MERCHANT CITY
So you’ve set the big day? Congratulations! In our comprehensive guide to getting married we’ll be sharing the very best Merchant City wedding gems with you - from venues and bakers to make-up specialists and jewellers (and everything in between!). Planning a wedding is stressful enough, so let us take a little weight off those shoulders and show you where to go…
St Andrew’s in the Square
St Andrews Square,
G1 5PP
St Andrew’s in the Square is a beautifully restored 18th century former church. In this magnificent venue you can have your wedding service and reception all under one roof, complemented with the best of locally sourced Scottish fare by Café Source.
The Barony
Rottenrow East, G1 1XQ
This stunning former church is ideally located and has been sympathetically restored to provide a multi-purpose venue. You can choose to have both your ceremony and reception here. Their range of menu and wine selections are designed to suit a variety of budgets.
Gandolfi Fish Albion Street, G1 1NY
This smart and comfortable venue offers fine Scottish produce with the same flair as their sibling restaurant CafĂŠ Gandolfi.
Gandolfi Fish caters for sit down meals for wedding parties of up to 70. Meanwhile, their upstairs venue Bar Gandolfi is ideal for more intimate weddings of 30 people for sit down meals, or 50 people for standing receptions.
Rab Ha’s Hutcheson Street, G1 1SH
Rab Ha’s offers an intimate reception option for up to 45 guests. Their tailored menus suit every taste and pocket, including arrival drinks in the bar followed by your meal and reception downstairs. Small wedding parties can also have a hotel package designed for them (up to 4 rooms). Trades Hall Glassford Street, G1 1UH This historic building was designed by Robert Adam and dates back to the 18th century. It is conveniently situated and offers first class service, flexibility and award-winning catering.
Penthouse G1 St Andrews Street, G1 5PD
These two stunning exclusive luxury serviced apartments are located seconds away from St Andrew’s in the Square. Their contemporary style is complete with a glass walled lounge and panoramic views of the city. There are top of the range extras such as an underground car park; passenger lift; outside dining area; Freeview TVs and Wi-Fi. These are perfect for wedding night accommodation. Fraser Suites
Albion Street, G1 1LH
These recently refurbished award winning luxury apartments have received four stars from VisitScotland. Every room has its own unique contemporary charm. All suites on the executive floor are named after notable Glaswegian merchants celebrating the building’s Merchant City location.
Brunswick Hotel Brunswick Street, G1 1TF This small independent hotel is housed in an architecturally acclaimed building. It offers contemporary minimalist accommodation in a prime location. Room options include their famous penthouse suite and a 3 bedroom apartment over two levels. Their ground floor cafĂŠ-bar, Brutti Ma Buoni, has an extensive Mediterrane an inspired menu.
Merchant City Inn Virginia Street, G1 1TY
This comfortable three star lodge has tourist attractions, shops, restaurants and bars just on its doorstep. They offer a choice of 40 guest rooms all equipped with standard facilities, a continental or cooked Scottish breakfast and flexible check-in and out times.
Cupcake
Bell Street, G1 1LQ
Cupcake offer a range of wedding cake towers, giant cupcakes and traditional tiered cakes to suit your style of wedding from the classically simple to the show stopping spectacular. So tell them what it is you are looking for and they’ll help make it happen. It’s like choosing the dress: once you see it you just know! Anyone looking for inspiration can come down to their shop and have a consultation. A chat with their cake designers over a cup of tea, and taste of their cakes, usually helps the decision making.
Brazen Albion Street, G1 1LH Brazen can create simple precious metal bands in a range of widths and styles or something a little more individual – it is entirely up to you. They can design and create wedding rings to be the perfect partner to your engagement ring; line rings out with old family gold or set secret gems on the inside along with personal engravings for only the two of you to know about. Flowers by Suzy Liu
High Street, G4 0QS
Suzy Liu is a qualified and experienced florist specialising in combining traditional floral arrangements with innovative, exciting new designs. These bespoke designs of beautiful blooms are perfect for weddings - from the bride’s bouquet or the best man’s buttonhole to floral table settings.
