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cottishWedding JUL

2013

MORE THAN JUST A MAGAZINE

£3.95

SWD forum

wedding

PLANNER

Wedding Traditions How to rewrite the rulebook

THE STYLE ISSUE

THE LATEST CATWALK TRENDS RECEPTION THEMES TO WOW GORGEOUS GOWNS FOR YOUR SHAPE FLOWERS, CAKES AND GIFT IDEAS

+

20

pages of

Real Life Weddings and how to steal their style!

THE TWO

OF US The ultimate grooms’ guide

WIn A Stewart Parvin

wedding dress Designer shoes Plus much more!

Need To Know

Talking the talk KAROL MAKULA PHOTOGRAPHY

Confused by wedding jargon? Christina Miller helps you get to grips with the lingo save the date, [noun] A save the date card is sent around nine months before the wedding, and its purpose is simply to let guests know where and when you’ll be getting married. You don’t need to send these to every guest, but it would definitely be appreciated by any overseas guests that will need to plan their trip further in advance.

There’s also a growing trend for save the date videos, a service offered by some wedding filmmakers in which you and your other half give the details on camera. You can then share a link to the video online.

wedding theme, [noun] Your wedding theme doesn’t have to be something elaborate or outlandish; it can simply refer to the colours that will run throughout your day, or the general look you’re trying to create (for example vintage or autumnal). If you’ve made any wedding collages or Pinterest boards, you’ll probably spot a common thread running throughout them. Choosing a theme or colour scheme will help simplify the decisionmaking process when you’re picking things like stationery and wedding décor. Take a look at our reception ideas photoshoot on p288 for inspiration!

centrepieces, [noun, pl] Centrepieces are decorations that sit in the middle of the tables at your reception. Lots of brides opt for floral centrepieces; current trends include natural looking posies of wildflowers in zinc watering cans, along with whimsical flowers: think gypsophila, spray roses, and foliage entwined in and around vintage birdcages. Or you could use your centrepieces to wow your guests with an extravagant creative display using almost anything – from candles and lanterns to crystal baubles and balloons.

PARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY

PAUL WALKER IMAGES

Need To Know

bridal party, [noun] Don’t worry – this isn’t a secret party to be thrown by the bride! The bridal party is simply the group of people who are directly involved in the wedding ceremony, including those who have a role to play at the wedding, such as the bride and groom, the bridesmaids, the best man, the ushers, and any page boys or flower girls. The extended bridal party might include the parents of the bride and groom. If you are one of these people at a wedding then you may be given a specific job to do!

PAUL SAUNDERS PHOTOGRAPHY

guestbook, [noun] This is a book in which guests write their well wishes for the bride and groom, though it doesn’t always take the form of a traditional book. You could have a wishing tree, decorated with fairy lights and pearls, onto which guests can clip message cards. Or how about a fingerprint tree: simply buy or make a large picture of a bare-branched tree, get some paints, and your guests can fingerpaint the leaves on alongside their names (this makes a lovely keepsake!). Video guestbooks are really popular these days too; your wedding filmmaker will get your guests to say their message on camera, creating fun footage for you to watch back later.

favours, [noun, pl] Favours are token gifts for your guests to show your appreciation of their efforts on your wedding day – they might appear to simply come along to join in the party, but remember they’ve bought gifts, new outfits, and often arranged transport and accommodation too! Traditional favours were, generally speaking, sugar coated almonds, but these days couples tend to give iced cookies, tablet, or charity donations.

wedding website, [noun] Lots of couples make wedding websites these days, which include details about their day, as well as useful information like a Google map showing directions for how to get to their venue. We’ve even seen some websites with a section for the guests to put in their music requests for the evening reception!

RSVPs, [noun, pl] KAROL MAKULA PHOTOGRAPHY

MOBs, MOGs and OOTGs Unless you’re a complete wedding fanatic, you’ll come across some abbreviations that can be difficult to understand. So, in a nutshell: MOB stands for mother of the bride; MOG stands for mother of the groom; and OOTG means…Can you guess? No? Out of Town Guests!

Bridezilla, [proper noun] The word Bridezilla is a humorous term for a stressed out bride. It’s normally used during the few weeks running up to the wedding when the bride is at her most stressed from the pressure of finalising the finer details, while preparing to look her best before the wedding day. If you’re feeling the pressure, we advise you log onto the SWD forum to chat to other brides in the same boat as you. And have a glass of wine, of course!

