Scottish Wedding Directory Autumn 2015 - Preview

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NEED TO KNOW

& VE LO statistics

We’ve always lauded Scotland as one of the best places in the world to tie the knot.

Humanist ceremonies are legally recognised, you can say ‘I do’ virtually anywhere and, this year, the country finally embraced same-sex marriage. Breaking down Scottish nuptial statistics for the first time a year ago, we decided to do the same again – so, without further ado, from budgets to dress-shopping, here’s Scottish weddings in 2014 by numbers.

Scottish

I N 2014 C O S T

-

compared to 2013’s

-

£20,723 £ 19,507

Wedding

I N D U S T RY WO RT H

£ 602M in

-

Wedding

-

the Scottish

2014!

COMPOSE PHOTOGRAPHY

BUDGET £20-£25K

Linsey + Martin Lydon W E D D I N G DAT E 11th April 2015 W E D D I N G L O C AT I O N St Mar y’s Metropolitan Cathedral and The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

For someone who wanted to get married on a beach, we had a surprisingly traditional wedding! Martin is Irish and many of our guests were travelling, so we thought it would be nice to give them a real experience of Edinburgh. We had a short Catholic ceremony followed by a reception at The Balmoral.

I struggled over having a theme but, as we got married in April, we wanted to make the most of the lovely spring colours.We had lots of cream and champagnes in our colour scheme and the bridesmaids wore dusty green. We had plenty of flowers, especially roses, and a rough buttercream wedding cake. We had a piper at the ceremony and dinner and an Irish folk band at the drinks reception! In the end it was just a good old party with lots of good food, dancing and drink flowing – something the Scots and Irish are definitely good at!

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of you

MADE A BUDGET + S T U C K TO I T !

of couples

W E R E C O S T- S AV V Y AND CAME IN UNDER BUDGET!

of couples

PA I D F O R T H E I R OW N W E D D I N G

- J

1

%

of brides

S P E N T OV E R

£ 4,000

of brides

VISITED JUST 1 S H O P to find

NEED TO KNOW

ST -

MACBETH PHOTOGRAPHY

U

THE ONE. Alison + Martin Taylor

THE DRESS

On average

BRIDES SPENT

£1,119

of you V I S I T E D

on their wedding dress

5 OR MORE

DRESS SHOPS

THIS BRIDE VISITED FIVE OR MORE DRESS SHOPS BEFORE PURCHASING HER WEDDING DRESS!

W E D D I N G DAT E 20th June 2015 W E D D I N G L O C AT I O N

Crear, Argyll I must’ve visited every wedding dress shop in West Central Scotland. I tried on about 150 wedding dresses – I liked elements of some but disliked others. One of my friends used a dress designer and recommended I go to them. I had pictures of different dresses I liked, so the designers mocked up a picture and it was exactly what I wanted. I saw the dress at every single stage and I absolutely loved it.

Turn to P68 to find out more about Alison’s dress and getting your own bespoke gown!

HONEYMOON

22

28

%

%

31

% %

of couples

of couples

of couples

WAITED THREE MONTHS OR MORE TO GO ON HONEYMOON

SPENT OVER £5,000 ON THEIR HONEYMOON ho – pe yo u went ce ! som ewhere ni

HAD A MINIMOON STRAIGHT AFTER THE WEDDING

ICONS: DESIGN BY FREEPIK.COM

...of brides (and grooms!) who responded to the survey said they were Scottish Wedding Directory readers, studying the mag for an average of...

88 MINUTES Well, it’s not exactly a quick read…

WWW.SCOTTISHWEDDINGDIRECTORY.CO.UK AUTUMN 2015 25

PHOTOGRAPHY

SWD turns 20!

Wedding Scottish DIRECTORY

Yep, you heard us – it’s our birthday! And we’ve certainly grown up. So how have Scottish weddings changed since 1995? Take a look over the next few pages for a journey through the decades…

Jan

2012

SWD forum

more than just a magazine

£3.95

YOUR h ScOttiS

wedding

guide Service please!

How to personalise your ceremony

Style special

150 pages of inspiration Celeb hair ideas This season’s colours Stunning shoes

growing

budget?

Six brides talk flower spends

‘One of the best things we’ve ever done’ Don’t Tell The Bride comes to Scotland

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WIn

100

pairs of wedding fair tickets

A trip to Orkney

to have your

jewellery designed by SheILa FLeet!

PHOTOGRAPHY

2001

2002

1998

2015

Today’s dresses are relaxed and vintage-inspired, proving fashion is cyclical!

This bride looks a bit worried about her husband’s ensemble...

2002

Bridal Style an evolution

2014

W

hat was on-trend in bridalwear when SWD first hit the shelves? Well, the Princess Diana-inspired dresses of the 80s featuring puff sleeves and superhigh necklines were ebbing away to be replaced by something altogether more streamlined. By the late 90s, strapless dresses, medieval-inspired designs and structured satin corsets – think Victoria Beckham’s wedding dress in 1999 – were really popular.

