Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Sober hen parties are on the rise

While hen parties are often characterised by celebratory cocktails, drinking games and wild night outs, the hen-do could soon be shrugging off its booze-fueled persona. Global searches for 'sober hen do ideas' have doubled over the past year while 'sober bachelorette party games' has also seen a 50% increase. On TikTok, #soberliving has seen a surge in popularity, with videos including the hashtag boasting over 650 million views. If you're a bride-to-be looking to celebrate your 'last night of freedom' tee-total-style, party planning expert, Amy Greenshields at cardfactory has shared her four top tips.

Christchurch Mansion is a magnificent building with a Tudor façade

Step inside this magnificent building with its red Tudor façade and be prepared to be wowed by its high ceiling, black and white marble- checkered floor, and ornate fireplace. The venue is a treasure trove of historic features, with numerous period rooms and furniture.

Set within the stunning Christchurch Park, the iconic Ipswich landmark boasts expansive, picturesque grounds with rolling lawns, ponds, and scenic woodland, providing a wealth of wonderful backdrops for those all-important photographs.

Is lasting love magic, logic or luck?

Does it matter how a couple met? Contented Couples, a new guide to long-term relationships, features candid, intimate interviews with eighteen couples, based in the UK and USA. Each pair tell of how they met, how they formed a relationship and how they've thrived to become a truly happy union. One couple met and married within a month, whilst another two were thrown together repeatedly by a matchmaker who refused to give up - and it is not only guy meets girl either. The couples speak from an array of circumstance, culture and sexual orientations, including arranged marriage, friends-to-lovers and dating apps.

The five best weather apps to keep your eye on it leading up to the big day

Wedding jewellery experts Austen & Blake have listed some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on in the lead-up to your big day. The UK weather has been anything but predictable lately, with September set to be a particularly rainy and unsettled month, according to The Met Office. Top-rated apps help to track and plan your wedding day accordingly. Weather apps are invaluable when it comes to planning your nuptials, but sometimes there's no avoiding the inevitable. That's why, along with listing the best apps for tracking grey skies, the jewellery experts have teamed up with a professional wedding photographer to provide tips on how to get the best rainy snaps.

Even when the weather's a washout, it doesn't mean your wedding photos have to be! Here are some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on and how to strike the perfect pose if rain is predicted:

Be the first to book the new Wellness Retreat at the Bedford Lodge Hotel and Spa

The Bedford Lodge Hotel and Spa in Newmarket, Suffolk, has launched a new wellness retreat on Friday 10th – Sunday 12th November. This uplifting and mindful weekend is packed with self-care and includes four wellbeing classes, from restorative yoga and energising Pilates to a tranquil and immersive sound bath experience. Access to the award-winning spa with two incredible treatments, the ESPA Modern Alchemy Ritual and Active Nutrients Facial, is also included. All this is combined with a relaxing two-night stay in the luxury four-red-star hotel and an indulgent dinner at Squires Restaurant.

Don’t like your engagement ring? Relationship experts reveal what you need to do!

A marriage proposal is filled with an overwhelming amount of emotion and is a moment both you and your partner will remember forever. But once the initial rush fades, what if you come to terms with the fact that the ring placed on your finger isn't what you envisioned it to look like? Leading diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, teamed up with relationship experts Georgia Sturmer and Sharin Shafer, who have shared their top 3 tips on how to handle this delicate situation in the best way possible.

Shire Hall is a 16th-century property in Woodbridge

Located in the heart of Woodbridge and surrounded by traditional inns, restaurants, and quirky historic buildings, is the magnificent 16th-century Shire Hall. Built in 1575 by Thomas Seckford, the property has been the focal point of Woodbridge for almost 450 years and stands proudly in the centre of Market Hill.

Displaying its iconic 17th-century Flemish gabling and stone capping, with an elegant long iron staircase either side of the large, impressive arched doors, Shire Hall is the perfect venue for photographs and creating special memories.

Fraser Hart launches its stunning lab-grown diamond collection

Fraser Hart, one of the UK's leading purveyors of fine jewellery, is redefining affordable luxury with the launch of its Born Lab Grown Diamonds collection in 10 new stores nationwide. Optically, physically and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, here cutting-edge technology is used to create timeless diamonds in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship with innovation, Born Lab Grown 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 exquisite diamond rings starting at just £799, diamond and white gold stud earrings from £799, classic diamond encrusted tennis bracelets from £5,250, and diamond pendant necklaces from £850, investing in luxurious, exceptional quality and utterly timeless diamond jewellery pieces has never been more attractive.

The wellness journals from Lovendu you need in your life

With Mental Health Awareness day falling in October, and as we approach the end of the year, take positive steps to improve your wellbeing in 2024 through journaling. The benefits of daily journaling are huge, from reducing stress and improving your mental health to boosting productivity and providing an opportunity to get in sync with your emotions. It's the ultimate act of self-care – and Lovendu makes it easy to take control of your life and truly thrive.

Bedford Lodge Hotel is offering our readers an exclusive discount

The multi-award-winning Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. For a decade, The Spa has been a sanctuary of tranquillity, providing relaxation and rejuvenation experiences for both Suffolk locals and the wider county's visitors.

Couples can enjoy spa breaks, spa days, and spa evenings, including 10 beautiful treatment rooms with one couple's suite, along with extensive facilities such as a hydrotherapy pool, relaxation room, steam room, sauna, dry flotation, experiential showers, and rooftop hot tub. There is particular importance placed on inclusivity at The Spa, ensuring a luxurious, pampering treatment menu for all guests, with Wellness for Cancer treatments available as well as gold-standard treatments from ESPA and manicures and pedicures.