To RSVP means to reply to an invitation: it stands for ‘Réspondez, s’il vous plait’, which is French for ‘please reply’. RSVP cards should be sent out with your wedding invitations, usually two months before the big day, and you should include an RSVP date of around one month before the wedding. Some guests may be a little lackadaisical when it comes to replying, so why not include alternative methods for them to RSVP by such as your email address or your wedding website (if you have one).

order of service, [noun] This is a little booklet handed out to your guests at the beginning of your ceremony, giving them a breakdown of what’s going to happen. As the name suggests, it outlines the order of your ceremony: your entrance, the hymns (including the words), the marriage, readings and prayers and the signing of the register. If you provide all of this information to your stationer, they’ll make some order of service itineraries up for you that match your other stationery and wedding theme.

marryoke, [noun] A marryoke (marry-oh-key) video is a fun and light-hearted way to remember your wedding day. You simply choose a song, and your wedding filmmaker will film you and your guests singing and dancing along to it throughout the day. The end result is a fun music video full of all the people you love having a great laugh. Got some time to kill? Go on YouTube and type in ‘wedding > marryoke’. You’re welcome.

NEIL FORDYCE PHOTOGRAPHY

This 1.9ct diamond cluster necklace in white gold (£495) is definitely an investment piece! chisholmhunter.co.uk These L’Wren Scott shades (£250) will protect your peepers on honeymoon. harveynichols.com

These Monica Vinader diamond earrings (£950) will add a touch of sparkle to any outfit. monicavinader.com

What bride wouldn’t want this gold plated Michael Kors watch (£165)? rox.co.uk

me to you

Aww! We love this cute turtledoves charm by Pandora (£35). pandora.net

It’s time to drop some hints to your H2B for any of these stylish wedding morning gifts A posh handbag like this Marc by Marc Jacobs one (£380) equals a happy bride. Fact. marcjacobs.com

How adorable is this lovebird ring (£180) by Alex Monroe? alexmonroe.com

This fun and flirty Lulu Guinness perspex lips clutch (£245) will complement your wedding gown. luluguinness.com

SWD

What would you love to receive on your wedding morning? Tweet us

Coco Mademoiselle (£67 for 50ml) is a classic scent that will look great in your ‘getting ready’ photos. chanel.com

...twitter.com/SWDbridalmag

years

ANNIVERSARY

SPANISH STYLE We love Spanish bridal designers (Pronovias, Jesús Peiró, Rosa Clara…) so we’re delighted that Barcelona label YolanCris has finally arrived in Scotland.

Ivory Pinks Bridal Couture is the first boutique to introduce the brand here, and we recommend you stop by to take a look at the beautiful dresses, which fuse contemporary lines with exquisite vintage details. Team SWD spotted them at the White Gallery in London and fell in love instantly. ivorypinks.co.uk

Busy boutique There’s lots going on at Opus Couture in Ayrshire right now. The bridal boutique just celebrated 10 years of business with an almighty party; they held an ‘Opus Girls night out’ event to raise almost £7,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer (pictured); and they’ve just been appointed as an Enzoani and Blue by Enzoani elite stockist! opuscouture.co.uk

Something

NEW

Finishing touches Six-times VOWS nominated The Wedding Planner, located in Helensburgh, has an amazing special offer for SWD readers. Purchase your wedding gown from the boutique in 2013 and you’ll receive a voucher for £100 to spend on accessories from their extensive ranges of shoes, veils and tiaras! Just quote TWPSWD13. theweddingplannerbridalshop.co.uk

In bloom Chic collection

Say hello to Chocolata, one of the many amazing new designs available at Eleganza Sposa as part of their brand new bridal collection, Eleganza Iconica. Created by Eleganza’s own team of talented designers, each dress has been inspired by their key bridal styles: Classica, Principessa, Romantica and La Dolce Vita. So pretty! eleganzasposa.co.uk

How beautiful is this Cherry Blossom hairvine from the new Paradise Collection

by Edinburgh-based Rene Walrus? We’ve fallen head over heels with the whole range, which features intricate handcrafted hair adornments and jewels in floral and feather designs, all created in a palette of soft metallics and pastel shades. SWD readers will get 10% off the collection if they place an order between 1st July and 30th September 2013. > renewalrus.co.uk

