In just three months, Kirsty and Kieran planned a fuss-free twilight wedding at Glasgow’s The Exchange, complete with nine bridesmaids, charitable donations, and a local baker who saved their big day
Opting for a trendy twilight wedding at one of Glasgow's newest wedding venues, The Exchange, Kirsty and Kieran said their vows at the top of the 75-foot aisle in front of 140 of their nearest and dearest.
Despite planning the day in only three months, it included a gorgeous gown from Glasgow bridal boutique Eleganza Sposa, matching MacGregor and MacDuff kilt outfits, personalised decor by Poise Candles Events, live music by Ginny & The Tonic and Waterfront Collective and much more – all captured by the content trifecta, Connor Barrett Photography, RHB Films and Flashback Content Creation.
Read on to discover how Kirsty and Kieran planned their twilight wedding...
Kirsty and Kieran
22nd December 2024
Venue | The Exchange, Glasgow
Photography | Connor Barrett Photography
Cute beach proposal for Glasgow couple
After knowing each other since childhood, Kirsty and Kieran’s friendship turned romantic in 2018. They moved into their first home in 2020, welcomed daughter Orlaith in 2021, and during a holiday to Tenerife the following year – just the three of them on a beachfront – Kieran proposed.
“It was a lovely surprise,” Kirsty recalls. “Life had been so busy, but that was a really special moment.”
The couple welcomed their second daughter Reeva in 2023, the same year Kirsty lost her mum – a turning point that spurred them into planning the wedding they’d long hoped for.
Choosing to have a twilight wedding
Originally envisioning a sun-soaked celebration abroad, the couple changed tack when Kieran’s grandparents – both in their 80s – no longer felt comfortable travelling. While searching for alternatives, they spotted a teaser for a new Glasgow venue: The Exchange. “It was still a building site when we went to view it,” Kirsty laughs, “but we just knew.”
"Family means so much to me, especially after I lost my mum, so I just thought, life's too short. While Kieran's grandparents are still here and healthy – we wanted them to be at the wedding.”
This chic 'old money' themed wedding was first to take place at The Exchange in Glasgow
Wanting a celebration that didn’t follow convention, they embraced the idea of a twilight wedding. “I didn’t want to plan for years. Sometimes the longer you have, the more stressful it becomes. With it being winter, I hoped suppliers would be more likely to be available at short notice – and I really lucked out, I got everyone I wanted,” Kirsty says.
Planning a winter wedding at The Exchange
The couple had just three months to bring everything together, but thanks to support from venue coordinator Pauline in the lead-up (and on-the-day pros Rebecca and Leanne), it all came together. Pauline was “so great, so knowledgeable, so responsive” and they just felt incredibly reassured “she knew her stuff".
Getting ready in The Exchange's Parlour
Kirsty, her nine bridesmaids, and Kieran's mum Maria arrived at 12pm on the day, heading straight up to The Exchange's elegant upstairs Parlour – a key selling point when the couple booked the venue.
“It was emotional – it was hard not having my mum there, but the space was perfect, and spending that time with my bridal party meant so much to me.
"The later timing of the twilight wedding made for a relaxed morning with music and some grazing boards – it was especially great not getting up at the crack of dawn just to sit in a makeup chair.”
Sample sale wedding dress shopping at Eleganza Sposa
When it came to deciding on a wedding dress, bride Kirsty was surprised at just how quickly she found 'the one'.
“I only went to one shop, Glasgow bridal boutique, Eleganza Sposa, so it was quite easy, and that's really not like me – I'm the most indecisive person ever.
Go behind the scenes at Eleganza Sposa with owner and managing director Anna Cirignaco
"They had a sample sale on, so that was a big motivator as I knew that I could walk away with a dress that day, rather than having to wait on delivery times, as well as then alterations on top of that.
“Francesca who helped me was so nice and it just felt meant to be because I was finding it really hard being there without my mum and then she told me she’d lost her mum too – it just made for a really emotional moment but it was so special.”
Eleganza took care of the alterations as well, making sure everything was done in time for the December wedding.
Kitted out in kilts from MacGregor and MacDuff
Groom Kieran also had an easy time sorting out his groomswear for the big day.
"Kieran knew exactly what he wanted to wear because he’d already seen someone else get married in that kilt. So once we'd set the date he walked straight into MacGregor and MacDuff and asked for exactly that."
Despite having a large group of friends like Kirsty, Kieran decided to just have his two brothers, Joe and Paul, as his groomsmen, and then also got the same tartan for both his and Kirsty’s dads, as well as nephews Blake and Nolan.
Wedding styling and flowers
While Kirsty was busy getting ready, the decor team at Poise Candles Events transformed the space. “The Exchange is a venue that really doesn’t need much,” she says.
“They did a beautiful job with the our custom sign, and decorating both The Gallery and bar area. They also put me in touch with my florist, Olive Flowers Glasgow, who did all the bridesmaid's bouquets and buttonholes too – they did a great job.”
