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stressing you out?

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by wedmin lately? Or perhaps you’d just like a month off from having to make all the decisions. Don’t worry, you are most definitely not alone.

Keep calm for brides

My wedding planning went a little like this – got engaged in the most casual proposal ever (to this day we bicker over who actually asked who),  set a date eight months later (as a Scots-Canadian couple we had extra hoops to jump through courtesy of the Home Office, and were therefore on a bit of a deadline!), bought a copy of a wedding magazine and felt utterly overwhelmed when I saw all the decisions I was supposed to have already made according to the suggested deadlines. Stuffed wedding magazine into the bottom of a drawer. Toyed with the idea of having the wedding on our family farm (we didn’t have time to save much and were going to be on a tight budget). Added up the cost of portaloos, a marquee, etc. and got quite a shock. Ended up booking the stately home next door (thank you Bank of Mum & Dad). Chose local suppliers who had been recommended by friends and family. And that was pretty much it!
Not only were themed weddings pretty unheard of here back then (it makes me feel a bit ancient when I tell you I’ve been married for 9 years), but I remember being totally thrown when my caterer asked if we had a colour scheme she’d like us to use. It simply wasn’t something that had occurred to us. Given a choice of burgandy or gold, we picked the latter – thinking (hoping!) it would be elegant and timeless. We’d gone for black dresses for the bridesmaids (their choice after I’d steered them away from their favourite cream numbers, that’s how not trend-setting I am!) and our wonderful florist, a friend since high school, had suggested decorating the marquee with small trees, lavender in pots and using the same flowers as in the venue’s garden in my bouquet. That was pretty much all the thought we gave to styling the day! Oh, aside from the chair cover debate, but that’s a story for another time…

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The wedding scene in Scotland today is so very different. Inspired in part by trends in North America (although, thankfully with a whole lot less crazy – we haven’t spotted any gold toilets or elephant rides along the beach on our wedding travels, at least!), we’re seeing a much greater emphasis on stamping your personality on the day. There are so many more suppliers and wedding services now being offered, and the choices really are endless. Scotland even has its very own wedding blog now (sorry, not sorry!).
Having been to 250+ weddings since we got married  – four as guests (being unavailable most Saturdays will do that!), the others as photographers – we’re really glad that when we got engaged we’d only been to a handful. We could never decide on anything now! For starters, we’d have to hire in a photographer from afar, as our friends in the industry would be given the day off to party with us. And we’ve seen so many incredible things at weddings – from starlit marquees to food festivals to awesome nine piece bands – that we’d have a wish-list that our budget would never stretch to. Although, now that I think of it, I did wonder aloud at the time if Guns N Roses would consider reforming for our wedding reception (I’ve always been an optimist). Now that they finally have, maybe a vow renewal could be on the cards…
In hindsight, it was all pretty easy back then. And it was still stressful as. So you have my full sympathy when in comes to chartering these wedding planning waters. If you’re finding yourself becoming a little bit too addicted to wedding magazines, TV shows and blogs, the pressure to plan a day that will be unforgettable/incredible/unique/alternative/the best party ever may be beginning to mount.
Here at WFIL HQ, we firmly believe that the best wedding is the one that reflects you as a couple – whether that’s just the two of you on the beach, without any frills, or a huge party with the finest food and drink. If you’ve got a big budget for your day and want to treat your family and friends to nothing but the very best, that’s brilliant. Go for it! Equally, if you’d rather spend your money elsewhere – a deposit for your new home perhaps, or on travelling – then small/DIY can also be beautiful. There are no rules. All that matters is that you’re marrying the person you love and want to spend the rest of your life with. The rest really is just icing.