Garden party Ruffles, corsages and feminine full skirts recall those heady days of summer in full bloom Photography by Chris Blott

Full-skirted, satin and lace gown with soft tulle overlay and bead-encrusted satin belt. Delicate crystal scattered sleeves and cuffs with button detail at the back (£1,200), The Bridal Studio – Dollar. Pearl and rhinestone swirl design headband with leaf detail from the 2014 collection (£160), LHG Designs. Two strand pearl necklace with embellishment (£125), Calla Collections For STOCKISTS see page 334

Ivory tea-length dress with appliqué flowers and blush pink detail (£795), Gwenne Wedding Services – Edinburgh. Pearl flower hair vine (£125), Calla Collections. Silver and amethyst enamel pendant with moonstone, pearl and cubic zirconia (£222) and matching earrings (£119), Sheila Fleet Scottish Designer Jewellery. Silver and rose quartz ring (£281), Colin Campbell & Co. Peep toe sandals with delicate lace edging, pearl hand beading and silk satin roses (£199), Hassall. Button and brooch bouquet with princess crown detail (£180), Buttonbow - Vintage Brooch & Button Bouquets

Fishtail gown with pleated bodice and soft flower detail (£1,797), Opus Couture. Flower diamond pendant (£1,495), Laing the Jeweller For STOCKISTS see page 334

Bridesmaids

Pretty maids Natasha Radmehr’s guide to accessorising your bridesmaids’ dresses

Strapless For STOCKISTS see page 334

9ct yellow gold ‘Bismark’ bracelet (£345) chisholmhunter.co.uk

Les Nereides ‘La Diamantine’ earrings (£55) houseoffraser.co.uk ‘P29947’ The Wedding Planner

‘2880’ Dessy ‘14684’ Kelsey Rose Exclusively Yours Charlotte Olympia ‘Mae West’ shoes (£795) matchesfashion.com

YSL La Laque Couture Nail Lacquer in Corail Divin (£18) houseoffraser.co.uk

Style notes  Keep the jewellery chic and low-key; anything too chunky will detract from the dress

 If the dress is plain, team it with a statement clutch bag and bold nails. If it’s patterned, keep them muted

Alexis Dove ‘Blossom and Wren’ gold vermeil pendant (£125) rox.co.uk

 A good fit is vital; try a dress like this on

with appropriate undies. Strapless bras might give you the fear, but have you tried longline versions? These are far more comfortable and feel more secure, too

slim jewelled belt below the bust (if it’s an  Aempire line) or on the waist is a really easy way to add interest

‘Primrose’ clutch (£45) monsoon.co.uk ‘Bowtun’ belt (£49) tedbaker.com

Bridesmaids

Short and sweet For STOCKISTS see page 334

‘11740’ Kelsey Rose

‘Rosette’ Melle Cloche

Marcel Wanders disc earrings (£29.50) marksandspencer.co.uk

Round keyhole sunglasses (£16) topshop.com

‘1906’ Alfred Sung

‘E22’ Love by Enzoani

Style notes and flirty short dresses look great  Fun with sweet 50s-style accessories like peeptoes and pearls neckline? You can afford to be  Bateau adventurous with a statement necklace.

Tom Ford lip colour in Cherry Lush (£36) selfridges.com

You won’t need one if it has a lacepanelled neckline, though

 Your legs will be out, so make sure you

exfoliate and moisturise – and fake tan, if that’s your thing!

‘Starry’ (£99.99) Westend Wedding Boutique

 High heels are a must, particularly if the

dress sits on the knee. If it’s above the knee, consider a medium-low heel instead

Floral hair grips (£16.99 for six) ayedo.co.uk

Grooms

The master plan

Stephanie Telfer chats to three grooms who are involved in the plans for their wedding and loving every minute

