Tie the Knot Scotland October - November 2022

One of my happiest childhood memories is naughtily raiding my auntie’s wardrobe, which ended up with me flouncing around wearing my mum’s cream-and-brown wedding dress and my sister in a peach lace bridesmaid number. Thankfully, ’80s bridal fashion is long gone, but playing dress-up is no less fun, as our staff writers Olivia and Nicole will confirm. They tried on gowns at four different boutiques to see how their differing statures would affect their experiences. Read their dispatches from the fitting rooms in ‘Tall v. Small’ on page 18. Continuing the body-diversity theme, our ‘Ahead of the Curve’ photoshoot (p.22) sets gorgeous gowns for fuller-figured brides-to-be against the backdrop of Cambo House in Fife. The team had great fun putting together the second of our fashion stories on location at…

SLIPS DO THE TALKING Kate Moss has been papped rocking skinny slip dresses on nights out since the 90s, proof that it’s a garment with longevity. If post-wedding wearability features high on your list for dressing your best girls, they are a solid choice. Aussie label Grace Loves Lace’s new line, Amavi, is a collection of luxurious, elegant slips that have been sustainably crafted from 95% recycled eco-satin. We can picture the Anya Eco dress in copper and gold (left and centre, £105) and Silky Satin midi in copper (right, £105) being worn again with a classic white tee underneath. Your pals can thank you later. MODEL BEHAVIOUR Supermodel Ashley Graham has launched her second bridal collection that is committed to body diversity with Pronovias. There are 17 fashion-forward silhouettes…

GRECIAN GODDESS With its name derived from the ancient Greek word ‘Elysium’, meaning state of perfect happiness, it is no wonder the arrival of American brand Elysee has left Amy King Bridal and Beauty in Kirkcaldy in a state of bliss. With details that draw inspiration from neoclassical art and architecture, the label uses modern lines to accentuate figures and contour body shapes. The result? Showstopping looks that remain classically bridal with a little sprinkle of sexy. Our favourite gown in the collection is Athenias (left, £POA). The figure-enhancing floral baroque lace is immaculately balanced, while the cascading, sculpted train draws the eye to all the right places. Even better, the draped tulle sleeves are detachable, so you can change your look up from day to night. “We are thrilled…

YE-HAWT It’s been all go at Isobel Florence Bridal in Dalbeattie, Dumfriesshire. The store recently won south Scotland’s Bridal Boutique of the Year for the second time; it’s about to celebrate the first anniversary of moving to new premises and it’s opening a new space dedicated to bridal attire this autumn. This addition will double the size of the salon, meaning there will be over 300 dresses to browse. There will be gowns on offer from eight designers, including Randy Fenoli, the renowned US label whose Dakota dress is pictured (left, £2,400). Fringing is big news, so those sleeves will win you major style points. GOT TO BE NEW “We’ve just started to receive our latest drop of dresses and we’re excited about what our designers have in store for…

Before I began working on this article, all the dresses on my imaginary wedding Pinterest moodboard shared three characteristics: they were long-sleeved, backless and form-fitting. Despite being pretty confident about what I wanted, I was feeling nervous about heading to a boutique to play dress-up: changing rooms are not my friends, and us shorter gals often dread the try-on, wriggling into jeans that trail past our toes or being swallowed up in dresses that look more maxi than midi. This is why I buy most of my clothes online – at least when I try them on, I’m in the comfort of my own bedroom. So I was stunned when my experience of gown shopping turned out to be amazing. OPUS COUTURE Since my mum is normally my go-to for…

Stockists on page 322 Creative direction Beth Forsyth Photography Alexandra Roscoe www.instagram.com/alexandraroscoe Styling Nicola Cameron www.instagram.com/stylingbynic Hair Eileen Nugent Bridal Hair and Makeup eileen-nugent.com; engrows.com Makeup Danielle Dickson Makeup Artist www.danielledicksonmakeupartist.com Model Lucy Splaine, Colours Agency www.coloursagency.com Bell tent and styling Sol et Luna www.instagram.com/sol.etluna Shot on location at Cambo Country House and Estate, Kingsbarns, Fife. Thanks to the team there. On the edge of the North Sea, Cambo Country House is arguably the ultimate wedding house-party venue in Scotland. Surrounded by formal gardens, the traditional grandeur of the main house is just a short stroll through ancient woodlands to the wildly beautiful Cambo Sands. The entertainment spaces are no less impressive. Each with a distinctive character – from the elegant dining room to party spaces in the Courtyard and…