GETTING STARTED SWD
MORE THAN JUST A MAGAZINE
ROCK
YOUR reception Flowers, cake and entertainment ideas to wow your guests!
STYLE edit 100s of amazing gowns Must-have accessories Chic bridesmaid dresses
SHOULD YOU HAVE
a feminist wedding?
REAL
IT TAKES
brides Share their bridal beauty looks
OCTOBER £4.75
scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk
TWO
OurTHE guide RISE to OF THE
second
CEREMONIES DRESS Hit the shops:
9-12 months before
WIN!
Prepare to spend: £150-£2,000+
Start your search: P122
A DESIGNER WEDDING DRESS Don’t forget: SHOWSTOPPING TRANSPORT You’re required to make an appointment before you A LUXURY HONEYMOON visit most bridal boutiques!
www.scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk JULY 2014 1
GETTING STARTED
WEDDINGS
BY NUMBERS
Fed up of seeing wedding statistics that referred to the UK as a whole (and sometimes just London), SWD decided to take a closer look at weddings in Scotland by carrying out the first ever Scottish Wedding Census earlier this year. Just over 1,100 people – newlyweds and people currently planning their wedding – were quizzed on everything from their budgets to their venue. Here are the results!
The average cosT of a
wedding in 2013 was
£19,507
The average cosT of a venue anD weDDIng recepTIon accounTS for
It is so easy to get carried away. We spent a lot of money on our wedding day; the band, the dress, the transport (our most expensive outlay)… everything adds up. I refused to look at the actual breakdown of costs, but my wife had a spreadsheet. David The first dress I tried on was £4,500. That could feed my guests! You could easily spend £40,000 on a wedding but you need to pull the reins in and be sensible. I’m doing a lot of DIY to cut down on costs. Laura
30 OCTOBER 2014 www.sCOTTishwEddingdiRECTORy.CO.uk
of the total cost of a wedding
The Top 5 Wedding spends
WhaT our Wedding indusTry panellisTs say... I spent a lot less than that figure – but then again, I got married in my own venue! It was surprising how much the other expenses added up. We spent the most money on our tables. I was quite shocked by the price of wedding dresses! Colin
39
% £7,627 £2,771
Venue and reception Honeymoon
£1,963
Rings Photographer and filmmaker
£1,311
Bride’s dress
£1,117
There were
27,547
12
%
of the brides surveyed had been married before
marriages in Scotland in 2013 (according to gro-scotland.gov.uk), which makes the wedding market worth approximately
£536 million!
30
%
of the respondents have children
41
%
of the couples surveyed have a household income of over £55,000
12.3%
14.4%
14.1%
10.1%
5.0%
3.1 %
2.6%
July
auguST
SepTeMBer
OcTOBer
nOveMBer
DeceMBer
9.5% aprIl
June
7.7% March
11.2%
2.6% FeBruary
May
2.2% January
SAvE thE DAtE! WeDDIngS By MOnTh
The average BrIDe vISITeD
3
bridal boutiques before finding their wedding dress
23
%
of brides visited fIvE or more shops on their quest for The One
AND
1
%
of our respondents found their dream dress in
AMERICA!
What our Wedding industry panellists say... I’m getting married in April. It was the first available Saturday at Balbirnie. We wanted a Saturday so our family had time to travel.
We got married in January; it was the only free weekend we had at the venue all year. We also wanted to get married before Diane gave birth, as children can be rather time-consuming!
Our wedding was in July. It was the only available day at the venue. I also didn’t have any work bookings.
Kirsty
Colin
David
8.9%
of weddings took place in Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands
10.5%
of weddings took place in Stirling, Argyll, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
11.6%
of weddings took place in Fife, Angus and perth
20.6%
of weddings took place in Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders
38.2%
of weddings took place in Glasgow, the Greater Clyde area and the South West
www.scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk octoBer 2014 31
JEWELLERY
Hair CARE With or without a veil, beautiful hair accessories are always a must-have
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
1.Dazzling forehead band (£88), LHG Designs 2. Ellie comb (£50), Melle Cloche 3. Feathered clip (£95), Calla Collections 4. Pearl and rhinestone ribbontie headband (£40), LHG Designs 5. Lace hair vine (£114), Bridal Bliss Accessory Boutique 6. Crystal hair pin grips (£24 each), Bridal Bliss Accessory Boutique For stockists see page 318
46 OCTOBER 2014 WWW.sCOTTishWEDDingDiRECTORY.CO.uk
6.
