4th September 2015
Venue | Kippilaw House, Melrose
Photography | EnaMay Photography
“We got engaged on the Isle of Harris on a hill overlooking Luskentyre Beach in September 2014. It was a complete surprise! We then spent the five-hour drive back home sussing out our guest list.
Kippilaw House, near Melrose, was the first venue we viewed. We wanted a really relaxed wedding and its owner Lil understood exactly what we were looking for. It is a beautiful house with room for both of our families (it sleeps 40) and we hired it for three nights.
We made a weekend of it with the wedding on the Friday followed by a games day and barbecue on the Saturday.
When it came to the details, we made the most of our talented friends and family! It was all really personal: my sister-in-law Jenny did the cake; Stephen’s mum Val sewed the bunting; sister-in-law, Paloma, was the director of ‘Operation Decoration’ and our friend Willa designed the invitations. Meanwhile, my dad, Mike, made the table names and name cards (who knew he was so good with a calligraphy set?!).
Our celebrant Graeme Cumming worked with us to provide a personalised ceremony which was both funny and touching (even Uncle Paul was in tears!). He’s a member of the Humanist Society of Scotland. The weather was unexpectedly sunny so we got married outside. The venue was very relaxed about it, so we didn’t have to decide until the morning of the wedding. The day ran smoothly and was completely stress free, thanks to the staff at Kippilaw.
We loved our whole day, but one of our highlights was actually after it was all over. We stayed up till the small hours drinking, dancing and celebrating with just the guests staying over in the house. You don’t often get to do that with all the family so it was pretty special.”
Top tip: “Don’t get hung up on the details: come the big day they are really unimportant. As long as you have your friends, family, food and drink it will all be fine!”
Dress Pan Pan Bridal
Bridesmaids’ dresses Dessy
Groomswear Macgregor and Macduff
Flowers Fountain Flowers
Stationery Willa Gebbie Illustration
Favours donation to Parkinson’s UK
Entertainment Coila
Hair Wilson’s Hair
Makeup Anna Millington