Bethany McClymont & Mark Webster
4th May 2019
Venue | The Loft, Kinloss
Photography | Roksana Ulas Photography
“The first planning decision? The cheaper the better! In all seriousness, it was to have a traditional handfasting ceremony outside. We wanted something different and had ours conducted by Scot AnSgeulaiche, with all our guests standing in a circle around us, calling on the elements to bless us.
It was unlike any service we’d experienced before – it felt intimate and romantic, focused on the love we share.
I always said I didn’t want a ‘hat wedding’. Initially, we envisioned something very close-knit and relaxed with just immediate family, but our parents were keen to have a much bigger day. We eventually compromised by opening up the guest list to include cousins and other extended family.
It was very much a family affair. The majority of the decor was made by my mother and step-mother, I was played down the aisle by my brother, and lots of relatives stayed in the venue’s wigwams for the weekend.
The Loft was a blank canvas, with plenty of space for the whole day. Owner Victoria was our star supplier and kept us right on so many things. She liaised with vendors, told us what we needed to do and had a fantastic team. We couldn’t have done it without her.
I hate cameras and having my photo taken. But on the day, I hardly noticed Roksana was there. She put me completely at ease. I was worried it would feel forced (like school picture day), but I actually loved being on our own after the service with Roksana. She knew what we needed and stuck up for us when people wanted to alter plans.
We had a first look. I knew if we didn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to walk down that metaphorical aisle. I was a nervous wreck before the reveal, but Mark’s reaction to the dress (from Wedding Belles in Alness) was amazing. He couldn’t take his eyes off it.
I found the gown on my first ever shopping trip but didn’t want to commit then and there. I spent the next year browsing dresses in different stores, not connecting with any like I had with ‘my dress’. I’ve never felt more beautiful.
We were surprised by how much fun the day was. We were expecting it to be stressful, with disaster after disaster happening all around us, but, honestly, I have never been happier than I was on that day. I was always smiling, always laughing.”
Top tip: “Make sure you co-ordinate timings with suppliers and the MC, and that your order of the day reflects this. We really weren’t clear on how long everything would be and some areas were quite tight for timing.”
Brides’ dress Wedding Belles
Brides’ shoes Ruby Shoo
Groomswear Boarstone Tartans
Celebrant and master of ceremonies Scot AnSgeulaiche
Flowers Dobbies Garden Centres (arranged by the mother of the bride)
Cake Cakes by Louise Lang
Catering RGS Catering (now closed) and The Moray Hog Roast Co
Table linen Aye Do Events
Gift list Honeyfund
Makeup Gillian Hoban