JEWELLERY GETTING STARTED
Wrist ACTION Complement your rings with delicate bracelets and cuffs 1. 2.
4.
5.
3.
7.
8.
Our guide to 6.
CEREMONIES Hit the shops:
9-12 months before
Prepare to spend: £150-£2,000+
Start your search:
1. Silver bangle with heart charm (£85), Lorraine Law 2. Freshwater pearl four-strand bracelet (£120), Kevan Scott Goldsmiths 3. Diamond bracelet in P122 yellow gold (£1,995), Laing Edinburgh 4. Pearl double-strand bracelet with pear diamanté (£55), Calla Collections 5. Silver round brilliant cubic zirconia bracelet (£115), Chisholm Hunter 6. Silver snowdrop bracelet with crystal You’re required to make enamel (£210), Sheila Fleet – Scottish Designer Jewellery 7. Antique lace an appointment before you(£150), sterling silver cuff (£395), Lily Luna 8. Sterling silver poppy bracelet Summerhall School of Jewellery visit most bridal boutiques!
Don’t forget:
For stockists see page 318
www.scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk JULY 2014 5
FASHION
Floral
FANCY
Be an elegant bride in sleek gowns enhanced with floral, lace and diamante detailing for a timeless look P hotography by Laura Tiliman
Strapless A-line dress with diamante belt (£1,825), Etiquette Bridal Couture. Sparkling bridal bracelet (£68) and matching necklace (£160), Lily Luna. Side vine hairpiece (£125), Calla Collections. For stockists see page 318
96 OCTOBER 2014 www.SCOTTiShwEddingdiRECTORy.CO.uk
FASHION www.scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk octoBer 2014 97
104 OCTOBER 2014 www.sCOTTishwEddingdiRECTORy.CO.uk
100 OCTOBER 2014 www.sCOTTishwEddingdiRECTORy.CO.uk
Lady of
the manor P hotography by Laura Tiliman Styling by Beth Farquhar
Full, feminine skirts, delicate lace and sparkling accessories are the perfect accompaniments to a stunning Scottish venue Ivory full-sleeved lace dress with corseted bodice and fishtail (£1,595), lace-edged cathedral veil (£395), Kavelle Bridal Couture. 18ct rose gold 4.17ct diamond-encrusted dress ring (£8,950), Mr Harold & Son. Peach and pink hand-tied bouquet of sweet pink dolomite roses, peach avalanche roses and pink bouvardia, finished off with peach satin ribbon (from £85), Farmgate Floral Design For StockiStS see page 318
116 OCTOBER 2014 www.sCOTTishwEddingdiRECTORy.CO.uk
118 OCTOBER 2014 www.sCOTTishwEddingdiRECTORy.CO.uk
ALLY STUART PHOTOGRAPHY ORANGE LEMUR PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
Jayne Culley gets in the swing of things marrying Chris Sprought at The Vu, Bathgate
GAIL PHOTOGRAPHY
Guests have a proper chortle at Lesley Smit h and Tim Arnot’s wedding at Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort, Dundee
HAVING
a laugh These ace shots demonstrate what weddings should be all about: having fun!
TOP TAbLE PHOTOGRAPHY
Jedward were keen to get in on the fun when Elaine and Brian Paterson got married at The Cruin, Loch Lomond
Kirsten and Andy Wilson’s ushers look so sweet larking around at Balbirnie House Hotel, Markinch
KAROL MAKULA PHOTOGRAPHY
Literally dancing for joy at Stephanie and Roberth Murray’s wedding at The Vu, Bathgate
SILVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Lynne Drew and her girls let their hair down after she married Nick at Ross Priory www.scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk octoBer 2014 207
LAURA AND MICHAEL BROWNLEE
DAVID LOZOWy PHOtOGRAPHy
of Best man Alastair Cardno gets in on the selfie action at the wedding ch Laura and Michael Brownlee on the steps of Balbirnie House Hotel, Markin
BUT FIRST...
LET ME
take a selfie
Stuart Minnis proudly captures a first shot with his new wife Lyndsey at Alyth Parish Church JENNIFLOWER WEDDING
Go on - do it for your Twitter followers!
