Intimate DIY wedding at home on a Falkirk farm

Colin and Paul hosted their intimate wedding at their renovated farm, getting hands-on with the DIY and decor – and even serving guests themselves

Joyful confetti moment outside Falkirk farm wedding venue as grooms walk hand in hand after ceremony

An intimate farm wedding near Falkirk, hosted at the grooms’ own renovated home and barn, Colin and Paul Hunter-Scott’s wedding was rooted in hospitality and featured DIY styling, beautiful flowers and custom outfits.

From serving their guests themselves to transforming a working renovation site into a warm, welcoming venue, this small Scottish wedding prioritised time with guests over formality.

Wedding highlights at a glance

Same-sex couple standing in decorated barn with long banquet tables and soft ceiling draping at Falkirk farm wedding

Same-sex newlyweds posing inside rustic stone barn wedding venue near Falkirk, Scotland

Groom kissing partner’s hand during fireworks display at intimate Scottish farm wedding

Two grooms newlywed laughing together in open countryside at sunset after intimate Falkirk farm wedding

A wedding rooted in hospitality

For many couples, a wedding day is about stepping back while others take care of hosting. For Colin and Paul, that idea never quite fitted.

“Because our business is in hospitality (we run The Park Bistro in Linlithgow), hosting is a huge part of who we are,” explains Colin. “So, we got involved serving the meal… It just felt natural and meaningful.”

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Their modern Scottish menu — smoked salmon, scallops, beef fillet and cranachan — was served personally by the grooms, allowing them to welcome guests in the way they know best. That hands-on approach continued into the evening, with the couple taking turns behind the bar at their converted horse box.

“Pouring a drink, checking in, sharing a laugh – it allowed us to connect with our guests on a personal level.”

Newlywed grooms serving drinks from converted horsebox bar at their Falkirk farm wedding reception

Pastel wedding flowers beside wooden banquet tables inside rustic barn wedding venue near Falkirk, Scotland

Long wooden banquet table with pastel flowers, candles and place settings at rustic Falkirk farm wedding reception

Turning home into a wedding venue

The decision to host their wedding at home felt instinctive. “We share a love of renovating, which led us to our current project – a 130-year-old farm near Falkirk,” says Paul. “We quickly realised it would be a special place to get married.”

Transforming an active renovation into a wedding venue required creativity — and effort. The grooms built their own dining tables from reclaimed flooring, arranging them into two long banquet rows to encourage conversation.

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“We were still painting on the morning of the wedding,” Paul laughs.

With just 40 guests, they skipped a printed seating plan, opting instead for their dinner team to guide guests to their seats, keeping the atmosphere relaxed and informal.

Rustic barn wedding ceremony at a Falkirk farm venue with wooden chairs, exposed beams and hanging floral installations

Stone barn wedding reception with draped ceiling, festoon lighting and long banquet tables near Falkirk

Close-up of wedding table flowers and place settings at DIY farm wedding reception in Falkirk

An emotional and personal ceremony

The morning brought anticipation and unpredictability, with a friend's last-minute dress mishap compressing the schedule.

“When we finally met, it wasn’t quite as calm as we’d imagined,” Paul admits. “But the surprise and emotion were still there.”

The ceremony itself was intimate and personal. Both grooms were accompanied down the aisle by their mums, and their celebrant, Marion Gillooly, is also a close friend.

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“Having someone who knew us so well guide us through that moment made it incredibly personal.”

Groom holding hands with his mum as they enter barn ceremony space at Falkirk farm wedding

room walking down the aisle with his mum during intimate farm wedding ceremony near Falkirk, Scotland

Music and a showstopping finale

Music shaped the day from start to finish. Guests were welcomed by a Mardi Gras-style brass band before being led to dinner in the barn. During the meal, a string quartet performed a mix of classical and modern pieces.

As evening fell, Colin revealed a surprise choir made up of bistro staff and musical theatre alumni, opening with 'Can’t Help Falling in Love' and culminating in a choral version of 'Pink Pony Club' for the couple’s first dance.

The night ended with fireworks and a champagne tower set to a Meat Loaf medley, honouring Colin’s late granny Betty.

“It wasn’t just for spectacle,” says Colin. “It was about honouring someone who meant so much to us.”

Colin and Paul's highlights by Worldly Nomad Films

Wedding suppliers

Venue Grooms’ home, a farm near Falkirk
Stretch tent Stretch Tents Scotland
Photography Rachel & Tonie Photography
Filmmaker Worldly Nomad Films
Celebrant Marion Gillooly aka MG Life Celebrant, from Rites & Rituals Scotland
Colin’s outfit Own kilt outfit with fly plaid hired from MacGregor and MacDuff
Paul’s outfit Anjali’s Boutique, Glasgow
Groomsmaid dresses Coast and Club L London
Colin’s mum June’s outfit Coast and John Lewis
Paul’s mum Meriam’s outfit Embroidered barong from the Philippines
Engagement and wedding rings Tiffany & Co
Cake Made by a family friend
Catering Glenn & Angela Richards Events Catering
Flowers Wild Flower Workshop
Stationery Papier and Zazzle
Favours Tablet and gold coins (a nod to traditional Scottish and Filipino wedding customs)
Venue dressing, lighting and draping DIY by the grooms
Chair hire Vintage Gathering
Converted horsebox bar The Park Bistro, the grooms’ restaurant
Drinks reception music Saltire Street Band and The Quartet string quartet
Surprise choir Organised by groom Colin and friend Lorraine Murray
Fireworks 21CC Group