Some Quirky Party Theme Ideas for You...
We believe every celebration party at the Royal Assembly Rooms should be individually tailored for
the occasion and made unforgettable for you and your guests.
Here are just a few ideas to wet your appetite, but the list is endless...
🎩 1. “Victorian Time Travelers”
Theme: A playful blend of historical elegance and sci-fi steampunk.
Dress Code: Bustles, top hats, goggles, pocket watches – think Bridgerton meets Doctor Who.
Extras: Steampunk photo booth, vintage cocktails with dry ice, mechanical props or illusionist entertainment.
🌈 2. “Through the Looking Glass” (Alice in Wonderland)
Theme: Whimsical, surreal, and delightfully chaotic.
Dress Code: Mad Hatter hats, Queen of Hearts glam, Cheshire Cat face paint.
Extras: Mismatched tea party setups, "Drink Me" cocktails, oversized playing cards, roaming performers.
🕺 3. “Guilty Pleasures Party”
Theme: Celebrate the music, snacks, and fashion you secretly love.
Dress Code: Cheesy band T-shirts, glitter, double denim, 90s nostalgia.
Extras: Karaoke corner, Pop Tarts & retro sweets, dancefloor anthems from the 80s–2000s.
📺 4. “TV Dinner Party”
Theme: Guests come dressed as their favourite TV characters – from period dramas to reality shows.
Dress Code: Anything goes – The Crown, Bridgerton, Stranger Things, Bake Off, even Love Island!
Extras: TV-themed cocktails, ‘binge-watch buffet’, quiz rounds based on famous shows.
🪩 5. “Disco Noir”
Theme: A mysterious mix of glitterball glamour and vintage detective drama.
Dress Code: Sequins + trench coats, feather boas + fedoras – sparkly but shadowy.
Extras: Jazz-lounge DJ set, moody lighting, clues hidden around the venue leading to a “secret” prize.
🎬 6. “Movie Mash-Up”
Theme: Chaos on the red carpet! Guests come as characters from different movies, all in one room.
Dress Code: Darth Vader dancing with Marilyn Monroe? Yes please.
Extras: Mini “awards” ceremony, popcorn bar, cinematic playlist, film trailer mash-ups on screen.
Say 'Yes' to the Dress
10 Essential Tips for Buying a Wedding Dress in the UK
Shopping for your wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day—but it can also feel overwhelming. With endless styles, budgets, and bridal boutiques to choose from, where do you even start?
If you’re planning your wedding in the UK, here are 10 essential tips to help you find the dress of your dreams—without the stress.
1. Set a Realistic Budget
Before stepping foot in a bridal boutique, decide how much you’re willing to spend. And don’t forget to factor in:
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Alterations (typically £100–£300)
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Accessories (veil, shoes, jewellery)
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Cleaning and storage post-wedding
Be honest about your budget from the start so stylists can show you dresses within your range.
2. Start Early—but Not Too Early
The sweet spot for wedding dress shopping in the UK is 9–12 months before your wedding. This gives you enough time for ordering, delivery, and multiple alterations—without feeling rushed. Shopping too far in advance can lead to changing your mind as styles evolve.
3. Do Your Research
Get familiar with different styles (A-line, mermaid, sheath, etc.) and consider what works for your body shape and venue. UK bridal websites like Hitched.co.uk, Bridebook, and Rock My Wedding are great for inspiration.
Create a Pinterest board or save screenshots to help your stylist understand your vision.
4. Book Appointments in Advance
Bridal shops often operate by appointment only. Weekends book up fast, so reserve your spot early—especially if you’re targeting popular boutiques or sample sales.
Some stores charge a small fee for appointments, usually redeemable against your purchase.
5. Choose Your Shopping Squad Wisely
Bringing a crowd can lead to confusion. Take 1–2 trusted people whose opinions you value and who understand your style. Too many voices can overwhelm and dilute your own preferences.
6. Explore a Mix of Stores
Try a variety of places, such as:
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Local independent bridal boutiques (personal service)
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Department stores (e.g. John Lewis, Selfridges)
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Designer trunk shows
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Online or high street brands (e.g. ASOS Bridal, Whistles, Reformation)
Every shop has its own vibe and designers—exploring different options can help you narrow down your favourites.