Throughout the noughties, sleek, figure-hugging gowns were de rigeur, but that all changed when Kate Middleton brought vintage-inspired lace dresses to the fore in 2011. And now?

Lace is still popular, but brides are slowly moving away from it towards dresses that offer more movement and fluidity.

2009

ddy We chose a K-Mi11 shoot!

20 is th for e lik ka loo

The hair, the strapless dress, the wrap...classic early noughties

2011

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2003

CEREMONIES

LIP SERVICE So you’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Struggling to find a way to put your #feels into words? That’s where ceremony readings come in…

WORDS BY

Patric ia-Ann Young

Car rie’ s Poem

You are...

A P O P C U LT U R E FA N AT I C If you and your other half enjoy nothing more than spending a weekend on the couch inhaling ever ything on Netflix, perhaps you’d like to reference your mostloved film or TV show in your ceremony (we absorb so many romantic ideals from the silver screen, after all).

When Ashleigh and Garr y Kerr tie the knot at the Dumfries Arms Hotel next August, the bride will turn to one of her all-time favourite TV shows, Sex and the City , to find fitting words for their humanist ser vice. In one episode

(series two, episode seven), Carrie reads a self-penned poem at a friend’s wedding, which Ashleigh reckons will be perfect for her own big day. “I didn’t know if Garr y would like it, so I read it to him without telling him where it was from,” she recalls. For tunately, the groom loves it too!

Fancy doing the same? Don’t forget to pick something that sounds good in a Scottish accent.

Ryan Gosling’s dulcet tones in The Notebook might sound a bit awks in your dad’s thick Scottish brogue…

His hello was the end of her endings, Her laugh was their first step down the aisle.

His hand would be hers to hold forever, His forever was as simple as her smile.

He said she was what was missing; She said instantly she knew.

She was a question to be answered – And his answer was “I do”.

Ashleigh and Garr y

We a lso love…

L E S L I E A N D B E N ’ S VOWS I N S E R I E S F I V E , E P I S OD E 1 4 OF PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT ION H A R RY ’ S RO M A N T I C N E W Y E A R’ S E V E S P E E C H I N W H E N H A R RY M E T SA L LY T E D ’ S A DV I C E O N LOV E TO RO B I N I N S E R I E S N I N E , E P I S OD E 2 2 OF HOW I M E T YO U R MOT H E R

You are...

RELIGIOUS If you’re planning a religious or interfaith ceremony, you may feel that religious readings are most befitting of the occasion.

But that doesn’t mean your only option is to reach for the “Love is patient, love is kind” passage from Corinthians.

The Song of Solomon (see right) is an unusual yet beautiful reading celebrating romantic love between par tners, which can be read at both Christian and Jewish weddings.

Ruth 1:16-17 is another touching verse that, interestingly, had nothing to do with marriage originally. Ruth is talking to her mother-in-law in this passage, but with its

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themes of devotion and love, we reckon it’d make for a very meaningful reading: “Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Planning a Hindu ceremony? The Saptapadi, also known as the Seven Steps, is a ritual whereby the happy couple walk round a fire while the priest chants blessings such as:

“May this couple be blessed with an abundance of resources and comforts, and be helpful to one another in all ways.”

The S ong of S olom on 8:6-7

(AN EXTRACT)

Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is strong as death, Passion fierce as the grave.

Its flashes are flashes of fire, A raging flame.

Many waters cannot quench love, Neither can floods drown it.

If one offered for love All the wealth of one’s house, it would be utterly scorned.

(AN EXTRACT)

One of the things [Uncle Alex] found objectionable about human beings was that they so rarely noticed it when they were happy. He himself did his best to acknowledge it when times were sweet.

We could be drinking lemonade in the shade of an apple tree in the summertime, and Uncle Alex would interrupt the conversation to say,

Y o u a r e . . . B O O K S M A RT Surprise surprise, one of the best places to look for wedding readings is within the pages of your favourite books. You might not find a suitable extract in your most well-thumbed reads – believe us, we hit the books hard to find something wedding-wor thy in Harr y Potter – so keep an open mind. The most romantic passages are often found where you’d least expect them; consider childhood favourites such as Us Two by A.A Milne and Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit .

If you’d prefer something more weighty, Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms

has a popular passage which is romantic without being schmaltzy (“We could feel alone when we were together, alone against the others. We were never lonely and never afraid when we were together.”). Or go for Mitch Albom’s no-nonsense approach to marriage in his memoir Tuesdays with Morrie .

It’s perfect for any tough-talking dads out there: “Your values must be alike. And the biggest one of those values? Your belief in the impor tance of your marriage. Love each other or perish.”

“If this isn’t nice, what is?”

So I hope that you will do the same for the rest of your lives. When things are going

We a lso love…

sweetly and peacefully, please pause a

T H E H I S T O RY O F LOV E N I C OL E K R AU S S

moment, and then say out loud,

T H E P R I N C E S S B R I D E W I L L I A M G OL DM A N

“If this isn’t nice, what is?”

