Wedding Report

We spent the week before at the Edinburgh Festival with 10 of our friends – having grown up on the Central Belt, the Festival has always been a pilgrimage for me, and comedy is one of mine and Phil's things. We would get up, choose our shows, call the booking line, then go out at midday for a day of laughter. I loved seeing how all of our friends just gelled together and got on so well. The Monday we had to speed off to Helensburgh to get our marriage schedule, so my friend Heather (the Aussie who arranged the Last Leg tickets for before we headed up to Edinburgh) got a tour of Edinburgh with our local usher, Ciorstaidh, and from what I understand, spent the afternoon in a pub! We were gradually joined by all of our ushers and friends, resulting in 12 people in our flat watching the Last Leg on Friday night!

The day before started in Edinburgh. 3 of my girlfriends took me to Jenners for my first ever manicure – loved it, think it may become an expensive habit! The staff were wonderful, getting us champagne and allowing us to squeal every 5 minutes!

My wonderful bridesmaid, Nicola, accompanied me back to my parents' in Bridge of Weir – firstly along with Phil nnd his Groomsmaid (his sister Katie) for the rehearsal. It was very casual in my parents; living room, but our minister (Suzanne, who has known me since I was 4!) really put us at ease and made us giggle a few times as we got placings wrong! It only took half an hour or so (albeit with various neighbours dropping in – the one with the West Highland Terrier puppy quite delayed proceedings!) but soon it was time for Phil and Katie to leave for Loch Lomond.

My grandmother's cousin had made the journey from Texas especially, and after an evening of stories of the USA, her father in WW1 and various family weddings, Nicola made me go to bed at midnight! I'd been waking up early every day during the past week, despite never getting to bed until the wee hours and today was no different. I had a bath, some breakfast – even the weather forecast (extremely heavy rain) wasn't phasing me,

We left for Loch Lomond at 10:30, and took up residence in the beautiful Bridal Lodge... after a wait in the rain waiting for a ramp to be constructed for me!

My parents went off to decorate the venue and Nicola and I kicked back with love songs and champagne. My mum and dad had the lodge next door, and after decorating, my mum was a huge source of entertainment as she went back and forth in her shoes and dressing gown! (And I am gutted no one seems to have any photos of her - she's relieved though)

We used the TOGs as a guide for when to get ready. They arrived at 2pm to do the shoes/bag/jewellery shots and said they'd come back at 2:30pm to do make up and getting ready. Phil had already texted me at 1:30pm saying “all togged up and ready to go” to which I replied, “oh good, we're not!”. (He then told me afterwards that that little revelation sent him into a complete panic!) Nicola did my make up and straightened my hair, and my mum EXCELLED herself by sewing my 'train' onto my wheelchair.

Taking ages to load - will continue tomorrow!

No, it's just beginning! Lovely to read so far, looking forward to more.

I know what you mean as the report is the grand finale of the actual day and all the planning. I'm looking forward to the rest, Hitched has to the most frustrating place to upload anything!

3pm approached...and the rain stopped. I was piped down to the venue in the dry and I must confess, my heart started to go boom. We got 5 minutes in the sitting area which was cordoned off to refresh the look, meet our minister, Suzanne, who would be leading me in and give my big brother a hug before he escorted my mum down the aisle. Elaine, one of our lovely wedding coordinators popped some tissues down my top thinking I was wearing a bra...I had elected not to and halfway up the aisle, they dropped down to my knickers, so I decided then that crying wasn't an option as trying to explain why I was fishing under my skirts for a tissue would be too tricky!

The clarsach started with Moon River, and Suzanne led Nicola and I in. Seeing my friends calmed me slightly, and when I reached the 'altar', besides grinning at my fiance, seeing the loch and the thistles and ivy my mum had painstakingly decorated the place with, my nerves steadied. I should add by this point the rain had gone back to hammering but I kept my eye on the bit of blue sky that was coming from the left. And as we signed the register, a rainbow appeared. Not just in the sky, but between the mountains and Inchinnan Island on the loch.

And as we started doing the drinks inside, the sun came out! We made a mad dash for outside photos, just in case it didn't last but I need not have worried. After photos we had a lovely time relaxing with our guests until it was time for dinner.

We did have a receiving line, which was a great way to make sure we got 5 minutes with everyone, and were piped in and had the Piper's Toast and cut our cake (which I still can't quite believe my MIL made and transported up from England in one piece!) Our food was delicious, and our friends were in the tables near us so kept coming to say hello.

There had been a running joke about how I was bound to cry on the day, and having stayed dry so far, I was not going to fall, even at the speeches! I made Phil and several of our guests get teary though. ;-) I was so proud of Phil, he didn't stutter and kept his calm right through.

Everyone went outside after the speeches while the entertainment set up, and the sunset was amazing. It was beautiful to be in this idyllic place with those I love most in the world.

We had ummed and aahed over having a first dance, but in the end decided we'd do 10 seconds of “I'm A Believer” sung by our singers, and then everyone else could jump in. Glad I had several layers in my skirt as the spinning looked great!

And Hitched is now saying there's an error, so TBC!

I love your outside photos, the rainbow one was so worth the wait. Your dress is more beautiful than I remembered, you looked gorgeous. I shall wait patiently for the rest.

The casino tables were really popular and so much fun – my husband spent several hours playing blackjack after telling me, “I'm going for a sit down”! I can see how real gambling is so addictive – I swear I hadn't been at the table for long when it was announced that the final hand was to be played! I don't think I should risk using real money in Vegas!

There are more photos that Hitched won't let me load but I'll try later!

I spent the happiest evening of my life dancing (and gambling!) with my husband, family and friends. Everyone says it goes in a flash and it is so true. All too soon it was time to head back to the bridal lodge and wake up the next morning to continue our journey to Peckforton Castle, where we spent our minimoon.

Loving your photos, can't wait to see more. You look so beautiful and happy. I know what you mean about it being the end, I had the wedding blues, it's horrible. Xx