Bryony & Craig's Wedding
Our wedding day: 4th July 2010
Our wedding day preparations began on the 28th August 2008 when Craig asked me to marry him. From then we set a date of the 4th July 2010 and found the perfect location at the Lodge on Loch Lomond. We had just over 23 months to plan our perfect day and as a result we had the perfect day!
The 4th July 2010 came round very fast and before we knew it, it was the night before the wedding. We had a few last minute things to do, mainly from Craig's to do list but got these done in time. The last thing I had to do was make up the bouquets and buttonholes. It was an early night for us all, including Finlay and Craig's niece Bronwyn who was staying with us that night.
The morning of the wedding started at 6.20am for me, as Finlay and Bronwyn decided to get up! Craig stayed in bed till 8am - he doesn't hear Finlay in the morning ;) I got up with the extremely hyper kids and gave them breakfast and checked on everything. First thing I noticed was that it was pouring with rain. The second thing that I discovered was that the ribbon on my Maid of Honours flowers was soaked as the end of the ribbon had fallen into the water. I had to re-ribbon these and got them and the buttonholes ready to go.
I Felt Like I Would Cry at Anything
Once we got Craig up it was all systems go, we had to finish packing the car in the pouring rain, get the kids in, double check the list of things we needed and get the cake and bouquets in the car. We set off at the time we had said we would with everything we needed, not one thing was left! While we were driving to the venue it hit me what was about to happen. Craig and I drove to the venue together with Finlay and Bronwyn in the car, we only have one car so decided to go together. Up until then I was fine but all of a sudden I felt like I would cry at anything.
We got to the venue at 10am and found the photographers and the hair and makeup lady already there. We went over to the building where it was all happening to meet Luke who was our events manager for the day. I have to say that Luke made sure that the day ran smoothly and dealt with all the details that we want perfectly. The car unpacking was the biggest job to do and we had to wait for Craig's dad to bring the rest of the stuff as we couldn't fit it all in our car.
Craig's dad had the linen that we had hired and the venue was itching to get this as it takes the longest to set up. Luke brought us a card over that my aunt and uncle had posted to the venue, I thought that was lovely even thought they were coming to the wedding.
Sword for Cutting the Cake
Once the car was unpacked we began setting up the fishbowls and the centrepieces. We were going to let the venue do this but we couldn't get into the rooms yet as they were still being cleaned. My hair and makeup lady, Christine, helped me with this while Craig helped the photographers get pictures of the rings, flowers and all the other details.
During the set up I spoke to Luke about how I wanted things and made sure that the sword for cutting the cake was in a safe place! Luke and the girls started setting up the table, ready to be moved into the room later and it was amazing to see all the parts come together. Craig's dad arrived with the rest of the stuff and the staff got the linen sorted while I ran through the rest of the instructions with Luke.
At about 12.30pm we got into the rooms to start getting ready. I would like to tell you that this was the last time we saw each other but that didn't happen. We were in and out of each other's rooms for most of the day, up until about 1.30pm. There was a bit of an issue with the rooms as the girls cleaning them were not following the early check in list that we had provided, this was all down to miscommunication between the wedding coordinator, reception and them. It was sorted by Craig's dad and eventually everyone had their rooms.
I Could See People Arriving
The room that I was in was the bridal suite and it was situated so that I could see people arriving. Before I started getting ready my cousin who now lives in Australia called! I wasn't expecting it and I was nearly in tears, it was about 2am where he was and he was completely bladdered but it was so nice to hear from him.
Once I had a quick shower I sat down to get my hair done and it was nice to see people arriving; they couldn't see me! I could also see into the best man's room where Craig was and there were a few pictures taken this way by the photographers.
I had one of our photographers, Andy, with us and Craig had the other, Rik, with him and Finlay. During this time both of them were taking loads of pictures of everything. At one point they were both in my room taking pictures of the kilts, dresses and my dress.
While I was getting my hair done Andy was taking pictures of everything and even acted as a waiter at one point and offered me some champagne! My maid of honour Ashley arrived, as did my other bridesmaid Heather and along with Bronwyn they were in and out of my room for the majority of the day. I managed to pin them all down in my room at one point and gave them their presents which they loved.