S TA R D U S T N E I L G A I M A N

You are...

ONE OF A KIND Can’t find a reading that truly reflects who you are as a couple? Why not include a completely original piece by asking a family member or friend to write something especially for you.

“My mum has always had a flair for writing and has dabbled with shor t stories in the past, but in recent years poems have become her for te,” says Cher yl Clelland, who married par tner David in a civil ceremony at The Cruin, Loch Lomond. “I can’t even remember asking my mum to

write something for us – I think we all just knew it was a given!”

There wasn’t a dr y eye in the room when Cher yl’s mum recited her poem A Mother’s Love during the ceremony. “I even had one guest tell me that she was more emotional during our service than she was at her own sister’s!” laughs the bride.

If you want to follow suit, make sure you give your friend or family member plenty of time to put pen to paper – it’s a stressful task to be given at shor t notice.

A M OT H E R’ S LOV E , M AU R E E N S M I T H

Good to know Religious readings and hymns were traditionally not permitted at all in humanist and civil ceremonies, but some humanist celebrants and civil registrars will now allow you to include non-secular content if you wish.

Most couples include no more than three readings in their ceremony, and the average number of readings is two.

Be mindful of the length of each; a couple of minutes per reading is ideal.

(AN EXTRACT)

You both are so happy and it makes me content, There’s nobody better, from heaven he’s sent.

His love did not change mine; it’s still just as fond, For nothing can alter a mother-child bond.

Cher yl and David

I look to this couple who stand here today And I love and give blessing as I wave them away To start their journey on their ladder of life I’m so glad that my daughter is now David’s wife.

You don’t have to select the readings yourself! You could ask your friend or family member to choose a reading themselves.

The surprise element can often make this option really touching and special.

WWW.SCOTTISHWEDDINGDIRECTORY.CO.UK AUTUMN 2015 43

CEREMONIES

I F T H I S I S N ’ T N I C E , W H AT I S ?: A DV I C E F O R T H E YO U N G , K U RT V O N N E G U T

FASHION

The real deal You told us you wanted to see a real bride and bridesmaids modelling dresses, so say hello to gorgeous bride-to-be Cecilia and some of her favourite ladies!

Laura Tiliman Beth Farquhar

PHOTOGRA PHY BY STYLING BY

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FASHION

PASTEL PRINCESS ABOVE: NATALIE: Chiffon halterneck dress (£239), Kelsey Rose. Pearl and crystal double headband (£90), Calla Collections MARIE-FRANCEL: Chiffon tea-length dress with pink waistband (£295), Eleganza Sposa. Cluster pearl bracelet (£38.50), RedRocks. Floral satin peep-toe shoes with diamante detail (£99), Rainbow Club. Hand-tied bouquet of white O’Hara and coral roses with snowberries (POA), Coach House Flowers DANIELLA: Chiffon dress with pleated bodice and spaghetti straps (£215), Kelsey Rose. Rhinestone headband (£60), Bridal Bliss Accessory Boutique. Silver and moonlight enamel pendant (£260), Sheila Fleet – Scottish Designer Jewellery TEDDY THE DOG: Coat, model’s own CECILIA: Taffeta and tulle dress with A-line skirt, scattered flowers and delicate pick-ups (£2,520), Ian Stuart Bride. Triple band headband (£122), Bridal Bliss Accessory Boutique. Bracelet (£45), John McKay Jewellers. Loose garden hand-tied bouquet of snowberries, viburnum, clematis, bouvardia and Mimi Eden roses (POA), Coach House Flowers For STOCKISTS see page 302

WWW.SCOTTISHWEDDINGDIRECTORY.CO.UK AUTUMN 2015 119

FASHION NATALIE: Slim blouson-style bridesmaid dress with dropped waist trimmed with beaded lace (£310), Luna by Nicki Flynn CECILIA: Rose gold sequin cowl back dress (POA), The Finer Detail. Rose gold sequin pill box fascinator (£80), Elegance of Perth. Hand-tied bouquet of white O’Hara and coral roses with snowberries.

(POA), Coach House Flowers For STOCKISTS see page 302

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FASHION

OLD SCHOOL GLAM LEFT: NATALIE: Cowl neck chiffon gown with sheer beaded cap sleeve (£395), exclusively designed at Eleganza Sposa.

CECILIA: Soft charmeuse and satin gown with beaded detail (£1,905), Enzoani. Hand-tied bouquet of white O’Hara and coral roses with snowberries. (POA), Coach House Flowers DANIELLA: Slim-fit chiffon dress with sheer neckline, embroidered detail and scallop-edge sleeve (£290), True Bride BELOW LEFT: Coral chiffon bridesmaid dresses with beaded cowl neckline (adult £255, junior £195), The Wedding Planner BELOW RIGHT: NATALIE: Silver grey silk dress with beaded bodice (£395), Eleganza Sposa DANIELLA: Simple silk gown (£225), Melle Cloche For STOCKISTS see page 302

‘Natalie’s Favourite!’

