Innholdsfortegnelse for August - September 2024 i Tie the Knot Scotland

This issue, I’m loving… What do guests typically say they remember most about weddings they’ve been to? The ‘wedding breakfast’, aka dinner, is certainly one element that makes a big impact, so we look at what’s on the menu at some of Scotland’s most foodie venues (p.74). We checked out a couple in person too: a Borders hotel with its own gin distillery (p.84), and a Perthshire barn venue that offers venison from the surrounding estate (p.82). Another unforgettable moment is when guests lay eyes on the bride for the first time, so we’ve introduced a few new features to help brides find the wow-factor dress to make an entrance in. ‘Off the Rails’ rounds up new collections, offers and events (p.8); ‘Marriage Mailbag’ answers a common dress-shopping dilemma (p.17);…

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SUITS AND THE CITY Have you heard the news? An exciting new addition to the Scottish tailoring scene has opened its doors in Glasgow. Scottish entrepreneurs Ryan Smith, who was born in Ayrshire, and Edinburgh-based Calvin Smith, proudly unveiled the first UK Suited and Booted store in Glasgow’s Merchant City in June. The retailer launched in Dubai in 2017 and is renowned throughout the Middle East for its sharp suiting – so much so, it has become popular with many Scottish and UK sports personalities. The founders’ return home to Scotland is the first part of their UK expansion plans. The 3,300-square-foot store on Montrose Street specialises in high end bespoke tailoring, ready-to-wear suiting and casualwear (in the shape of own brand, By Smiths). The boutique has been designed to…

When people say they’ve built a business from the ground up, they don’t usually mean it in the literal sense. But when the owner of Cardney Steading Estate, joinery trained Lewis Cameron, says it, he’s not kidding – and to prove it, he showed me the before, during and after photos on his phone. From the dining tables lined up in the Cattle Shed, to the Couple’s Cabin (in its entirety) where my good friend Bex and I had the pleasure of staying for the evening, the handiwork and commitment to authentic craftsmanship on display from Lewis and fellow owner Katriona is truly something to admire. But let’s rewind to the very first thing Bex and I admired upon arrival – the view. The estate lies up a winding road that…

Capacity min 2 max day 120 night 150 Marquee ✔ capacity 200 provided ✘ Sleeps n/a Price per head from n/a Self-catered option ✔ Exclusive use ✔ Accessibility full Package offers tailored to suit couples’ wishes ABERCAIRNY PERTHSHIRE Abercairny is a secluded and exclusive new venue in the Strathearn Valley. At the heart of romantic gardens, parklands, and woods stands the magnificent Gothic Stables, which would make a stunning backdrop to your wedding. Abercairny is an exclusive-hire venue that gives you the opportunity to personalise every aspect of your day. Tel: 01764 652706, www.abercairny.com Capacity min 2 max day 120 night 150 Marquee ✔ capacity 200 provided ✘ Sleeps 37 Price per head from £50 Self-catered option ✔ Exclusive use ✔ Accessibility partial Package offers all packages individually tailored CAMBO…

Fiona McLaren and Greg Leighton, now Mr and Mrs Leighton, 22nd October 2022 Anything is possible when you have the right people supporting you. Whether it’s your best friend sitting for hours rehearsing questions with you ahead of an important interview, or your personal trainer at the gym encouraging you to do one more rep when you feel like throwing in the towel, these people mean more than they may ever realise. When fate dealt Fiona and Greg several heavy blows, they could easily have given up. But instead, with a little help from their friends, they were able to have the day of their dreams in a “venue with soul”, Low Parks Museum. “A few months before our wedding, Greg’s dad Brian received the news that he was losing his…

Alice Walker and Ben Nicolson, now Mr and Mrs Nicolson, 13th July 2023 The beautiful thing about weddings? As long as you tick all the legal boxes, you’re basically free to do whatever you like. Whether that’s bungee-jumping off a bridge with your new spouse after saying ‘I do’, having a string quartet play your favourite George Michael song, or recreating the end credits of Bridesmaids with your best girls, you can choose the darling details that best represent you and your partner. Alice and Ben’s big day at Achnagairn was so them, thanks to all the extra little touches such as themed cocktails and wedding newspapers. “I was sure that whatever came next, whatever went well or wrong during the day, I had married my love, and that was…