GREG BENsON AND LAUR
s & PHOtOGRAPHy
A MEECHAN
Guests strike a pose at Victoria Brown and Robert Biggar’s wedding at the Vu, Bathgate
The guys make sure they get a proper group shot at Greg Benson and Laura Meechan’s wedding at Lochside House Hotel
MAyA CAstILLE AND LEE CALDWELL
tANDEM PHOtO
moment at Liz and John All the generat ions share a self ie
Members Club in Glasgow Maxwell’s mar riage at 29 Private
Sharing a sweet moment at Maya Castille and Lee Caldwell’s big day at Edinburgh Zoo. www.scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk octoBer 2014 209
PLANNING
{ } Cakes and flowers special
Vintage chic
Soft pastel blooms and whimsical cakes are sure to woo vintage-loving brides
Left to right: bouquet with green hydrangea, peach avalanche roses, cool water rose, phaleonopsis orchids and pink asclepiad, (£80) Something Special Flowers, milk bottles with gypsophila as before, new vintage cake, (£865), Truly Scrumptious Designer Cakes Ltd, (background), hand-tied large bouquet with hydrangea, avalanche rose and gypsophila, (from £80), hayleymichelle.co.uk, s(foreground), table arrangement with green hydrangea, peach avalanche rose, coolwater rose, phaleonopsis orchids, (£35), Something Special Flowers, paper bunting white lace, (£6.95) dotcomgiftshop.com.
232 OCTOBER 2014 www.sCOTTishwEddingdiRECTORy.CO.uk
PLANNING
Left to right: Milk bottle as before with gypsophila. Decorative filigree dome (£8.95), dotcomgiftshop.com with single white rose (supplied by hayleymichelle. co.uk). Rose, hydrangea, veronica and lisianthus bouquet (POA), Kirstie’s Flowers. Sweetheart cupcakes with soft pink hydrangea, lilac roses, lilac phlox and lilac delphinium on cake stand with loose pearls (£40), Irene’s Florist. Vintage bouquet with lilac roses, coral callas, soft pink hydrangea and green amaranthus with pearl clusters and white limonium edge (£65), Irene’s Florist. Table churn with soft pink hydrangea, lilac delphinium and touches of baby’s breath (£25), Irene’s Florist. Paper bunting white lace (£6.95), dotcomgiftshop.com. Vintage floral doilies (as before). For STOCKISTS see page 318
Left to right: Sunflowers, celosia, ruby red roses, berries, miss piggy rose bouquet, (£65) Lavender Blue with matching sunflower buttonhole, (£7) Lavender Blue, bottle with astilbe spray (supplied by Val Hamilton Wedding Flowers), silver birch tealight holders, (£8.95 for two), pipii.co.uk.,
www.SCOTTIShweDDIngDIReCTORy.CO.uK OCTOBeR 2014 233
FOOd And dRink
All these
little things
Don’t focus all of your energies on your wedding breakfast and overlook the little details like canapés and drinks. They’re the best bit, says Steph Telfer Photo by Carole at lazy Sunday
T
Our guide to FOOD AND DRINK Hit the shops:
iny food is my thing. Nothing brings a smile to my face more than shrunken versions of my favourite grub: mini sliders, teeny tacos, toaty trifles and little lasagnes. What joy! They seem all the more appetising in their miniature form and they’re fantastic crowd pleasers. Listen to a table ooh and ahh over a tray of chocolatecovered strawberries decorated as brides and grooms. They can be real conversation starters. It surprises me then, when couples gloss over the importance of a good canapé at their wedding, making do with the usual sausage rolls and coronation chicken vol-au-vents and missing out on some seriously cool alternatives. I feel the same about the drinks that are served up at a wedding. A bottle of red and a bottle of white on each table, champagne for toasting… there’s so much more you could be doing with your drinks and you don’t even need a vast budget. There are just so many possibilities out there in the world of wedding catering, so why not delve deep and explore the world of cocktails and canapés?