WWW.SCOTTISHWEDDINGDIRECTORY.CO.UK AUTUMN 2015 123

NEIL WYKES PHOTOGRAPHY

With suits enjoying a moment in the spotlight right now, it’s easy to forget just how stylish a kilt can be. Nicola Love speaks to grooms who put personality, style and sentiment into their trad outfits

“It wouldn't have been complete without the breeze on my knees!”

THE GROOM: Camilo Perez THE WEDDING: Dundas Castle, South Queensferry, August 2015 “I'm originally from Colombia but my wife Laura has Scottish roots,” explains recent groom Camilo on his decision to wear a kilt on his wedding day. “When I first met her seven years ago I knew I wanted to marry her – we even joked about me wearing a kilt on our wedding day back then. As we planned a totally traditional Scottish wedding, it just wouldn't have been complete without the kilt and a breeze on my knees! ” When it came to choosing a tar tan, Camilo opted for Hebridean Granite “mostly for aesthetic reasons”, which he also chose for his best man. “My wife's

family tar tan is Mackay, so we knew family members would be wearing variations of that and I wanted something different,” he says. “As I don't have a clan of my own, I needed something sor t of generic but still personal – at one point, we nearly designed our own tar tan with the colours of the Colombian f lag ! ” Andrew Brookes at Kiltpin was responsible for the Colombian native's traditional attire. “I was initially worried about whether I'd even be allowed to wear a kilt,” recalls Camilo. “Andrew was ex tremely knowledgeable and made us feel like family from the beginning – I'd never worn a kilt before and he really helped show me the ropes. It was an absolute honour and I felt ex tremely proud on our big day.”

BLUE SKY PHOTOGRAPHY

GROOMS

Ta r t a n a r my

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“I saw the Isle of Skye tartan in the shop window and loved it” THE GROOM : Stephen Hill THE WEDDING: Hotel Du Vin and Summerhall, Edinburgh, October 2014 “I wanted to stand out,” says Stephen, explaining the moss green tweed crail jacket that topped off his wedding outfit.

“It's a less formal dress than the black that most people go for!” It also complemented his kilt, the Isle of Skye tartan, which he discovered by happy accident. “I'd looked at a couple of family tartans and hated them,” he admits. “I saw the [Isle of Skye] tartan in Slanj Kilts' shop window and loved it.”

Though he was initially drawn to the look of the tartan, it turns out that Stephen does actually have ties to it. “I was brought up on Skye until I was five,” he says. “It was a nice bonus that there was that connection there but it was by pure chance!” He chose the same tartan for his groomsmen, paired with charcoal grey jackets and waistcoats, which also came from Slanj.

Although he was happy with his look on the day, the highlight of Stephen's outfit was a tad more personal. “The most valuable part of my outfit was the sgian dubh,” he smiles. “It was a gift from my siblings on the run up to the day.”

CHANTAL LACHANCE-GIBSON PHOTOGRAPHY

THE GROOM : Sam Shelley THE WEDDING: Broxmouth Park, East Lothian, July 2014 With groomsmen on both sides of the border, Sam chose Slaters to make sure everyone was suited and booted for the big day. “Slaters allow you to do your fittings in different shops,” he explains. “Two groomsmen came with me to my fitting in Reading, one was fitted in Cardiff, one in Glasgow and another in Edinburgh!” All their measurements made it to the Edinburgh branch, where the guys picked their outfits up the day before the wedding.

“There's not many opportunities for an Englishman to wear a kilt,” says Sam, “I made the decision with an open mind – as I was marrying a Scottish girl in Scotland, it felt right!” The tartan he chose was a personal touch, opting for wife Leila's clan tartan, the Hunting Stewart. “I knew it meant a great deal to her and her family,” he smiles.

BLUE SKY PHOTOGRAPHY CRAIG AND EVA SANDERS

“The tweed tied in with our country gentry theme” THE GROOM : Andrew Johnstone THE WEDDING: Dundas Castle, South Queensferry March 2015 “Since Lizzy was getting to surprise me with her outfit, I wanted to return the favour,” begins Andrew. He chose the Traditional Johnstone, a variation of his clan tartan, from Geoffrey (Tailor) Kiltmakers and Weavers and opted for a tailored jacket and waistcoat from Crimson Textile Designs.

“The light-toned jacket was the only definite thing I wanted as I knew a lot of my family and friends would be wearing kilts with the standard black or grey,” he says. “A blue tone suited me and the tweed texture tied in the wedding’s vintage country gentry theme.” The groom chose everything, right down to the hide of the sporran, which Lesley from Crimson Textile Design also incorporated into the belt straps of his kilt.

Andrew brought fabric swatches from Dessy, the bridesmaids’ dress designer, which Lesley used to make flashes, pocket squares and ties for him and his groomsmen.