Amy and Josh Harrison Amy and Josh married on 24th May this year at Lochside House Hotel. They set off a week later on a fortnight’s honeymoon in Orlando, Florida “We would love to start a family in the next few years, so when we were planning our honeymoon 18 months ago, we thought about where we would like to go before having little ones to bring along. Josh had never been to Florida (or anywhere in the USA, in fact) and we loved the idea of us being big kids and going on all the rides before one of us has to be a bag-holder or resigned to those little tea-cup rides for toddlers. While we’re normally quite savvy with money on trips away, we knew we didn’t want to…

Real weddings Kenny Kristiansen and Logan Lawson, now Mr and Mr Kristiansen 5th April 2024 at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh Logan and I first met in 2015 through a now-retired social media app called Periscope, but it wasn’t until 2017 that we started dating. I proposed in November 2021 on a trip to Edinburgh. We took a walk up to the castle, and I asked him to close his eyes whilst I got down on one knee. He opened his eyes, looked at the engagement ring and uttered: “Are you messing?!” It took us a while to figure out where we wanted to get married. All we knew was that we wanted to do it away from home (Southport), with as few people as…

Real weddings Wendy Chan and Alan Cheong, now Mr and Mrs Cheong 25th May 2024 at Cottiers, Glasgow Alan and I were friends for years as we attended Chinese School together on Saturdays. It was only when we went to university that we really grew fond of each other. At a house party in 2015, we snuck off together and shared our first kiss. Alan chose to pop the question on May 20th 2022. The numerical representation of this date is 520 – and in Mandarin, this sounds similar to the phrase ‘I love you’. We were away on a break in Liverpool when I noticed some random woman was filming us. Turned out it was actually one of Alan’s friends who he’d asked to film the big moment. I said:…

FAB IN FRANKEL Exciting things are coming to Rachel Scott Couture this autumn. Up first: the Edinburgh boutique is now Scotland’s exclusive Danielle Frankel stockist (style Sasha by the esteemed designer is pictured right). A trunk show on 27th-29th September to celebrate the launch will showcase a huge selection of the new collection alongside past favourites. Prices range from £4,000-£12,000. Next: to mark the arrival of Suzanne Neville’s latest collection (Debussy gown and overskirt shown above), the boutique will be hosting appointments with the designer herself from 25th-26th October. This includes the rare opportunity to design your own bespoke dress with Suzanne. Appointments required for both events. EVERYTHING MUST GO After 11 years of trading, Alison Kirk Bridal has announced it’s due to close its doors in November. Alongside fulfilling all outstanding…

Born to be You’ve been dreaming of the moment you’re able to break out your best and boldest pieces – the role was made for you Dancing queen Comfort is key for a blister-free boogie. Give these picks a whirl and get ready to twirl Regency mama The monumental task of successfully seeing your child through the marriage mart is no easy feat. Once the day arrives, you deserve to look and feel as flawless as they do on Bridgerton, my dear Bestie to bride You’re her OG other half and that’s always worth celebrating. Why not splurge on a bit of extra bling to link you for a lifetime? Misty-eyed mum Happy tears are part and parcel of any joyous occasion. Opt for a pretty pocket-adorned outfit and you’ll…

GLASGOW “So far in 2024, our Glasgow grooms have been loving threepiece suits in blue and beige – particularly in linen,” says Declyn Cooper, head of tailoring at Slater Menswear. “The popularity of black tuxedos isn’t waning either – they’ve become a wedding staple that’s here to stay.” Sharp suiting is what the menswear retailer has built its reputation on, but some may be surprised at the other in-store offerings, adds Declyn: “People don’t always realise that we offer a wide selection of kilts and sell and hire Highlandwear too.” Seeing as the Glasgow outpost is the largest menswear store in the world, it’s unsurprising there are countless offerings for dapper gents. EDINBURGH “In our Edinburgh store, we’re finding that many grooms are being drawn to muted and earthy tones,” says…

How many times have you passed a bar or restaurant and pointed it out because you remember having a meal there? Whether it was the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten, or perhaps a dish you hope you’ll never be served again, I’ll bet it’s something that sticks with you. Studies show that food memories are some of the most powerful we can have: they stimulate all five senses and embed themselves in our subconscious. So, when it comes to your wedding menu, the last thing you want is for a guest to remember the meal for all the wrong reasons. You’re in safe hands with these eight Scottish venues, whose delectable dishes will delight you and your loved ones. Napkins at the ready… BALLINTAGGART Surrounded by the hills and green…

