How did you find out about Sophia Grace Couture?

I live locally and have friends who have bought their dresses from SGC so it was the first (and only) shop I tried!

How would you describe your experience at Sophia Grace Couture?

We visited twice - the first time with my mum, future mother-in-law and my gran and the second time with two of my bridesmaids. Both times Charlotte made us feel so welcome and the shopping experience was so exciting!

Tell us about your dress and why you choose your particular gown

I didn’t really know what style I wanted but I had seen one dress that I thought would be the one. Charlotte encouraged me to pick a few different styles to get an idea for what shape/style I preferred. I loved every dress I tried on, but when I tried my Zavana Couture dress on I just loved it - it was totally different to the dress I thought I wanted! I loved that it could be worn with and without the overskirt, so it felt like I was getting 2 dresses in one. I didn’t want to pick a dress from the first shop I tried so I didn’t buy it that day, but the minute I got home I panicked that another bride would buy it as it was from the sample suite. I booked another appointment to go back later in the week and took some of my bridesmaids along to confirm it was ‘the one’ - they all loved it, and I bought the dress that day! As it was a sample dress it was a couple of sizes too big, but Charlotte contacted their recommended seamstress Catriona Garforth - who reassured us that she could work her magic and make it fit…which she did!

How did you meet? Are you happy to tell us about the proposal?

We met in quite an unusual way… We met in 2013 whilst in Taiwan on a pipe band/highland dancing trip together! I was a highland dancer and Grant is a drummer. Grant proposed just before our 10-year anniversary whilst on a weekend away in Aviemore. We were at our favourite place - Loch Morlich - when he popped the question (Finally!)

What was your inspiration for your wedding? Did you follow a specific theme or colour palette?

We’ve always loved photos of rustic/barn style weddings and getting married in October made it perfect for an autumnal theme. The bridesmaids wore navy and the flowers incorporated orange/autumnal colours!

What made you decide upon your chosen venue?

We live in East Lothian and wanted a local venue that was unique. Colstoun is very versatile and has amazing grounds, a polytunnel and a lovely stone walled coach house that was perfect for a DIY style wedding!

Tell us about your wedding

We had the most amazing day from start to finish! From getting ready with the wedding party in the morning to the last dance we loved every minute. Unfortunately, we both lost our dad’s in recent years so it was very emotional at points throughout the day, but the room was just filled with the love and laughter of our family and friends. My brother walked me down the aisle and our celebrant (Sheila Scobbie) made our ceremony so personal. The guests enjoyed music and games in the Polytunnel whilst we had our photos taken. The rain decided to pour in the middle of our photos, but Liam (photographer) and Stephen (videographer) turned the rain into the most amazing shots!

Our speeches were hilarious, and the meal was great. The dance floor was full the full night thanks to the Grouse Ceilidh Band then we surprised our guests with Drums n Roses who played for the final hour - they definitely raised the roof!!

What was the most memorable moment?

It’s so hard to decide! Either the moment we saw each other at the aisle, or at 11pm when Drums N Roses walked in! Grant was handed the snare drum and I started highland dancing. We’d kept it a secret from every single guest, so they were absolutely shocked when we all started playing/dancing! Everyone filled the dance floor, and the room was bouncing for the full final hour - it was just amazing!