables for the happy couple. As we step into 2024, the world of weddings is evolving even further, with couples embracing new and exciting trends and reimagining the art of tablescaping. So, what exactly are the latest nuptial trends, and how can brides and grooms emulate them in their own ceremonies and wedding tablescapes? The tableware experts from Burleigh Pottery are here to share their wedding and tablescaping trend predictions for 2024 to give you the inspiration you need ahead of the big day.

Gonville & Caius is the fourth oldest college in the University of Cambridge

Gonville & Caius is the fourth oldest college in the University of Cambridge, founded in 1348. The college is located on Trinity Street, one of the most historic streets in Cambridge. The main college site boasts stunning architecture and courts that provide the perfect backdrop for weddings and photographs. There is detailed ornamentation over doorways, coats of arms, and statues of benefactors that adorn the buildings.

Expert reveals wedding planning tips for newly engaged couples

Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of The Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of working with thousands of married-couples-to-be, across 12 venues in total including three US, making her the expert when it comes to wedding planning: "Valentine's Day is an incredibly popular day for proposals, in fact the search for 'Valentine's Day proposal' is currently up 40% globally!" I love working with newly-engaged couples; but I always encourage them not to wait too long, as they may miss out on getting the best venues, photographers or even end up with key guests of honour unable to attend the big day as they have left sending 'save-the-dates' out until the last minute."

Savvy couples request money over wedding gifts amid cost of living crisis

Savvy couples are looking to use wedding gifts to invest in savings amid the cost-of-living crisis, new national research has revealed. The survey, conducted by Coventry Building Society discovered almost a quarter of newlyweds (24%) put money received as a wedding gift straight into a savings account, with more than one in ten couples (15%) using money to pay off wedding debt straight away. What's more, over half of respondents (57%) just want money as their wedding gift, opting for financial safety over traditional gift giving (43%).

The Speech Surgery part three - the father-of-the-bride gets the spotlight

The Speech Surgery part three, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips for the father of the bride and how to delivery the ultimate speech. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

The Dial House in Norfolk has been taken over by new owners

The Dial House is a grand Georgian, Grade II-listed building set in the picturesque and historic Market Town of Reepham, just 30 minutes from the Norfolk Broads National Park and North Norfolk Coastline. The property has recently been taken over by new owners, James and Tom Ellis.

The previous owners, Andrew and Hannah, tell us: "We've employed a team of wonderful humans, enjoyed laughter with so many guests, been part of some epic wedding days, stroked many friendly dogs, won a few awards, and been listed in The Michelin Guide. Plans are afoot to give this beautiful B&B guest house a new lease of life."

Fynn Valley Golf Course open day

If you're newlyweds-to-be pop along to Fynn Valley Terrace, Suffolk, for the venue's open day on Sunday 25th February 2024! Fynn Valley Terrace is a fabulous oak-framed, purpose-built wedding venue near Ipswich, featuring stunning panoramic views across the golf course fairways, complemented by outside south-facing terraces and lawns for your guests to enjoy. Every wedding day is individual and no one package suits all. Fynn Valley Terrace will work with you to build your perfect day to suit your own tastes and requirements. The neutral decor of the stunning interior is the perfect backdrop to enhance the colour scheme of your day, with the immaculate surroundings providing a stunning backdrop for picturesque photographs.

Planning an engagement party? Here’s a 6-step-guide from a party planner

So you've said the easiest yes of your life and now is the time to celebrate your new status with an engagement party, but where do you even start? From budget to dates to invites, the list can seem endless and overwhelming at first, but there are a few simple considerations that can ease the process from the offset, making this exciting phase of your life enjoyable, memorable and personal to you both. To help with your engagement party checklist, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares six fool-proof etiquette tips to avoid those stressful preparations:

Cambridge Country Club is a stunning wedding venue in the village of Bourn

Situated within 120 acres of beautiful countryside in the heart of Cambridgeshire, Cambridge Country Club is a stunning wedding venue in the village of Bourn. Recently renovated, the property boasts a picturesque 18-hole golf course set amidst rolling hills and ancient trees. There is also a river flowing through the course with small bridges, perfect for those all-important photographs.

The venue has a state-of-the-art fitness club, which comes complete with a 15-metre deck-level swimming pool and whirlpool, a sauna and steam room, luxury changing facilities with rainfall showers, a high-tech spin studio, and a golf simulator. At The Spa, your journey to tranquility begins with a range of exquisite treatments. Whether you're seeking deep relaxation, rejuvenation, or a touch of indulgence, the treatments and packages are tailored to meet your every need.

Lab-grown diamonds dominating the market in 2024

In 2023, rather than reassessing their budget, many couples have started to become more conscious of their spending habits and switching to gemstones rather than diamonds and opting for lab-grown diamonds. According to exclusive internal data from Queensmith, lab-grown diamonds have continued to dominate the market due to their lower cost per carat, resulting in more affordable prices. These highly sought-after diamonds have enabled couples to still find the perfect engagement ring, without inflating their budget. The affordable option, at 60-80% cheaper than natural diamonds, accounted for nearly 80% of Queensmith's diamond engagement rings sold in 2023. Not only can consumers expect larger carat weights and higher quality diamonds, but also a more environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced alternative to mined diamonds.

The Old Hall Ely in Cambridgeshire is hosting two open days

Visit The Old Hall Ely, in the heart of Cambridgeshire, for an evening of wedding inspiration! If you've recently gotten engaged or are one of the lucky few to have already booked your wedding at the venue, then this is an event you don't want to miss out on.

Join the team on Tuesday 27th February, from 5pm-8pm. to explore the manor house and grounds, see the wedding venue in full swing, meet some of Cambridgeshire's top suppliers, meet the venue's team and tour the beautiful bedrooms.

There's no need to book a ticket; just gather your friends and family and get ready for an evening filled with exciting wedding inspiration!

Love letters are all but lost

Once the staple currency of every romance, the simple art of writing a love letter has been all but lost, in an age of Snapchat and WhatsApp. A new study has revealed that nearly half of young Brits in relationships (45 percent) aged between 18 and 35, have never written their sweetheart a love letter, while 71 percent say they would rather send a romantic WhatsApp, DM or Snap. In fact, 88 percent say that traditional displays of affection such as love letters and flowers are old fashioned. Young lovers admit that they wouldn't know what to say in a letter (37 percent), with a third (29 percent) confessing they would feel silly, according to the poll by Bird & Blend Tea Co. who have created a Swizzels Love Hearts Tea.

The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips on icebreakers and advice for the best man. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

Fraser Hart has launched its new lab-grown diamond collection in its Norwich store

Fraser Hart has launched its new lab-grown diamond collection in its Norwich store. Optically, physically, and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, cutting-edge technology has been used to create timeless diamonds in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship with innovation, the diamonds are breathtaking in their clarity, delivering the same sparkling wow factor as traditionally mined gems but with a more accessible price tag.

The Born Collection includes a stunning choice of 'buy now, treasure forever' heirloom jewellery pieces with a wide choice of cuts, carat sizes and settings.