The Sydney Morning Herald reports how Nick Roland and Katie Elder invited their friends and family to an engagement party, which was really their big day.

Only ten of their 110 guests knew the ceremony would be taking place, with the bride and her bridesmaids sneaking off to change into her gown as her fiance began a speech.

Once he had finished Bruno Mars' song Marry You began playing and Ms Elder appeared.

"The guests went crazy, yelling and screaming in delight. The surprise was everything that we could have hoped for and more," she stated.

However, it seems the wedding plans were hard to keep a secret, as Ms Elder explained she was regularly asked when the pair planned to set the date.

Along with Marry You, Mars has had hits with the songs The Lazy Song, Grenade and Just The Way You Are.

The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted the owners of Haslington Hall in Cheshire following nine instances of failing to comply with safety rules.

"This was an extremely serious case of a business putting people's lives at considerable risk from fire," community fire protection manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Lee Shears stated.

Failure to invest in appropriate detectors, alarms and employee training led to the charges being brought against the hall, along with a disregard for an enforcement and prohibition notice.

Despite being ordered to close the premises for one month in 2009 after the fire risk was discovered, the owners were found to have continued to keep the hall in use.

The venue is set in a 25-acre private estate and has an orangery and two lakes onsite.

In an interview with the Bridport News, Rob Booth explained how he plans to spend just under five months travelling from the UK back to his home in New Zealand.

The 46-year-old will depart Bridport on his motorbike shortly after his daughter Christina's nuptials and head to France to begin the 15,000-mile trip.

Mr Booth told the newspaper: "It's going to be an amazing adventure of thousands of miles, new faces, many languages and … I'm sure I'll need a hot bath and a cold beer at the end of it."

The avid motorcyclist is hoping to raise £3,000 for Dyslexia Action during his travels and has so far received £245 in sponsorship money.

Mr Booth may have been inspired to embark on his journey by Korean Okhwan Yoon, who has spent the last 11 years pedalling his way around the world and has already visited 192 countries.

In an interview with the McClatchy-Tribune News Service, associate editor at weddingchannel.com Amy Eisinger claimed it is important professionals know what brides and grooms expect.

As well as discussing the style and type of pictures a couple wants captured at their nuptials, it is vital they explain when and where these should be taken.

"Give your photographer a complete timeline of the entire day," Ms Eisinger advised.

It was also suggested that when allowing the camera expert the chance to take shots of just the bride and groom, they should be aware of what the couple are not comfortable with.

Ms Eisinger said photographers need to be informed of any picture styles that will make the subjects feel awkward, such as extreme close-ups or images that are meant to be humorous.

Michael Soo, Popular Photography Magazine's Photographer of the Year, recently advised couples to try and relax when having their picture taken, as it is meant to be a "fun" experience.

Roads in the city of Taizhou in the eastern province of Zhejiang experienced hours of tailbacks, after bridal cars blockaded a thoroughfare near a popular park.

Dozens of brides and grooms descended on the public space yesterday (January 31st) in order to have wedding photographs taken following their nuptials.

The date saw more couples tie the knot than on an average Tuesday, as the end of the month is regarded as a lucky time in the local lunar calendar.

Many of those having their pictures taken had earlier exchanged vows at the town hall before travelling by car to the park.

Ahead of the wedding day, traditional Chinese customs require the bride to retreat into isolation with just a selection of close friends to mourn her impending separation from her family.

A picture of a diamond engagement ring posted on Twitter by the actor's adopted child Isabella Cruise has sparked speculation she is hoping her boyfriend Eddie Frencher proposes soon.

The couple revealed they were dating only last week, but it seems they may be ready to take their relationship to the next level.

According to a report in the Daily Mirror, an insider claimed Frencher has already asked Cruise for his daughter's hand in marriage.

"Tom and Nicole think Eddie is a great kid and couldn't be happier. The fact that he is a Scientologist is obviously a boon, too – they'll be Scientology royalty," the sources remarked.

Isabella was adopted by Cruise and his former wife Nicole Kidman during their ten-year marriage, along with her brother Connor, who is also not biologically related to the ex-couple.

The popular Channel 4 show will be back on screens from February 14th, with the first episode following 21-year-old Dolores.

In keeping with tradition, the bride can be seen tying the knot in a large, meringue-style gown she has designed herself.

The white dress has a unique theme, with several silver cats embroidered on the frock.

A large tiara, heavy makeup and deep tan complete the look, while the groom opts for a more conservative grey suit.

Now in its fourth series, the show has proven to be a hit with audiences, with entertainmentwise.com reporting seven million viewers tuned in per episode in previous airings.

Last month, Channel 4 ran a one-off Christmas special that featured a mass yuletide first communion and several extravagant weddings.

Owner of Southern Event Planners Angela Dacus claimed in an interview with the Commercial Appeal that more and more women are choosing to combine their celebrations.

She suggested that individuals could save as much as $1,000 (£637) to $3,000 by keeping the wedding at one site.

One way to keep costs low is to host the nuptials in one location, with dinner tables later moved out of the way following the meal in order to make room for a dance floor.

Ms Dacus recommended creating two different atmospheres by having the nuptials held outside and then moving inside for the reception if possible.

Another way to save money on a venue is to hold a wedding out of peak season in winter, according to editor of dreamwed.co.uk Julia Snow.

Dressed in a smart black suit and white shirt, the 25-year-old could be seen sat next to his fiancee Faryal Makhdoom, who opted for a floor-length plum-coloured sari.

Ms Makhdoom completed her outfit with a large pair of elaborate earrings and several jewelled accessories that featured in her hair.

In honour of her traditional Indian roots, the bride-to-be had her hand painted with henna that could clearly be seen along with her large diamond engagement band.

The party catered for 1,000 friends and family members who came to the £150,000 ceremony held at the Bolton Wanderers football ground.

Khan and Ms Makhdoom met last July and embarked on a whirlwind romance, with the pair discussing their blossoming relationship with the Sun last week during a trip to New York.

Ms Makhdoom explained how she initially struggled to understand her husband-to-be's accent.

In an article for 3News, Ally Mullord explained how it is always wise for family and friends to stick to the gifts specified if the bride and groom have set up a list.

"If the couple wanted a wide selection of thoughtfully selected toasters and wine glasses, they wouldn't have done a registry," she remarked.

Those who feel gift lists are impersonal may want to consider Ms Mullord's idea of selecting a present that can be connected to a fun memory or anecdote and explain this on the card.

It was claimed that large gifts should be posted to the couple's home address, while gift cards or vouchers can be taken to the venue, with a table likely to be set aside for this purpose.

Guests who are attending destination weddings and have already splashed out on engagement and bridal shower presents should not feel obliged to also purchase a nuptial gift, director of the Emily Post Institute Peggy Post recently stated in a New York Times article.