The Proposal
In a unexpected turn of events, Stewart decided to propose in the historic city of Hiroshima, Japan – a place known for its somber history as the site of the infamous nuclear bomb. Despite having no concrete plan, he had always envisioned proposing on my 30th birthday. However, his lack of preparation became apparent when I woke up on that morning and asked Stewart for my present. His Scottish frugality kicked in, and he revealed that the engagement ring was the only gift I would be receiving. Knowing I might be disappointed at not having a physical present to open, Stewart had no choice but to give me my gift on the spot. He then led me to the hotel room’s tiny fridge, where a panic-bought ring box awaited. With tears of joy welling up in my eyes, Stewart got down on one knee amidst our piles of dirty laundry (a common issue in Japanese hotel rooms) and asked for my hand in marriage.
The Planning Process
As we exchanged vows, Stewart’s words echoed in my mind: ‘Getting engaged under the shadow of a nuclear bomb blast wasn’t exactly the best omen for our wedding plans.’ Little did we know that fate had another surprise in store for us. The COVID-19 pandemic hit just as we were finalizing our original plan to tie the knot at Hetland Hall Hotel in Dumfries and Galloway. With our dreams of a grand celebration hanging by a thread, we made the difficult decision to let go of our vision and adapt to the new reality. We wanted to avoid rescheduling if possible, so we rolled up our sleeves and got creative with what we could make of our original wedding day.Thanks to some very accommodating family members, particularly Stewart’s dad, who kindly allowed us to transform his garden into a whimsical wonderland for the big day. We set up a teepee marquee, which became our own little slice of heaven. With hundreds of paper cranes we’d painstakingly crafted ourselves, we brought our original vision to life in this intimate setting. Due to the pandemic’s restrictions, we decided to keep things lean and mean by minimizing staff involvement. Instead, we allocated roles to each of our guests to ensure the day ran smoothly. And run smoothly it did! Our friends proved themselves to be a talented bunch, taking on various responsibilities like BBQ duties, bartending, DJing, and even dog watching. It was truly a testament to their awesomeness that everything went off without a hitch.
The Vision
With only eight weeks to plan an exceptional alternative wedding, we were fortunate that our previous decoration collection for Hetland Hall Hotel had allowed us to repurpose many of the items. Our theme, which originally featured Japanese elements, took on a more rustic tone as we moved into a teepee marquee, still maintaining its vibrant colours but with a fresh, outdoorsy feel.
The Venue
Stewart’s family home, nestled in rural Dumfries, boasted breathtaking views that set the tone for our unforgettable garden party. With ample space at our disposal, we were able to bring our whimsical wedding vision to life. To ensure an outdoor celebration, we partnered with Olive Design, a company renowned for their exceptional service and versatility. Despite being just seven weeks out from our special day, they proved remarkably accommodating, offering to provide everything from stretch tents to tables, chairs, and lighting – a true package deal that made planning a breeze.
The Details & Décor
We created a unique ambiance in our teepee by incorporating eclectic elements. A majority of the decorations consisted of paper cranes we had folded over several months, which added an element of personal touch to the space. We also used colorful glassware collected from charity shops and car boot sales, deliberately avoiding a matchy-matchy aesthetic. This approach not only reflected our style but also made it easier to collect the various pieces. To further enhance the atmosphere, we placed colorful lanterns throughout the garden, which served as a focal point and provided necessary illumination. The majority of the décor was sourced from our own home, with pillows repurposed from our dining room chairs and sofa, the aisle created using our rugs, tablecloths supplied by my mother, and tableware courtesy of Stewart’s father’s Christmas finest.
Your Outfits & Accessories
The most memorable aspects of our wedding attire were the personal touches that made us feel like ourselves. For me, it was all about comfort and confidence in my wedding dress from Wed2B – I even had pockets! A sentimental necklace gifted by my grandmother served as both a meaningful keepsake and my ‘something blue.’ To top it off, I wore two pairs of shoes: sleek heels for the ceremony and eco-friendly Dr. Martens to change into later. Meanwhile, Stewart’s attire was rooted in tradition – he donned his family heirloom kilt, which held sentimental value as his 21st birthday present from his parents. He even upgraded with a new fitted jacket and waistcoat for the special day, ensuring everything fit like a glove.
Beauty
When the COVID-19 restrictions put a damper on our plans to get professional makeup, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Alongside my mum and sister, I became an impromptu makeup artist, focusing on natural and radiant looks that didn’t stray far from our everyday appearances. Surprisingly, I was thrilled with the results! Meanwhile, Georgia Buckley worked her magic on our hair, crafting relaxed low buns adorned with flowers that stayed intact throughout the day.
