Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Upthorpe Wood is an intimate woodland venue licensed for weddings

Upthorpe Wood is the perfect setting for free-spirited couples who like to think outside the box. This intimate woodland venue is licensed for weddings inside and out and is available on a dry-hire basis, so you're free to make it your own for a truly one-of-a-kind celebration.

You can tie the knot under the Cartlodge or in the Woodland Barn; both look magical lit with twinkling fairylights and are perfect for dining and enjoying the evening entertainment

Wedding ring mistakes to avoid!

Aimee Howlett, jewellery expert at Diamonds Factory, has shared how to choose and clean your wedding band. 'When choosing your wedding band, it's important to consider your lifestyle and daily activities. If you're someone with an active lifestyle you might want to go for a more durable material like platinum or tungsten that can withstand potential scratches and avoid a ring that has diamonds. With this in mind, it's worth visiting a jewellery store and trying on different styles of wedding bands, which can be really fun! Pay attention to comfort, fit, and how well it pairs with your engagement ring (if you have one).

Wedding gift inspiration from L'OR

Coffee brand L'OR provides the perfect machine which will ensure you capture the heart of any coffee-loving couple, whilst also providing a useful gift that lasts! With a unique double-spouted design that offers flexibility to adapt to different coffee preferences, the L'OR BARISTA is powered by Phillips technology and has become a much-loved coffee machine since its launch. What's more, the machine is not only compatible with L'OR pods, but also a wide range of alternative branded coffee capsules on the market*, providing maximum flexibility and choice.

L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Machine (£104.99*) is available in Piano Noir, Satin Blanc and Sunset Rubis, while the L'OR BARISTA Original Latte Machines (£164.99*) is available in Piano Noir and includes built-in milk frother.

7 topics all couples should cover in a prenup

While a prenuptial agreement is unlikely to be on many people's wedding checklist, a family lawyer has urged couples who will be tying the knot in the coming months to consider making it a key priority. With research by the law firm revealing that Google searches for terms related to prenups including 'what is a prenup?', 'meaning of prenups' and 'prenups in the UK' have increased by 21% in the last three months compared to the three months previous, it is clear they are growing in popularity.

Sibton Park Estate in Suffolk has opened a new one bedroom spa cottage

With its own natural swimming lake, rowing boat and a private spa area with hot-tub, steam and sauna rooms, Stump is a new one bedroom spa cottage at Sibton Park Estate in Suffolk. This fairytale thatched folly is an idyllic romantic retreat for couples wishing to sneak away from it all for some privacy and pampering.

The interior is both luxurious and characterful. Playing on its name 'Stump', this one-bedroom bolthole is full of charming little details with little arched oak doorways and windows and a magnificent tree fireplace for guests to cosy by.

Garden wedding ideas for the big day

Co-founder of Togather.com, Hugo Campbell, unveils garden wedding ideas for the big day. As wedding trends evolve, couples may be seeking unique ways to celebrate their special day. For those looking to embrace a laid-back atmosphere and the shabby chic aesthetic, from Ottolenghi-style dining and Aperol carts, to enchanting fairylights and the perfect venue. A festival theme: Many couples are looking for maximum flexibility and the ability to perfectly match their food to the vibe of the day. This summer Togather.com is seeing many couples opting for a festival feel for their food, hiring multiple different street food trucks and allowing their guests a choice of handheld food rather than a sit-down meal. This means they can cater to all sorts of dietary requirements and preferences as well as give their guests a more relaxed feel.

The High Barn at Bressingham Hall is a breathtaking space that's perfect for weddings

The High Barn at Bressingham Hall is a breathtaking space, perfect for both ceremonies and wedding breakfasts. The impressive traditional brick and stone building has a wooden frame with exposed beams and high ceilings. Beautifully renovated, it's a romantic big-day backdrop, full of character with contemporary finishing touches to complement its authentic charm.

You can say 'I do' inside the High Barn with up to 120 guests or outside in the courtyard or gardens. The world-renowned gardens are what really set this Norfolk gem apart, spanning 17 acres, they're bursting with colour, plants, trees and water features, providing a wealth of great photo opportunities.

How Brits are spending and saving on weddings in 2023

New data from Barclays reveals how macro trends such as the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and social media pressures are impacting weddings in 2023. The report combines proprietary spending data with a survey of 1,000 newlyweds and people engaged to be married to determine this year's top wedding trends and cost-saving behaviours. Two fifths (38 per cent) of newlyweds, and brides- and grooms-to-be are going over budget on their special day, with most of these couples citing the rising cost-of-living (51 per cent) and suppliers being more expensive than they anticipated (44 per cent) as the reasons for this increased spend.

Cambridge is the perfect place for a mini-moon

Named the best city in the UK by Conde Nast Traveller in 2022, the stunning city of Cambridge is the perfect place to make the most of a long weekend. Whether you have a love for the outdoors, are a connoisseur of food, interested in culture or desire romance, Cambridge has it all. Boasting top-of-the-range dining, 22 museums and galleries, outdoor adventures and a city full of history, visitors need 72 hours in Cambridge.

Truffle Tablescapes Launches Luxury Tableware Rental Range

Truffle Tablescapes, a leading UK-based online tablescaping boutique, has launched its first range of rental tableware and accessories that is aimed at those wanting to decorate their lunch and supper parties, events or small weddings. Truffle has been helping at-home entertainers elevate their dinner party looks since it launched during the first lockdown in 2020. Founded by tablescaping expert and interiors lover Kate Fairlie, the brand has expanded again by launching an extensive, yet carefully curated, rental collection of luxury table linens and accessories.

