Claudia Flynn and Scott Chalmers
17th June 2017
Venue | Monachyle Mhor, Perthshire
Photography | The Curries
“From the outset, we wanted our wedding to be as relaxed as possible. We fancied somewhere rustic with beautiful surroundings. My mum suggested we have a look at Monachyle Mhor in Perthshire. As soon as we went to view it, I immediately fell in love. It’s a place we can return to with our children, Sebastian and Matilda, and make many more happy memories for years to come.
We chose to have a humanist ceremony. Andy McKirdy of Independent Humanist Ceremonies conducted it and was fantastic. There’s a certain something about his voice that makes him suited to public speaking. When we watch back our wedding video and hear his voiceover, he sounds like a character out of Braveheart!
Instagram and Pinterest have a lot to answer for! I was instantly inspired by bohemian-style décor. I adore dreamcatchers and wanted lots of them hanging in the trees. Most of these were created by my bride tribe, my mum and I using the centres of second-hand doilies, some of which belonged to my granny.
In the end, my dress looked nothing like the one I’d first chosen. I’d whipped it off the sale rack as it was the colour I had in mind, a sort of ‘dirty champagne’, and I could see that it had so much potential. I had a picture in my head of what I wanted, and Fiona and Maria at Olivia Cameron Bridal in Falkirk truly excelled at realising that vision. We ripped off the cap sleeves, added spaghetti straps, lowered the back and added loads of lace and feathers.
Scott and I’s champagne picnic was a highlight of the day for me. It was important to spend some precious moments alone together as husband and wife. We shared a special bottle of fizz that we’d been saving for that moment. We popped the cork, sat on our blanket at the lochside and just breathed everything in. It was amazing.”
Top tip: “If you can, stay over at the venue after the wedding with family and friends. It meant we were in our little excited bubble for a bit longer. The venue even hosted a hangover brunch for us.”
Dress Olivia Cameron Bridal
Bridesmaids’ dresses Marsha Marshal
Groomswear Andrew Brookes
Celebrant Andy McKirdy at Independent Humanist Ceremonies
Marquee Baillies Marquees
Cake Made by the chef at Monachyle Mhor
Flowers Tupelo Tree
Entertainment Piping by Jonathon Simpson, Ginny and the Tonic, Girl on Sax and DFC Lancashire
Venue décor Mini Swells, Go2 Event Hire, and Virginias Vintage Hire Scotland
Glitter bar Wish Upon a Sparkle
FilmmakerWhite Balloon Films
Hair Tweedie and Marshall
Makeup SnoCreation
