Laura and Freddy were the first couple to say ‘I do’ in Glasgow’s hottest new city-centre venue The Exchange. It turned out to be a day of love, laughter and lots of fun
Laura Egan and Freddy Drucquer
20th September 2024
Venue | The Exchange, Glasgow
Photography | Gemma Purdon Photography
When you know, you know. The old adage was certainly true in the case of Laura and Freddy who met at work and knew right away they were meant to be. “We were like Jim and Pam in The Office,” smiles Laura. She also says they knew they were destined to marry in The Exchange – despite it being a building site on their first visit.
“We wanted to get married within a year of our engagement, so viewed an array of places and booked one not long after we returned from Portugal (where Freddy popped the question)”, explains Laura, but something didn’t sit quite right with them...
“We had difficulty in getting a Friday or Saturday date at relatively short notice, so we ended up settling on a Thursday at our initial venue,” recalls Laura. “That’s when I crossed paths with Hannah Niblock, one of the wedding managers at Citation Glasgow (The Exchange’s sister venue) who told me about the new venue they were working on in Royal Exchange Square. She showed me the renders and it was love at first sight! We booked it instantly and got the date we wanted.”
See photos and details of The Exchange's wedding spaces
The Exchange’s event spaces (capacity 60 to 140 guests for ceremonies; up to 200 for reception) are cool, modern and neutral – but that wasn’t quite the case when Laura and Freddy went to view it. Not often are you expected to envision your dream day whilst wearing safety gear and gazing upon rubble, but Laura says they have ‘no regrets’ about their decision. “Honestly, it felt like fate. My family were a bit nervous about whether things would be ready or not, but I trusted the process entirely,” recalls Laura.
"It made it even more special knowing we were the first couple to ever marry here."
And she is certainly glad she did. The team pulled out all the stops to get everything ready for her, even working overtime to finish The Parlour, a penthouse space reserved for bridal parties as a base to get ready. It features changing rooms, vanity stations and, most importantly, a call button to press for a delivery of that all-important getting-ready champagne!
“I was so excited about The Parlour, but at one point it was looking like it might not be finished on time for the day,” explains Laura. “The venue did all in their power to complete it on time; I feel so lucky that I chose to work with such an amazing venue and team.”
Laura and Freddy also entrusted a top team of Scottish suppliers to bring her and Freddy’s vision for an ‘old money’ timeless, chic day to life – including a familiar face from her past. “It turned out Pam Doc was my childhood hairdresser. My mum and I used to go to her when she worked under another name. It was such a full circle moment having someone from when I was growing up there on my wedding day,” smiles Laura.
“Pam wasn’t just a hairdresser, but the friend on the day that I didn’t know I needed. I am so happy I had her by my side.”
Choosing who to film and photograph the day was also hugely important to the couple. The bride even joking that she’d have “chosen her wedding date” around videographer Adam Holmes at Fòcas Wedding Films: “I love the natural feeling of his videos; they have the nostalgic quality of an old VHS tape. I couldn’t be happier with the film he made of our day.”
Photographer Gemma Purdon also nailed the brief, with the bride saying that having their photos taken while walking round Glasgow city centre was a real highlight: “Gemma is super-talented at what she does and understood exactly what we were looking for.”
Glasgow bridal boutique Eleganza Sposa did exactly the same when it came to the wedding dress, a minimal Mikado silk gown with a removable bow that was custom made for Laura, and gifted to her from her best friend – her mum.
After making it official with a ceremony conducted by humanist celebrant Carol Knight (aka Smillie), the couple and their 130 guests enjoyed a delicious “crowd-pleasing” menu of beef, burrata and sticky toffee pudding, before heading into a huge party in The Print Room, the venue’s dedicated dancing area complete with giant disco ball.
“After our first dance (to ‘A Sky Full of Stars’ by Coldplay), we had a stellar line-up of evening entertainment. We had glow sticks, a saxophonist, a singer and DJ. We wanted everything to feel fun,” remembers the bride. “Our guests didn’t stop smiling and really brought the party vibes.
Some of my happiest memories from the day are dancing to my favourite songs surrounded by everyone we love. We couldn’t have asked for more.”
Bride's top wedding tip "It’s really easy to fall into the trap of feeling you have to have everything absolutely perfect. Getting caught up in Instagram trends can be overwhelming. Focus on your must-haves and don’t sweat the small stuff – nobody really remembers the tiny details."
Venue The Exchange, Glasgow
Photography Gemma Purdon Photography
Second photographer Janine Kirkwood Photo
Filmmaker Fòcas Wedding Films
Celebrant Carol Knight,
Humanist Society Scotland
Wedding dress, veil and robe Eleganza Sposa
Alterations Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations
Bridal dresser Admire Bridal Dressing
Bride’s earrings Completedworks
Bride’s shoes Rainbow Club
Bridesmaid dresses ASOS
Flowergirl dresses John Lewis
Hair Pam Doc Hair
Makeup Rachel Louise Makeup Artist
Nails Jamielee’s Nails & Beauty
Groomswear MacGregor and MacDuff
Wedding rings Harkness Premier Jewellers
Flowers Fiori Glasgow
Stationery Loom Weddings
Cake Special Days Cakes
Favours Brass Neck Rum
Confetti Your Confetti
Pianist Paul Carroll Music
Singer Natalie James Music
Saxophonist Tartan Entertainment
Content creator Social Brides Club
Dog chaperone Angela Lennox
Personalised champagne bottles Bella’s Bubbly
