When you and your family are a talented bunch, wedding planning is a lot easier. Bride Julie-anne reminisces about her and Sean's family-first nuptials this spring
Julie-anne McKee and Sean Stewart, now Mr and Mrs Stewart
25th May 2024
Venue | The Gathering at Woodhead Farm, near Glasgow
Photography | Meghan Bewick Photography
Julie-anne and Sean met in a bingo hall when they were both just 19 – so they really were bound to be lucky in love from the start. After more than two decades together, a surprise engagement at Harry Potter Studios in London catapulted the couple into saying ‘I do’.
But where to actually tie the knot certainly had the pair stumped, at least to begin with. They knew what they wanted from the day (“Our main aim was to ensure everyone enjoyed nice food and had full bellies, in a place we could relax without lots of formalities”) but they had no idea what that place might be.
After “really struggling” to find a venue that suited their needs, they pulled up to The Gathering – a rustic, atmospheric, traditional Scottish barn just outside Glasgow.
The couple didn’t think it was going to be right for them (the bride admits she wasn’t even going to get out the car), but that all changed when they went inside: “Honestly, I actually started crying instantly, even before I’d met the staff!” Julie-anne recalls. “It was exactly what I had in mind. Even Sean was crying! So we pretty much booked it there and then.”
The couple were sold on how laid-back the owners were, as this reflected their own approach to wedding planning.
Still planning your own big day? Check out our venue directory for inspiration on top Scottish locations to say 'I do'
After booking their main suppliers, such as the band, the celebrant and the catering, they handled most of the other tasks during the six months leading up to the big day, including finding Julie-anne’s gown.
“We were getting married in May and I didn’t get my dress until January, and even then I honestly just didn’t love it – I really felt I didn’t get that ‘yes!’ moment so many brides do,” she remembers.
“I’m very fortunate, though, that my sister Emma is a seamstress – I gave her permission to cut up the dress and make it into something that felt more like me. I bought my veil way before I got the dress. That was my big splurge, as I loved it so much.”
It wasn’t just her family putting in the effort for the big day (the photographer is also the bride’s cousin); Julie-anne herself took on a lot of work: “I took the DIY approach for many elements, including decor,” she says. “I’m actually a baker, so not only did I bake my own wedding cake, I also created the entire dessert table too!”
The couple had a beautiful outdoor ceremony that included drinking from the quaich – whisky and Coke, poured in by the bride’s gran and the groom’s mum. “Our celebrant, Gordon from Independent Humanist Ceremonies, was really great. We’d met him for coffee to chat about telling our story – he was brilliant at it, and made sure our daughter Rachel was mentioned throughout too.”
I genuinely wouldn’t change a thing – everything was exactly as it was meant to be and we really felt it was all very us
They and their 90 guests tucked into a delicious meal (lentil soup or pâté for starters, steak pie for the main, and finishing with cheesecake or sticky toffee pudding) before enjoying a speech from the bride’s oldest friend, Leanne, who flew over from Paris for the occasion.
But before everyone got ready to dance into the wee hours, Julie-anne had a surprise up her sleeve and it involved bagpipes and tribal beats…
“I had secretly booked Clann An Drumma – nobody knew what was coming,” smiles the bride. “Everyone loved it, especially my nephew Lyle, who’s autistic. Letting him be himself on the day was so important to me. He adores music, so it was amazing to watch him being handed drumsticks and joining in with the drummers as we all cheered on (pictured above).”
The bride says she was “first on the dancefloor and last to leave!” and took the whole day in her stride, even keeping her cool when her transport didn’t show up: “I wasn’t at all nervous,” she smiles.
“I enjoyed every part of my day. I genuinely wouldn’t change a thing – everything was exactly as it was meant to be and we really felt it was all very us.”
Venue The Gathering at Woodhead Farm, Glasgow
Photography Meghan Bewick Photography
Celebrant Gordon Bond, Independent Humanist Ceremonies
Wedding dress Wed2Be
Alterations Bride’s sister Emma at Pins & Needles
Veil and headpiece Etsy
Bridesmaid dresses Quiz Clothing
Flower girl dress Next
Mother of the bride’s outfit Elegance of Helensburgh
Hair Lana at Cameo Bridal Styling
Makeup Lesley Neil Makeup Artist
Groomswear Kilts 4 U
Cake and dessert table A Spoonful of Sugar (bride’s own bakery business in Greenock)
Catering First Choice Catering
Entertainment Clann An Drumma
Reception band Kin
Flowers Hey Bud
Invitations Carmen Creative
Read Julie-anne's Planning Diary to find out how she made all her planning decisions in the run up to the wedding