Andrew finished his outfit with a sgian dubh and antler horn handle kilt pin from Stubborn Stag, and Hay clan motif cufflinks, a nod to his mother’s maiden name.

“I wear a kilt any opportunity I can!”

THE GROOM : Andrew Weir THE WEDDING: Saint Thomas Catholic Church and Rowallan Castle, Ayrshire, March 2015 “I was never going to wear a suit!” exclaims recent groom Andrew. “Scottish dress is my favourite, I wear a kilt any opportunity I can!”

So, ahead of tying the knot at his stunning, regal wedding in Ayrshire, Andrew hit the shops with his groomsmen – if he was getting married in a castle, he'd need an outfit befitting of one.

He settled on a Kilts 4 U exclusive: the Cairngorm Blue kilt oufit. “I looked around a few shops but, the first time we saw that outfit, the decision was made,” Andrew says.

“It was ideal – just what I was looking for!”

The minimalistic tartan matched perfectly with wife Jemma's dusty pink bridesmaids’ attire, so Andrew decked his groomsmen out in the navy outfit, too. “I differed only in my bow tie,” he explains. “The groomsmen had matching blue tweed ties, so I stood out a little but was very much one of the boys.”

WWW.SCOTTISHWEDDINGDIRECTORY.CO.UK AUTUMN 2015 169

GROOMS

“I was marrying a Scottish girl in Scotland – it felt right!”

PHOTOGRAPHY

“ ” STOP HANDING US PINTEREST PHOTOS!

When it comes to wedding photo etiquette, it’s hard to know where to start. Nicola Love went behind the lens to ask wedding photographers for their no-holds-barred advice

W

e’ve all had moments at wor k where we’ve had to bite our tongue; dealing with a difficult client, or a customer who’s always right (even when we know deep down inside that actually, sometimes they’re kind of wrong). And believe it or not, wedding suppliers have those moments too. Yes, weddings are utter ly gorgeous, joyous occasions, but they’re also pretty stressful for you, the couples organising them. Sometimes, this can lead to a mismatch between what you expect from a wedding supplier, and what you actually get from them.

This is especially true of your wedding photos and, as they’re one of the few lasting physical reminders of your day, it’s vital that you and your photographer both communicate with each other to ensure that you’re both happy with the final results.

So how do you do this when you’ve only just star ted to get to grips with the world of wedding photography? We figured that the best way to find out would be to round up some photographers and pose just one question: “What’s the one thing you wish couples knew about wedding photography?” In return, they spoke frankly and offered some often overlooked advice.

“You have to trust

E

YO U R I N S T I N C T S ”

ven if you don’t consider your self knowledgeable about photogr aphy, you will know instinctively when you look through other people’s wedding photos what you like and dislike . Some couples love natur al, candid photogr aphy because they feel self-conscious when on camer a, while other s love posed, dr amatic shots. There’s no r ight or wrong style – it all comes down to per sonal taste – but do make sure before you book your photogr apher that you’re actually a fan of their wor k. Sounds obvious, we know, but it’s so easy to get car r ied away by a photogr apher’s patter and pr ices at a wedding fair without actually having a proper flick through their display album.

“My husband and I met with one photogr apher we really got on well with but we just didn’t have the same style ,” explains recent br ide Rachel. “They were totally fine with it – they’d r ather wor k with couples who are on the same page!”

Rachel is r ight. While all photogr apher s consider themselves ver satile and will wor k to meet your demands, the whole process will be a lot easier if you actually like what they do in the fir st place . It seems silly to ask someone to compromise their photogr aphic technique if their vision doesn’t align with your s – especially when there’ll be someone out there much better suited to you.

Our guide to

PHOTOGRAPHY

HIT THE SHOPS 12-18 MONTHS BEFORE

P R E PA R E TO S P E N D £300 - £3,000+

S TA RT YO U R S E A R C H P226

DON’T FORGET T H E B E S T P H OTO G R A P H E R S B O O K U P Q U I C K LY, S O M A K E F I N D I N G YO U R S A TO P P R I O R I T Y !

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LIANA MITREA PHOTOGRAPHY

“N O M O R E

P I N T E R E S T. . . please !”

H

ere at SWD, we’re big fans of Pinterest. Pinning is addictive , especially when you’re planning a wedding. While it’s an undoubtedly handy tool when it comes to keeping tr ack of styles you like and picking elements of your big day, it’s best used for things like dress, beauty and décor inspir ation r ather than to collate hundreds of wedding photogr aphs that you’d quite like to copy. Especially when it’s hard to tell which photos on Pinterest are from genuine weddings and which come from a styled shoot.

“Nothing piles the pressure on than a couple sending over a Pinterest board of snaps that they want recreated on their big day,” admits one photographer. “When you’re tr ying to fulfil lots of specific requests, you miss the genuine moments.” The takeaway? Pinterest might be useful in helping establish the aesthetic of wedding photos that you like, but don’t spend your big day tr ying to replicate photos from someone else’s!

