Hayley and David’s utterly charming barn wedding has left me beaming from ear to ear! Their special day exudes warmth, love, and an air of jubilation that’s impossible not to feel.The newlyweds tied the knot on May 19th, 2018, at Windmill Barn near Edinburgh, amidst the picturesque spring sunshine. The outdoor ceremony was followed by a lively reception within the rustic barns’ walls. Opting for simplicity in their décor setup, they instead concentrated on perfecting their stationery, music, and overall celebration atmosphere.There’s so much to take in – from Hayley’s stunning attire to the lush greenery-adorned flower arrangements, not to mention Neil’s exquisite photography work with Pocket Square Photography. A huge thank you goes out to Neil for sharing these incredible captures with us, bringing such unadulterated joy!
The Proposal
We had been looking forward to our holiday in New York for weeks, and the excitement was palpable as we prepared to spend time exploring one of our favorite cities together. Hayley and I share a love for good food, so when we discovered that a food festival would be taking place in Williamsburg, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culinary delights of Brooklyn. As we strolled through the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of Manhattan looming in the distance, the atmosphere was electric. Little did I know, this would be the perfect setting for a once-in-a-lifetime moment – my decision to propose to Hayley. With the iconic Brooklyn Bridge serving as our backdrop, we made our way across its pedestrian path, surrounded by throngs of people taking in the breathtaking views. My nerves were on edge as I scanned the crowds, searching for the perfect moment to pop the question. When Hayley turned away to snap a photo, I seized my chance, dropping to one knee and asking her to be mine forever. The seconds ticked by like minutes as she processed the surprise proposal, until finally, with tears of joy in her eyes, she said yes! The relief and elation were palpable, and we shared a heartfelt celebration amidst the passing strangers, who kindly offered their congratulations and cheers.
The Vision
We sought a laid-back atmosphere for our special day, which is why we opted for a barn venue that would allow us to add personal touches. As many barns are DIY-friendly, it gave us the freedom to get creative with the decor and make the space truly our own. To reinforce this relaxed vibe, we chose sharing-style platters for our meal, which encouraged guests to mingle and share in the experience. By not adhering to traditional wedding norms, we were able to create a sense of liberation and freedom on the day. Everyone was free to enjoy themselves without being dictated by a strict schedule or rigid expectations. We believe we struck the right balance and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere that prevailed throughout the celebration.
The Planning Process
As we embarked on our engagement journey in 2015, we were afforded the luxury of time to plan our special day. Rather than rushing into things, we chose to take a measured approach, avoiding unnecessary stress. With shared vision and values, it’s not surprising that decisions came easily to us. David handled all the logistical details, including stationery, kilt choices, and music arrangements. Meanwhile, I focused on my own wedding preparations, such as selecting my dress, bridesmaid dress, and coordinating flower choices with David and our maid of honor. This collaborative approach allowed us to bond over shared experiences and create lasting memories.
Budget
Without setting a budget, we embarked on our special day with an open mind. While this approach might not have been the most conventional, it allowed us to make the most of the experience. Fortunately, family support enabled us to allocate funds accordingly, ensuring that we could achieve our desired outcomes. Although we didn’t strictly track every expense beforehand, we did prioritize securing the services of a few essential vendors – specifically, photographer and videographer – knowing that their exceptional work would justify the investment.
The Venue
As soon as we arrived at Windmill Barn, our hearts were won over by its serene beauty. Nestled amidst farmland, the venue’s winding pathway led us to a picturesque barn, complete with a tranquil pond and jetty perfect for capturing special moments in photographs. The venue owners, Clare and Alan, were incredibly accommodating, effortlessly handling every detail from setup to execution. With a DIY-style approach, we had the flexibility to customize our experience, working closely with Clare to ensure that every aspect of our wedding day aligned with our vision. We spent Friday afternoon setting up and running through proceedings, with Clare offering valuable insights and ensuring that everything was in place for our special day. The L-shaped barn offered a unique layout, with the smaller section serving as the hub for our bar, DJ, and dance floor – though we ultimately opted for an outdoor ceremony amidst perfect weather. The longer section of the barn featured beautifully set tables, each one distinct and adding to the venue’s charm. The wooden beams adorned with fairy lights created a magical atmosphere, especially at night.