7. Consider Pre-Loved or Sample Dresses
Looking to save money or shop more sustainably? The UK has excellent platforms for second-hand gowns:
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Facebook Marketplace or local wedding Facebook groups
Many pre-loved dresses are worn only once—or not at all—and professionally cleaned.
8. Know Your Sizes (and Be Kind to Yourself)
UK bridal sizes run small—often 1–2 sizes smaller than high street clothing. Don’t focus on the number. Focus on fit, comfort, and how you feel in the dress.
Your body is beautiful exactly as it is—choose a dress that makes you feel confident and empowered.
9. Plan for Alterations
Most dresses will need tweaking to achieve a perfect fit. Budget for at least one or two fittings and allow time for adjustments.
Not all bridal shops offer in-house tailoring, so ask for recommendations if you need an external seamstress.
10. Trust Your Gut
Forget the myth that “you’ll cry when it’s the one.” If you feel beautiful, comfortable, and can picture yourself walking down the aisle in it—it’s probably your dress.
Don’t let anyone talk you into (or out of) something that doesn’t feel right. Go with your instincts.
Final Thoughts
Buying your wedding dress in the UK can be magical if you go into it with a plan, a budget, and an open mind. Whether you're after designer couture or a pre-loved gem, the perfect dress is out there waiting for you.
Happy dress hunting!
How to Avoid Unscrupulous Wedding Suppliers: A Guide for Savvy Couples
In the light of recent horror stories reporting of couples who have been mis-sold wedding services or have even paid money over to a non-existent suppliers, it pays to be vigilant...
Your wedding day should be magical—but behind the scenes, planning can feel like navigating a minefield. With a booming wedding industry, not every vendor operates with integrity. From no-show photographers to overcharging florists, couples can fall victim to unscrupulous wedding suppliers if they're not careful.
Here’s how to protect your wedding—and your wallet—from vendors who don’t have your best interests at heart.
1. Start with Research, Not Emotion
It’s easy to fall in love with dreamy Instagram posts or glossy brochures, but remember: appearances can be deceiving. Before booking any supplier, do your homework.
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Check reviews on Google, The Knot, WeddingWire, or local Facebook groups.
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Ask for referrals from trusted friends, family, or your venue.
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Look at real wedding portfolios instead of styled shoots that don’t reflect real-world reliability.
2. Always Get a Contract
A verbal agreement or handshake is not enough. A legitimate supplier will always provide a clear, detailed contract outlining:
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Services provided
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Timelines
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Payment structure
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Cancellation and refund policies
If a vendor is hesitant to provide a contract, that’s a red flag. Walk away.
3. Be Wary of Huge Upfront Payments
While deposits are standard in the wedding industry, be cautious of anyone asking for 100% payment upfront. A common and fair deposit is 20–50% at booking, with the remainder due closer to the event.
Tip: Use a credit card when possible for added fraud protection and a paper trail.
4. Look for Transparency in Communication
If a vendor takes days to reply, dodges questions, or is vague about pricing, think twice. Trustworthy professionals are responsive, respectful, and forthcoming about costs and expectations.
5. Trust Your Gut
If something feels off—whether it's a rushed meeting, over-the-top promises, or pressure to sign—listen to your instincts. The best vendors will give you time to decide and provide honest, professional answers.
6. Watch for Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals
A £500 all-inclusive wedding package might sound amazing… until your cake melts, your photographer ghosts you, and your flowers arrive wilted. Quality service comes at a fair price. Extremely low prices often signal inexperience or, worse, a scam.
7. Ask the Right Questions
When interviewing potential vendors, ask:
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How long have you been in business?
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What happens in case of emergency or cancellation?
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Can I speak to a recent client for a reference?
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Are you insured?
Their answers will tell you a lot about their reliability and professionalism.
8. Consider Hiring a Wedding Planner
If your budget allows, a reputable wedding planner can be your best ally. They often have vetted networks of reliable vendors and can negotiate on your behalf.
Conclusion
Planning a wedding should be joyful—not stressful. By being proactive, asking questions, and trusting your instincts, you can sidestep the pitfalls of dishonest vendors and focus on what really matters: celebrating your love.