I

CHANTAL LACHANCE-GIBSON PHOTOGRAPHY

t’s a common “There’s something of a The modern groom is more misconception that’s gone misconception that the likely to not only get involved out with traditions like the wedding is the bride’s day and and help to plan the day but bride’s father footing the the groom just gets dragged make sure that it’s exactly what wedding bill: the idea that the into whatever she wants,” his bride dreams of. groom leaves all of the planning says Mike Chidzey, Editor at TALK IT OVER to his wife-to-be. That’s not to Iamstaggered.com, a wedding Mike advises grooms to be as say that in some couples there’s blog especially for grooms and involved or uninvolved as suits one half who’s more involved in other male members of the them and their partners. After getting things organised for the wedding party. “It’s much more all, every couple has a different big day than the other. For some common these days for men to dynamic. “The most important ladies, they’ve been planning the have a say in everything, from thing to do before the plans go day of their dreams since they budgeting to menu choices.” into overdrive is sit down with were a little your partner girl and it can and talk about No marriage can survive if you don’t work together be easy to get what you both carried away as a team; what better way to start than planning want out of the with what your wedding? day, who is best you’ve always suited to dealing wanted rather with what and than what’s NEW ERA how you will decide who takes right for you as a couple.

So just why have times changed care of different elements of the from men letting women get OPPOSING VIEWS planning.” Coming to a mutual on with the planning to being On the other hand, some agreement will not only take actively involved themselves? men just don’t want to get the pressure off one half of the Mike believes it’s a lot to do too involved in the planning. couple, but it also stands you with the fact that the couple is Maybe they don’t think they’ll in good stead for a lifetime of more likely to be footing the be any good at choosing negotiating, working together bill for the wedding in modern colours or drafting guest lists. and most of all, compromise!

On the SWD forum, we get the times, meaning that the day “No marriage can survive if you becomes more about what they don’t work together as a team,” odd post from ladies tearing their hair out trying to get their want rather than keeping their says Mike. “What better way to families happy. “We find that fiancé interested in choosing get started than planning your between the teal ribbon and the the groom often adds a touch wedding together?” In agreement of pragmatism to proceedings. teal organza bow for the savewith Mike’s philosophies are three the-date cards, but we also have They may not have the same grooms who are more than happy ideas of a ‘dream wedding’ a couple of grooms on there to get involved with the plans for but are often just as concerned who seem just as involved in their weddings…and their brides that all their guests have a planning as their partners are, are more than happy to let them! good time.” if not more.

Grooms

“I’ll have my say on everything ...even the bridesmaids’ dresses!”

“We want a wedding that’s all about us”

“I wasn’t interested until I went to a terrible wedding”

Lindalouise Martin and Dougie Greig are getting married on 6th November at 29 Private Members Club, Glasgow.

As a rock musician, Dougie knew exactly what he wanted when it came to music but his enjoyment of planning the rest of the day came as a surprise, even to him!

Theresa Mclaughlin and Andrew Hughes have worked together to plan the wedding of their dreams at St. Marys and St. Finnan’s Chapel, Glenfinnan before a reception on Camusdarach Beach on 24th July 2013

Scottish bride Michelle MacDonald married Phil Fisher on 1st November 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Self-confessed groomzilla Phil decided to get involved in planning his day after a bad wedding experience

What he says…

What he says…

What he says…

Lindalouise and I were at a wedding fair and I gave her an opinion on every bridesmaid gown that went down the catwalk; I don’t think she expected that! I’ve been mostly involved with the music aspect of the day but I’ve also organised the photography and our kilts, although Lindalouise had a say in that too. She values my opinion and we’re a good team. To other grooms, I’d say do whatever works for you and your partner. It’s been tough planning our wedding but it’s been so rewarding too. I know our day will be a reflection of both our personalities and our guests will be able to say ‘that’s so Linda and Dougie’; that’s one of the reasons I’ve been so involved.

I spent a really long time designing Theresa’s engagement ring and planning the proposal, so I knew from that point on that I’d be a really involved groom. In all honesty, I didn’t expect to care so much about the type of card we used in the invites – but I do! We slipped into the trap that a lot of couples do and initially planned a day around everyone else but us. In the end, it just didn’t feel right and we cancelled everything and started again! I’ve taken so much from planning the day together and I can’t imagine how it would have worked if I hadn’t been involved. I’m just a normal bloke who has a massive interest in who we are as a couple and what we want from life, so it’s only natural to plan the wedding together. So much of the wedding stuff is marketed towards the women that I think it puts men off getting involved.

I wanted Michelle to have the wedding of her dreams so I planned to let her get on with it. I’d have tossed my opinion in here and there but ultimately it wasn’t going to be much more than that. That all changed after we went to a really badly run and organised wedding. I had to make sure ours was the polar opposite of that. I think Michelle was happy for me to be involved, although she had to rein me in on some of my more wacky ideas! My advice is to find a way to tell a story in the wedding.