Your Outfits & Accessories
As two people steeped in Scottish culture, David and Hayley’s wedding attire reflected their heritage. For David, there was no question that he would wear a kilt – his was from Kilts 4 U, a choice motivated by his desire to stand out in something new. Having his own kilt, he wanted the one he wore on his special day to be different, and the beautiful tweed Cairngorm Blue caught his eye. The matching blue fur sporran and tan brogues added a touch of elegance to his overall look. Meanwhile, Hayley opted for understatement with her dress from Wed2be, eschewing anything too flashy in favor of a tea-length design that subtly shone with sequins. Her chosen dress exuded a 1920s charm that perfectly complemented their wedding venue and style.
Beauty
Hayley opted for Lesley Neil Makeup Artist to complete her look. From initial trials to the big day itself, Lesley’s expertise shone through, effortlessly capturing Hayley’s eye shape and color. The result was a flawless, princess-like appearance that left all involved beaming with satisfaction. Moreover, Lesley’s experience and guidance extended beyond makeup, offering valuable advice on posture, flower arrangement, and overall demeanor. Her bridesmaids and mother were equally thrilled with their own stunning makeovers. On the other end of the spectrum, Rachael Elizabeth Hairdressing took care of the group’s coiffures. Hayley herself had several trials before settling on a look that perfectly complemented her floral crown. With each stylist going above and beyond to ensure a stress-free morning, it was clear that they were more than just talented professionals – they were true partners in making Hayley’s wedding day unforgettable.Meanwhile, David relied on his trusted barber, Ryan Costello of Safehands Barbers, for the final preparations before the big event. With his best man, brother-in-law, and two friends in tow, the group spent a leisurely afternoon enjoying beers and banter while Ryan worked his magic. The experience was so enjoyable that David couldn’t help but sing the praises of Ryan and his team, who not only delivered exceptional haircuts, shaves, and beard trims but also created an atmosphere that felt more like a fun outing than a rushed pre-wedding appointment.
Groomsmen
For my special day, I opted for an unconventional touch with my groomsmen attire. My best man and two ushers donned kilts from Kilts4U, but we took it a step further by allowing each of them to choose their own unique kilt that reflected their personal style. The venue’s eclectic atmosphere lent itself perfectly to this mismatched approach, and the only element that tied our party together was the shared tie color worn by my best man and ushers. This unconventional choice added a memorable flair to the overall aesthetic.
Bridesmaids
When it came to selecting attire for my wedding party, I turned to Debenhams for their stunning bridesmaid and maid of honour dresses. The elegant duck egg blue hue was a perfect choice, offering versatility in terms of styling options. One of the standout features was the ability to customize each dress according to individual preference, allowing the ladies to wear them around their necks in a way that felt uniquely their own.
The Readings & Music
As we planned our readings, we knew we wanted to include meaningful contributions from family and friends. Our choices fit seamlessly into our lifestyle and ceremony. Natalie, a dear friend of ours, kicked things off with a quote from Bob Marley that resonated deeply with us – its message about embracing imperfection and loving each other for who we are was incredibly fitting. David’s mother, Caroline, then took the stage with a heartfelt reading about the joy and chaos that comes with loving our furry companion, Travis. The words were tailor-made for our relationship. Finally, Jordan, a friend from Canada, delivered a romantic and poignant love letter from Johnny Cash to June Carter – it was the perfect capstone to our trio of readings.Music played an integral role in our celebration as well. As part of Saltire Beat, David has a passion for music that we share with him. We wanted our playlist to be eclectic, quirky, and joyful, rather than traditional or overly sentimental. I took the aisle walking to ‘Send Me On My Way’ by Rusted Root – it’s a beloved song with a special connection to Hayley’s favorite movie, Matilda. For signing the register, we opted for Gavin James’ ‘The Book of Love’ followed by ‘Nervous’, both of which captured our playful and romantic spirits. As we returned up the aisle, ‘On Top Of The World’ by Imagine Dragons seemed like the perfect anthem to describe how we felt.During the reception, Paul Crawford wowed our guests with his acoustic guitar skills, playing a mix of our favorite songs and genres. He also served as our DJ for the night, keeping the dance floor filled and lively. To top it all off, David’s band Saltire Beat made a surprise appearance – many of our guests had never seen him perform live before, so it was a real treat and a memorable highlight of the evening.