“For my flowers I just wanted something simple with a bit of foliage and then my friend had got me a wee charm of my mum for my bouquet, which was nice."
Timeline for a twilight wedding ceremony
Kieran, the couple's daughters, and his party arrived at the venue around 3:30pm. Kirsty’s dad went up to the Parlour for a first look around 4:30pm and then the ceremony was set to start at 5pm.
The ceremony, attended by 140 guests and led by John Leo Scott, the Silver Celebrant, was later described by guests as being the couple "to a T" and actually surprised the otherwise attention-shy bride as being one of her favourite parts of the celebration.
Walking down the aisle to 'Dreams' by The Cranberries, played by acoustic husband and wife duo Ginny & The Tonic, Kirsty admits she was nervous. “I forgot I’d have to walk in front of everyone, but the moment I stepped into the room, I just felt this lovely energy. Everyone was there for us.”
In a touching twist, the couple asked Kieran’s grandparents to sign the marriage register – a surprise revealed with a moving speech. “There wasn’t a dry eye,” Kirsty remembers.
Four-year old Orlaith even had an influence on the ceremony with her favourite song, 'Love Train', featured in the 2017 film Trolls Holiday, being performed by Ginny & The Tonic as the newlyweds walked back up the aisle.
Capturing candid wedding photography and videography in the winter
The drinks reception took place in the Print Room, with canapés and an open bar as Ginny & The Tonic played another set.
After ensuring they'd secured one massive group photo and plenty of additional with friends and family, the couple made sure to get some special outdoor couple shots in the Royal Exchange Square too.
"A photographer I’d originally spoken to, kept coming back to the lack of lighting the day would have with it being both a December and twilight wedding.
"But I didn’t want to 'stage' things. When I spoke to our photographer Connor Barrett, he immediately got it and just said, ‘Oh, that sounds amazing, I'm absolutely in’.
The couple really credited Connor for ending up with so many photos they loved. "He was so good at direction when we needed it. He was such a professional but made us feel at ease at the same time. Connor and Rory, the videographer from RHB Films worked so well together.”
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While Kirsty and Kieran posed in the glow of the festive city lights, guests enjoyed live music from band the Waterfront Collective, signature cocktails (pornstar martinis for the bride and mojitos for the groom) and a late evening buffet.
Glasgow wedding cake maker saves the day
For dessert, the couple planned to cut up and serve their wedding cake for the guests, but a last-minute cake mishap nearly left the pair cakeless.
"I went to pick it up the day before, from a local bakery I'd been frequenting my whole life, and the cake hadn't been secured properly for transporting it and it didn't look good (there were fingerprints in the icing)," Kirsty revealed.
Kieran’s mum, adamant that the couple would have a proper wedding cake, quickly put out a call for help on social media.
Local baker Kayleigh’s Crumbs (and a school friend of Kieran’s!) created a fresh two-tier bake overnight and delivered it on the big day.
“Kayleigh was amazing. I’ve vowed never to go anywhere else for cake now!”
Thoughtful wedding favour idea
In lieu of traditional favours, Kirsty and Kieran asked guests to donate to Glasgow’s Children's Hospital Charity in honour of two special boys in their lives – Kirsty’s nephew Blake and friends’ son Zach – who had both received extended care from them over recent years.
"We decided that rather than give people a favour, we would ask them for a favour."
"We created QR codes for them to donate to the children's hospital and we managed to raise about £1,200."
“Instead of spending the favour money on tablet or mini bottles of alcohol that would just wind up in a kitchen drawer we really wanted to do something meaningful."
Wedding accommodation near The Exchange
The couple and many guests stayed at the voco Grand Central, conveniently nearby – and especially meaningful, as Kieran’s parents had celebrated their own wedding reception there years before.
Looking back, the pair may not have had the Cyprus wedding they'd initially dreamed of, but can safely say they couldn't have done a better job of creating a truly special, personal day that really put family and fun at the forefront – all planned in three months no less!
Supplier list
Venue, food and DJ The Exchange
Photographer Connor Barrett
Filmmaker Rory Breachin, RHB Films
Celebrant Silver Celebrant, via Fuze Ceremonies
Wedding dress Eleganza Sposa
Shoes Prada
Hair AJW Hairdressing and Brittany Rennie Hair
Makeup Anna McIlmun and Louise
Nails Aimee Barton of Abstract
Bride's jewellery Rox diamond earrings
Bridesmaid dresses Club L London
Flowergirl dresses Carriage and Castles
Mother of the groom outfit Jarlo
Groomswear/best men/groomsmen MacGregor and MacDuff
Content creation Flashback Content Creation
Cake Kayleigh’s Crumbs
Flowers Olive Flowers Glasgow
Favours Charity donations to GCHC
Venue decor Poise Candles Events
Rings Graham Jewellery Workshop; Mr Harold & Son; James Porter & Son
Ceremony music Ginny & The Tonic
Drinks reception music Waterfront Collective
