Designer and Art Director Ailie, tied the knot with Will, who runs a cafe with his brother in St Monans, on 11th June 2022.
Ailie wore a floral applique dress by Danish designer, Cecilie Bahnsen, whose eponymous brand sits at the cross section between couture and ready to wear. It was the perfect dress for the couple’s lovely, relaxed wedding day at Guardswell Farm in Perthshire, surrounded by their family and friends.
Guardswell Farm, Perthshire
Guardswell Farm is an absolutely stunning venue and Scandi dream. Every detail of the place was heaven.
We loved all the cubby holes and rooms under one roof. If you had absolutely no décor, the place would still be stunning. All the fam stayed on site so was like one big giant staycation.
A Cecille Bahnsen Wedding Dress
My Cecilie Bahnsen dress was purchased online from Matches. I have always been obsessed with Cecile’s designs so now was the perfect excuse to get one.
I bought my dress as soon as we got a date in the diary so I think all was based around that, haha! I’m obsessed with fashion and being a designer, I’m all about the details.
I also wore a two tier elbow length veil in classic tulle. Super simple but the double tier added a bit of layering. I then changed to a pearl headband for the evening! Both were from Melle Cloche.
The Ceremony
Our wedding bands are by Chisholm Hunter. They are simple and long lasting and engraved with date of wedding and pre-married initials like my granny did.
Michael Murdie officiated over our wedding ceremony – he is from Independent Humanist Ceremonies. Michael provided a nice, personal touch our story and how we met. The ceremony was relaxed and brief with touch of of tradition.
It included two readings; a poem from special friend called ‘Touch The Air Softly‘, by William Jay Smith – and a few words from my mum. She read ‘Being busy people – there’s always things going on. If I could, I’d give you the gift of time. Remember to stop often – be present – enjoy the moment, the here and now.’.
My favourite part of the day was the ceremony – it was so personal and special.
Bridesmaids & Groom
All my bridesmaids wore different dresses in blue to suit their tastes and to allow for wear again and again.
All the dresses were patterned and worked so well together. They were from Rixo, Hush, Whistles and Baum und Pferdgarten.
Will wore his very own tartan trousers, tartan bow tie, velvet blazer in navy and blue waistcoat to match the bridesmaids.
Flowers
Our florist was Tupelo Tree. Our flowers were super different, natural, artistic and seasonal. Our florists totally nailed the brief of what we wanted without knowing what we wanted. Romantic and delicate. Pops of colour with unusual blooms and herbs.
How They Met
We first met back in 2016 at a mutual friend’s 25th Birthday party in Cornwall. The first year of our relationship was mostly long distance. I lived in London and Will in Hampshire. Our first official date was at a Wine Festival where Will used to work (Hattingley Valley).
I eventually convinced Will to move to London and we found a flat with two of our closest friends.
We moved back to Scotland just before the first lockdown and found a perfect house at the beginning of 2021.
Will proposed on our usual morning walk on the Fife Coastal Path in February 2021 and started his own café in St Monans. A very big year!
Reception
We wanted something relaxed, big enough to have all our friends and family but still super intimate! No mega theme intended, but ended up being super Scandi and chic.
We both LOVE our food and drink, so we had a big sharing feast for our guests and every detail was considered. We had a chief server and wine topper per table. We did a double sided top table to enjoy time with our special people and then long tables for our guests to mingle.
Our cake was by 101 Bakery in Edinburgh. It was simple, elegant and delicious. It was a two tier cake with two flavours; white chocolate and fresh raspberry and then Persian Love Cake which was Almond, Pistachio, Rose and Cardamom – all with butter cream and topped with beautiful flowers by our florist, Tupelo Tree.
Our ceremony also included a quaich. This involves drinking whisky from the Quaich as a symbol of mixing the two families (Scottish).
I created our stationery myself with help from my gorgeous friend and bridesmaid, Bees Knees Illustration.
Evening & Dancing
Our first dance was to ‘Too Late to Turn Back Now’, by Cornelius Brothers.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
Take in every detail, enjoy every moment and make sure to squeeze all of your favourite people. Oh, and enjoy all the canapes, food and drink. Grab a tiny moment alone with your bride/groom and sneak away for a breath.
Get your bridesmaid to keep a plate of canapes aside for you and the groom at the table for when you sit down. The caterers don’t always remember! Luckily, my bridesmaid (MY GORGEOUS SISTER) kept some oysters for us on the table (which we didn’t even ask her to do).
A good table plan is KEY.
Explore our wedding directory
Accessories – My mum’s diamond stud earrings & my step sisters aquamarine ring (as my something blue
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