External caterer: 9-12 months before in-house caterer: 3-6 months before
Prepare to spend: £20-80+ per head
Start your search: P255
Don’t forget:
Try not to leave guests for longer than about an hour and a half without food or drinks being offered
252 OCTOBER 2014 www.sCOTTishwEddingdiRECTORy.CO.uk
Photo by Carole at lazy Sunday
eAt UP
Where canapés are concerned, there are some simple rules you should follow to keep hungry guests happy. Bear in mind that your guests will have had their breakfast or a light lunch before they leave for your ceremony and won’t eat anything else until the wedding breakfast later on, so make sure you keep them well fed to counteract the copious amounts of booze that go hand-in-hand with celebrations. Cater for around five canapés per person and give guests a few choices, taking into account any dietary requirements they might have as you would with the wedding breakfast. Carole Fitzgerald, owner of Lazy Sunday, an events and catering company specialising in laid-back eating, says that canapés are so much more than just a nibble to keep the hunger at bay; they’re the ‘food of anticipation’. “Your canapés should set the scene for the style of menu that’s about to be enjoyed; hinting at flavours,” says Carole. Newlyweds Anna Matthews and Colin Black had a drinks reception in Kilmacolm Village Hall and Olivarius Catering helped them come up with
Food And drink
thiNK StoCK
tantalising canapés that matched their village fete theme. “The black pudding sausage roll was inspired by a local deli that Colin loves, and the smoked haddock scotch egg was a throwback to when Colin and I first met on Arran and the local pub served them,” says Anna. “I’d say to couples, be creative with your food and drink. Let it reflect you as a couple.” Hiring external caterers like Anna and Colin might mean a little more input from you on your menu than if you were just going for a set meal, so make sure you book well in advance so that you have time to think about what you’ll serve up. “Book your caterer as soon as you have a venue, that’s my advice,” says Carole. “Good caterers are booked at least six months in advance; sometimes up to a year in advance! Once you find a caterer that you click with, book!” To round off your drinks reception, why not have a sweet treat, like Amanda Angus and her husband Gregor had at their June wedding at Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond. “Our guests were going to be waiting for a while for our photos to be taken, so we decided to give them a wee surprise in the form of a candy floss machine,” says bride
Amanda. “What made it even more fun was that people got to make their own! It doubled as entertainment whilst we were absent and everyone raved about how brilliant it was.” Gary Menzies, who owns Glasgow-based company Betty’s Bon Bons with his partner Brian, says that couples are looking for the fun factor at their drinks reception as well as some delicious canapés. “Having something like a candy floss machine provides a talking point. The smell and taste of it takes people back to childhood to reminisce about fond memories,” says Gary, whose company also provides chocolate fountains, sweetie bars, popcorn machines and loads of fun treats.
CHEERS!
When it comes to drinks, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with keeping it traditional and serving champagne but, as weddings have become more varied, so have the drinks options available and many couples enjoy trying something a bit different whilst not straying too far from the norm. Paul McLeman of Blackberry Cuisine based in Edinburgh has noticed a shift from just a humble glass of fizz to drinks with a more inventive but
World foods Theme your canapés and drinks to match your honeymoon destination Think outside the box with your food too, and try something a little bit different. Do you have a favourite holiday destination, or are you off somewhere exciting on honeymoon? Why not have some honeymoon inspired canapés and cocktails to get you in the mood! If you’re off to Mexico, then serve margaritas with tacos, prawn ceviche and guacamole dip. Jetting off to Spain? Tapas is the perfect canapé and is just the right size! Pair Serrano ham with manchego cheese on toothpicks and serve up Sol beer or sangria.
His and hers Treat your guests to his and hers cocktails! Damien Higgins of Social and Cocktail Events in Glasgow suggests his favourites
For his:
I’d recommend something strong for the groom and short so that it can be carried easily in a rocks glass. A favourite is the Old Fashioned which can have variations in bitters and whiskies. The Godfather incorporates amaretto if you’d like a sweeter finish. Be warned though – these are strong! For hers: Go for something elegant and refined like a Grey Goose blueberry and basil martini; premium spirits and fresh ingredients add class. It’s a deep purple colour which looks great and it’s got a lovely herbal and fruity finish. Just don’t spill any on that white dress!
Reza Kio PhotogRaPhy
www.scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk octoBer 2014 253
Sp otlight on...