Ashley gave me a card to say thanks for asking her to be my maid of honour and this time I did cry, but she vanished from the room!
A Break In The Rain And The Sky Was Blue
Once my hair was done, Ashley had hers done and I wandered round the venue. I went to see the tables and the room and it was all looking stunning. I ran into a few of our guests and had a quick word with them before returning to the room to sort out the bridesmaid's hair and get my make up done.
At this point there was a break in the rain and the sky was blue! It didn't last long and the rain returned. I can't remember who came in and out of the room really, but I do remember that Rik, the other photographer, came in and stole all our biscuits! Finlay was in the room a few times, usually with a biscuit and a smile then disappeared again.
With hair and makeup done it was time to get the girls dressed, Ashley did this while I got my makeup done. Andy was taking pictures of me getting my makeup done and kept telling me to forget he was there, not easy when he was standing right in front of me with a huge lens in my face! All the girls were dressed and had their jewellery and hair done and looked amazing! One of my brothers, Fraser, came back through with Ashley in his kilt and looked fab.
It was amazing to see the girls dressed and all of the bits and pieces together. We had an issue with Heather's tights as they were too short for her but she kept them on the whole day! She was doing some funky moves most of the day to keep them up.
We Chucked Out Andy
My mum arrived with some presents that people had dropped off and also had a present for me, a gorgeous horseshoes necklace that I wrapped round my flowers. I gave her a present and her buttonhole and she started crying, I had Christine shouting at me not to cry. Everyone was dressed apart from me! It was time to get ready. Craig's sister, Samantha, gave me a hand with this along with Christine. We chucked out Andy while I got my dress on then let him back in to take pictures.
My dad turned up while I was running about in my underwear and wanted to come in! He waited till I had my dress on before he was allowed back in. Dad collected his buttonhole and present then vanished to get my mum to put it on for him.
Getting dressed was interesting! Samantha likes to inflict pain so while lacing my dress up she had the chance to make sure I couldn't breathe, sit, eat or pee! While Samantha was lacing me in, Christine was putting my jewellery on and helping me with my shoes. I felt like a princess being waited on! Andy was taking pictures at this point and there'll be some odd expressions from me as I was screwing my face up every time Samantha pulled the lace tighter.
Christine put my veil in my hair, sprayed me with perfume, fiddled with my hair and took some pictures then I was done!
The Humanist Came To See Me
My dad and the bridesmaids came back in at this point and Andy got some more pictures. He took one of me and Fraser, my brother, and once it was done Fraser left the room as he was crying. I nearly started crying then too! My dad didn't say much to me but I know he was nervous. While we were waiting to go the humanist came to see me and have a little chat.
We could hear the piper playing while the guests were seated. Luke came back to see me and gave a quick run through of what would be happening. He went to check all the guests were seated then came back for me, my dad and my bridesmaids.
It was time to go! Luke came to get us with the piper and the piper spoke to the girls about what they were going to do, I loved that as it showed that he has done this so many times. Before we got ready to go, the piper came up to me and my dad, shook dads hand and gave me a kiss on the cheek. The piper started playing and walked into the room first and stayed at the bottom of the aisle while Bronwyn, Heather and Ashley walked up one by one.
Then it was our turn, Luke told us when to go and the piper continued to play. As I walked into the room I could feel my dad's arm shaking and I started to cry. I don't remember seeing anyone but Craig standing at the top. Finlay was standing there too, with his jacket hanging off his arms. Once we got to the top the humanist asked my dad and the guests to have a seat.
I faced Craig and could see one of the photographer's over his shoulder and could see my mum crying which made me cry more. I could also see Fraser, who was about to do a reading and he was already crying.
I Am So Proud Of Him
The humanist started his service and Finlay vanished at this point to sit on his papa's knee. He wasn't for standing there at all! Once the humanist did his first part of welcoming everyone Fraser had his reading to do. We didn't know what the reading was as he changed it and he started reading. He got to the 3rd or 4th sentence and started crying more and told me he couldn't do it. I said he could and put my hand on his arm while he did the rest. He finished the reading and I am so proud of him, he made my day doing that for me.