Because your big day deserves vendors as dependable as your “I do.”
Love is Love - Celebrate Your Wedding at our LGBTQ+ Friendly Venue
Planning a wedding should be exciting, joyful, and full of love—not stress, hesitation, or worry about being accepted. At The Royal assembly Rooms, we proudly stand with the LGBTQ+ community and believe every love story deserves a beautiful, welcoming place to begin.
Whether you’re planning a vibrant celebration, a quiet elopement, or something uniquely your own, we’re here to make sure your day feels 100% you—full of joy, respect, and love.
💖 What Makes Us LGBTQ+ Friendly?
🏳️🌈 Authentic Inclusion, Not Just Acceptance
We don’t just say “all are welcome”—we mean it, we live it, and we celebrate it. Our team is trained, experienced, and genuinely passionate about creating inclusive, affirming experiences for LGBTQ+ couples.
🤝 Vendors Who Share Your Values
We’ve partnered with florists, officiants, photographers, and caterers who share our commitment to equality and love without conditions.
🌟 Spaces Designed for Your Vision
Want two aisles? Ditching traditional roles? Writing your own ceremony from scratch? We’re here to help you break the rules—or rewrite them entirely.
Your Day, Your Way
We believe in wedding days without assumptions, without judgment, and without compromise. Just love. Just joy. Just the beginning of a life you’re building together.
If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly wedding venue that’s as committed to love and equality as you are—we’d be honored to be part of your journey.
Book a tour, explore our wedding packages, or reach out to chat with our inclusive planning team. We can’t wait to meet you.
Love wins here. Every day. Always.
7.5 Top Tips to Survive Your Un Wedding Day
With the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic crisis millions of couples worldwide have had to put their wedding day on hold. Now, in the grand scheme of things when loved ones are lost, and people’s lives changing
beyond belief, it seems a trivial matter. However, we understand how delaying your special day after months (and sometimes years) of planning can be devastating. When your planned wedding date arrives, it’s going to be a tough day to get through so here are a few tips that might help…
1) Take the Day Off - If you are not still furloughed from work, make sure you both take the day off as holiday. If you don’t live together all the points below can be done virtually using the wonders of modern technology!
2) Write a love letter – Put pen to paper and tell your loved one why they are the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Post it to make sure it arrives on what would have been your wedding day.
3) Propose Again – Reignite that moment of sheer excitement when you said ‘Yes’.
4) Revisit Your Wedding Plans – Now that you have more time before your big day, take a while to go through your wedding plans to see if there are any changes you’d like to make. It may be that with a few more months to save, you can consider adding a few extras that you would really like but couldn’t afford in the original budget.
5) Go Out (or stay in) on a Date - Get dressed up for a romantic candle lit dinner, whether it’s at home or in your favourite restaurant.
6) Drop a Line to Those Close to You – The chances are your Best Man/Woman, Bridesmaids, family and friends are also feeling quite deflated when the intended wedding day arrives, so remind then just how much you are looking forward to celebrating with them.
7) Be Thankful – When we emerge on the other side of this worldwide crisis, your wedding day will be celebrated in a way that you had never imagined with family and friends appreciating more than ever the freedom of being together again!
And finally, tip 7.5… Feel happy that by sacrificing your wedding day and staying at home, lives will be saved. And what a great story to tell your children and grandchildren!
The Food of Love...
Food plays a big part of your special day and that’s exactly why you want to avoid a wedding venue that dictates a set menu which they refuse to change.
Our catering team lead by our fabulous Head Chef, delights in helping our wedding couples put together a bespoke menu created just for them.
Not only does our comprehensive selection of menu choices range from some carefully put together set meals, but you can also choose from the Mix n Match options. And, if you still can’t find your favourite dish, (with the exception of beans on toast!), we will do our very best to include it for you.
Some of our previous wedding couples have asked us to tailor their wedding breakfast on a certain theme. One of our favourites was ‘Beside the Sea’ offering mouth-watering Fish n Chips and Succulent Meat Pie with Creamy Mash – Classic British favourites! The BBQ Wedding Breakfast is also a winner during the Summer months. Alternatively, bring an International flavour to the table – the choice is all yours!!!
