Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

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.

Sentimental wedding bands with Atelier VM

Fine Italian jewellery maker Atelier VM has just launched its beautiful new Impronta wedding bands, whereby brides and grooms can customise their special ring with their loved one's fingerprint. Each 18K ring is a unique piece made using the lost wax casting technique, of multiple finger prints layered, to create a beautifully personalised ring that makes a marriage of everlasting love extra special.

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is a beautiful 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 and avenue of trees 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. 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.

The therapeutic power of music on Mental Health Awareness Day

The issue of mental health has never been more important, three in five people in the UK suffer from some form of anxiety, but almost half of those people keep it a secret as they worry about being judged by others. And around one in six of the British population also suffers from moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Those shocking statistics show that the issue is still not spoken about enough, which means that sufferers feel excluded. But music can make a big difference! Making or playing music has been proven to deliver many mental health benefits.

UK's 15 most Instagrammed venues to get hitched

As UK searches for "wedding venues" skyrocketed by 110%* over the past months, the wedding experts at Aura Print scoured social media for the most popular autumn/winter wedding venues nationwide, and tallied Instagram hashtag numbers to reveal which venue stands out as the most memorable for weddings this season. Top 15 most Instagrammed wedding venues for autumn/winter 2023 to be inspired by...

Save money on wedding party gifts

With more and more couples choosing to thank their bridesmaids and groomsman with presents, Anita Naik, savings expert at the UK's most trusted savings site VoucherCodes.co.uk, has some great tips on how to save money on your wedding party gifts, without sparing the sentiment: Spend within your budget: Set a budget and stick to it. Often people can go down a rabbit hole when browsing for gifts, looking at items that are way over budget. It's important to set yourself a strict budget and spend an amount that you're comfortable with.

Silver Stream MUA has launched inside the salon at the Wensum Valley Hotel

Silver Stream MUA has launched inside the salon at the Wensum Valley Hotel in Taverham. Ellen Reynolds, the owner of Silverstream Beauty, is a make-up consultant, dermatological skin specialist and massage and spa therapist who has been offering tailored treatments at the salon since May 2022.

As well as seven years of experience in the beauty sector, Ellen has undergone advanced training in bridal make-up to expand her knowledge and deliver the highest level of service to brides.

Hungarian Hall is set in the unspoilt Suffolk countryside

Hungarian Hall is set in the unspoilt Suffolk countryside just a few minutes from Woodbridge and a short drive away from the heritage coast. The venue offers couples and their guests the chance to roam freely through the large grounds taking in the sounds and smells of a truly rural and beautiful countryside setting.

This exclusive venue can be personalised to suit your big day, with the colour scheme inside the marquee changed to fit your wedding colours.

County Wedding Magazines launch new websites!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ the office is abuzz with excitement at the launch of our new websites – I'm sure you can hear the *collective oohs and ahhs* from where you are! So yes, it's here, after months of hard work, sweat and tears (maybe less tears but more cheers!), our shiny, new, glorious websites are ready to be viewed by our much-loved readers – we really hope you like them as much as we do! Wedding planning at your fingertips - What's new, we hear you ask? Well, everything! The County names are as important as ever, it's our ethos after all, but we have a lush new font and modern colour scheme that really makes our County Wedding Magazine titles jump off the page.

The best of English sparkling wine, with Amelia Singer this National Champagne Week (1-7th October)

There's the New World of wine, and then the New New World: English Sparkling Wine is on the rise. This National Champagne Week, wine expert, Amelia Singer selects her favourite bubbles from our own green pastures... Which country comes to mind if you think of "wine"? For most, I imagine France, Italy, or perhaps even the USA these days, probably dominates. We all know, however, that the world is a-changing and so should our concept of wine and where it comes from. English wines are on the rise, and it's my opinion, along with a fair few of the worlds top wine experts, that they are the new frontier of wine making – even beating out top champagne houses in sparkling wine competitions.

Personalised wedding gifts from Pen Heaven

Find beautifully crafted, meaningful, and personalised wedding gifts to cherish forever with Pen Heaven. A master of exquisite stationary design, Pen Heaven was founded in 2008 and offer a comprehensive range of luxury writing instruments, leather journals and gifts. Specialists in classic brands such as Parker, Cross and Lamy, Pen Heaven also boast some more unusual and hard-to-find items such as the Japanese hand painted Platinum range, Italian calligraphy sets and the design focused Worther brand. Offering an in-house, by-hand engraving and embossing service, Pen Heaven are the ultimate destination for meaningful gifts with a personal touch perfect for big-day gifting.

Luxury homeware brand Nara Cambridge has launched a new collection

Luxury homeware brand Nara Cambridge has launched its new Living Linens Collection. Included in the range are Aponi Napkins, which feature three finely appliqued butterflies in 3D form, available in pure white and delicate blue.

Appliqued on 100 per cent linen and featuring a hand-drawn hemstitch border, the Aponi Napkins will handle several generations of use, if cared for correctly, meaning they are not only beautiful, but a sustainable option too.

County Wedding Magazines' readers share their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.

Swynford Manor is a luxurious country house perfect for weddings

Swynford Manor is a luxurious country house combining contemporary style with rural charm. Arrive down the gravel drive flanked by plush lawns to catch your first glimpse of the distinctive timber-framed building. Step inside, and the magic continues with a gleaming black and white chequerboard floor in the hall and a crystal chandelier above the grand staircase, perfect for making a grand entrance. The rest of the rooms are dressed to match the chic monochrome colour scheme. Surrounded by seven acres of green lawns and paddocks, all neatly framed by trees, you can be sure of privacy on your big day.

Halloween hen party ideas for 2023

If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.