The Flowers
The flowers were truly breathtaking! Our arrangements came from Narcissus Wedding Flowers by Susan, whom we had the pleasure of working with thanks to David’s prior experience as a wedding stationer. When I reached out to Susan, she was accommodating and diligent in capturing my desired aesthetic. I sought wildflowers that blended harmoniously with our venue and my dress. My bridesmaids’ bouquets featured Gypsophila blooms, while mine boasted a stunning combination of wild flowers and Gyp, accompanied by a beautiful floral crown. To complete the look, David’s best man, ushers, and our dads sported elegant Scottish Thistle buttonholes.
The Cake
David’s mother is a talented baker who generously offered to create the wedding cakes for the couple. She crafted three stunning semi-naked cakes, each with its unique flavor profile: classic Victoria sponge, refreshing lemon and elderflower, and moist carrot cake. Interestingly, their special day coincided with the Royal Wedding, which happened to feature a Lemon and Elderflower cake as well – a serendipitous coincidence that made it an absolute must-have for the couple.
Your Photographer
Choosing a wedding photographer can be a daunting task, but for us, it was a seamless process. We initially thought we’d have a harder time selecting one, but after meeting Neil from Pocket Square Photography, we knew we had found our perfect match. His laid-back personality put us at ease, and his exceptional work spoke volumes about his talent. The style he captured perfectly aligned with what we envisioned for our special day.Our package included a pre-wedding shoot, which proved to be an excellent decision. It allowed us to become comfortable in front of the camera, and we even got to choose the location, which held great significance for both of us. Neil also gave us the freedom to select our favorite photo from the shoot, which he then printed and framed for our guests to sign at the wedding.As we opted for a more documentary-style approach, with candid shots rather than posed ones, we wanted our photographer to capture the essence of the day without feeling forced or unnatural. Neil’s unobtrusive presence allowed us to relax and enjoy the moment, resulting in priceless photos with stunning lighting and atmosphere. He perfectly captured the day as we had envisioned it, leaving us overjoyed with the final product.What’s more, our package included a second shooter, which greatly aided Neil in capturing the little details around the venue, unique angles during the ceremony and couples’ shoot, and behind-the-scenes moments like Hayley and me getting ready.
Your Filmmaker
Imagine having a film ninja capture your special day, seamlessly weaving in and out of the action to produce breathtaking footage that leaves you and your guests mesmerized. That’s exactly what Barry delivered with his Worldly Nomad Films. His expertise was almost invisible, yet the results were nothing short of stunning. We didn’t even notice he was there – until we saw the video, that is! It perfectly encapsulated our wedding day, a true masterpiece that had us hooked from start to finish. Meeting Barry beforehand, Hayley and I both knew instinctively that we wanted him on board. His communication skills were top-notch throughout the entire process, and his professionalism shone through on the big day itself. The end result was a series of candid moments that left our guests (and us!) in awe – exactly what we had been hoping for.