It’s rare that your guests know both the bride and groom equally well, so figuring out a way to give everyone an insight into both individuals in the couple is so important. Then people will get why the two of you work so well together as a couple!

What she says…

What she says…

What she says…

Dougie comes from a creative background so had a knowledge of event planning and attention to detail even before we got engaged.

I knew he’d get involved in the planning somehow but for me the important thing is having him there to keep me in check; I would have about 100 themes if it wasn’t for him! He’s not scared of being honest which helps a lot too. For me, if you can be open and listen to each other through the stresses of planning your wedding then it seems you’re already in good stead to have a communicative and respectful marriage before you even say I do!

Andrew loves the limelight and has a booming voice to announce his presence in a room, so I had an idea that he wouldn’t take a back seat on this one! I was surprised that he was so involved though: I’m in the dark about his buttonholes as he wants to keep it a surprise, and he’s helped pick everything from the instruments in the band to the candles on the beach. I totally embrace that though because the day is about the two of you. I understand why some grooms don’t get too involved in the planning though. The politics of guest lists and making sure everyone is happy can be really hard to handle and for some, taking a back seat is the only way to limit the stress!

Phil’s disinterest in the wedding at first wasn’t surprising. He had a very much ‘I’ll leave that to you’ attitude. After the bad wedding, it was like a light switch was flicked and the dynamic changed entirely. I was wary of all of his sudden ideas at first but I knew he was serious, so we started listening and communicating. I was in Scotland and he was in America, so a lot of things were left to him to finalise. We worked on the seating plan together but Phil drafted it at least four times! I definitely think men should get more involved in planning their weddings. Phil’s involvement was vital to our wedding’s success and I expect the same level now as we plan our Scottish wedding party!

SWD

Point your groom in the direction of Iamstaggered.com for some hints and top advice

...iamstaggered.com

Reception ideas

Dressed to impress These stylish reception themes will ensure your guests are talking about your wedding long after the confetti’s settled!

Photography EMMA CROSSAN

Reception ideas

Roses and pearls

S

igh. How pretty is this table? Building on a core theme of roses and pearls, Janice of Blue Thistle Weddings worked with a soft colour palette of creams, pinks and pastels to create a vintage-style look that incorporated cute teacups, floral crockery and crystal glassware. This theme would work in any venue but would lend itself particularly well to a country wedding in a stately house or garden marquee. Our venue for this shoot, the Caledonian Hall in Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, complemented this look beautifully; we especially loved how it tied in with the rose picture on the wall.

Candelabra with roses and hanging pearls design, creamy roses in cup/jug, white chair covers, and lace and dusky pink chair ties with rose inside bow Make Believe Events Vintage and white china, and crystal glassware Gordon’s Cater Hire Pearl placecards Calligraphy by Catherine Pink table flowers Something Special Flowers

Pearl napkin rings (below right) All Dressed Up Favours by Caesars Wedding Favours ‘Elizabeth’ floral plates (below centre) Marks and Spencer All other items, plus table styling and sourcing Blue Thistle Weddings For STOCKISTS see page 334

WE WERE DELIGHTED to have the lovely Janice Grimley-Evans of Blue Thistle Weddings (bluethistleweddings. co.uk) on hand to style our roses and pearls look, as well as offer styling tips for the other themes in this shoot. Janice is a wedding planner with over 20 years’ experience and as well as being able to assist couples in planning their day, she has the creative flair to help bring a wedding theme to life. Fancy picking up some

valuable tips from her? She’ll be running two Wedding Academy workshops in September and October alongside other wedding professionals, offering lots of advice on how to plan the perfect wedding no matter what your budget is. You’ll get a complimentary glass of prosecco, afternoon tea, goody bag and lots of helpful notes to take away with you too. Email bluethistleperth@aol.com or call 01738 710360 to find out more.

Photography

Find your Discover which photography styles appeal to you in order to get stunning wedding photos

style

So you’ve done your research and you’ve got a heap of images stored in your scrapbook or on Pinterest. In fact, you’ve probably looked at so many photos that you’re starting to develop a bit of a professional eye: the lighting, the composition and the technical merit of the image are all now apparent to you, even if you don’t know the proper terminology!

