Suffolk is the county for society weddings it would seem. First there was supermodel Claudia Schiffer’s fairytale wedding to the film producer Matthew Vaughn, followed by the merging of financial dynasties when dashing Ben Goldsmith married stylish Kate Rothschild in Bury St Edmunds, and novelist Esther Freud’s nuptials to the actor David Morrissey on Southwold Pier had the media gaze on Suffolk once again in 2006.

So what is the appeal of this county of ours for such influential young things as these? First there is the scenery - unspoilt and idyllic, with an inspiring stretch of coastline to the east and many miles of scenic landscape dotted with well-hidden mansions and medieval churches. And we mustn’t forget the allure of our vast Suffolk skies and magnificent sunsets.

Geographically, Suffolk is also close enough to London to make getting here quick and convenient by train and car, but also remote enough to feel like you really are escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and its suburbs. In many towns and villages you’d be forgiven for thinking that you had been transported back to a different era, and yet we have restaurants, hotels, self-catering accommodation and boutiques to rival London’s most sophisticated districts.

Of course, not everyone can afford the standard of wedding that the Rothschilds and Goldsmiths enjoyed, but if you do have a lavish affair in mind then this is definitely the place to do it. At the other end of the spectrum, there are some superb and unusual settings for more intimate affairs and all manner of venues for couples looking for something in between the two.

Finding a venue:

Organising the perfect wedding can be notoriously stressful, which is why you are advised to start planning as early as possible - ideally from the day you get engaged! If you have a summer wedding in mind, there is even more need to plan ahead as popular venues will be booked up well in advance.

If you’re not putting everything in the hands of a professional wedding planner, expect to spend many hours surfing the net, making telephone calls and visiting venues in order to find one that is right for the style of wedding you have in mind.

If you are looking for a venue in Suffolk, your first port of call should definitely be the Suffolk County Council website, which provides comprehensive information on marriages in churches and other religious buildings, as well as having a list of approved premises throughout Suffolk for civil ceremonies and details of all the Suffolk Register Offices.

The Council also produces a free marriage information booklet entitled 'Getting Married in Suffolk', which contains lots of useful information to help you plan your ceremony and a complete listing of all the approved venues in the county.

For further details visit the Suffolk County Council website