I know I’ve said this before, but we absolutely love weddings in Scotland. And today’s was no exception to that rule! Despite there being a weather warning for South West Scotland, in fact right over Dumfries where we had booked overnight accommodation we braved the weather and set off around lunchtime the day before the wedding to drive up to Scotland from Wiltshire.
As it transpired the journey was uneventful apart from a lorry overturned on the M6, but even that didn’t seem to cause any holdups. The only slight issue we encountered was a burst drain outside our hotel in Dumfries which meant no running water. Luckily the hotel compensated us by offering a free breakfast. This was fine until on arrival at the restaurant for breakfast we were told the restaurant was closed due to a burst water main. So no shower and no breakfast. Still, worse things have happened. We weren’t deterred and so headed to New Cumnock.
The Wedding
Jo-Anne and Greig
Lochside Hotel, New Cumnock, Scotland
Saturday 25 January 2025
Ceremony and Drinks
As we had arrived a little early there was plenty of time to meet the wedding co-ordinator, who it turned out was running her very first wedding at Lochside. However, like everyone else we met today she was absolutely lovely and very helpful, showing us the spaces we needed to be as well as a staff shortcut between the ceremony and drinks reception.
The Wedding Ceremony
As directed we set up at the rear of the ceremony room. With this being Scotland the rules for celebrants and registrars are slightly different. Today was a celebrant led wedding with hand fasting as is traditional in Scotland. But of course this meant it was also a ‘real’ wedding too as a single celebrant in Scotland has the power to marry couples.
To me this seems a much better solution and gives the couple the best of both worlds. I don’t quite understand the English system of two registrars who have to monitor each other like school teachers and turn up with pencil cases in an officious way just to try and look important. Nevertheless, I don’t make the rules but it’s nice to see things done properly in Scotland with no fuss. The celebrant was lovely and introduced herself and we discussed what was happening musically which made for such a positive ceremony.
Music for the Ceremony
Pre Ceremony
Angels Robbie Williams.
Wildest dreams Taylor swift.
Love story Taylor swift.
Ave maria Beyoncé.
Fleetwood mac everywhere.
Bridal Entrance
Blend of 2 songs:
A thousand years for bridesmaids.
Bridgerton theme for bride.
Signing
How long will I love you.
Can you feel the love tonight.
Exit
Nothings going to stop us now.
The Drinks Reception
After the ceremony we relocated to the bar area which had lovely views over the hotel grounds and found a suitable corner to set up so we could entertain the guests during the drinks reception.
For this part of the day we played a lot of songs from our contemporary playlist as well as a number of Disney songs as Jo-Anne had a particular liking for anything Disney!
We really enjoyed being a part of Jo-Anne and Greig’s wedding and it was nice to be in Scotland for Burns night. Even more so in the right part of Scotland, very much the centre of Burns Country. And so it was fitting that, as Jo-Anne and Greig had kindly provided us with dinner, we enjoyed a very fine Haggis Neeps and Tatties before making the journey back to Wiltshire.
