Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

CWM partnership with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway!

County Wedding Magazines has teamed up with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway for our reader and social media followers! If you like or follow all three brands on either Facebook or Instagram, you'll be in with a chance of winning a £350 Dower & Hall gift voucher which can be redeemed online, as well as a £250 gift voucher for Maya Deluxe – that's jewellery and bridesmaids sorted for your wedding day leaving you more time and more budget to crack on with the rest of the wedding planning. Read on to find out more details about the brands and how to enter!

Gemma C Photography is now flying a drone for all things wedding related

Gemma C Photography is a talented wedding photographer based in Suffolk. Owner Gemma Cook tells us more about her business:

"What got me into photography? I would first say my dad. I'm 27 and, at the age of 14, my dad took my sister and I to some photography workshops and from there I never left the camera. I have since learnt different techniques that have helped develop my small photography business. For example, I recently bought a drone and learnt how to use it for a wedding at Langham Hall in Essex. The groom's brother owns Langham Hall and it was an honour to photograph there. The couple told me they wanted a heart under the drone and they immediately got themselves into this heart without any of my help."

The Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa is hosting an open day

The Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa is hosting an open day on Sunday 8th September to help newly engaged couples plan their dream weddings. Surrounded by lush, open countryside in the heart of Lavenham, the 15th-century hotel is a magical venue perfect for large and small celebrations all year around.

For intimate weddings, The Swan has three elegant private rooms catering between four and 40 guests. Each room will be set up with displays from wedding suppliers ranging from florists to make-up artists and photographers, as well as wedding dress and cake specialists. The McCallum room will also be dressed for a wedding breakfast, while the Woolhall will be set up for a ceremony.

Couples planning larger, more lavish affairs for up to 100 friends and family can discover more about The Swan's exclusive wedding package, where the entire hotel is reserved just for their party.

Applewood Hall is nestled in the village of Banham in Norfolk

Nestled in the quaint village of Banham in Norfolk, Applewood Hall is conveniently located next to the award-winning Banham Zoo and Applewood Countryside Park, providing glamping accommodation and a special attraction for those in search of a wedding day with a difference.

Your guests will be impressed as they enter the marquee-lined hall, a blank canvas with stunning chandeliers and a starlight canopy. This spacious hall can seat up to 200 guests and has a central dancefloor, a stage and a fully-stocked licensed bar all in one place. The hall has access to a modern ceremony room that can seat up to 90 guests and comes with lime-washed Chivari chairs, colour-changing downlighters and fairylights.

Ufford Park Resort has introduced new spa experiences

Ufford Park Resort, a wedding venue nestled in historic parkland on the heritage coast near Ipswich, has introduced new spa experiences. With the full-day experience, you will arrive at 9am, sip a nutritional shot and step into a fluffy robe and flip-flops to begin your day in the Thermal Suite Spa. Tapas platters, a blissful 50-minute massage or facial, and a therapist-free experience are all included, as well as a Templespa gift to continue pampering yourself at home.

Alternatively, the half-day option means you'll arrive from 8.30am and stay until after lunch, or you can begin with lunch and stay until 7.30pm. Sip a chilled nutritional shot, step into a robe and flip flops, and immerse yourself in the Thermal Suite Spa. This option also includes tapas platters for lunch, a blissful 50-minute massage or facial and a Templespa gift.

Visit a Signature Wedding Show to win a mini-break with Classic Lodges

County Wedding Events, in association with Classic Lodges, is offering two overnight stays for two people to include a glass of Lanson Champagne on arrival, a three-course dinner and either a full English Breakfast or continental. What's more, the break can be taken at any Classic Lodges-owned property! Visitors must pre-register and attend a Signature Wedding Show to have the chance to win a mini-break courtesy of Classic Lodges. Terms and conditions apply.

Instant photos make for lasting memories!

poignant keepsake for guests or a photo album. Instant photos make for lasting memories! The INSTAX mini 12 (£79.99) is the perfect product for guest use. Place on tables or dot them around the venue to allow for guests to personalise their memories, and most importantly, take them home. The INSTAX mini Evo (£174.99) is another great option for capturing what's important. The retro-themed exterior is fitting for those vintage-themed weddings – place next to the guest book so photos can be added straight in. The INSTAX SQUARE (£129.99) is a modern option for those photographic keepsakes. Connect the devise to phones and print polaroid straight from the camera roll. Instant photos are irreplaceable.

Bruisyard Barn is a wedding venue 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 criss-cross 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

Elope in style - expert advice

Couples are rewriting the script on what it means to say "I do". Over the past 12 months, searches for 'elopement weddings UK' are up +83%, 'elopement wedding packages UK' increased by +85%, and 'intimate weddings UK' have grown by +89%¹. This has highlighted a clear demand amongst couples for intimate weddings. To find out what has motivated this trend, wedding decoration experts at Ginger Ray have conducted a survey of those engaged and in the midst of planning an elopement to see what their special day will look like. Why are elopements becoming more popular? Topping the list of factors driving couples towards intimate weddings is the quest to manage expenses. More than a third (32%) of respondents highlighted financial constraints as the primary factor influencing their decision to opt for a smaller celebration.

