Tying the knot at a family farmhouse and planting their own wildflowers were just some of the details that made Hannah and Joe’s big day so special and personal
Hannah Urquhart and Joe Yeoman, now the Yeomans
12th May 2023
Venue | Perwinnes Farmhouse, Dyce
Photography | Danielle Leslie Photography
"Joe and I met on Bumble. It was a very simple message from me saying hello (ladies first) which began our chat. Not long after, he asked me to meet for a coffee and a walk by the sea.
We had the most amazing first date walking along the beach at golden hour and we both knew straight away that this felt different. Our love story is one that is very quick and there was no waiting around. We were together eight months before Joe got down on one knee at the Newtonhill cliffs, one our first date spots.
We sat on the cliffs drinking hot chocolate looking out over the sea on a rainy night in Aberdeen. We were both soaking, but Joe was too excited and didn’t want to wait till the weather was better – it was romantic, fun and just perfect.
The first planning decision we made was to get married in my sister and brother-in-law’s home, Perwinnes Farmhouse. We knew it would be a challenge, but we just loved the idea of tying the knot out in the garden.
We also loved the idea of an exclusive venue that was ours, a place that would be unique to our love story.
The long walled garden in front of the house is surrounded by trees and is just so picturesque.
There were other deciding factors too – we knew we were going to have so many more memories in the future here as a family, and we loved the fact that we’d be able to go back to our wedding venue any time we wanted as it’s a family home.
Joe and I are both Christians, so it was always going to be a Christian ceremony. Our minister was Simon Dennis from Sheddocksley Baptist Church – he is a close family friend and has known me since I was a baby, so it was really special to have him marry us.
The ceremony was very relaxed and sentimental and was really focused on what we felt was important for us and our families on such a special day. We wrote our own Christian vows, my mum and dad prayed over us after we were married and we lit two candles which burned all day to remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
We kept our wedding small and intimate. We had 70 guests, mainly close family and friends, for both day and night. We wanted everyone who was special to us to celebrate the whole day with us. We were aiming for a colourful, floral, laid-back, rustic and just super-fun kind of vibe.
We spent a lot of time on little things to make our day personal to us. The year before, as soon as we decided to get married in the garden, we planted wildflowers specifically for the wedding.
Our Mr and Mrs armchairs that we sat on during the ceremony are now part of our home; they also became a great photo prop and created that chilled garden feel I wanted. It was important to us to use local suppliers and companies for our wedding. We met some great people who we loved having with us on our special day.
Our florist, Jill from Hay’s Flowers, made all my floral dreams come true. She really went above and beyond; my bouquet was perfect and I was so blown away the way she decorated the marquee that I cried when I walked in and saw it for the first time.
We had one video call with our photographer, Danielle Leslie, and that was it – she was great and made us both feel so at ease. The memories of her photographing the day will always be with us, and I don’t even know where to start with describing how amazingly she captured our day. When we look at the pictures now, they bring back all those feelings of laughter and joy.
The wedding reception was amazing – just the best party I have ever been to. Our band, The Big Papas, were incredible and kept us dancing right through till 1am.
The speeches were one of my favourite parts of the day. My dad kicked things off and was so funny, finishing off with a lovely poem about me. Then I did a speech – being my dad’s daughter, I couldn’t not!
Joe stole the show with his groom’s speech, where he went completely off tangent. Andy, the best man, finished off with a cracking speech highlighting the importance of his friendship with Joe.
From the moment I woke up on our wedding morning to the moment I fell asleep, I felt so happy. A lot of people had told me the day just flies by, so to try enjoy every moment.
Joe and I actually both felt very present in the whole day, and spending the happiest day of your life surrounded by the people you love is incomparable.
There are so many highlights, it’s hard to pick out just a few. Among my favourite moments, there was the random dancing party that started during the drinks reception; Joe and me having a moment to ourselves when we saw the marquee; and our lovely couple’s photoshoot and dancing in the flowers together.
I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but I wouldn’t change a thing. The whole day exceeded all of my expectations and dreams."
Top tip: “Keep track of your spending on a spreadsheet and remember to update it even for small purchases, as things can quickly get out of hand. Get some pastel highlighters to make the organising more fun!”
The couple's highlights video by Papermill Designs
Venue Perwinnes Farmhouse (private home)
Photography Danielle Leslie Photography
Filmmaker Papermill Designs (see highlights above)
Minister Simon Dennis, Sheddocksley Baptist Church
Bride’s dress Made With Love dress, jacket by Stephanie Allin, from Ivory Grace
Bride’s accessories Hera Designs
Bride’s shoes Forever Soles
Bride’s necklace Hannah’s grandmother’s
Bridesmaid dresses Sorella Vita from Perfect Bridal Rooms
Mother-of-the-bride outfit Veni Infantino from Perfect Bridal Rooms
Hair Michelle Reid Hairdressing
Makeup Alana McCrae Makeup
Nails Kazuko Nails and Beauty
Fake tan Brown Sugar by Sam Milne
Groomswear Mains Highlandwear
Cake The Fat Sparrow Bakery
Catering Country Flavours of Alford
Drinks Dutch Courage Bar Hire
Flowers and venue decor Hay’s Flowers
Stationery LC Design Aberdeen
Tables, chairs, benches and whisky barrels Rustic Look Aberdeen
Rings Finnies the Jeweller
Ceremony music Charlotte Holden and Lewis Catto
Reception band The Big Papas
Marquee Elegant Pitches
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