Peebles Hydro is probably one of the best known hotels in Scotland, and has long been a magnet for couples looking to marry in the beautiful Borders, so I was thrilled when I got to spend the night there and find out all about its wedding offering. As we pulled into the driveway, we saw the hotel’s impressive façade emerging from the trees. It’s a big place, with 132 bedrooms, and much to our delight we discovered we’d been booked into the Cademuir Suite. Being a bridal suite, there’s loads of room for getting ready for a wedding with a spacious bedroom, a double sink bathroom, a cosy sitting area with comfy chairs and lots of natural light, plus tons of clothes-hanging space and a full-length mirror. Once we’d settled in,…

Capacity min 30 max day 130 night 200 Marquee ✘ capacity n/a provided n/a Sleeps 44 Price per head from £68 Self-catered option ✘ Exclusive use ✔ Accessibilityfull Package offers from £2,024 BRISBANE HOUSE LARGS New-look Brisbane House in Largs is a modern, exclusive use boutique venue set on the seafront. Recently fully refurbished, Brisbane House features a luxurious duplex honeymoon suite with spa bath and balcony, dedicated wedding prep room, new drinks reception room and more. Tel: 01475 687200, brisbanehousehotel.co.uk Capacity min 30 max day 180 night 200 Marquee ✘ capacity n/a provided n/a Sleeps 58 Price per head from £68 Self-catered option ✘ Exclusive use ✔ Accessibility full Package offers from £2,024 CORNHILL CASTLE BIGGAR Cornhill Castle sits beside the River Clyde surrounded by acres of beautiful grounds.…

Capacity min 2 max day 170 night 240 Marquee ✔ capacity 500 provided ✘ Sleeps 130 Price per head from £200 Self-catered option ✔ Exclusive use ✔ Accessibility full Package offers individually priced ACHNAGAIRN CASTLE INVERNESS Achnagairn Castle is a five-star, exclusive-use venue bursting with character. Marry, dine and dance in its vaulted ballroom, enjoy its palatial bridal suite, and sleep all your guests in its luxurious bedrooms. Rent the castle or full estate for two nights or more for a wedding that is entirely bespoke, and utterly extraordinary. Tel: 01463 831878, www.perfect-manors.com Capacity min 2 max day 60 night 100 Marquee ✘ capacity n/a provided n/a Sleeps 103 Price per head from £99 Self-catered option ✘ Exclusive use ✔ Accessibility partial Package offers book your 2025 wedding for 2024…

The last one… Louise Donegan, founder of Love Stories Media, will marry customer success manager Mark Stewart at Citation in Glasgow on 2nd August I can’t believe this is the last chapter of my Planning Diaries journey! It feels like just yesterday I was flicking through Tie the Knot Scotland, overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions Mark and I had to start making. Over the past year or two we’ve navigated our way through venue finding, dress fittings, bridesmaid proposals, guest-list battles and everything in between. Now, with the big day around the corner, this final wee write-up is a chance to talk about some of the highlights and final thoughts before I officially become a wife. (Will I ever get used to saying that? It makes me sound…

It can be really easy to get caught up in the idea of massive trailing bridal bouquets and having an abundance of blooms adorning the arch behind you at the altar. But look at the timeline of your day: the reality is that the ceremony will be over faster than you can say “You may now kiss the bride”. It’s your reception that’ll clock the majority of your wedding hours. As Kelly Vaughan-Clinkscale of Wildflower and Willow puts it, “Couples devote a big chunk of their budget to florals, so we want to ensure they get the most out of them. Table centrepieces are a great way to do this.” CHAT WITH YOUR BUDS You know you’ve caught on to a trend when three fabulous Scottish florists all flag the…

Q. Hi Lynsay! Tell us a bit about the backstory of Bijoux Bridal A. Bijoux Bridal started in 2009 with one simple dream: to help brides find their perfect wedding dress while feeling valued and heard. I felt so deflated after a bridal shopping experience for my own wedding, when it struck me – this was the most expensive outfit most people would ever buy, yet the care and attention given to brides was really lacking. I didn’t have much self-confidence, and I found a lot of the staff quite judgmental at the stores I visited. The whole experience really affected me. I knew from that moment that I wanted to create a special, one-of-a-kind shopping experience for brides regardless of their size, shape or budget. Over the years, Bijoux…