PHOTOGRAPHY

TRACY MCQUILLAN PHOTOGRAPHY

“A n engagement shoot

BENEFITS US BOTH”

I

“B E

A

SENSIBLE

with the group shots”

void stress on the day by allowing plenty of time for postceremony photos, but tr y to keep the staged shots to close family. “There can be such a thing as too many group shots,” admits another photographer.

“Spending all the time between the end of the ceremony and the star t of the wedding breakfast doing planned photos leaves no spare time for casual candids and it often ends up being a r ush to get décor shots or capture elements of enter tainment!”

With your venue wor king to a

W

strict timetable, there’s pressure on your photographer to make sure that ever yone arrives on time for the wedding breakfast, so have a good think about how many group shots you actually need.

Remember that it can be a fairly time-consuming process, first to round ever yone up and then to get that perfect shot where ever yone has their eyes open!

Kr istin of Str uve Photogr aphy’s top tip? “Think carefully before you send a long list to your wedding photogr apher,” she advises. “How many would you consider fr aming?”

“Feed U S ! ”

edding photogr aphy is a full-on gig. The only chance your photogr apher really gets a rest is when you and your guests are sitting down to eat – after all, who wants photos taken when they’re stuffing their faces? Natur ally, this is a point at which your photogr apher will be feeling pretty peckish too, but if you’re at a blank canvas venue in the middle of nowhere , you’re the only per son who will be able to provide a meal for them.

Some photogr apher s request a meal as par t of their contr act but, even if they don’t, it’s cour tesy to ar r ange a meal and something to dr ink for them. “Not all venues cater for additional meals beyond the wedding par ty,” reminds Kr istin.

“Make sure your photogr apher has access to a full main cour se meal and that the venue and photogr apher know what’s being provided, when and where!”

SWD

LIANA MITREA PHOTOGRAPHY

t’s easy to fob off the pre-wedding shoot, especially if you’re camer a shy. In actual fact, an engagement photo shoot can be the best way to put a couple at ease in front of the lens before the wedding.

Photogr apher s know that for most of us, being photogr aphed in that way isn’t an ever yday occur rence , so they expect couples to be a little ner vous.

“A pre-wedding shoot allows couples to relax in front of the camer a instead of falling into a default smile or pose ,” offer s Solen of Solen Photogr aphy. Not only that, but it helps you get comfor table around your photogr apher, and gives them a chance to get to know you better (plus you’ll get some lovely images out of it!). By the time the big day rolls around, you’ll know what’s coming and you won’t have to war m up to having a camer a pointed at you.

“H A P P I N E S S

S H OW S

– but so does unease…”

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t’s easy to stress about how you look in photographs but the most important thing to remember is to sit back and enjoy your day.

If you spend the day with a frown on your face, no amount of nice lighting and stunning scener y can change that.

“I wish couples knew we can only photograph what is there,” explains one photographer. “If you are stressed or don’t like being in front of the camera, that’s going to show.”

Another photogr apher told us about a groom who requested his neck wasn’t photogr aphed because he felt self-conscious about it; a near-impossible request to fulfil, as you can imagine . While it’s tempting to ask photogr apher s to obliter ate your insecur ities, it’s more impor tant to just relax, have fun and, when your wedding photos finally come back, enjoy the album full of gor geous photos showing you and your significant other having the time of your life .

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PLANNING

SWD gets hitched!

What does a wedding look like when the bride works for a bridal magazine? Turn the page to see SWD graphic designer Sara reveal all about her own big day!

Photography | SD Photography

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PLANNING

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ara, 25, and Craig, 26, have known each other since high school, but they didn’t get together until 2011. “He’s my best friend,” smiles Sara. “We can be ridiculously silly and we have exactly the same sense of humour – which is handy because sometimes no one else gets it!”

Craig popped the question two years later in May 2013 with a beautiful platinum brilliant-cut solitaire ring, and then three months after that, Sara landed a job as a graphic designer at Scottish Wedding Directory. “I was so excited; I’ve always loved weddings and had recently started creating wedding stationery,” she recalls. “The fact that it would be a great help to me while I planned my own wedding was just a bonus!”

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE

Like almost all couples, the first thing Sara and Craig booked was their venue, deciding on a July 2015 wedding at Errol Park in Perthshire. “It ticked all the boxes – its converted round stable block is amazing with loads of quirky character, the gardens are absolutely beautiful, and the house sleeps 17 guests,” explains Sara.

With the location decided on, it was time to

decide on the finer details. “Errol Park has a rustic vibe so it was natural for us to go down this route, and it has so many pieces of old-fashioned furniture and features that it made sense for us to use these to pull the theme together,” says Sara.

The pair decided on a blush pink and grey colour scheme, and creative Sara got to work making DIY details including her stationery, 20 giant lace balls to hang from the roof and fabric draping.