The Details & Décor
David, owner of Bottled Love Wedding Stationery, brought his creative expertise to our wedding planning. With a keen eye for detail, he designed almost every element of our stationery, from save-the-dates to seating plans and table talkers. As a graphic designer and wedding stationer, David was well-equipped to bring our vision to life. I, as a jeweller, collaborated with him to ensure that every touch point, from welcome signs to reserved signs, perfectly captured the essence of our special day.One of my favorite details was the distressed table we used for our seating plan, which added a rustic charm to the space. We also incorporated a wooden card holder to display our wedding magazine, featuring beautiful design elements and personal anecdotes about our journey together.In the bathrooms, we surprised our guests with thoughtful touches like little wicker baskets filled with essentials – deodorant, hair wax, chewing gum, mints, and more. It was a small but meaningful way to make everyone feel welcome.As rum and gin enthusiasts, we had fun incorporating these spirits into our table decorations. We used glass bottles with lights suspended from corks, which added a touch of whimsy to the tablescape. We also included mason jars filled with fresh flowers, which complemented our place cards and table talkers nicely.To keep things simple yet engaging at each table setting, we opted for big sharing plates that would be used throughout the meal. This allowed us to focus on other elements of our decor without overwhelming the space.Since we had a number of children attending our wedding, we decided to set up a few garden games in the venue’s square area. A teepee, bubbles, ring toss game, mini basketball, and giant Jenga all came together to create a fun zone that kids and adults alike enjoyed.One of the most meaningful and memorable aspects of our wedding was the magazine David designed for us. It served as a keepsake of our special day, featuring stories about our engagement, photos from over the years, and even updates about important milestones like the Royal Wedding and our nephew’s birthday the day before. We included an order of the day, thank you section, and Mr & Mrs question section to make it extra special.Our venue was already beautifully styled by Clare and Alan, with fairy lights on wooden beams, candles in alcoves, and a stunning wooden pallet bar. We simply added our own touches – some fun balloons spelling out our last name and a few bits of signage – to complement the existing decor.
The Honeymoon
After exchanging vows, we opted for a quick city escape to Prague, a destination neither of us had previously explored. Our 7-day getaway proved to be the ideal remedy for unwinding after the wedding whirlwind. While we have a more exotic honeymoon planned for Japan in 2019, our Prague sojourn was an excellent way to recharge and ease into married life.
Memorable Moments
It was a truly unforgettable day, one that we’d love to relive in its entirety. The presence of our loved ones made it extra special, but if I’m being honest, my partner and I both agree that the highlight came when our photographer whisked us away for a private photo shoot, leaving us to bask in each other’s company without distraction. At our venue, they had this charming hammock swing that we just couldn’t resist. We snuggled up together, taking in the sights and sounds of the day, snapping a few selfies along the way. It was wonderful because despite being alone for a brief moment, we could still hear the laughter and merriment of our guests in the distance, knowing they were having a fantastic time.
Advice For Other Couples
Amidst the whirlwind of wedding festivities, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and chaos. But amidst the flurry of well-wishers, photo opportunities, and professional photography sessions, it’s essential to carve out some precious alone time with your loved one. Take a cue from our experience: just 5-10 minutes of quiet intimacy can be truly rejuvenating. Our photographer Neil caught on to our frazzled state and whisked us away for a quick photo op before leaving us to enjoy some quality time together. It was the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle, allowing us to recharge and appreciate the moment.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
As we delve into the enchanting tale of Hayley and David’s special day, it becomes clear that every detail was carefully curated to reflect their unique personalities and love story. The photography aspect was no exception, with the talented team at Pocket Square Photography capturing the joyous moments in a stunningly humanist way, thanks to the artistic eye of Evonne McLaughlin. The picturesque venue, Windmill Barn, provided a charming backdrop for the celebration, which was perfectly complemented by the wedding cars courtesy of Rennicks. The stationery, designed by Bottled Love Wedding Stationery, added a touch of elegance, while the kilts from Kilts4U and Hayley’s dress from Wed2B showcased their personal style. The beautiful flowers, crafted by Narcissus Wedding Flowers By Susan, and the makeup artistry of Lesley Neil Makeup Artist all contributed to the overall aesthetic. Even the evening entertainment, provided by Saltire Beat, was a hit with guests. Additionally, the barbers from Safehands Barbers were on hand to help keep everyone looking their best throughout the night. We’re honored to have been a part of Hayley and David’s story, and we can’t thank them enough for sharing it with us.