Anoushka G For A 1920’s Elegance Inspired Scottish Castle Wedding

Morning all! Hoping you're feeling bright and breezy this lovely November autumnal morning.  We've a very stylish Scottish castle wedding to share with you this morning.  Bride Natalie drew inspiration from the elegance of the 1920s thanks to the incredible backdrop of her wedding venue, Fyvie Castle, in Aberdeenshire, and her sparkling Anouska G wedding dress, that she purchased at Ava Rose Hamilton bridal boutique in Durham.

Natalie, an artist and Mark, an ‘Urban Farmer’, (which I'm reliably informed means he builds rooftop farms in cities!), tied the knot on 16 August this year.  I adore Natalie's proposal story, and think you might too – be prepared to smile 🙂

Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Lisa Devine photography

"The first time Mark and I officially met was at my 21st 'open house' birthday party. We were both studying at the time, Mark doing Law and myself at Art School. Unfortunately I have no recollection of Mark being at my party whatsoever although he insists to this day that we were introduced. When we met a few weeks later he told me that we had met at my birthday and sure enough, when I looked at the photographs, there he was in the background looking rather, how shall I put this, furtive?! 🙂

My 21st was a 'bad taste' party. Mark (who had no idea it was a themed party) was dragged along with a mate and apparently found himself being complemented on his tasteless outfit for most of the evening, whilst trying to find an opportunity to talk to me!"

"We were together for a number of years, travelling together and working both in Scotland and abroad. We have lived in Switzerland for two years now and this brings me to the proposal story – one that has been causing tears of laughter from anyone and everyone I tell it to! It is the 3rd March 2011, my birthday weekend, and we decide to go to the Luzern Fastnacht festival for the weekend. 

We had heard it was the most outrageous festival in Switzerland as it celebrated the end of winter and beginning of spring."

"Mark was dressed as the phantom of the opera, myself in carnival, feathery type gear and we felt rather dazed and confused as we sipped on Schnappes and watched bizarre parading bands. Mark insists that we go to a particular bridge for a 'special photograph'. I was a bit dubious as my mind was on some nice salty chips! Nevertheless he got me posing on an ancient wooden bridge whilst he started to faff around in his bag for his camera.

Now, this isn't unusual as Mark is the ultimate king of faffing,and I call him Colonel Faffing almost on a weekly basis. So there he is faffing around in his bag, eventually gets his camera out, takes a photo and then starts faffing again in his bag whilst on his knees. Meanwhile revellers start to walk between Mark and I."

"At this point he obviously realises he is too far away from me to propose so starts to do a very weird shuffling/thrusting motion towards me whilst on his knees. I sigh and look away not quite believing the ultimate faffing fiasco that I am witnessing, and when I look back there he is kneeling holding up a ring. 'Will you marry me?' I stare down in disbelief, we had not even discussed engagement. 

The shock of Mark holding a ring was compounded by the fact that a menagerie of creatures had gathered around Mark and were looking at me eagerly. To Mark's left was a family of Smurfs, mum, dad, two children and baby smurf on mum's back. On Mark's right was a group of wolves! 'This has to be a dream' I thought to myself…A few moments pass..Mark says 'Well, is it a yes?'.  I say 'Of course its a yes!' and all the creatures cheer and pat Mark on the back!

A bottle of champagne is brought out of said bag along with two empty yogurt pots for glasses and we toast our future, (that is after I tell him off for being so utterly mental!). I have often said to my friends that if I had been able to bottle the feeling that I felt at that moment I would be a millionaire. It was, without doubt, the single point in my life so far in which every emotion possible  surged through me; indescribable and wonderful! Two years later – the wedding!"

"We got married at Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire. Mark’s family live nearby so we were keen to marry in the gorgeous Aberdeenshire countryside. We visited several venues but Fyvie Castle really won us over with its stunning tapestry room and 1920’s racquet court. The staff were so helpful and friendly so we knew we would be in safe hands!"

"My dress was the 'Loucia' design by Anoushka G, purchased from the Ava Rose Hamilton bridal shop in Durham. A fairy tale small boutique with helpful, lovely girls and champagne to calm the nerves!

I saw the dress on a mannequin in the shop and instantly thought ‘that’s the one!’ I adored the loose, floaty sleeves paired with the slim fitting, beaded dress and it was so comfortable to wear! No corsets or bones in sight. I am also smaller on top and the slight shoulder padding really helped to balance out my figure."