Groomsmen
At the intimate gathering, each groomsman opted for their own unique kilt, eschewing a uniform look. With a small guest list, it seemed unnecessary to have everyone donning identical attire.
Bridesmaids
Emma, my sister, had the liberty to select her wedding attire without any specific color palette in mind. She opted for a stunning navy blue wrap dress from Topshop, which paired perfectly with her pair of low-heeled shoes adorned with subtle sparkle from Faith. To complete her look, Emma chose to style her hair with intricate braids at the front, adding a touch of whimsy to her overall appearance.
The Readings & Music
We chose a humanist wedding ceremony, which was beautifully performed by Lindsey Mason Ross. As neither my partner nor I have a religious affiliation, a humanist wedding felt like the perfect fit. Lindsey poured her heart and soul into crafting a personalized and laid-back ceremony that truly reflected our personalities. One of our key goals was to create an atmosphere where our guests could relax and enjoy themselves, which she achieved with ease. To make it even more special, we asked my aunt and Stewart’s dad to prepare readings that would represent our families in a unique way. They came up with some delightful contributions, featuring famous birds and cows! For music, we opted for a DIY approach, using our Sonos speaker placed strategically outside the utility window (okay, maybe not the most conventional setup). We entrusted our friends who were responsible for the music to take over the playlists, and they did an excellent job of keeping the mood light and fun.
The Flowers
Our flower arrangements were a highlight of the day, and we’re thrilled with how they turned out. Before the garden party, we knew we wanted something relaxed and homely, rather than a traditional arrangement. We found Rosie at Galloway Flowers, who offered us exactly what we were looking for. We chose the ‘bouquets and buckets’ option, which gave us our own bouquets, buttonholes, and loose flowers in buckets. We asked her to include all the colours and make the bouquets look nice and wild. She nailed it! To complement our arrangements, Stewart’s dad even grew some sweet peas and cornflowers for us to use. This meant we had plenty of options when it came to decorating our glassware collection.
The Cake
My wedding cake was a unique creation, baked by my cousins Rowan and Kae as a thoughtful gift. They were given the creative brief to infuse ‘colourful rustic glam with a hint of Japan’ into their design, and they ran with it. The result was a stunning three-tiered masterpiece adorned with cherry blossom icing and topped with a intricately crafted Japanese Tori gate and brass figurines depicting a lion and unicorn – symbolic representations of my English heritage and Stewart’s Scottish roots.
Your Photographer
LJ Horton, from LJ Horton Photography, was the talented photographer who captured the essence of our special day. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, LJ’s adaptability and professionalism shone through. As we received our wedding photos, we were thrilled to discover that LJ had managed to capture moments and emotions that we might have otherwise missed. Her pictures exude a sense of joy, relaxation, and beauty, making it impossible not to be impressed. Seeing ourselves through her lens was a treat in itself, as she has a remarkable ability to bring out the best in every moment.
Your Filmmaker
While we didn’t have an official filmmaker on board, we enlisted the help of our friend Chris to capture snippets of the event throughout the day. His contributions not only provided us with valuable visual documentation for those who couldn’t attend but also added an extra layer of humor and entertainment as he wove his commentary into the footage.
The Honeymoon
Despite initial plans for a trip to the Maldives, life had other ideas. We found ourselves embarking on an adventure to Wales instead, where I spent many childhood holidays. It was wonderful to return to this familiar destination and explore its scenic landscapes. In fact, our holiday became a driving tour of Wales in itself, with me behind the wheel. And as it turned out, we didn’t need luxurious resorts or exotic getaways – getting married in the midst of it all proved to be the perfect celebration!
Advice For Other Couples
In these uncertain times, we advise taking a deep breath and not letting changed plans get the best of you. It’s natural to feel frustrated or upset when things don’t go as planned, but instead of dwelling on what could have been, focus on making the most of the day. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of meltdowns and tantrums, but on the actual wedding day, we didn’t dwell on the what-ifs. The credit goes to the incredible team that helped make this day special: LJ Horton Photography behind the lens, Georgina Buckley Hair and Make Up for stunning looks, Galloway Flowers adding a pop of color, Olive Design stretching the boundaries with their tent, and Lindsey Mason Ross as our wonderful humanist celebrant. And let’s not forget the dress from Wed2B that made the bride shine! We’re thrilled to have been a part of Stewart and Louise’s lovely wedding day, despite the challenges they faced. Scotland garden weddings don’t get much better than this! xoxo Lou