Say yes to saving for the big day - Top tips from Rathbones

Top tips from Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones Group Plc on budgeting together for the important day. A wedding is the beginning of a new chapter and likely one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be full of joy and stress free, a lot of our time and money goes into pre-wedding planning, to make sure this is the case. The cost of living crisis and sticky inflation are impacting prices across the board and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Kindar shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

The Harper Hotel is a contemporary take on the English country escape

The Harper Hotel is located in Langham, a pretty village just a mile inland from the coast at Blakeney, Norfolk. After a transformation of the original well-known brick and flint-built barns, this charming coastal retreat is a contemporary take on the English country escape. Retaining the fabric of the building and retelling its story with a bold, industrial aesthetic in its public areas, The Harper combines modernity with continuity, marrying past and present.

The Harper's 32 bedrooms beckon for weekend breaks. Find the room that's right for you, enjoy some Norfolk nibbles and a cocktail, and relax.

Most popular TikTok wedding car revealed

Gone are the days of a horse-drawn carriage or a Rolls Royce pulling up to the wedding chapel, now it's all about modern cars! Couples across the UK are planning their dream weddings, with a twist. Searches for 'modern wedding cars' have surged by 60% in the last month according to Google Trends, signalling a shift from traditional vintage choices to sleek, contemporary vehicles that add a touch of modern elegance to the special day. ATS Euromaster, the tyre, MOT and vehicle services provider, has analysed TikTok hashtags and trends to reveal the changing popularity of wedding cars, both vintage and modern. Additionally, ATS has estimated rental costs for three-hour periods to help couples choose the perfect car for their special day.

The Flint Room is full of quirky places to take photographs

If you're looking for something different for your wedding ceremony, then The Flint Room is the perfect choice. Often referred to as one of Norwich's hidden gems, it's a deconsecrated Medieval church on the outside and a quirky wedding venue on the inside that looks stunning in wedding photographs.

As it's no longer a church, only non-religious wedding ceremonies can be held at the venue. It can seat up to 80 guests in its selection of vintage chairs and funky sofas. It even has a little bar, so your guests can toast to you once you have tied the knot.

National Art Pass - perfect wedding gift for culture lovers

A National Art Pass is a great way to enjoy time at hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, and the Double Membership makes the perfect wedding gift for any culture lovers! Annual membership is only £88.50* and lets the happy couple enjoy free entry to hundreds of cultural destinations, plus 50% off major exhibitions, and special shop and café discounts. What's more, two cards will be issued for the happy couple!

Say 'I do' to shared planning - wedding expert shares tips for involving family and friends

Amy Greenshields, wedding expert at Card Factory has shared 7 tips to help you let your loved ones contribute.

Asking for help can be hard but getting friends and family involved in wedding planning can not only lighten the load but will also make them feel included and valued. Wedding planning contains many different elements, from table designs and seating charts to your floral bouquet, everything must be accounted for. A bride normally has the most influence over everything wedding-related, leading to as state of overwhelming stress. Why not share out the responsibilities – even the little ones can have a job!

Elle-Events Management has rebranded

Cambridge-based event planning and management business Elle-Events Management is celebrating its rebrand with a plethora of services suitable for an array of special occasions.

Founder of the business and industry expert, Elle Roberts-Nissen, says: "I have been working towards the development of Elle-Events and its offerings for a number of years. I am thrilled that the time has come where I can launch the business to its full potential and continue to evolve it over the coming years, making more of a mark on the industry."

Ginger Ray - An Introvert's Guide to surviving a hen party

So, you've got a hen party on the horizon, but the thought of navigating through a sea of social interactions is making you break into a cold sweat. Fear not introverts, we've got your back! Follow these top tips to make sure that you don't bring down the mood at the hen party and instead boost the atmosphere of the event. Hen parties are a chance to celebrate the lucky soon-to-be bride so make it a night she'll never forget! Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared 6 strategies to ensure that you not only survive, but actually enjoy the festivities:

Sten dos are on the rise

Stag and hen experts, Adventure Connections, say it is the 'Sten do' that takes traditional trends down! A mash-up of the separate parties, the Sten do provides a popular new way for the future bride and groom to be united before the big day. Rumoured to have been recreated by Harry and Megan, Sten dos prove to be the hottest way to party. Founder of Adventure Connections, Justin Sayers mentions that "things are changing when it comes to pre-wedding parties", so why not give it a try? Sten dos offer a cost-effective and inclusive solution to those separate gatherings, perfect for those with a large number of guests. Those shared memories are sure to be irreplaceable. Reduce your stress and make it a rave to remember!

Dive into the world of muted colour palettes

Rebecca Brennan-Brown, founder of GetWed, a team of wedding experts based in London, helping couples achieve dreamy, fun, and unpretentious weddings, dives into the world of muted colour palettes and shares her top tips and advice for channeling this aesthetic...In a world of Instagram algorithms and Pinterest boards that feed you new inspiration every five minutes, it can be tricky to choose a colour palette for your wedding, let alone stick to one. Do you go for classic, whimsical whites and greens? Or perhaps something bolder and more fun? Or maybe you've always envisioned a summery pastel palette. The options are endless.

The High Barn at Bressingham Hall is perfect for weddings

The High Barn at Bressingham Hall is a breathtaking space that's 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 colours, plants, trees and water features, providing a wealth of great photo opportunities.