Monday 4 November 2013

Atmospheric Scottish Tea Party Wedding with DIY Details

This gorgeous wedding looks like something out of a painting! I've fallen for the stunning portraits of the bridal party - taken by the very talented Chantal Lachance-Gibson Photography, and the atmospheric old worldy feel to The Popinjay Hotel wedding venue. Add in the kilts and thistles, and you've got a truly Scottish big day. Danielle drew on the talents of the women in her, and Allan's families to create plenty of DIY details. Everything from the flowers to the wedding cake was homemade, plus the children's activity boxes {such a good idea}, and the jelly-bean jam-jar favours. It must be difficult to match bridesmaids dresses to the bold tartan of kilts, but Danielle managed a potential colour clash with skill, by choosing a lovely warm neutral colour for her girls. Isn't the flower girl's little fur shrug the cutest! Enjoy Danielle's answers to the Before the Big Day Bride's Questionnaire - she bought plenty of high-street and internet bargains and then customised them, so they look a million dollars. A great idea for a budget-conscious bride. Check back later for the Reception Pictures from this fab wedding.


We got married on 21st March, which was a Thursday, in The Popinjay Hotel in the stunning Clyde Valley, between Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland.


We wanted somewhere small and intimate, with a kinda old worldy feel. We also wanted to feel like we were out in the country, but close enough for our friends and family to reach. The main room of The Popinjay had a wall of windows onto lovely gardens. 



We wanted a small wedding, but also wanted all our loved ones to be part of our day, so we had fifty-five people at our wedding on Thursday, and then had a big ceilghd on the Saturday in Sloans Bar & Restaurant which is a magnificent old building. 


I bought my wedding dress and veil from Sarah Louise Bridal in Glasgow, after trying on many dresses both in Scotland, and Oz where my family live. The dress I chose was completely the opposite from anything I had tried on before, and I instantly fell in love with it. 


My shoes were from Schuh but my mother-in-law's friend customised them with Swarovski diamonds. My hair comb came from LG Designs Jewelry, who customised it with cream pearls to match my dress. 



My bridesmaids' dresses were bought online. We took them to Fabricated Alterations, the bridal alteration shop in the west-end of Glasgow, and they added tulle to make them feel more 50's, and extra boning in the bodice.


My mother-in-law made my bouquet and the bridesmaids flowers plus buttonholes. We had roses, baby's breath, and little daisies. Allan's buttonhole included a traditional Scottish thistle.




Allans whole outfit was from Houston Kiltmakers in Paisley. His ushers and my father also wore the  same outfit. Houston were amazing from start to finish.


We hired a harpist to entertain our guests ahead of our ceremony, and as I walked down the aisle. She played modern-day classics and also learnt a Bob Marley tune especially for my walk down the aisle!


Allan and I met through mutual friends in Milngavie. I was living in Perth at the time, and had come to Glasgow to celebrate finishing exams, and Allan was in the same pub. We were inseparable from that day on - we commuted for approximately a year whilst I finished university. Then I got a nursing job in Glasgow, and moved in with Allan. 


We had been together for seven years, and had spoken about marriage, but never been concrete with plans etc. Then, on an impromptu trip to Paris in December, Allan proposed at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I know it sounds silly - the most romantic city in the world, but I really didn't see it coming.


Our wedding photographer was Chantal Lachance-Gibson Photography. We met her at our first Wedding Fayre. We felt really strongly about picking the right photographer for us - so many of our friends had said their wedding day had went by in a blur, and we wanted someone to catch those magical moments for life. 


Chantal has a keen eye for capturing emotion, laughter and beauty. Both her and Scott are a great team. We wanted relaxed photographs that didn't look too staged and the pictures are amazing.


Love Before the Big Day? Why not sign up to our free newsletter, for exclusive content and special offers! Before the Big Day - The Best UK Wedding Blog.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...