‘Green Cuisine’ is also our thing - We also have a superb variety of super tasty vegetarian and vegan dishes which have also been highly commended by some of our meat eating guests!
Let’s not underestimate the popular finger buffet – We offer some palate pleasing buffet ensembles which you can choose for either your daytime or evening Wedding Reception. The homemade sausage rolls served fresh from the oven are the hands down favourites… Taste just one and you’ll be hooked!
Rest assured, all our dishes are created from scratch in our own 5 Star Hygiene awarded kitchen, using high quality ingredients from locally sourced supplies. Guests with specific food intolerances are also in good hands with our capable team, as no request is too much trouble!
Finding Your Perfect Wedding Venue
Planning your wedding day is a bit like putting a jigsaw puzzle together and it can be quite tricky finding all the right elements that fit together.
One of the most important factors is finding the right venue for your big day and although you may fall in love with a venue as soon as you walk in to view it, it's really vital that you don't don't make a snap decision before checking out a few facts first.
Here's our guide on questions to ask before you make the final decision...
Budget
It's easy to get carried away when planning a wedding, so you need to have a fixed price in your minds of how much you are willing to pay and stick as closely to this figure as you can. Getting heavily into debt is not a good start to any marriage.
What's Included?
Some venues will seem remarkably reasonable in price, but be very warey of hidden extras...It's quite common for venues to add on additional costs for staff, catering for staff, crockery, cutlery, glassware and table covers etc. If you are providing your own entertainers, band or disco check that there is not a standard charge for allowing you to do so.
Wedding Suppliers
If you want to bring in your own wedding service providers or supply some of your own decorations, flowers, music, photographs and cake for example, make sure you check that the venue allow this. There are some which stipulate that you must use their services only, which restricts your choice and can be very costly.
Flexible Catering
Look into the different options of menus on offer and decide if they are right for you. Some venues will not change any elements of the menu options to suit you so it's worth finding one that is flexible and, if necessary, will build a menu just for you!
Live Music
If you're planning on getting a live band in, check the the venue allows this, has a license for it, and check if there are any time and volume restrictions
Wedding Coordinator
You want to deal with the same person consistantly from start to finish so they get to know you and what you expect from your wedding day. Your wedding coordinator should not only meet with you regularly throughout the planning of your wedding but be there on the day to make sure everything runs smoothly and to plan.
Is the set up time included?
Ideally you want to have access the the venue from early morning on the day of your wedding for decoration, delivery of flowers cake and set up of and extras like sweetie carts and photo booths. Check with the venue to see if this is including in the hire charge
Price of Drinks
The last thing you want is to be embarrased at the price your weding guests are being charged for their drinks. Ask to see the bar price list. And, if you don't have drinks included in your wedding package, ask for prices of table wine and Champagne / Prosecco as you don't want any nasty surprises on the day!
Location
You will probably have family and friends travelling from away so make sure the venue is in the best location to suit most. If the venue does not have rooms for overnight stay, ask them for recommendations of hotels nearby. They may even have an agreement with a hotel to give you a discounted rate.
Car parking
The last thing you want your guests to do is struggle to find a parking place near your venue. Ideally choose one with it's own car park which also allows guests to leave their vehicles overnight if they choose to taxi home.
Capacity
This one speaks for itself, but it's worth checking various configuration on seating available according to whether you are looking at having a formal sit down wedding breakfast or a more informal BBQ or buffet. If you are planning to have an evening disco/band with dancing make sure that there is an allowance made for this space or that the staff can reset the room after the meal to suit your requirements
Your Theme
And lastly, take a good look at the type of venue and it's decor - does it lend itself to the style and colour scheme of wedding you would like?
Good luck with the search for your perfect venue! Take a look at the Weddings page of our website - You might have just found it!
Wedding Traditions, Myths and Facts Uncovered
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…
It has long been thought that Brides who wear or carry these items on their wedding day will be blessed with good luck.
Whether or not you're interested in sticking with conventions or throwing them out of the window, we have unearthed a few other wedding day myths and traditions from around the globe along with a few interesting facts too…
Did You Know
- The English believe a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck - Yikes!