The humanist continued with his service and explained how we met, which gave a few giggles. During this my nephew was laughing and that made me laugh too. Then Craig's dad did a reading which he had written himself and it was lovely. I was sure he was going to say something funny at the end of it but he didn't. Next it was the vows and the legal statement, which Craig's niece Heather was looking forward too as Craig doesn't say my name often.
An Apache Blessing
The exchange of the rings was the next part and when the humanist asked for these from Ryan, Craig's best man, it took a while to get them. Ryan's hands were shaking so much and he couldn't get them out of his pocket! Craig took my ring from Ryan and put it on my finger, the right way round then it was my turn to put his ring on with some force. I couldn't pick Craig's ring up from Ryan's hand as his hands were shaking so much. The humanist completed the service with an apache blessing then we kissed.
While we signed the register we had Stand By Me by Ben E King playing and the photographers took some "official" pictures. Ryan and Ashley were our witnesses and signed the register too. After that the humanist said a few more things and we walked down the aisle to the piper playing. We were handed some champagne and stood at the top of the stairs while the guests went to the other suite for champagne.
It Was Picture Time
It was picture time, but the rain had stuffed all our ideas that we had talked through with the photographers. So we had to find alternative locations within the hotel. We had a few taken with just us and Finlay then moved down to the suite the guests were in to take more pictures. I feel like we spent most of the day doing the "official" shots and I am not sure that we got many off the cuff ones like we wanted, but the pictures will tell us.
We are going to go back to the venue when the weather is nicer and get pictures outside and with Finlay, as we don't have many of these, good thing we bought the kilts and my dress.
We got as many pictures as we could done before dinner, but left the group shots until the evening so we could get the evening guests in too. Before dinner started we took some mock cake cutting pictures with just me, Craig and the photographers then Luke took us back to our suite where we could relax until the guests were seated. We got to see the room when we did the mock cutting and it was perfect, everything was how we wanted it and I am so glad we did the extra touches.
Sitting Down Was An Experience in The Dress
Luke came back about 10 minutes later and said that we were missing 3 guests and had we seen them. We hadn't seen them at all so in the end we had paid for them and they didn't show; no phone calls to the hotel either. Once everyone was seated Luke came back and got us, explained what would happen and asked the guests to be upstanding then announced us as the new Mr and Mrs Barclay and we walked to the top table.
Sitting down was an experience in the dress, dad had to help me as well as Luke and our server. It was amazing to see everyone there and all of the effort we have put into the wedding. My bouquet was put with the cake and later on Ashley put her bouquet there too.
Each table had a server and they introduced themselves to their table then drinks were poured. The kiddie's goodies bags were a hit, going by the chaos all over the table and the stickers stuck everywhere! So were the sweeties jars and everyone has commented on how lovely the tables looked. Dinner was served and it was amazing, shame my dress wasn't letting me eat it all. Again, everyone commented on the meal and said it was fantastic; Finlay enjoyed the little jar of tomato sauce they gave him.
Before dessert was served I went round each table to see how the guests were and if they enjoyed the meal, it was nice to get out my chair and speak to people as everything up until then had been a rush.
The Speeches
The speeches were fast approaching and the orders for the toasts were collected. Luke came over and explained what would happen to each person doing a speech and I double checked he had the cake for my aunt and uncle, it was their 40th wedding anniversary on our wedding day so I had decorated them a cake as a present.
My dad was first for his speech and he did it off the cuff and it was fantastic. I can't remember the full details but it made me cry and he said a lot of nice things and welcomed Craig into the family. Craig's speech was short but sweet and he included the one thing I had asked him to; my wife and I.
Ryan, the best man, was next and I could see him shaking. He had his speech on his phone as his printer wouldn't work the night before but someone texted him and it crashed his phone so he couldn't read it! He said what he could remember and emailed us it yesterday and he only missed a small bit out.