In keeping with the overall very elegant feel, Natalie's briesmaids wore soft grey long maxi dresses from In One, which she accessorised with antique brooches from Magpie Vintage.

"Our florist, Sue Travis, from The Lily Loft, was so wonderful to work with. We wanted very simple white flowers and white themed centrepieces to contrast the rich tapestry room. Gypsophila bouquets tied with twine for the bride and bridemaids and gypsophila, rosemary and thistle for the pinholes.

We also had large milk urns filled with gypsophila on the way up the stone staircase to the ceremony room. Simple, ethereal and so pretty! We designed the centrepieces to have painted white books, magnifying glasses, salt timers and candles and the Lily Loft brought it all together stunningly!"

"The cake was the one thing thing we did not get that excited about and so we decided to do something completely different – we had a birdcage filled with Tunnocks Teacakes! Since I am from Glasgow we wanted a bring a bit of the city up to Aberdeen!

At the end of the night the guests delved in to the cage to grab a teacake or two for the coach home!"

"Lisa Devine was a fantastic choice of wedding photographer for us. She was warm, relaxed and fun to be around. We hardly knew she was there on the day and she got some wonderful spontaneous shots that we will treasure forever.

The one thing we were sure about was that we did not want stuffy, traditional photographs and Lisa ensured we had anything but that! Just perfect in every way!"

My dad, Roger, walked me down the aisle to the sound of Le Banquet by Yann Tiersen, (slow version on piano).  Certainly for me, the moment of walking into the ceremony room and seeing Mark waiting for me was heartstopping and unforgettable and possibly my favourite moment of the day! I don’t think I have ever been so nervous and elated!"  

"We agreed to begin our vows with ‘Today, tomorrow and for all the rest of my days’.

We had two readings which were read by two very good friends of ours. One was an extract from our favourite book Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.  The other reading was a Liz Lochhead poem which mentions Glasgow, called Epithalamium."

"Our first dance was 'Friend of the Night' by Mogwai. We just love it!"     

Words of Wedded Wisdom…

"Don’t be persuaded to book up everything that is recommended by the venue. Spend a little time researching – it’s ok to abandon things like a wedding cakes and favours – honest!   Really, whatever happens on the day, whether it is perfect or not so perfect, it will be the best day of your life. All the little details completely disappear and you are wrapped up in a bubble of joy! (It sounds a bit cheesy but it is true!).

The night before the wedding was rather quiet on my side. Mark on the other hand, had all his friends over for a BBQ and I wish I had done something similar, but perhaps an early night was just the ticket – who knows?!

We also wished we had the time to go around the tables during the meal and say hello to everyone, but the evening just went by so quickly!

And finally, I did not manage to squeeze in a group shot of myself and all my girlfriends. A real regret for me – it didn't even cross my mind until the day afterwards!"

Huge thanks to Lisa Devine for sharing these beautiful images this morning, and big congratulations to you both Natalie and Mark.  Your proposal story made me smile and I think you both looked absolutely fantastic on your wedding day.

Are you planning on wearing Anoushka G, or are you planning your own enchanting castle wedding?  If you love Natalie's dress, pop along and visit the Anouska G website.  Our sponsor Miss Bush Bridal stocks Anouska G and we also have some other lovely blog posts featuring Anouska G and lots of fablous 1920s inspired features too.

With much love,

Annabel

Photographer – Lisa Devine photography
Venue – Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire
Wedding Dress – 'Loucia' design by Anouska G via Ava Rose Hamilton bridal shop in Durham
Brides Shoes – Rachel Simpson
Brides Hair Accessories – Hairpiece by Fable Dreams
Brides Other Accessories – 1920’s antique earrings McCalls Jewellers
Grooms Attire – own kilt + tailored jacket and waistcoat via Gibbs Menswear
Bridesmaids Dresse – In One Maxi Dress in soft grey + antique brooches via Magpie Vintage
Florist – The Lily Loft
Cake – birdcage full of Tunnocks teacakes
Cars/Transport – Robertson coaches, Turriff (+44 1888 544205) 
Entertainment – Celidh Band Laverock
Rings – Sinclairs Jeweller
Catering Company – Val Morrison Catering. T: 01467 64354
Stationery – Wedding Invitations + Table Plan by Vintage Clara
Hair & Makeup Artist – Emma Jane Make Up