Tracey and Raymond’s Real Life Wedding
Tracey and Raymond
27/04/2007 – Belladrum Temple, Beuley, Inverness
The Mustard Seed, Inverness
How and when did you meet?
Met at work exactly a year ago from the wedding date.
How old are you both?
44 (me) and 35.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
Proposed on a bench on Stinchcombe Hill, Dursley. Secretly carried a ring and got down on one knee when admiring the view from the bench (this walk was our first Date walk!)
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
Hen: 16 friends and family at the hen’s favourite pub, The Weighbridge (famous for the 2in1 pie). A limo picked up close friends. Stag: Weekend in Glasgow!
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
Groom helped print the wedding invitations and order of service.
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
Yes. Excellent for ideas for both hen night and wedding.
Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?
Lots…by mail order.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it
Black lace dress over ivory organza. Bought from boutique Fela, in Cheltenham. Black fur stole also bought from Fela for day. Black velvet jacket handmade for evening. Black lace shoes – Next Jewellery. Off white hand made rose necklace and earrings from Louise Shafar. Glasgow Black lace bag for evening from Coast.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
No.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
Witness: Brother Blackwatch kilt with burgandy cravat and flashes. Ivory shirt.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
Civil. Chose own words. Had a Rose Ceremony as part of the service to give a rose each as second gift to each other (as rings were first gift). As the theme was Angels, the blessing was ‘An Angel by Your side’
Where did you hold your ceremony?
Belladrum Temple, Beuley, Inverness (A Romantic Highland Retreat).
Where did you hold your reception?
The Mustard Seed, Inverness.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
Timeless classic 1936 Rolls Royce.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
8. Parents and witnesses.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Angel theme with black/ivory/burgundy colours.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
Angel crackers. Angel place cards. Angel confetti. Angel Candles. Angel serviettes. Dark red rose petals. Black rose Candles. Black/Red serviette holders.
Did you give your guests favours?
An ivory box with a tartan black and white ribbon (as on invitations/order of service/cakes). In box, black crepe paper with red angel, angel lottery holder/ticket, angel fridge magnet, angel bag with Love hearts. Love heart bottle stop. Lucky sixpence with Thank You wording.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
Bouquet. Black Ribbon with Gerber corsage flower(with black/white feathers). Gerber (burgundy) flowers hanging from the ribbons decorated with red jewelled sequins. Groom Gerber flower with black/white feathers to match bride. Guests had red roses.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
Mustard Seed allocated an Alcove room within their restaurant and allowed us to decorate. Menu choices were from their menu of the day. Three course meal with wide selection. Champage on ice on arrival. Excellent Service throughout. Lovely touch the traditional cork with money carved in top !
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
Individual square cup cakes. Sponge with Jam and Cream. White icing with black and white tartan ribbon. Handmade thistle on the top with ribbon. VeeBee Sugar Art in Kilbirnie – Scotland. Picked and transported to Inverness by the groom’s Parents
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
None arranged but the hotel where the guests were staying had a live traditional Scottish band. Great !
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
No. However people gave vouchers or personal presents which was lovely.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
Lodges at Lochness, Foyers, Inverness. Lodges on Loch Ness Ltd Canadian Chalets with Spa, Steam Room & Hot Tub overlooking Loch Ness.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
See the groom’s face when I walked in the Temple.
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
As all the arrangements, i.e. hair/make up/flowers/car/photographer were all dealt with through the Wedding Organiser of Belladrum Temple, you aren’t really sure what you are getting on the day. However, everything was excellent on the day and truly recommended. Also upsetting family members that weren’t invited to the wedding!
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
A trip to Inverness four months before the wedding to check out the venue and look/book evening reception venue was a godsend. Also, if you don’t want a traditional wedding – don’t worry what other people would think…..It is YOUR Day!