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If you’re worried that you’re turning into a bridezilla, here’s how to tell for sure. And here are five top tips for stress-free wedding planning from our fab readers.
If you’ve got a wedding dilemma that’s driving you up the wall or a burning question you’d love a industry expert to answer, then email us on [email protected] and we’ll do our very best to help. We’ve got your back! Christina x

Photographed by Weir Photography

at Port of Menteith

+ Killearn Village Hall

Stirlingshire-Scotland

Flasks of peonies, fajitas for dinner and didgeridoo-fuelled ceilidh dancing, made for Lucy and Simon’s dream wedding. Flowers, food and friends came together to create a fantastic celebration filled with beautiful DIY details…

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How did you meet and become engaged?
We met in 2006 when we were both still at school, Simon asked me to join his ceilidh band. Many years later… here we are!
The weekend of our engagement we were staying out at my Mum & Dad’s. I woke up that morning and told Simon that I had a dream that he had proposed to me (I had absolutely no idea that he planned to do just that later the same day!). He asked me how he had proposed to which I explained my overly complicated dream which involved being on stage with Daniel Radcliffe and the ring being pulled out of a massive bookcase… he realised I hadn’t foiled his plans.
Later that day we took the dog for a walk along the shores of the Lake of Menteith, Simon got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Safe to say I was blown away and said yes!
Our wedding day was inspired by…
I am a magpie when it comes to everything fuchsia and turquoise/teal, I love this colour combination. This theme ran through everything from the invitations to the blackboard signs hung up around the venue. We had a few gold accents thrown in for good measure for a bit of bling. There was lots of colour in pretty much everything even down to the food…chorizo patatas bravas to start, chicken and beef fajitas and then meringue and fruit compote for dessert.
There were many nods to my career as a Chemistry teacher – conical flasks filled with flowers at the Church and a Periodic Table of Seating.
I tried to do as much DIY things as possible, from hand stamping all of the invitation envelopes to hiring glass glassware and buying all of our favourite sweets to make our perfect Sweetie Table. My Granny had a lovely collection of linen handkerchiefs that I dug out, washed and ironed so everyone could have a cute wee hanky for their tears in the morning. All stored in a decoupage box that I made to fit in with the colour theme.
We lined our drinks reception with photos of us both through the ages, this acted as a great talking point for guests while waiting for us to finish with the photographer. I am very lucky to have very crafty/handy friends and family. Safe to say they put in lots of hard work also!
How did you pick your reception venue?
As soon as we found Killearn Village Hall we fell in love with it. A beautiful converted church that has a fantastic modern extension built on, the best of both worlds! The floor-to-ceiling windows give fantastic views towards Loch Lomond.
The real attraction for us was the fact that we could arrange and decorate it exactly like how we had always imagined. We were very fortunate to book the in-house caterers Three Sisters Bake, arguably one of the best caterers in Scotland. Their wedding coordinator Sam turned every little detail that we had planned into a reality. A dream come true!

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Tell us something surprising about your day
How quickly it went!
What is your advice for future brides?
Savour every moment, you will never have this build up and this amount of planning put into one day. Enjoy it whilst it lasts!
Take a 5 minute breather, just the two of you, to take a step back and soak up the atmosphere and appreciate that everyone is in one room for you. Odds on it will not happen on such a scale ever again.
Remember what the day signifies – the start of your life together as a married couple! We were fortunate that we had spent a month or so in Marriage Preparation classes that were really interesting to think about everything that is involved in marriage and reminding me that it isn’t all about looking pretty on the day!
Tell us about your first dance and evening entertainment.
Fiddlesticks were fabulous! The floor was not empty at any point during the night. Everyone was blown away with their little twists including some Dr Who mash-ups and a didgeridoo Orcadian strip the willow.
What was the one thing that you’ll never forget about your big day?
The LOVE that surrounded us that day and in the weeks after. Having family and friends celebrating with us is unforgettable.

