A Maggie Sottero Gown for a Stone Circle Wedding

Oh my goodness, I am so excited to share today’s wedding- not only does the bride wear the most beautiful beaded dress, but the ceremony takes place in one of my favourite places in all the world- Castlerigg Stone Circle in the Lake District.  I spent so many hours dreaming here as a child and so many trips laughing through the rain as an adult- my husband and I visit this gorgeous place every time we’re in the area, and did so the weekend we ourselves got engaged, just down the road.  I’m so delighted to introduce you to Alex, an equine journalist and Lachlan, a full time student and beekeeper, who married at Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick on the 7th July 2016, followed by a reception at the Lodore Falls Hotel in Borrowdale.

“Our inspiration was exploration, so we had a lot of maps involved and a globe for guests to sign instead of a guest book.  The tables were also named after explorers.  We have done a lot of travelling together and we love getting to know new parts of the world. We chose the stone circle for our ceremony because we aren’t religious but wanted to get married in an ancient place of significance and it has a beautiful view of the mountains.”

Photography by Through The Woods We Ran

Alex wore the utterly gorgeous ‘Lola’ by Maggie Sottero, which she purchased from Olivia James Bridal by Tracy in Egremont, Cumbria.  I just adore the beaded sleeves and low cut back.

“I saw Lola in the third shop we went into and walked straight up to it.  I never expected to buy a sparkly dress but it just called to me!  I loved the twenties look.”On her feet Alex wore a pair of custom made shoes by Vegan Wares, Melbourne, while in her hair she wore the most beautiful floral crown, made by The Flower Basket in Whitehaven.  Its just the perfect accessory for an outdoor wedding.

The hair stylist and make up artist were provided by the Lodore Falls Hotel.

“My earrings were woven using the Chilean ‘crin’ technique by Trinidad Estay, a jeweller from Chile now living in Melbourne.  She used tail hairs from our horse, Rouk, so he could be there in spirit.”

“My necklace was a rune (raidho, meaning adventure among other things) carved into a stone by Stone Mad Crafts.“

Alex was transported to the wedding in her parents’ Classic Hymer campervan, which was decorated with bunting for the occasion.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds were whisked to the reception venue in a classic car from Touch of Class Cumbria.

“We met at the University of St Andrews at a rehearsal for a friend’s play and Lachlan proposed on the shore of Castle Sands, a beach in St Andrews overlooked by a ruined castle.  We were engaged for two years before our wedding day.”

Alex walked through the field and to the stone circle with her Dad and the pair were played in by a piper from Striding Edge Ceilidh Band, Carolyn Francis.

Alex and Lachlan wrote their own vows and exchanged rings which they made for one another under the tutelage of Jane Rujlancich.

“We wanted them to be simple, unique and homemade, and they couldn’t be more special to us.”

The day was photographed by one of my personal favourite photography duos, Through the Woods We Ran, who are also members of our fabulous Little Book for Brides.  I just love Glenn and Lauren’s outdoorsy style.

“These guys were amazing- they made the memories for the day.  Neither of us enjoy having our photo taken but they made us feel happy and comfortable throughout and we loved how excited they got that Alex’s family dogs were there.”

Lachlan looked very smart indeed in a tweed jacket and waistcoat from Walker Slater, Edinburgh and a Modern Robertson Hunting Tartan kilt from Geoffreys Kilt Makers, Edinburgh.  His lace up boots were from R.M. Williams, his tie from Hackett London and his shirt from Charles Tyrwhitt.  He and the groomsmen also wore lapel flowers by The Flower Basket.

“Having our wedding ceremony amidst the mountains was always a gamble but the weather held out and we were married under blue skies.  Being in the stone circle with all our closest friends and family was the best part of the whole day- there was no other way to get married that would better represent us as a couple.”

“For favours we gave each of our guests a stone onto which we had painted a rune, a wine charm made by Alex’s Aunt Gill (Gilly’s Charms) to help them identify their wine glasses and a small anthology of our favourite passages from books and poetry which we called the Castlerigg Anthology.”

“For décor at the hotel we draped the ceiling and pillars under the direction of theatre producer/bridesmaid Mathilde Johnsen.  Place settings were made by Alex’s father Matt from a fallen branch found in the local woodland.  Everything was homemade from found objects.”

 

Entertainment came in the form of Striding Edge Ceilidh Band– I love a ceilidh- so sociable and great fun.

“Striding Edge played a snowball waltz for our first dance, where we peeled off and brought other people out to dance with us.  Later in the night, half the wedding party surprised the other half with a dance we had rehearsed in advance – the ‘Golden Years’ dance from A Knight’s Tale (a film Alex’s parents love).”

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Delegate, don’t let it stress you out.   You are so privileged that all the people you love have put aside this day for you and your husband-to-be so just take it all in.”

So many thanks to Alex and Lachlan for sharing their beautiful and so very personal wedding day with us today.  Huge thanks to Glenn and Lauren of Through the Woods We Ran for sharing their fabulous images as well.  They’re so evocative of the area and very beautiful.  For more of their work, take a peek here.

Much love,

S x