With loch views, natural light, and a welcoming team, Venachar Lochside was the perfect setting for Amanda and Frazer’s sun-filled Scottish wedding – proof that the right venue can create an unforgettable experience
Planning a Scottish lochside wedding? Amanda and Frazer’s celebration at Venachar Lochside, near Stirling, is proof that even after a cancelled date, your dream day can come together more beautifully than you imagined.
Set against the waters of Loch Venachar, this romantic outdoor ceremony combined whimsical floral styling, heartfelt personal touches, and a relaxed weekend of celebrations.
From DIY wedding ideas to personalised cocktails and ceilidh dancing, here’s how the couple turned a second chance into the wedding of a lifetime.
Wedding highlights at a glance
Wedding venue | Venachar Lochside, Callander
Date | 2nd April 2025
Photography | Caro Weiss Photography
Theme and decor | Natural, whimsical and floral with DIY touches
Guests | 38 guests
Ceremony | Outdoor humanist ceremony overlooking Loch Venachar
Entertainment | Ceilidh
Read on for the full story...
Even the best-laid wedding plans can face unexpected challenges – as Amanda and Frazer discovered when their original Scottish wedding had to be postponed.
“We were supposed to get married in August last year at Crear in Argyll but my brother had a car accident on his way there, injuring his spine. It was a massive tragedy,” recalls the bride.
“Frazer’s mum had also just been diagnosed with cancer. It was a lot to come to terms with, so we decided to cancel the day.”
From cancelled wedding plans to a dream lochside venue
After being engaged since 2021, Amanda and Frazer revived their wedding plans a few months later. This time, they wanted a venue that was more central but still surrounded by calming water.
“We lost a lot of money when we cancelled, but all of our suppliers were fantastic. We kept most of them (some even promised to honour our new date) which meant we didn’t need to start from scratch when it came to planning.”
When Amanda visited Venachar Lochside, near Stirling, she instantly knew it was the one.
“I went to visit Venachar Lochside near Stirling with my dad, and was blown away by how lovely and welcoming the team were, and I never felt any pressure to book.
It was right on the loch, the lighting is incredible due to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the food was outstanding – another important element to us. When I told Frazer about it, he was sold too, especially as there are affordable wedding packages here as well.”
Check out another Venachar Lochside wedding
DIY wedding ideas and a whimsical floral theme
Amanda had a clear vision for her Venachar Lochside wedding.
“Flowers are really important to me,” she says. “I wanted whimsical, floral vibes and hoped to bring the outside in. Venachar Lochside is like a blank canvas and is very pro DIY. The staff listened to all our ideas. They believe every wedding is unique.”
Sue, the venue’s wedding planner, even makes her own floral installations – something the couple wish they had taken advantage of.
Amanda embraced the DIY spirit wholeheartedly: “I took a calligraphy course so I could hand-write all of the stationery, including the invitations. I also sourced lots of decor items.”
An outdoor wedding ceremony on the loch
When the day finally arrived, fate was on their side – with sunshine breaking through.
“I actually wasn’t worried about the weather the second time around,” Amanda smiles.
“I was always hopeful it would be a lovely day, but I was hell-bent on getting married outside. I didn’t care whether there was a thunderstorm or sunshine… although I’m glad it was the latter!”
Amanda got ready in nearby lodges with her bridesmaids and mistress of ceremonies. When illness struck her original hairstylist, Suzanne stepped in: “Big shout-out to Suzanne,” the bride emphasises.
Discover more waterside venues in Scotland
Frazer enjoyed a pre-wedding whisky with family before the ceremony.
“When it was time to walk down the aisle, I felt so at peace. I could hear the piper playing and the water was flowing in front of me,” says Amanda.
“Frazer and I had a humanist ceremony with a lovely reading and a handfasting ritual.”
Personal touches, local flavours, and ceilidh dancing
After a confetti throw with recycled dried flowers, the newlyweds enjoyed personalised cocktails – margaritas and brambles – in the sunshine.
Dinner was a highlight: “I’m still thinking about it,” confirms the bride.
Instead of a traditional cake, guests tucked into French fancies before the dancing began. “Our reception was a lot of fun. Frazer’s brother is a musician, so he sang our first dance song, and then we had a ceilidh.”
The celebrations didn’t end there.
“We honestly couldn’t have found a better venue than Venachar Lochside. The team made our ‘second’ day unforgettable.”
The next day, the couple hosted a relaxed barbecue for friends and family, ending their Scottish lochside wedding weekend in true style.
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Wedding suppliers
Venue and catering Venachar Lochside, Callander
Photography Caro Weiss Photography
Videography Piece of Time Media
Accommodation Loch Venachar Lodges
Celebrant Helen Tuohy, Humanist Society Scotland
Furniture hire Make Believe Events
Wedding dress Heartleaf Willowby by Watters from Bridal Indulgence, Farnham
Shoes Harriet Wilde
Hair Suzanne McMahon, Hår Salon
Makeup Bride did her own
Bridesmaid dresses New Look
Groom's trews Chuck McCall Highlandwear
Groomsmen outfits McCalls Highlandwear
Flowers Tupelo Tree
Cakes Bettys Harrogate
Stationary DIY by the bride
Piper James Douglas Tailored Piper
Music and entertainment Circassian Ceilidh Band
Pressed flowers Fields of Pressed Flowers