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“Remember what the day signifies – the start of your life together as a married couple.” Sound advice from Lucy we reckon. Alie x
Suppliers
Ceremony VenuePort of Monteith Church
Reception VenueKillearn Village Hall
PhotographerWeir Photography
FloristEndrick Blooms
Hair StylistHollie Carrick
Make-up ArtistKatie Hellier
Wedding dressLou Lou from The Bridal Studio, Dollar
Shoes – Designed by the bride through Shoes of Prey
Accessories – Earrings from Ian Gallacher Diamond Merchants and Swarovski bracelet
Groom’s outfitHouse of Henderson
Bridesmaids’ dressesCoast
Stationery – Designed for us by my bridesmaid at Ailsa Cullens Illustration
CakeMarks & Spencer
CatererThree Sisters Bake
BandFiddlesticks
TransportWoodvale Vintage Car Hire
Additional suppliers

We’re In Love

Here’s what has caught our eye this week

river island

Planning your summer escape? Or even better honeymoon dreaming? We’re always the first to browse anything travel-related and so our little magpie eyes lit up when they spotted this floral suitcase from River Island.

Perfect for mini-breaks, and as second bag for adventures further afield, it has wanderlust written all over it.

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Looking for the prefect sound for your Scottish wedding? Then you need to watch this film from Reel Time Events. With blazing bagpipes, furious fiddle and rock guitar it’s a fantastic modern twist to traditional Scottish music.

How much fun would these guys be at your wedding?

Proposal Shoot

If you’re after the perfect outdoor spot for your wedding then how about Ardanaiseig’s Amiptheatre?

Ardanaiseig is a nineteenth-century Manor House Hotel in Western Scotland, built on the banks of Loch Awe and surrounded by some pretty stunning scenery.

This centuries-old Greek-style amphitheatre, hewn out of the rock, is an idyllic setting for weddings. we love it.


Photographed by Mike Cook Photography

at Fettes College & Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh-Scotland

Today’s #TBT is a must for all of you planning a winter wedding.From the old school ceremony to a party at the zoo, complete with panda viewings for the guests, this wonderful winter wedding was full of fun moments and packed with personality.

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Love at first sight or gradual attraction?
We knew each other for six months before we started dating. During that time Zoe set Rory up on a date with one of the bridesmaids!
How was the question popped?
On Zoe’s birthday, Rory surprised her with a trip to Thornbury Castle, a hotel set in a Tudor castle. He proposed in the castle, and secretly had the room filled with roses whilst we were out. The castle had run out of vases because there were so many flowers, and so Rory had to go out shopping for 13 Kilner jars to display them in. We re-used the jars as our wedding centrepieces.
Something new, something borrowed, something blue?
Old – photos of Zoe’s late grandmother and aunt hidden in her flowers; New – Zoe’s jacket, a gift from Rory’s parents; Borrowed – a charm tied into Zoe’s handbag, borrowed from her sister, Fay; Blue – sapphire earrings, a gift from Zoe’s mum.
Any unexpected moments?
We had a slight hiccup when the wedding cars didn’t arrive on the morning of the wedding, so Zoe and the bridesmaids arrived fashionably late in black cabs. And we got a sunny day in Scotland in December!
Best compliment on your wedding?
Lots of our friends asked if we could get married every winter!

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Honeymoon or Mini-Moon?
We’ve delayed our honeymoon until later in the year. We wanted to stay in our new home to enjoy our first married Christmas.
Did you embrace or ditch tradition?
A bit of both! We followed lots of traditions but added a few twists to make the day more personal to us. Zoe gave a speech at the wedding breakfast and opted to enter the ceremony to The First Noel rather than a traditional wedding march. Rory compiled a selection of PG Wodehouse musings on love for a reading during our ceremony, which made sure there was lots of laughter!
Also, hosting the reception at the zoo meant that our guests went to meet the pandas whilst we were having our photos taken.
Close your eyes and think of your wedding day…now – describe it in three words…
Christmas, Fun, Happy.
Why Scotland?
Although we met and live in London, Rory is an Old Fettesian and a patriotic Scot. We wanted to get married somewhere meaningful and Fettes fit the bill perfectly.
Favourite thing about being hitched?
Hosting dinner parties in our new home, using the new cooking equipment given to us as wedding gifts.