“We couldn’t have managed without my parents, bridesmaids and family friend Ali, who helped so much the week before the wedding getting everything all set up. Having a picture in my head of what I wanted everything to look like and trying to achieve it in reality were two different things. Pinterest has a lot to answer for!” laughs Sara.

PERFECT DAY

Fortunately, everything came together in the end and Sara enjoyed a relaxed wedding morning with her mum and five bridesmaids before having a religious ceremony in the grounds of Errol Park. “Reverend Bob christened me as a baby. He does the most lovely ceremonies and was the perfect person to marry us,” she says.

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“We went with traditional vows which meant minimal speaking - I was worried I would find it hard to get through them so we kept it simple and only had to say 'I do'!”

Afterwards, everyone headed to the stable block for a prosecco reception with a ‘Choose your Booze’ station. “We made mocktails – orange and elderflower spritzer, grapefruit lemonade and mango punch – which they could mix with either vodka or gin, and our family friends Ali and Ged also made 11 different flavours of ice cream for our guests!” A delicious meal by Lazy Sunday followed: seafood platters with langoustines, scallops and smoked salmon; a barbecue of venison sausages and slow-cooked pork; and a raspberry and chocolate brownie with salted caramel sauce and pistachios on top!

Wedding band Kickback kept everyone dancing into the wee small hours. “They learned to play September by Earth, Wind and Fire for us – a song we both love – and when it came on, the dancefloor filled up,” recalls Sara. “That was a highlight for me.

We had an amazing night and spent most of it on the dancefloor surrounded by our nearest and dearest. We couldn’t have asked for more!”

FOOD AND DRINK

CHANTAL LACHANCE-GIBSON PHOTOGRAPHY

The way to

SOMEONE’S HEART… B r o a d c a s t e r a n d w r i t e r- t u r n e d - r e s t a u r a t e u r H a r d e e p S i n g h Ko h l i i s c a t e r i n g a w e d d i n g f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e .

Here, he ponders what makes a great wedding meal

A Our guide to FOOD AND DRINK HIT THE SHOPS E X T E R N A L C AT E R E R : 9-12 MONTHS BEFORE I N - H O U S E C AT E R E R : 3-6 MONTHS BEFORE

P R E PA R E TO S P E N D £20-£60+ PER HEAD

DON’T FORGET PLANNING A WINTER WEDDING? H OT M U L L E D C I D E R I S A W E L C O M E A LT E R N AT I V E TO PROSECCO!

s wedding proposals go, it was undoubtedly the most impressive I had ever seen (Not that I'd seen many! You don't, do you?). He did it on stage, last month at the Edinburgh Fringe. He's a magician and, after swallowing a can of Alphabetti Spaghetti and some dental floss, he pulled a string of letters from his mouth in front of 200 expectant audience members and presented it to his now-fiancée: ‘Marry me?’

It was amazing. She cried. He cried. I cried.

Then, a few weeks later, the phone rang.

It turns out that the groom-to-be, Neil, and his fiancée Charlie had eaten at my restaurant and loved it. I mentioned, more in humour than commerce, that we could cater their big day. And here I am, travelling across London on the 38 bus on a Tuesday night, reassuring lovely Neil that even on a limited budget, the marriage party would eat.

I've never catered for a wedding before.

I've discussed it, planned it, refused it. It's a lot of pressure and, up until Tuesday's nocturnal night bus natter, something I didn’t intend to do. But then I changed my mind.

I thought about weddings I’ve been to before; weddings that we’ve all been to. The couple are adorable. The day is unforgettable.

Yet the food often leaves something to be desired, despite undoubtedly having cost the couple the price of a new Smart car. I attend far too many of those hugely impersonal corporate dinners. Chicken breast in sauce

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A,B or C. Salmon. Smoked bloody salmon.

None of it more than mediocre, none of it less than expensive.

I want food that represents and celebrates the couple that we are honouring. Take my friend Barry, a stylish B&B owner in Edinburgh.

His wedding feast was so him and his other half: seared scallops on silver spoons, cock-aleekie crostini; poached rhubarb vol-au-vents.

Sassy, sexy, sensual. That's what wedding food should be – a representation of who you are.

Neil and Charlie have to have a day to remember. It won't be a traditional, plated, three-course meal of memories. Given our budgetary restrictions, number of guests and the two beautiful people that are committing their lives to each other, we need to create something special. I'm not sure what exactly that's going to be yet, but I do know that what we lack in cash we'll make up for in chutzpah.

It might be spicy shepherd's pie; pulled pork paella; haggis pakora. I'll eschew the jaunty jus, suspect sauces, poncy purée. It's the day of the heart so perhaps the food needs to be hearty? Food that will keep that loving spirit going strong, and the punters dancing into the night. And given the showman Neil is, the food needs to be theatrical. That might just all be doable. I'll make no money doing this; that's my present to them. I just want them to have a perfect day. After all, you only get married once…(at least the first time).