It’s details like this that set the pros apart from the amateurs. Like a designer or an artist, photographers often have an identifiable flair to their work. It may be in the way they develop their images (with lots of contrast or a vintage bleached tone, for example) or how they present them but often, it is their preference for a style of imagery that draws you to their work. A great pro photographer will be trained in all technical areas of photography so they’ll be able to cover all wedding styles, but some will have a preference to one which will be noticeable in their work.

Professional organisations such as the MPA (Master Photographers Association) organise annual awards in which they categorise classic, contemporary and reportage photography as defined styles of imagery. The MPA is the UK’s trade body exclusively for professional wedding, portrait and commercial photographers - so any member of the MPA must be a full-time, qualified photographer, bound by a Code of Conduct.

It’s worth familiarising yourself with the different styles available but it’s important not to categorise a photographer by one image; many will work across a range of styles, so look through entire weddings they’ve shot to get a more comprehensive idea of what they do.

GORDON MCGOWAN PHOTOGRAPHY

KAROL MAKULA PHOTOGRAPHY

IMAGINE IMAGES

Photography

Reportage

Reportage photography is a style where the photographer works around you and your guests, capturing the day as it unfolds without asking you to stop and pose for a photo. The skill of this style relies on the photographer’s ability to pre-empt a moment and be in the right place at the right time. These shots often capture people’s emotions and although it looks ‘by chance’, there’s a great degree of skill and pressure to deliver quality results. It’s really not as easy as it looks.

For you if... you don’t want to take time out for

shots of you and your groom, and don’t mind what angle you’re photographed at.

Not for you if... you really want several group

shots of friends, grannies and families. In real reportage, there’s no guaranteeing who you’ll be with when the photographer is around.

MPA Scotland Reportage Wedding Photographer 2013 Scott Hogg (Scott Hogg Photography)

The Judges said...

“This image made me smile from my heart and brought a tear to my eye, drawing me into the emotion and love between two people.

This moment is priceless; it is what a professional is fine-tuned to see, shoot and freeze forever.”

EWEN FORSYTH PHOTOGRAPHY

EWEN FORSYTH PHOTOGRAPHY

Complete wedding The MPA have a category for complete weddings. This is where photographers submit 10 shots from one wedding and present it as a single image. This not only shows their photography style, but also displays the consistant quality across one wedding there are no one-off shots. The MPA rate this category as a good way of judging a photographer’s skill. When choosing your own photographer, do ask to look through complete wedding albums so you get a good idea of their style.

>

The MPA Scotland Complete Wedding 2013, won by Soraya Photography, is featured on p234 SHORTLISTED FOR MPA SCOTLAND COMPLETE WEDDING 2013 - STUART WOOD OF 1500 PHOTOGRAPHY

Honeymoons

Why go abroad when Scotland has so much to offer?

HISTORIC HAVENS Natasha visits...

Archerfield House, Dirleton, East Lothian | archerfieldhouse.com | T: 01620 897050

from SWDMAGAZINE’s

O

n my approach to Archerfield House, I experience a perfect moment. The sun is shining, Sigur Rós are blaring cinematically, my other half is chauffeuring us down the tree-lined driveway and, for a minute, I feel like a celebrity. Or a royal. Or, y’know, just someone very important.

In fact, this feeling doesn’t ever leave during our time at Archerfield, especially because we’re staying in one of the

lavish self-contained pavilions adjacent to the 18th-century house. Decorated sumptuously and containing a bedroom, living area and bathroom, it feels like the kind of suite the Queen would put you up in. There are lots of treats to make us feel comfortable too: Aromatherapy Associates toiletries; a fridge stocked with beer, water and soft drinks; and lots of snacks including sandwiches and crisps. Did I mention it’s all complimentary? Yep, even the beer!

We dine in the swish Clubhouse (the steak is amazing) and then get an early night to make the most of our time there the following day. Archerfield is renowned for its fantastic golf course but as neither of us play, we head to the Fletcher’s Cottage spa after breakfast instead. Rustic and luxurious with a marine steam room, aroma sauna, Rasul mud cure and private bath huts, it’s one of the loveliest spas I’ve ever been to – turn to p143 to find out more!

Staying in the Pavilion Suites (including breakfast in the Clubhouse) costs £225 per night. From Sunday-Thursday the Rejuvenate Spa Break is available, which includes an overnight stay in a Pavilion Suite, breakfast and a 60-minute spa treatment for £110 per person

Stephanie

visits...

