Planning Diaries: the latest updates from our bride-to-be radio DJ Amber Zoë

Radio presenters Amber Zoë and Callum Gallacher got engaged on Christmas Day

November 2025 update – she said ‘yes’!

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be proposed to while wearing a flashing Christmas halo and a pair of Primark pyjamas!

My other half – or should I say my fiancé (cue the ‘woop woop’!) – has been getting stick for a while now from family, friends and also listeners of the radio stations we host.

Callum and I both present shows back-to-back on the Hits Radio Network in Scotland, and, after being together for nine years, listeners have really shared our journey with us, which is so unique and lovely.

From moving into our home, getting our Frenchie, Sol, in lockdown and then the birth of our son, Oban, in 2023, they’ve been through it all with us.

"It feels like we have all grown up together"

Find guidance on choosing engagement and wedding rings here

The diamond eventually came on Christmas Day just past, amid the chaos of twinkling lights, Quality Street for breakfast and the overstimulating singing toys Santa had brought our toddler.  

I picked up the smallest present, thinking it was definitely a piece of jewellery. I unwrapped it to find a Sweet Rosie jewellery box and immediately I gasped.

I absolutely adore my friend Rosalind’s brand Sweet Rosie. She is a Scottish jeweller and my go-to for personalised gifts, and I thought maybe it would be something with our son’s birth stone.

But when I opened the box, it was empty!

Surprised, I turned to Callum, who was on one knee, holding out a ring.

“Do you want to be my wife?” he said. 

I was in shock – not only that this moment was finally happening, but that he’d put so much thought into it by asking Rosalind to design the ring.

It was so lovely, and I loved telling Oban that Mummy will finally have the same surname as him, something that is so important to me.

What's next?

Unusually, we probably have to find a date first rather than a venue, and work around that. The reason for this is that Callum actually works in the wedding industry with Tartan Entertainment – so his 2026 and 2027 diaries are pretty full.

Step aside, brides, I want my date locked in too!

We have also been looking at castles to marry in – the venue directory on the Tie the Knot Scotland website has been so helpful.

April 2026 update – venue hunting

I never imagined that getting engaged would be a bit like being pregnant – but I was wrong!

Instead of questions about name choices and nurseries, it’s dates and destinations. It really is so exciting, but I didn’t expect other people to be so invested.

It’s lovely that they are, though. 

Callum and I are very much still at the start of the process but we do have some news: we have an appointment to view our first venue!

I don’t want to jinx anything, so I’m going to wait until we’ve made our choice before I reveal which ones we viewed. All I can say for now is that this one is in the north of Scotland.

There are so many beautiful venues in this country and we have decided that we absolutely will get married here. 

And I can’t tell you how many guests we’ll have as we’re still unsure whether to go low-key or go massive. I’m swaying towards the latter, which probably won’t surprise anyone.

I love a celebration and a good dance. 

Plus, I really want to get married in a castle or a country estate… although I’m not the one with the savings *looks at Callum* – a girl can dream, though, right?!

As for a date, because Callum works in the wedding industry, realistically it’ll be in 2028 as his diary is filling up fast.

There are a few things I hadn’t considered, like daylight hours (I don’t want the sun to set on my wedding day at 3.30pm – if it even shows at all!).

Wedding day weather tips from Scottish photographers

I’m not too fussed about the weather, though; it’s Scotland and I’ll embrace it, hail, rain or shine! 

In February, I visited the Scottish Wedding Show at the SEC, where I got to squeeze lots of the lovely team at TTKS and see our first ever Planning Diaries published in the mag – and pick up some extra copies for family. 

Watch Let's Talk Tying the Knot at The Scottish Wedding Show

I had such a great time at the show. It gave me a little taste of all of the puzzle pieces needed for that huge wedding jigsaw.

It also got me thinking about my bridal party, tartan, floral arrangements, colour schemes and even my dress.

I just loved all of the Scottish suppliers coming together to showcase their wonderful talents!

What's next?

Viewing venues and securing a date is a priority – and finally booking those celebratory engagement drinks!

August 2026 update – making plans: here or there?

It has been a few months since my last update and in that time we’ve had a few weddings and hens/stags that are definitely getting me excited to plan a little more.

I can’t believe we’ve passed the six-month mark of being engaged but we’ve still not had those engagement drinks to celebrate – because, ironically, Callum is too busy providing the tunes at other weddings for us to focus on ours.

Wedding season is in full swing for him as a DJ and MC, and my sparkly ring is patiently waiting for his calendar to free up so we can start the ball rolling with our plans. 

Wedding planning timeline: everything from the engagement to the big day

We’ve made no progress on nailing down a venue – and I can imagine quite a few of you can relate to this, as not all wedding planning goes smoothly.

For the past few months I’ve been starting to get a feel for different places and every other little puzzle piece that forms your special day – and, wow, I have three words:

Weddings are expensive! 

I knew this, but I never really thought about it from the perspective of being the one paying for it.

So we’ve had to be pretty realistic about our budget and timescale because we also have a toddler and potentially want to move house… why does everything happen at once?! 

I know we won’t be getting married next year but I am still hopeful for 2028.

I am also aware that suppliers’ diaries are filling up fast, so I feel we need to see a few venues soon and decide from there.

The issue is – where? We had an overnight stay recently in the Borders at Schloss Roxburghe and after a few cocktails, we were asking for a tour of the hotel! I loved it.

Discover this timeless Scottish destination wedding at Schloss Roxburghe

Our gorgeous friend and wonderful wedding hairdresser Siân Bannan (now Cochrane) and her husband Stuart tied the knot at JA Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort in April.

It made me see how truly beautiful a Scottish wedding in the spring can be. It feels as if late April is always gorgeous sunshine, and certainly better than we can expect in June.

I’ve also seen how magical a winter wedding can be. Two of my best friends had twilight weddings in Glasgow city centre – one at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa, and the other at Citation.

Learn more about weddings at Citation in Glasgow

Both were twinkly, festive and lovely. I love Christmastime so that could be an option for us, especially as Callum’s wedding diary is a lot quieter in the winter.

We have also been to Portals Nous just outside of Palma for the second time recently (with friends who all work in the wedding industry, I might add), and while we were there we spoke about the possibility of jetting out for a Spanish wedding in Mallorca.

It’s definitely an idea that gets me excited, but as you can maybe tell, I’m torn as I absolutely love Scottish venues too. 

This next month is about narrowing it down to 10 venues (here and in Mallorca), checking availability and budget and taking it from there.

What's next?

If you’re also stuck in a little planning rut but are still feeling super-excited about what’s to come, let’s do this together one day at a time and figure it out!

I know my perfect venue and date are just patiently waiting on me to book, and what’s meant to be will always find its way.