Getting married? Alcohol-free menu is the new must-have

Samantha Gilchrist, CEO of the UK's largest wedding venue collection, The Gilchrist Collection, conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to find out their wedding drinking habits. The study comes as the collection launches its new alcohol-free drinks menu, created in partnership with First Dates star bartender, Merlin Griffiths. The survey revealed that almost half (47%) of those who had attended a wedding in the last five years didn't drink alcohol during at least one of the events they had been to. Sober guests said they were often left feeling uncomfortable at weddings sipping an un-festive soft drink, as 35% of respondents said they are questioned on why they aren't having alcohol. Sadly, a quarter admitted to drinking alcohol at a wedding just to avoid awkward questions or having to share personal or medical information as an excuse.

Mannington Estate is a hidden gem in Norwich

Mannington Estate is a hidden gem is located in an idyllic spot north of Norwich and just eight miles from the coast. Nestled in beautiful rural surroundings, the stunning gardens provide a picture-perfect setting with the impressive Medieval hall in the background.

The hall is still a family home today and, although you can't get marry here, there's plenty of space in the grounds for a magical marquee reception, or you can hire the tearooms for a more intimate celebration.

3 things no one tells you when it comes to setting your wedding budget

2024 is set to be a bumper year for weddings. In addition to the usual 275,000 or so which take place in the UK each year, the big day is finally coming around for a lot of couples who had to postpone because of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the cost of living crisis is squeezing all those couple's budgets tighter than ever so we've asked Isabel Smith, wedding industry veteran, to offer her advice on setting (and sticking to!) that spreadsheet. Today, Isabel let's us in on the things no-one ever tells you when you're setting your wedding budget...

The Top 10 Instagrammable Spas in the UK

With National Spa Week taking place between the 4th and 10th of November this year, it is time to book your favourite location to totally relax! Whether with the girls, in a couple, or even on your own, treating yourself to a weekend away at a spa can revive you. Maddie, Senior Marketing Exec at Pink Boutique, says: "Reset the everyday stress with a weekend away at a luxurious spa and hotel. From acres of woodland setting the picture-perfect backdrop to dipping into a pool worthy of Aphrodite, you deserve to look as good as you feel, and with these spas, there's no doubt your followers will be that little bit jealous."

The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel is celebrating its 10th anniversary

Newmarket's multi-award-winning The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel has announced its 10th anniversary. For a decade, The Spa has been a sanctuary of tranquillity with experiences for both Suffolk locals and the wider county's visitors. Nestled within the idyllic surroundings of the former Georgian hunting lodge of Bedford Lodge Hotel, The Spa has become a leading spa destination in the UK.

Guests can enjoy spa breaks, spa days and evenings; with something for even the most discerning of guests, including 10 beautiful treatment rooms, one couple's suite, along with extensive spa facilities. These include the iconic hydrotherapy pool, relaxation room, steam room, sauna, dry flotation, experiential showers, and rooftop hot tub.

5 engagement ring trends for 2024

With the festive season being the most popular time of year that couples choose to pop the question, it's no surprise that internet searches for 'engagement ring' have been steadily increasing the last six months as we head towards the new year. Luxury diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, have used Pinterest Trends data from the last six months (4th April 23' - 26th September 23') to find out which engagement ring styles are set to be big in 2024...

Suffolk Barn is a 15th-century courtyard barn set in ancient parkland

Suffolk Barn is a 15th-century courtyard barn set in ancient parkland just three miles south of Bury St Edmunds. The historic parkland surrounding the barn provides ample space to ensure your day has the privacy and intimacy for entertaining your family, friends and guests. There is also plenty of space for parking, extra marquees, and garden games.

The barn has a large space for receptions and a smaller area for ceremonies. You will have a choice of 5ft round tables and event chairs for up to 160 guests or 8ft long trestle tables.

The secrets to a happy relationship

Researchers surveyed 2,000 British couples who have been together for ten years or longer, and it revealed a host of secrets to a happy, long-term relationship, according to those who have achieved it - including having no secrets (43 percent), a similar sense of humour (41 percent), never going to sleep on an argument (31 percent) and regular sex (32 percent.) Over a quarter (26 percent) of the long-term couples polled, said a 50/50 division of household labour was essential to keeping things amicable. Being able to laugh at each other (42 percent), not trying to change each other (36 percent) and having an open phone policy (10 percent) all featured in the list. Almost half (44 percent) of the British couples surveyed, claim they are very happy in their relationship, while a further 29 percent said they were generally happy.

The top autumn and winter wedding trends for 2023

An expert has forecast the wedding trends we can expect to see in the remainder of 2023. Wedding-goers in autumn and winter can expect to see a large emphasis on sustainability, DIY and an ode to all things vintage, according to Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online. She commented: "Wedding trends change seasonally, so it's crucial wedding hosts stay ahead of the curve. Efficient spending, sustainability and a vintage feel are key focuses this season, and rightly so. Wedding hosts no longer have to feel obliged to over-indulge in their big day and can instead, save money."

Adella Bridal Atelier has unveiled its new Accessories Hall

Adella Bridal Atelier, based in the stately Ketteringham Hall in Norwich, recently unveiled its new Accessories Hall. With 10 years of fashion industry experience in tow, founder Amy King and the Adella Bridal Atelier team have carved out a charming space for their brand within the industry. Stocking the likes of Vera Wang Bride, Jesus Peiro, Theia Couture, Madison James and MiaLavi, alongside accessories from Arianna Bespoke, Freya Rose London and Rainbow Club, Adella Bridal Atelier purposefully only works alongside designers that offer customisation options.