The Boat Shed at Ardanaiseig Hotel, Kilchrenan, Argyll | ardanaiseig.com | T: 01866 833333

A

fter an incredibly scenic journey by train from Glasgow to the village of Taynuilt, we hop in a taxi to Ardanaiseig Hotel, where we’d be staying in The Boat Shed which was converted and modernised into a luxury onebedroom retreat back in 2006.

As soon as we walk through the door, we’re met with two pairs of wellies and brollies; good job, as the rain doesn’t let up for a single minute during the whole visit. Our spirits can’t be dampened though as we explore the rest of the glass-fronted house which offers up unspoilt views of Loch Awe. After relaxing on the comfortable from SWDMAGAZINE’s

red leather recliners, we meet in the bar for a drink before our five-course tasting menu in the main hotel, a sumptuous baronial mansion. Some of the delicious menu has been hand-foraged in the grounds and is served in the posh-but-cosy dining room.

Several hours later and the coffees and miniature mango lassis finish us off: we head back to our haven to snuggle down for the night in the incredibly comfortable bed, falling asleep to the sound of rain lashing the windows. Waking up the next morning to a view that can only be described as idyllic is something we won’t forget in a hurry.

Staying in the romantic Boat Shed costs from £275 per night. Dinner in the Ardanaiseig Hotel is a five-course gourmet tasting menu and costs £50 per person. A full Scottish breakfast is also available for £16.50 per person.

Honeymoons

Here are some of our favourite places to go on staycation

IDYLLIC RETREATS Dundream House, Kirkcolm, Dumfries and Galloway | dundream.com | T: 07517 373470 from SWDMAGAZINE’s

T

he road winding around the Stranraer peninsula that leads to five-star Dundream House is a beauty; all verdant fields of grazing animals and rustic farmhouses, with breathtaking sea views out to Arran and Ailsa Craig.

And then there’s Dundream itself, a lavender-coloured selfcatering house which, having been constructed in alignment to the sun, moon and stars, has romance built into its foundations.

Charming host Elaine greets us with a hamper of goodies (including champagne and specially sourced gluten-free chocolates) before showing us around. Downstairs there’s a bright, spacious open plan living, kitchen and dining area, a bedroom and shower room - all of which are Category 1 wheelchair accessible - and upstairs are three double bedrooms (one with an en-suite) and a family bathroom. It’s tastefully decorated throughout with stylish interiors, and there are lots of thoughtful touches like Barenaked Soap Company toiletries and his-and-hers kimonos.

Natasha visits...

We’re left to enjoy Dundream for the weekend and the pelting rain gives us the perfect excuse to stay indoors, cosied up beside the crackling wood burning stove. The entertainment is bountiful, from the 3D TV, DVDs and WiFi to the Sonos soundsystem that’s hooked up to Spotify – there’s even a telescope! To indulge us further, Elaine arranges for local masseuse Catherine Burns to come and give us relaxing massages, before lovely chef Maria Salzmann stops by to whip up a truly special honeymooners’ meal that begins with sea-fresh scallops and culminates in churros and chocolates.

Dundream marries the privacy of a self-catering house with the high level of care and attention to detail that you’d expect from a boutique hotel. We leave reluctantly, and spend our entire journey home scheming about how to become rich enough to stay here every weekend!

Enjoy a special honeymoon package at Dundream including a luxury hamper, special honeymoon dinner made by Maria, and Japanese kimonos to relax in and take home for just £960 for four nights or > £1,400 for seven nights

The Treehouse at Fernie Castle Hotel, Letham, Fife ferniecastle.co.uk | T: 01337 810381

The Treehouse costs from £445 per night.This includes a continental breakfast, breakfast tea and coffee, a four-course dinner in the castle, a bottle of champagne, beers, soft drinks, chocolates, a fresh fruit basket, cheeseboard and biscuits

Fernie Castle is a gorgeous 14th-century venue and we absolutely love its rather unusual accommodation for honeymooners: a treehouse! The house is set 500 yards from the castle, perched in six sycamore trees and surrounded by thick woodland, making it a beautifully secluded space.

It has a bedroom boasting an elm kingsize bed, flatscreen TV, DVD player, coffee maker and fridge full of champagne and chocolates. There’s even a huge slipper bath in the bathroom and the house has three balconies in total, one of which has a swing.

How cool is that?

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