Recent bride Erin is a wedding content creator so she knows what makes a successful big day. And her wedding to Alex was exactly that: beautifully styled and filled with thrilling entertainment
Alex Craig and Erin McBride, now Mr and Mrs Craig
24th August 2024
Venue | The Engine Works, Glasgow
Photography and film | The McHendrys
A social media post showing off the shiny new engagement ring on an immaculately manicured left hand is de rigueur for the 21st-century bride-to-be. But things didn’t quite go to plan for Erin when Alex popped the question…
“We’d been together since 2018, so when we went to New York on holiday in April 2022, quite a few friends predicted we’d be getting engaged. We didn’t, though. As it turned out, Alex wanted to do something more private.
“A couple of months later, we hired a motorhome to do the NC500 (with our cavapoo, Teddy) and Alex proposed on the beautiful white sands of Achmelvich Bay."
"I had no makeup on and no fresh nails for the ring pics!” remembers Erin in mock horror.
Glasgow wedding content creator
Mercifully, the wedding itself was impeccably styled and orchestrated – no surprise, really, as Erin is an in-demand wedding content creator, who works under the title of Your Day Unplugged.
“I only launched the business in 2023, though, so when I started planning our wedding in 2022, I didn’t know as much about the industry as I do now. Once I did, I was anxious that I’d discover new vendors or wedding trends and regret some of my early decisions. But honestly, I am so proud of 2022 me – she smashed it with every single supplier,” laughs Erin.
The Lanarkshire-based couple decided to get married close to home so Erin’s gran and Alex’s grandfather could attend. They didn’t want their guests to worry about transport or overnight accommodation.
Check out other unique and alternative wedding venues in Scotland
“We adored The Engine Works in Maryhill as soon as we walked in. It was more than big enough for our guests (111 during the day and another 75 in the evening); it’s a blank canvas, so we could put our own stamp on it; and it offered a nice variety of rooms and a lovely courtyard for outdoor drinks and mingling if the weather allowed,” explains Erin.
She had a clear vision of how she hoped the wedding might look: “Neutrals and monochrome led the colour scheme. My vision was for black bridesmaid dresses and the boys in tuxedos.
“Gloam did an incredible job of all our signage, stationery and invitations, as did Achillea Flower Studio with our flowers,” says Erin.
Find all the decor and details you need on Tie the Knot Scotland's online supplier directory
Erin invested in chic touches such as personalised drinks toppers, cocktail stirrers and napkins (“I’m all about the details,” she smiles), and having insider knowledge paid dividends when it came to sorting the day’s entertainment.
How can I keep guests entertained at a wedding?
“So many of our guests told us it was the best wedding they’d been to because they never felt bored. The whole day flowed thanks to the way we structured our entertainment,” Erin explains.
“Shades of Sax brought a party atmosphere during our drinks reception, and we wanted to keep spirits high. I’d noticed that there can be a lull after the meal while waiting for the evening guests to arrive, so we booked singer Natalie James to give us some party tunes. She got everyone going – she was amazing!
“The evening was a proper party, kicked off by the Dancing Mirror Man from Angelic Talent. He was the absolute star of the show – everyone loved him.”
Even wedding pros aren’t immune to planning stresses, though… “I found it challenging having to deal with guests pulling out at the last minute. It meant having to redo table plans and contacting all the relevant suppliers with changes."
"I get that sometimes circumstances can’t be helped, but guests: please try not to be that guy,” winks Erin.
Wedding dress shopping was a joy. “I ended up finding my dress – Conor by All Who Wander – at Eleganza Sposa on my very first shopping trip with my mum. It was the second dress I tried on and we both just knew,” recalls Erin.
Read more about Glasgow bridal boutique Eleganza Sposa
The big day itself couldn’t have gone more smoothly either: “Getting ready with my four bridesmaids at my mum’s was great vibes. I had a first look with my dad, which was one of the most emotional moments of the whole day. It wasn’t until I got in the car to go to The Engine Works that the nerves hit me!”
Fun humanist wedding ceremony ideas
Thankfully, the humanist ceremony was “relaxed, personal and fun”, so any jitters were quickly vanquished. “Alex and I told our celebrant, Alan Barr, three things we love about each other and one that annoys us. Alex was so emotional at the nice things I said about him. Then all our friends and family were in stitches about the things we found annoying. I loved it!”
On hand to capture it all was photography duo The McHendrys. “As soon as I spotted their work, I wanted to book them! It was a win-win when I discovered they offered a photo and film package as that not only saved us some money, but it meant having a team who worked seamlessly together," says Erin.
Has the process of arranging her own wedding changed how Erin deals with clients now? “Yes, I have a better understanding of the stress that can come along with planning, and clearer insight into the challenges couples may be facing. I also appreciate how much the day running smoothly means to people and how much they’ve invested in it.”
Wedding planning tips for bride and groom
Top tips: “Prioritise the suppliers or elements that are important to you,” urges Erin. “Be mindful of how much the day will be costing your guests too. Travel and accommodation can be expensive and difficult, so be understanding of this if people are unable to attend.”
Venue The Engine Works, Glasgow
Photography and filmmaker The McHendrys
Celebrant Alan Barr, Independent Humanist Ceremonies
Wedding dress and headpiece All Who Wander from Eleganza Sposa
Veil The Wedding Veil Shop
Dress alterations Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations
Evening dress Meshki
Shoes Charlotte Mills Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses and bride’s robe Six Stories
Hair Pam Doc Hair
Makeup Louise Ballantine Makeup
Nails Ktmac Nails at Blondi, Hamilton
Brows and bridal tan Leah Brow Artist at LUX Glasgow
Groomswear and best men Slater Menswear
Rings Chisholm Hunter
Mother of the bride’s outfit Catherines of Partick
Catering Regis Banqueting
Evening catering Wood Fired Pizza Truck
Cake Sprinkles on Top
Flowers Achillea Flower Studio
Wedding invites and on-the-day stationery Gloam
Venue decor Make Believe Events
Content creation Captured by Adam Stewart aka The Wedding Guy, but footage edited by Erin herself, Your Day Unplugged (see highlights above)
Drinks reception and power hour music Shades of Sax
Post-dinner entertainment Natalie James Professional Singer and Host
Reception entertainment DJ Stephen Bennett
Additional entertainment Dancing Mirror Man from Angelic Talent
Transport Rennick’s Wedding Cars