Hardeep Singh Kohli owns V Deep (vdeep.co.uk), a craft beer and curry bar in Leith, Edinburgh

STATIONERY

GLOBE TROTTING

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Our guide to PLANNING

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1. Paris Invitation and Pocket (POA), White Blossom Paper Boutique 2. Pure Dead Brilliant (£4.75), Luvverly Jubberly 3. Manhattan Pocket (POA), White Blossom Paper Boutique 4. Train Ticket (£2), Blush Stationery 5. Around the World Invitation (£2), Blush Stationery 6. Hot Foil Map Book (POA), The Hunter Press 7. Sorrento Italy Order of Service Fan (£3.50), White Blossom Paper Boutique 8. Bunting Collection (£2.40), Printed Love Co. 9. Gigha Collection (POA), The Hunter Press.

EXTRAS: Bird Gift Tags (£3), Not on the High Street, Airplane Bottle Opener (£3.95), Bicycle Place Card Holder (£2.25), Silver Finish Lucky Elephant Place Card Holder (£1.95) and Map Favour Box (£23.75 for 24), A Wedding Less Ordinary, Pistachio Meringue (POA), A Mouthful of Heaven For STOCKISTS see page 280 276 AUTUMN 2015 WWW.SCOTTISHWEDDINGDIRECTORY.CO.UK

STATIONERY

F L O R A L FA N C Y

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Our guide to PLANNING

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1. The Harris Collection (POA), The Hunter Press 2. Rose and Peony Single Sided Design (£2), Mairi MacSween Designs 3. Elisa Collection Invitation (£2.40) and RSVP (£1.50), Printed Love Co. 4. Vintage Floral from Chalkboard Collection (£1.50), Kathryn Ovens Stationery 5. Lily from the Filigree range (£3.60), Cards 4 Ever 6. Islay Collection (POA), The Hunter Press 7. Pink Mae Rose Invitation (£1.40), LEA Handcrafted Stationery 8. Laura Ashley (POA), Crafty Cards 9. Single-sided Vintage Rose Save the Date (£2), Mairi MacSween Design.

EXTRAS: Larger Petals Confetti (£15.95 a litre), Shropshire Petals Rosebuds (£15.95 a litre), Shropshire Petals Gypsophila, Carnation and Greenery (POA), The Rosebud For STOCKISTS see page 280

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HONEYMOONS

Discover THAILAND

Top tip!

The best time to go to Bangkok is between October and February, when the temperature is pleasant and the monsoon season isn’t in full force!

Of feri n g e v e r yt hing from sp ra wl ing metropolitan cities to h e a v e n l y beach es, Th ail and t icks all the boxes

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ituated in mainland southeast Asia,Thailand is one of the world’s most beautiful – and popular – holiday destinations. From its Buddhist temples and exotic wildlife to its array of spectacular islands, Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and wealth of attractions makes it a place brimming with interesting things to see and do.

Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is one of the world’s coolest cities, catering to couples who love a destination that boasts both a rich sense of history and an exciting nightlife.

During the day, visit Thailand’s impor tant Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) at the golden Grand Palace; marvel at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho); explore Tah Prachan’s Buddhist Amulet Market near the Temple of Dawn, and take an easy, relaxing day trip to the fascinating ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

Once you’ve had your fill of awesome cultural attractions, spend your evenings chilling out at skyscraper rooftop cocktail bars or hitting the cutting-edge clubs. The shops in Bangkok are unrivalled, and as for the food? Trust us, you’ll never want to eat anything else once you’ve sampled Thailand’s cuisine: fragrant, flavoursome and

just a little bit fiery, you’ll be craving it when you return home!

Of course, lots of honeymooners go to Thailand to enjoy a chilled-out holiday and if that’s what you’re seeking, you’ll be completely spoiled for choice. Thailand’s islands look like they’ve been lifted straight from a holiday catalogue, with their pristine white sands, gleaming turquoise waters and palm-fringed shores, from Koh Samui to Krabi.

Undoubtedly, Phuket is up there among the finest (and is most cer tainly the largest), with its abundance of sandy beaches, clear waters and winding coastal roads. Its most famous resor t, Patong, offers blissful relaxation along with a fabulous café, restaurant and club culture.

If you get bored of sunbathing and fancy exploring, Phuket’s Old Town is a historically rich par t of town with shrines, temples and gorgeous Sino-Por tuguese architecture. Or if you feel like going fur ther afield, a visit to Khao Sok National Park won’t disappoint.

Situated on the mainland of Thailand between Phuket and Krabi, it’s covered by the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world, with huge limestone mountains, deep valleys, breathtaking lakes and wild animals.

Good to know!

FLIGHT TIME FROM LONDON TO BANGKOK: 11.5 HOURS TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT + 6 HOURS CURRENCY: THAI BAHT (THB)

BOOK YOUR DREAM HONEYMOON NOW with the Barrhead Travel Weddings Team: 0871 223 8333

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