Bruisyard Barn is a 17th century barn tucked away in the Suffolk countryside

Tucked away in the Suffolk countryside, the 17th-century barn at Bruisyard is one of the region's treasures. Set in the heart of the country estate, wooden beams crisscross the high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling double doors allow natural light to flood in.

The Banqueting Hall, Medieval Hall and Minstrels' Gallery can accommodate 140 people for the ceremony and wedding breakfast.

You can tie the knot inside the barn or outside. With a mix of formal and informal gardens in more than 700 acres of grounds, there's a wealth of romantic spots and great photo opportunities to choose from.

Sentimental gift ideas from Heads & Tails Jewellery

Heads & Tails Jewellery has been making personalised, beautifully designed jewellery for more than 10 years. The brand's innovative products can be treasured by your loved ones for years to come, making them ideal for wedding day gifting. Every handcrafted gift uses high-quality materials and is presented in a luxury gift bag or luxury gift box and comes with a 12 month warranty. Emma Pearson, owner of Heads & Tails Jewellery, shares her top advice for wedding day gifting.

Weatherproofing your UK Wedding

Outdoor weddings can create truly magical experiences, from fairytale forests to Bridgerton-style countryside escapes, being surrounded by the natural world, the sound of birdsong and a gentle breeze is a perfect day for some. We wish that were always the case, but no matter how meticulously you plan your wedding, the one thing that will always be beyond your control is the notoriously unpredictable Great British weather. Fulton Umbrellas have come up with a handy guide on how you can weatherproof your wedding.

Attending a wedding this summer - save on travel costs

Now that wedding season is upon us, a recent survey by Railcard has revealed that wedding guests spend on average a whopping £402.90 on each wedding they attend. With 31% of Brits having attended between one and three weddings in the past two years, these sometimes-overlooked expenses can quickly rack up. In fact, 59% of those surveyed admit that they would decline a wedding invitation if the costs of attending were too high, showing that cost-savings to any wedding expense can really make the difference for those who RSVP 'Yes' or a regretful 'No'.

Haycock Manor Hotel is offering a new Whirlwind Wedding Package

Haycock Manor Hotel is situated in the idyllic surroundings of Wansford within the glorious Cambridgeshire countryside. The City of Peterborough and the town of Stamford are both within eight miles of the hotel and are brimming with activities for friends, family and couples to enjoy. Positioned on the River Nene, this 16th-century coaching inn offers breath taking scenery and the finest of facilities.

New for 2023, Haycock Manor Hotel is offering a Whirlwind Wedding Package. Based on 60 guests, the package includes room hire for the ceremony, white tablecloths and napkins, a red carpet, a cake stand and knife along with a dedicated wedding coordinator's expertise throughout the planning process.

Wedding speech pressure: top tips to nail it!

Whether the best man, the bride or a family member, giving a speech at a wedding naturally comes with pressure to perform. In fact Dr Chris Hartley, a sport and performance psychologist working with Insure4Sport, has likened it to the pressure faced by professional sportspeople in a major event like a penalty kick or break point. Here, he shares top tips on how to cope with the weight of expectation, fear of failure when giving a wedding speech, using sport psychology techniques he employs when working with top athletes.

High Lodge is situated within 80 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland

Set in 80 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, High Lodge offers exclusive use to couples and their guests for the big day. Located between Aldeburgh and Southwold, just three miles from the Suffolk coastal village of Dunwich, it's a destination hotspot – perfect for those of you looking to extend your celebration to explore all the area has to offer.

There are also traditional, luxury holiday lodges set in tranquil woodland that are available for weekend-long weddings.

Should more women taking the wedding speech spotlight

More women should be taking the spotlight at big events, according to new research from learning and development company Good Shout. However, according to a new poll, conducted in partnership with YouGov, the very prospect fills two thirds of women (67%) with dread. Of those women in the UK who would refuse to give speeches at a wedding, 50% said that it was the "cringe factor" that held them back, i.e. being too self-conscious or feeling too awkward or uncomfortable in the situation.

Tips for tying the knot while it’s hot

With Summer wedding season in full-swing and the English weather as unpredictable as ever, happy couples across the country may get more than what they bargained for when it comes to wishing for a sunny day. As temperatures across the UK already reaching highs of 30C and the Met Office predicting even hotter temperatures expected ahead, Samantha Gilchrist, former wedding photographer turned cofounder and CEO of The Gilchrist Collection, the UK's largest wedding venue collection, gives her expert advice gathered from over 15 years in the industry.

Hen parties in UK more popular now

Hen parties on UK soil are the number one choice for Brits, according to new research from Butlin's Big Weekenders. According to a study commissioned to mark the reopening of Butlin's Big Weekenders breaks in September, over half of Brits (53%) say a hen do in the UK is more appealing than one abroad and almost the same (54%) say a hen do is better on one resort where all the facilities are in one place. On a Butlin's Big Weekender guests can enjoy accommodation, food, drink entertainment, and activities all in one place. The adult-only weekends are available at all three resorts - Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. What's more, organisation is key for British hens, as data reveals the most common time to plan a hen do is 3-4 months in advance, in stark comparison to men, who are most likely to plan a stag do just 2-3 days in advance!