THE PERFECT PALETTE

DATE: Saturday 30th October 2021 PHOTOGRAPHY: Christie Johnston Photography VENUE: The Schivas Steading, Ellon

Katie’s family and friends know her so well that her décor choices were no surprise when she started planning her wedding to Scott. In fact, her love of burgundy is so well known, when she chose her bridesmaids Abby and Vicki, they both laughed and said there was no need to ask what colour their dresses would be! Team that with rose gold and Katie’s wedding colour palette fell into place.

Katie met fiancé Scott in December 2015 and their first date went so well they ended up going out the next two days too! After two years together Scott totally surprised Katie during a weekend away to Newcastle. “Unbeknownst to me, he had been in touch with the hotel and arranged for the room to be decorated with balloons, petals, chocolates and champagne,” she smiles. “The best part was he managed to include our gorgeous little dog Frankie! Scott sent a photo of Frankie to the hotel with a message attached saying ‘Mummy, will you become Mrs Cooper?’ It was absolutely perfect!” Aww!

As well as her beloved burgundy, Katie also loves autumnal colours, so it was only natural that an October wedding was on the cards and they fell in love with the character of The Schivas Steading, with its blend of old and new. “It was simply stunning,” remembers Katie. “It was a converted steading with a glass extension offering unrivalled views of the Aberdeenshire countryside. The chance to have our first dance literally under the stars was a huge selling point.” The couple wanted to ensure the wedding felt relaxed and informal, so the steading was the perfect setting.

ALL UNDER CONTROL

Despite having to delay their wedding by an entire year because of Covid, Katie and Scott took planning in their stride, enlisting the help of amazing suppliers from early on. “We were really fortunate to have a wonderful events stylist, Amy at Cymbeline, who helped us set up our blank canvas,” explains Katie. “An early visit to our florist was so worthwhile as I felt she could almost see inside my head and was able to visualise my ideas perfectly.” And Katie’s a woman who likes a list, so she loved seeing everything come together.

“Plan small tasks for each month on the run up to the wedding and enjoy every minute of your amazing day as it passes so quickly! Try to ‘freeze frame’ special moments.” Katie

While some brides spend months touring boutiques, Katie took just one attempt to find her dream dress, falling in love with the very first dress she tried on; a beautiful Enzoani halter neck. She accessorised with Dune London shoes, pearl earrings from her grandparents and, of course, her favourite rose gold bracelet.

Sticking with their plan to have a lovely, relaxed wedding, Katie spent the morning being pampered with her girls, wearing matching dressing gowns. “As my make-up artist and hairdresser are such good friends everything ran so smoothly and we didn’t feel rushed,” she says. “It was surprisingly relaxing and not as rushed as I had imagined it might be.”

Walking down the aisle – and braving a flight of stairs in her dress – Katie couldn’t stop smiling. The couple’s friend Amanda played a piano version of Coldplay’s A Sky Full of Stars, evoking memories of the first gig they went to. Their Humanist celebrant Lesley Yule delivered a beautiful and personal ceremony, which they felt represented them as a couple. Then Amanda played

Justin Bieber’s 2U as they signed the register. “It has such lovely lyrics and meant a lot to us both,” says the bride.

Katie remembers being so proud of Scott’s speech while her dad’s rendition was “so lovely” and best man Jordan had everyone in hysterics. Then it was time for the evening reception and the atmosphere was “buzzing!” The couple’s first dance was Kygo’s Firestone before everyone else took to the dancefloor. “It was so lovely to see everyone really enjoying themselves,” says Katie. And as Frankie the dog had been such an integral part of Scott’s proposal, it was only fitting for their pooch to make an appearance in the evening!

Katie is still excited getting used to her new name and they both love referring to each other as “my husband” and “my wife”. And they adored their wedding day. “It was amazing to have all of our favourite people together in one place,” smiles Katie. “It really was the day of our dreams.”

BRIDE’S DRESS Enzoani at Blush Bridal BRIDE’S SHOES Dune London BRIDESMAID DRESSES Sorella Vita CAKE Cakes by Kirsty CATERER Country Flavours of Alford CELEBRANT Lesley Yule of Humanist Society Scotland DÉCOR Cymbeline Events FLOWERS The Flower Shop in Peterhead HAIR Michelle Reid Hairdressing MAKE-UP Steph Milne MUA STATIONERY Love Paper Co

PHOTOGRAPHER’S CREDIT

“Autumn is my favourite time of year to shoot in so this gorgeous wedding was a complete dream for me. Their late October date was the prime time for beautiful autumnal photos at the House of Schivas. Had it been any earlier or later we probably wouldn’t have gotten all of those amazing colours on the trees. Mr and Mrs Cooper were so natural in front of the camera and I knew when I met up with them for their pre-wedding shoot I would be doting over their wedding gallery.”

Christie Christie Johnston Photography

package at Duisdale House Hotel, Skye

worth £500 with The Sonas Hotel Collection

Skye is one of the world’s most famous islands – and one of its most romantic. Its legends, history, culture, and scenery have made it a byword for romance. And if you fancy treating your other half to a special getaway here, make sure you enter this exclusive competition.

The Sonas Hotel Collection – the multi award-winning group of three luxury hotels on Skye – has launched its ‘Treat Your Partner’ package at Duisdale House and is offering one lucky engaged couple the chance to win the perfect hideaway on the Misty Isle.

The package includes a candlelit fourcourse gourmet dinner in its 2 Rosette restaurant, overnight bed and breakfast accommodation in a deluxe room, and a bottle of Champagne on ice on arrival. The winner will also receive a bouquet, box of handmade chocolates, rose petals on the bed and a late checkout of 1pm.

The package is ideal for newly engaged couples, or for your honeymoon, minimoon, anniversary celebration or special birthday.

Duisdale commands breathtaking views over the Sound of Sleat to the Knoydart peninsula. Romance is always in the air as weddings and honeymoons are a speciality at any time of the year.

www. kellyredinger. com

The lucky winners will be treated to the amazing “Treat Your Partner” package for two at Duisdale House Hotel.

1 night stay in a deluxe room with breakfast

An amazing candlelit four-course gourmet dinner

Champagne on ice on arrival

To enter simply answer the following question:

What is the meaning of the Gaelic word “Sonas” in English?

Send your answer, both your names and the date of your wedding to editorial@yourscottishwedding.co.uk

Applications must be in by the closing date of 31st August 2022 and the prize must be taken by 31st March 2023.

Terms & Conditions:

Closing date is 31st August 2022. The winner will be drawn at random and notified thereafter. This decision is final. The winner will receive one night’s ‘Treat Your Partner’ package as described, worth a minimum of £489. The prize is valid until 31st March 2023 (except December 2022). It is subject to availability and must be pre-booked (blackout dates apply). All other expenses will be charged at normal rate. Travel is not included. Prize is not transferable or refundable. The winner must be 18 or over. Other terms and conditions may apply. *Your Scottish Wedding is the media partner of this competition and is not responsible for the delivery of the prize. The arrangement of the “Treat Your Partner” package will be between the winning couple and The Sonas Hotel Collection.

Sonas Collection, Skye Tel: 01470 373737 www.skyehotel.co.uk/weddings