Hannah Swanson & Terry Rosie
8th June 2019
Venue | Kirknewton Stables, West Lothian
Photography | Ashley-liv Jamieson Photography
“It was a dream of mine to get married under the trees at Kirknewton Stables. When our big day came around, it was raining, so I had made peace with the fact that the wedding would be inside.
However, I arrived at the venue, saw everyone outside, and promptly burst into tears! Terry knew how much it meant to me, so he got everyone outside for the ceremony, despite the weather. My dad offered me an umbrella to walk down the aisle with, but I said no – at that point I didn’t care about getting wet – just about marrying the man I love. It was the most magical moment of the day and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
The woodland surrounding Kirknewton Stables was one of the main reasons we booked it. The greenery, in turn, inspired our decor. There are a lot of barn-style settings across the country; many are quite spacious, whereas the tight-knit West Lothian venue worked wonderfully for our smaller guest list.
My favourite wedding detail was our doughnut wall. We personalised it with the phrase: ‘Donut worry, be happy’. We both love doughnuts (especially Terry) and we always stop by Krispy Kreme when we get the chance. When we first started planning, I asked him if there was anything in particular he wanted at the reception. His only answer: “Doughnuts”. So we had to pay homage.
Guests raved about the food from our caterer Food Creations. We worked with them to create a menu, with the evening spread being a particular highlight. I only wanted macaroni cheese – and that was it – until the chef offered many other tempting options including mini fish and chips, battered halloumi and haggis, neeps and tatties.
I had my heart set on real petal confetti. Ours was even more special than I could’ve imagined as my mum spent the year before the wedding picking flowers from our family home in Caithness and drying them out. She even sprayed them all with my favourite scent.
Between the ceremony and dinner, our bridesmaid created a fun scavenger hunt to keep guests entertained. There were props related to our lives and relationship hidden around the stables and prizes for the first to find them all.”
Top tip: “Look out for bridal events. I’d previously spotted a Willowby by Watters gown that I loved in Tie the Knot Scotland magazine. When I heard the brand was hosting a trunk show at a bridal boutique in Glasgow, I made a beeline for it. I knew I didn’t want a white or ivory gown, but had never considered grey. ‘Galatea’ in Titanium, a soft, silvery shade, was actually the first dress I properly tried on and I completely fell in love with it.”
Bride’s dress Willowby by Watters
Bride’s veil Nutmeg Couture Bridal
Bridesmaids’ dresses ASOS
Groomswear Eight Yards
Celebrant Karen Dickson at Humanist Society Scotland
Catering Food Creations
Cake 3D Cakes
Flowers Flowers by Isla
Entertainment DJ Calverto
Hair Ali at City Brides
Makeup The bride did her own