Multi-centre
honeymoons
If you love travelling and get itchy feet when you stay in the same place for too long, then a multi-centre honeymoon will be right up your street
Q&A
THINK STOCK IMAGES
Gillian Williamson, Wedding and Honeymoon Expert at Barrhead Travel on Oswald Street, Glasgow, gives us the lowdown on multi-centre honeymoons
STANfOrd HOTEL
Q
So, what exactly is a multi-centre honeymoon? This is when you visit more than one country. You can do this by taking advantage of any stopovers that you may have on the way to your final destination, or advise your travel agent where you would like to go and they can tailor make this for you. You can choose to add in one or several stops. The options are endless.
Q
What type of couple would a multi-centre honeymoon suit? All types, especially if one person wants a busy atmosphere and the other a relaxing one. You could have some time in a vibrant and exciting city with plenty to do, then go on to a relaxing beach holiday. Or be adventurous and tour around Australasia, the Far East, and America. You may just want to have a romantic and chilled out honeymoon, in which case you could visit different islands in the Indian Ocean.
Q
Anything to bear in mind when booking this type of holiday? Be aware of the different time zones that you are flying in and out of. You need to ensure that you are including your flying time within your dates and take into account any transfer times. If you are going from a hot climate to a cooler climate, ensure you pack accordingly. When visiting a city first and then transferring to a small plane for the latter section of the honeymoon, ensure you’re within the luggage allowance limit for any smaller internal flights.
Q
can it be done on a small budget? Yes, especially if you make good use of any free stopovers offered by the airlines. Check the dates that are least expensive for the flights and work around them, and look for hotels offering free nights. Barrhead Travel will be able to assist you in this.
New York and
OrlAnDO New York is the city that never sleeps; a bustling hub of activity where culture and diversity fill the air. Stay at the Stanford Hotel in Manhattan in the heart of Midtown, just steps from popular attractions like Broadway theatres, the shops of 5th Avenue and Central Park. This superior hotel provides couples with the perfect combination of comfort and convenience. Then jet off to Orlando, home of the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Sea World and Wet n’ Wild. In Downtown Orlando you can shop, take in a show and enjoy some of the best food in town. Staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort you can kick back and relax in a tropical paradise. The hotel’s unique design features swaying palm trees and a lagoon-style swimming pool. THINK STOCK IMAGES
Q
Any other tips? Remember this is your honeymoon and it can be tailored to exactly what you would both like it to be. It’s our job to find out what your likes and dislikes are so that we can help you achieve the perfect honeymoon for you both, and this is where multi-centres come into their own. If you both want something different but are willing to compromise, once armed with all the facts Barrhead Travel can source the perfect honeymoon for you.
LOEwS POrTOfINO BAy HOTEL
Book your dream honeymoon now with the Barrhead Travel weddings Team: 0871 223 8333
THINK STOCK IMAGES
THE JuMEIrAH bEACH HOTEl
Dubai and
THINK STOCK IMAGES
Mauritius Dubai is one of the world’s most exciting destinations that guarantees fun, sun and tax-free shopping. Spectacular and innovative developments grace golden beaches, contrasting starkly against a silent desert interior. Expect new standards of luxury accommodation at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Then when you’ve shopped to your heart’s content cast adrift in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius is a marvellous mix of African, Indian, European and Oriental influences.This spectacular island of white sand beaches, sugar cane fields and lush verdant mountains rises up from crystal clear waters. Sugar Beach Resort sits in palm-flecked gardens around an elegant plantation-style house. The resort is host to a stunning beachfront lagoon pool and over 500 metres of exquisite beachfront.
SuGAr bEACH rESOrT
THINK STOCK
HArbOur PlAzA NOrTH POINT
Hong Kong and
Koh saMui Combine a stay in bustling Hong Kong with the relaxed vibe of Koh Samui, Thailand. Hong Kong is known for its fascinating harmony between old and new, east and west. With 5,000 years of Chinese traditions, 150 years of British colonial influence and boundless energy the city is constantly changing. Stay at the Harbour Plaza North Point, Hong Kong for high standards of service, sumptuous international cuisine and excellent transport links. Then move on to Koh Samui where you can soak up the island vibes in the bustling resorts of Chaweng and Lamai or find your dream hideaway on a secluded cove. The Bandara Resort & Spa is a welcoming, laidback resort on serene Bo Phut Beach. The resort is set around an impressive pool amidst lush tropical gardens.
THINK STOCK
THE bANdArA rESOrT & SPA
Book your dream honeymoon now with the Barrhead Travel weddings Team: 0871 223 8333