Lesley & Dave’s laid back and personal summer wedding
From the engagement on a rainy autumnal day in the Lake District to the exchange of vows on a summer’s day at Mansfield Traquair, Lesley and Dave had a super personalised and super fun wedding! The beautiful colour theme, super chic wedding dress and fab Jimmy Choos were certainly highlights but it was the fantastic speeches and deeply personal ceremony that they will never forget. Read on…
How did you end up choosing to get married at Mansfield Traquair and why?
We're thinking of moving to Canada, so our love for our beautiful city is at an all-time high as we contemplate leaving it so we wanted central Edinburgh over some of the lovely venues outside Edinburgh. The venue had a big wow factor and unlike a few other venues, met with some requirements we had around access. There was an outdoor option if the weather happened to be glorious, but it wasn't dependent on good weather.
How did you personalise your wedding day? Where did you get your inspiration?
The most personal aspects of our day were delivered by the people who were there - the speeches in particular and the fun everyone had and also the ceremony which we loved and which was deeply personal. The ceremony was quite laid back and fun and that set the tone for the whole day. Nothing was over-organised or rehearsed deliberately as we wanted it to feel a bit more natural.
What was your ceremony like, what made it special?
The ceremony was the one aspect of the day we really invested time and thought in to as it was the most important part. The Humanist, Dorothy delivered the ceremony we had written perfectly. It was serious and personal and fun. The reading we chose was very right for Dave and I and my brother delivered it very well.
Your dress – what made it perfect? Were there any special accessories that you chose?
It was flattering without me having to lose a stone! That was the best bit. I felt great in it and it wasn't too structured, like the wedding. I wore a great pair of shoes, but nobody really saw them. It was nice for me to know I was wearing them though!
…. and what about Groom’s style?
Dave wore a tweed suit because he likes them. He did contemplate a kilt, but chose not to on the basis that he'd get more wear out of the suit (how practical!)
First dance… practiced or improvised?
Our photographer asked about a first dance a week before the wedding and we said we weren't going to do one and we'd just do an Orcadian strip the willow. He was so disappointed that we felt we should do one just for him! We found "learn to wedding dance" took 2 lessons and learnt a ridiculous dance which was lots of fun.
Oh, the memorable moments….
The speeches without doubt. The staff at Mansfield Traquair arranged projectors for photos and also played a song one of our friends in New Zealand had written for us. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. It was the loveliest thing I have ever heard and the best wedding present we could ever receive.
Any words of wisdom for brides and grooms to be?
You don't need to spend lots of time stressing about details no one will notice. Just bring good friends and give them nice food and lots of wine!
Suppliers
Photographer: Stuart Craig - ‘Lovely guy, very professional, like his style.’
Venue: Mansfield Traquair
Catering : Heritage Portfolio – ‘Many have said it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding!’
Band: Whisky Kiss – ‘Surely the best ceilidh band I've seen. Lots of fun.’
Dress: Jenny Packham/Anne Priscilla, Glasgow
Hair: Paterson SA Lothian Road
Make-up: Jennifer Cargill
Shoes: Jimmy Choo/online
Groom’s wear: Walker Slater
Bridesmaid dresses: Noir by Lazarro/Anne Priscilla Glasgow
Stationary: Stationary _Mrs Wishart – ‘Lovely couple, Edinburgh based. Nice modern and simple.’