Every relationship is unique, so why would we expect anything less for the rings that symbolise our love and commitment? When it comes to choosing a lifelong piece of jewellery, it’s understandable if you’re feeling under pressure to make the ‘right’ decision (especially if, as an added bonus, it’s going to be a surprise!). You’ve got questions and, thanks to a pair of ring-designing pros – none other than Orkney jewellery designer Sheila Fleet and Gareth Mundie of Glasgow’s Ian Mundie & Son – we’ve got the answers. PREPPING FOR THE PURCHASE Step one: know whose hand you’d like to ask for in marriage. Step two: decide how much cash you have to splash on the engagement ring. “The maximum anticipated spend is the most important figure to start with,” Gareth…

Eilidh Findlay, events coordinator, Ardoe House Hotel and Spa What are the vital statistics of weddings at Ardoe House Hotel and Spa, Eilidh? On average we host between 25 and 30 weddings a year. There are three of us in the events team, with me focusing particularly on weddings. We’re determined that all our couples should get the attention they deserve, so for that reason we only host one wedding per day. We have a wide range of function rooms, which allows us to host celebrations of all sizes – anything up to 500 guests, in fact. There’s a minimum of 30 at peak times, but no minimum numbers for off-peak or midweek dates. We’ve recently created two special packages for smaller weddings: 30 guests for £2,025, and a midweek…

Laura Murphy and Doug Forbes, now Mr and Mrs Forbes, 27th March 2024 There’s nowhere quite like Scotland, is there? It’s beautiful, has a rich history, the people are known to be among the friendliest in the world, and it has a warmth that is hard to replicate and understood only by those who have been here. So, when Lancashire-based couple Laura and Doug started searching for their dream wedding venue, they turned their eyes northwards and found what they were looking for in the rolling Perthshire countryside at Murrayshall Country Estate. “We have visited Perth many times whenever we’ve been escaping to the Highlands, and we always feel that a trip to Scotland isn’t quite complete without going to Murrayshall,” says the bride with a smile. “We checked out lots…

Capacity min 30 max day 150 night 200  Marquee ✘ capacity n/a provided n/a Sleeps 40 Price per head from £68  Self-catered option ✘ Exclusive use ✔ Accessibility full Package offers from £2,024 BOCLAIR HOUSE BEARSDEN A 19th-century Gothic mansion, Boclair House is an exclusive-use venue steeped in history with a tasteful Art Deco interior. Exterior features include a bandstand, sweeping lawn and gardens. The honeymoon suite boasts a rainfall shower and its own spiral staircase, and there’s 11 boutique suites for guests. Create an exclusive wedding experience just as special as you. Tel: 0141 942 4278, www.boclairhousehotel.co.uk Capacity min 30 max day 160 night 200 Marquee ✘ capacity n/a provided n/a Sleeps 64 Price per head from £68 Self-catered option ✘ Exclusive use ✘ Accessibility full Package offers from…

Capacity min 30 max day 200 night 200 Marquee ✔ capacity 200 provided ✘ Sleeps 136 Price per head from £145 Self-catered option ✘ Exclusive use ✔ Accessibility partial Package offers n/a ARCHERFIELD EAST LOTHIAN At Archerfield, your wedding can be whatever you want it to be: there are endless options. The events team consider nothing too much trouble and are on hand to accompany you through your planning journey, offering as much or as little guidance as you need. Archerfield can design beautiful settings, both in the House for up to 70 people or at the Waterfront for 200 guests. Tel: 01620 897050, www.archerfieldhouse.com Capacity min n/a max day 150night 180 Marquee ✘ capacity n/a provided n/a Sleeps 500 Price per head from£170 Self-catered option ✔ Exclusive use ✔…

Studies show that eating cake is scientifically proven to boost serotonin levels. Okay, so these studies were actually conducted in the Tie the Knot Scotland office by ‘scientists’ who probably know more about icing than isotopes. But, come on, who could seriously doubt our claims? Happiness levels on your wedding day will be at an all-time high, so adding cake into the mix is surely just another ingredient in the recipe for the perfect celebration. How much you choose to spend on the cake is your call, though. Laura Graham, of much-loved Lanark bakery Jappacakes, talks us through all you need to know, whether you’re after a simple sponge or an all singing, all-dancing showpiece. MAKE BUDGETING YOUR BESTIE There’s nothing worse than falling in love with something, only to…