Morning readers! I’m back again with another fabulous wedding to brighten up your Wednesday

My dress was designed and made by Maggie MacAllister, she was fabulous. It was a joint effort, although she did not let me wear a vibrant colour saying “you are the BRIDE so look like one!!” I looked on lots of wedding websites and brought ideas with me which she used these to design the final version. It had to suit my shape and age! I don’t do fancy and wanted something classically stylish. I got it

I wanted to look like me, so no fancy updo’s I’m afraid. My hairdresser knows me very well. My makeup was by Esther Brown a freelance makeup artist who was recommended to me, and after a trial I loved her work! We didn’t really set a colour for our bridesmaids & groomsmen. The girls got a free choice on their dresses, and I asked for strong colours rather than pale ones. They ended up choosing teal, so we went from there! The boys all wore kilts in similar but different colours. Jim wore the Ancient Urquhart in muted green tones.

I looked through some websites and Scottish Wedding magazines for inspiration, and found some ideas from wedding photographer’s websites too. I already had my own ideas about flowers and invitations so we stuck to those. Lots of our friends got involved with the details of our day. One took our ideas for the invitations and worked them into a fabulous design based, one made the cake and another lent us his Morris Minor to use as our wedding car. One of my pupils (I was a teacher), make origami flowers for me to use at the reception. Jim made the MacIntosh drinks mats which acted as place cards and wedding favours. My brother-in-law compiled a CD of our guests favourite songs on ‘Love & Marriage’ too.

Flowers are my thing, so it had to be right! Lisa from Sparrow and Rose was a star. Her ideas were all lovely. Very pretty and natural, that was a must and her prices were very reasonable. My bouquet was an informal hand tied bouquet of David Austin roses, sweet peas, hydrangea, chamomile daisies, dahlias and veronica in shades of ivory, white and peach with a subtle touch of strong orange with soft green foliage tied with teal ribbon secured with a vintage brooch

photographer

Our original photographer became pregnant after we’d booked her, and her baby was due a few days before the wedding!! She found Debs Ivelja for me and she was FABULOUS! We talked lots on phone and email, but only met her on the day. She couldn’t have been nicer. Everybody loved her and the staff at the venue were very impressed.

favourite moment

the fun of getting ready, seeing everyone for the first time at the ceremony and enjoying themselves throughout the day. But mostly exchanging rings, seeing the wedding ring go on my finger and knowing it was placed there with lots of love.

first dance

At Last by Etta James – appropriate for a couple who have been together forever!

advice

Have a man who is willing to get involved, and allow people to help. You have to be fluid, things happen, go with the flow. Listen to the experts especially the photographer. A friend said to me “Stand back with Jim and take it all in for a few minutes” and “find a little time for the two of you” We did both and I appreciated that advice. Most of all enjoy every moment, it goes by in a flash.

Have you registered for your place at the b.party yet?

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Suppliers: Photographer: Debs Ivelja // Dress: Maggie Macallister / // Rings: David Friend at City Goldsmith Inverness // Shoes: Dune // Bridesmaids dresses: Maggie Macallister // Groomswear:: Kilt Grooms own from True Kilts / // Florist: Lisa at Sparrow and Rose // Cake: Bride’s friend Katie // Stationery: Bride’s friends Ina & Fiona // Hair: Susie De-Vray from Body and Hair Works // Makeup: Esther Brown (free-lance) // Venue & Catering: House for an Art Lover