- Did you know that the groom traditionally carries the bride across the threshold to protect her from evil spirits lurking below?
- Rain on your wedding day is considered good luck, according to Hindu tradition.
- Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.
- Queen Victoria started the Western world's white wedding dress trend on her wedding day in 1840—before then, brides simply wore their best dress.
- Victoria also established the tradition of playing Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" during her wedding processional in 1858.
- In Japan, white was always the colour of choice for bridal gowns long before Queen Victoria popularized it in the Western world.
- Brides carry or wear "something old" on their wedding day to symbolize continuity with the past.
- The "something blue" in a bridal ensemble symbolizes purity, fidelity and love.
- The tradition of a wedding cake comes from ancient Rome, where revellers broke a loaf of bread over a bride's head for fertility's sake.
- The custom of tiered cakes emerged from a game where the bride and groom attempted to kiss over an ever-higher cake without knocking it over.
- And finally, the most expensive wedding ever was the marriage of Sheik Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum's son to Princess Salama in Dubai in May 1981. The price tag? A mere $44 million!!!
Give Style to Your Wedding in Great Yarmouth!
No matter how beautiful your wedding venue is, whether it’s a grand stately home, a rustic barn or a unique grade II listed building like the Royal Assembly Rooms in Great Yarmouth, it makes it more personal to add a few decorations and finishing touches to suit your taste and personality.
Katrina and Colin of Celebration Station in Gorleston are considered the local experts in the field of theming for weddings, christenings, private parties, anniversaries and pretty much every occasion imaginable!
During the years in running their business they have helped to create the perfect setting for 100’s of events! Whether it's a formal and classy black-tie event or something bright and colourful Katrina and Colin will make sure your event is unique to you even incorporating themes into your wedding day whether it's a subtle nod to your favourite film or a full blown vintage circus they will make your ideas come alive!
Photo Courtesy of Denise Brady Photography.
Celebration Station’s new warehouse is an Aladdin’s Cave of treasures from chair covers and sashes of every colour shade, to amazing table decorations, giant light up letters, rustic step ladders, balloons galore, sweetie carts and even majestic thrones to make you feel like royalty!
In fact, if you’re struggling for ideas then this is the place to head to for inspiration. And, you can be sure of some sound advice from Katrina and Colin to steer you in the right direction!
The great thing is that once you’ve finally decided on your decor, you can just leave it in the safe and experienced hands of their team so that you can concentrate on one of the other dozens of jobs that needs to be done before your wedding day!
Boutique Hotel by the Sea
Whether you are looking to accommodate your wedding guests for the weekend or fancy treating yourselves to a hotel stay after a party night at the Royal Assembly Rooms, Andover House Hotel is the perfect choice!
We are delighted to be working with Victoria and Phil, the owners of Andover House who snatched up the opportunity to renovate a run-down hotel in a beautiful part of Great Yarmouth, just a stone’s throw from the beach and Royal Assembly Rooms.
Dating back to the 1800’s, it was a striking building and the couple had the chance to put their skills to the test. Phil had a natural talent for property renovation and Victoria loved interior design so they swiftly closed the doors for 9 months and set to work. Their main priority was to retain the original features and create our own mix of contemporary style.
Since opening the doors 8 years ago, Victoria and Phil have extended the hotel by renovating the property next door in 2016 – and are now the proud owners of 27 en-suite hotel bedrooms, an outdoor garden terrace and a popular bar and restaurant named, The Copper Kitchen – serving food with the emphasis on home classics at affordable prices served by an experienced and friendly team.
Andover House is for the over 13’s, with free wi-fi, an absolutely brilliant team who are energetic and listen to our guests needs. Rooms start from £69 including a tasty cooked breakfast.
Customers of the Royal Assembly Rooms are eligible to receive a discount on room rates by quoting unique promo code: ‘ASSEMBLY’ when making a reservation.
Open throughout the year, excluding Christmas Day & Boxing Day.
Serving food Mon-Sat | 6pm-9:30pm
27-30 Camperdown, Great Yarmouth, NR30 3JB
01493 843490 | bookings@andoverhouse.co.uk