Jenny and Stuart Real Ossian’s Hall, in Dunkeld Woods Wedding Story

When was your wedding?

02/05/09

How and when did you meet?

When I joined the local gym in January 2006, Stuart took me for my programme and I giggled all the way through it, when I went back the next day he waited outside the changing rooms and asked me out!

How old are you both?

I am 27 and Stuart is 29

Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?

Stuart arranged with my boss for me to have a few days off over valentines day 2007, without me knowing! He then whisked me of to a gorgeous hotel in Stirling, after our meal that night we walked up to Stirling castle and whilst looking out over the city he whipped out some champagne and two glasses and then asked me to marry him!

Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?

I had a murder mystery night with my friends in Dundee, and Stuart dressed up as Rolf Harris and went out on an Australian themed pup crawl in Edinburgh

How did your groom help with the wedding planning?

He organised all the legal stuff and the paperwork!

Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?

I was always looking on the Confetti website for ideas and inspiration, I loved all the colour schemes, in the end I went for a pink and cream colour scheme I had seen in one of the magazines.

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it

I always had an idea of a 1950’s style tea dress but had never seen one, I decided I should go try on a few dresses to try and find the right sort of style that suited me, while at my appointment, the dressmaker showed me a pattern she was going to make up, it was perfect and once it was made and I tried it on I knew it was perfect!

Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?

I chose my two best friends from high school, Lisa and Louise and my best friend from Art College, Cheryl. I managed to get their dresses in the John Lewis sale! They were the same style as my dress, a dusky pink with one shoulder strap and silver beading down the front

Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?

The groom and best man wore grey spirit tartan with a grey tweed jacket, black shirt and pink cravat

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

Civil

Where did you hold your ceremony?

In Ossian’s Hall, in Dunkeld woods, it’s a viewpoint overlooking a waterfall

Where did you hold your reception?

Atholl Arms Hotel in Dunkeld

Did you have any special wedding transport?

Pink Cadallac

How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?

40 to the ceremony and reception and another 50 to the ceilidh

Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?

Pink and cream

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

I grew my own tulips and had big vases of beautiful tulips on the table, with little bowls of sweets and mini crackers

Did you give your guests favours?

Little heart shaped biscuits in a pink organza bag with their name embroidered onto a little label

Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?

The bouquets were silk flowers, they were pink and cream roses with green leaves and crystals. I also had big vases of tulips that were pink and cream.

What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?

We had a roast chicken dinner the restaurant provided, then in the evening everyone brought a dish and we had a buffet, there was also a chocolate fountain

What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?

My mum made it, it was a three tiered waterfall with trees! Each layer was different, chocolate, sponge and fruit cake

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

We had a ceilidh in the evening

Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?

We stayed in Dunkeld on the first night in a B&B, for the honeymoon we went to the Dominican Republic with Thomas Cook

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

When the car pulled up, it was amazing

Did you experience any "nightmare" moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?

We realised we hadn’t licensed the venue six weeks before the wedding, it was supposed to be done, 8 weeks before!

Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?

Give your groom a call just before the wedding, there will be things you are both panicking about and it really helps to talk to someone who is going through the same thing!