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Still loving that jacket. Anyone planning some fur for their wedding? Alie x
Suppliers
Ceremony setting – Fettes College, Edinburgh
Reception venue – The Mansion House, Edinburgh Zoo
Photographer – Mike Cook Photography
Florist – Becky’s Flowers
Hair & make-up – Lindsay Cruickshank, Belle Bridal
Wedding dress – Pronovias Daifa 2013
Shoes – Perfect Vintage (purchased from Euphoria Boutique)
Jacket – Alex Bridal
Groom’s outfit – Kinloch Anderson
Bridesmaids’ dresses – In One Clothing
Piper, organist and choir organised by Fettes College
Band – Ceilidh Minogue
Photo booth from Snap Happy Media

Wedding Planning

and Allotment Action

From attending weddings (as guests) to securing an allotment, it’s been another jam-packed month for Joan and Nairn. Ceremony ideas are progressing and stag planning has begun – in thought perhaps more than action…

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“This month has been another busy one! It’s also been super hot in Somerset, I write to you with slightly sun burnt arms which leads me to the ‘to tan or not to tan’ for the wedding question?! Although we’re getting married in December, I would like a healthy glow for the wedding, sun beds scare me for obvious reasons so I think I’ll be sampling bottles of tan over the next few months. I’ll keep you posted with my favourites!
“Earlier in June, Nairn’s parents visited us for a long weekend. Nairn’s Mum, Susan, has not yet bought her Mother of the Groom outfit so I arranged an appointment for her at Carina Baverstock’s Occasion Wear shop in Bradford-on-Avon. The team have done a fabulous job helping Mum and I find our outfits. Si, one of Carina’s dream team was fabulous at understanding Susan’s style, what she hopes to look like and feel like on the day. As it was Susan’s first appointment, she didn’t take the plunge and buy anything, but it’s given her loads of food for thought.

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“This month we also attended the wedding of our gorgeous friends, Doug and Tori. Nairn and I had a very fleeting visit to Northumberland for their big day – we drove up and down in 24 hours but it was absolutely worth it. I was so impressed with their big day, they had so many alternative tweaks and touches. For example, Tori’s bridesmaids were her lovely dogs – it all went to plans until they stood on her veil!
“Prior to Doug and Tori’s wedding, I’d been really bust at work so obviously wasn’t paying attention when I bought the card for them, spot the obvious mistake…I had to send a grovelling text as to why there was no card with their gift…

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“We also had a visit from our Best Man to be and his lovely girlfriend, Laura, last week. The intention of the visit was for Scott and Nairn to plan to the stag do! I think they got as far as setting a date and a rough guest list but we had too much fun at the Bath Boules to focus on to stag planning too much!
“This week, Nairn and I also had our first call with our humanist Leigh. Leigh really made us feel like we’ve made the right choice as she was so warm and excited for us. She has kindly sent me a pack which could easily be entitled ‘wedding ceremonies for dummies’ – it literally includes everything we could possibly need to know. Nairn and I need to set some time aside for to start making decisions about how we’d like our ceremony to be formatted and what we’d like to include making it personal to us.

allotment

“On top of the wedding planning and doing up our house, I put our name on the local allotment waiting list, to my surprise we were allocated a plot very quickly. I’ve not made much progress, or more truthfully, I’ve not made any progress other than arranging for the council to strim the plot for us. Call me crazy for taking on too much but it’s actually quite relaxing to get away from wedding planning, pinterest, paint and fabric samples.”
‘To tan or not to tan’ Great question. Thoughts people? Alie x
Joan & Nairn are getting married at Drumtochty Castle in Aberdeenshire. Think winter wonderland oozing Christmas magic…