This Lanarkshire couple were in their element getting creative at blank-canvas barn venue Cormiston Farm, DIY-ing almost every element they could
Lynsey Campbell & Andrew Gilbert
11th June 2022
Venue | Cormiston Farm, South Lanarkshire
Photography | Gail Photography
“After five years together, Andrew and I got engaged on 23rd December 2018. I’d been dropping hints, but he completely surprised me when he got down on one knee on a viewing platform overlooking the old mills and waterfalls at New Lanark when we were out on a walk one day.
We picked Cormiston Farm as our venue as it is close to where we live and is set amid beautiful Lanarkshire countryside. We both grew up around the area and wanted somewhere laid-back and rustic where we could have a bit of freedom with our plans for the day. Richard Philips who owns the venue is fantastic and so accommodating.
We originally planned to get married in June 2020. We rescheduled to June 2021, then pushed back a third and final time to June 2022. We had no intention of marrying wearing face masks or with restricted guest numbers, so we waited until we could have the wedding we wanted. (We had just under 100 guests for the ceremony and another 30 at night.)
Most of our suppliers were amenable and were able to reschedule. We lost a couple along the way due to date clashes and retirements, so by the time the big day rolled around, we’d gained a new band (the amazing Jets), photographer and caterer.
Annalese McDermott from Humanist Society Scotland performed our ceremony. She was lovely, friendly and well-spoken – and made it incredibly special. We felt at ease the whole way through. We kept our wedding vows traditional and also drank from the quaich.
We were adamant we wanted to be married outside surrounded by flowers, hills and fields. The weather however had other ideas; it kept switching from rain showers to sunshine and wind.
We got through most of our ceremony and managed to sign our marriage certificate before the rain came on and everyone ran for cover under the trees! Within a few minutes it had gone off and we were back out in the sunshine. It meant we got to celebrate and hug our guests while sipping on Asti and having some cracking pictures snapped.
We absolutely adore the photos Gail Photography took. She was a very last-minute contact as the photographer we booked cancelled the day before the wedding due to Covid. It was sheer luck she was available and got back quickly to say she could do it. Her photography style was exactly what we wanted – relaxed and informal. She was so professional, competent and attentive. We knew we were in safe hands and felt able to leave everything up to her on the day.
We undertook almost all of the venue decorating ourselves in a rustic, laid-back style. Cormiston Farm provided tables, chairs and table linen and our wonderful florist Juniper Flowers created the bouquets and top table centrepiece – but we did the rest.
Our handiwork included flowers and table decorations; milk urns sourced from my uncle’s farm; wedding signage; a rhododendron-covered ceremony arch; rose-petal confetti; Star Wars-themed table names; guest place settings; and cakes for the afternoon tea. My mum even made our amazing wedding cake.
We even DIY-ed our wedding transport. Andrew arrived at the venue in his best man’s white convertible BMW. We left the following day in my Mini which had been decorated with balloons, ribbons, banners and cans by my three younger brothers.
Wearing my gorgeous Eden dress by Le Papillon by Modeca was one of the day’s highlights. Even though I loved the looked of this particular gown from the outset, I took the stylist’s advice and tried on several different styles just to be sure – but my heart was set on it. When you know, you know!”
Top tip: “Go with your gut and do as much as you possibly can yourself. Do little bits often, and keep lists and records of what’s been done and still needs to be done. Lastly, don’t stress about the little things because none of your guests will be any the wiser.”
Venue Cormiston Farm
Photography Gail Photography
Celebrant Annalese McDermott, Humanist Society Scotland
Bride’s dress Le Papillon by Modeca
Bridesmaid dresses Maids to Measure
Hair Heather Nelson, Nelson Hairdressing
Makeup Stephanie McDowell Makeup Artist
Groomswear Abitto
Cake Made by the bride’s mum, Jacqueline
Catering Regis Banqueting
Flowers Juniper Flowers
Wedding invitations The Lanarkshire Print House
Mirrored table plan and names Made by the couple themselves
Piper Scott Ratcliffe
Reception band The Jets, booked via Music for Scotland
Transport Own mini and best man’s BMW