The funniest part of his speech was when he asked people to bring keys up as the naked pool parties were no longer happening now Craig was married, and loads of male guests brought keys to the top table. I was laughing so much that I was crying. His closing line was making to toast to us, Mr & Mrs Anaconda, but that's a whole different story! ;)
I wasn't going to make a speech, but wanted to present the cake to my aunt and uncle. As I said that I wanted to congratulate them on their 40th wedding anniversary and that we were honoured to share their day, the photographers jumped out for pictures of their response. I took the cake down and gave them a hug each and they were both crying, which made me cry too.
The speeches were done and we all returned to the suite while the DJ set up for the evening reception. By this time the evening guests were arriving so we were talking to them and introducing people to each other.
Cake Cutting With A Sword!
During this time Craig and I went outside for some shots as it had stopped raining for a bit, we had everyone watching us from the window while I struggled to walk over the stones and grass and keep my dress off the gound! We got a few pictures before it started to rain again. Once back inside we went up to the reception suite do the group shots of all the guests, the women and the guys. Then it was the cake cutting, with the sword which took AGES as everyone wanted pictures at this point.
Once this was done we had our first and second dance. Our first dance was Nickelback and Never Gonna Be Alone. It was perfect to be just us for a few minutes. The second dance was Eagle Eye Cherry and Worried Eyes and with this one we asked people to join us.
Party time followed! I changed my shoes and wore my pumps and spoke to the guests. I don't think Craig and I saw each other much at night until the only guests that were left were the ones staying and we all sat chatting for a few hours.
Kenny Was The Star Of The Night
The DJ was amazing; he had taken our list and used the majority of the songs that we asked for. At the end of the night he gave us a CD with all our songs! It has been on in the car since. The dance floor wasn't too busy but it did get busier as the night went on. I have to say that Craig's brother in law Kenny was the star of the night on the dance floor.
All the kids were having a fab time and I don't normally dance but by the end of the night I was up there too! Not easy with a dress on that had a long train, I kept standing on it. I managed to speak to all of our guests throughout the night and they all said they have enjoyed themselves and that we have made such an effort.
We'll Be Eating Cake For Years
The buffet was bacon rolls, scotch pies, cheese and crackers, potato scone rolls and quiche and it all got eaten. The cake was out too, minus the cake bags at one point but we found them and we still have loads of that here! We'll be eating cake for years. The favours were handed out to the guest and they all liked them too.
The kids loved the lollies but a note to anyone getting married soon, don't buy yellow sticky lollies for the kids. I have yellow drips on my dress now!
After the buffet the DJ continued with the music and went on until 12.30am. He played a song we asked him to last, but then played the 1st dance again and Craig asked me to dance with him for this one. After that the DJ played a typical Scottish end of wedding song, which we didn't want but it had to be done as some of the words are "on the bonnie, bonnie banks of loch Lomond". Some of the guests got up to make a circle round us and dance.
Once that song was over that was the end of the night, the only guests left by this point were the ones staying so a few of us stayed up and chatted. I was looking forward to this part of the day and Craig and I actually sat together for the first time since dinner. Finlay had gone to bed with his gran and papa, the rest of the kids were still going strong including our 3 month old niece!
I Have HUGE Bruises On My Hips
Eventually we all went to bed, but we had the Ryan follow us into our suite and he sat with us for a while. I HAD to get my dress of by this point so Craig helped me. I have HUGE bruises on my hips from the boning in my dress and being sat down L Once back in my PJs, Craig and I opened cards and unwrapped present. I think we crashed about 2.30am, once Ryan rolled back to his room.
It was a perfect day, I wouldn't change a thing! Luke was fantastic, without him the day would have gone nuts I think. He was always asking us how we were and was always there is we needed something. I wish I had dealt with him from day one rather than the wedding co-ordinator, who we only saw twice on the day.
All of our guests had a fantastic day and we did too. People keep congratulating us and commenting on the finishing touches. I am a bit sad its all over and that 23 months of planning was gone in less than 12 hours but it was worth it.
I am proud to be Mrs Barclay and now we all have the same name.