Bowers & Peacock King Street, G1 5Q
You’ll find the best haircut in town at this stylish salon (and their complimentary homemade brownies are to die for!). Coowners John Bowers and Rocco Peacock have years of experience, which is widely acknowledged and appreciated by both the industry and their clients. So whether you’re into vintage waves, rockabilly quiffs, romantic up-dos or classic shapes, they’ll get you. No two weddings are the same and they spend the time to get it right.
Parrucche
Virginia Street, G1 1TS
This luxury wig and hair boutique offer custom-made hairpieces, headpieces and tiaras for the perfect finishing touch for your bridal hair style. They are also make-up experts and offer inclusive hair and make-up packages, complete with a glass of bubbly. Neal’s Yard Remedies
Royal Exchange Square, G1 3AJ
This is the ideal place for busy brides-to-be to indulge in relaxation and rejuvenation with natural, organic therapies such as facials, massages and reflexology. They also have a range of beautiful products to take home for a well-deserved treat.
Peaches Wax & Beauty Bar
Wilson Street, G1 1SS
To really showcase your professional hair and make-up, frame your face with high definition tinted brows. Peaches Wax & Beauty Bar have a range of treatments for eyelashes from simple tints to semi-permanent lashes and glamour party lashes. Last but not least, you can also take advantage of their more intimate waxing services for the honeymoon.
Perfection Albion Street, G1 1LH Perfection offers a stunning selection of exclusive bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and accessories to complement everyone’s individual style on their special day. They also stock a range of menswear including classic, traditional and modern outfits for hire, catering for different styles and colour themes.
The City Retro King Street, G1 5RA
This treasure trove of vintage clothing has rails filled with gorgeous pieces from the 1920’s right up until the 1990’s. Start your hunt for a one-of-a-kind wedding dress here whether you’re looking for a delicate flapper dress or an extravagant
couture dress. Be warned if you find ‘the dress’ snap it up, because it won’t be there for long!
Mr Ben Kings Court, G1 5RB Mr Ben is an emporium of classic, designer and labelled clothing and accessories from some of the most influential decades of fashion. Scour their well-stocked rails and shelves to unearth a forgotten gem and make it yours.
McCalls Ingram Street, G1 1EJ This quality Highlandwear outfitter has been serving the Scottish public since 1887. They pride themselves on delivering excellent customer service and a range of options to suit individual taste and budget. Offering both kilts for hire and to purchase in a variety of tartans, they have a selection of great packages for wedding parties and grooms wishing to don the complete outfit. Wedding guests may also like to purchase a gift for the groom from their accessories line of hipflasks, tankards, pocket watches, cufflinks and quaichs.
High and Mighty Glassford Street, G1 1UH High and Mighty has a great range of stylish menswear from designer labels including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Animal and Skopes. They will also ensure that the bridegroom’s suit will fit exceptionally - no matter what the budget - with their personal fitting services ‘made to measure’ and ‘personal tailoring’. They also offer a great range of light casualwear options for grooms marrying in warmer climates or honeymoon clothes for jetsetters.
Given that many couples now live together prior to tying the knot, we have decided to offer a selection of distinct gifts for the home. If you are looking for something more traditional, we would recommend Marks & Spencer on Glassford Street where a wedding wish list can also be created.
2canvas Stockwell Street, G1 4LR 2canvas can transform your favourite photographs into pieces of wall art. We think this could be the ideal wedding gift for the happy couple. Alternatively gift vouchers can be used to purchase a stunning piece of art for their home.
Eye Candy Bridgegate, G1 5HZ
Discover a unique artwork in this boutique gallery and vintage eyewear shop. They have a stunning selection of original paintings from small offerings to main wall features as well as beautiful wooden sculptures.
Glasgow Print Studio Trongate, G1 5HD Glasgow Print Studio stocks a wide range of artworks for sale including screen-prints, etchings and lithographs. Their friendly gallery staff are always happy to advise you on purchases and framing requirements. They also offer gift vouchers, gift lists and take part in the Own Art payment scheme.
You’re engaged! Decide on the wedding theme/style
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Visit wedding fairs for inspiration
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Devise a rough budget and guest list
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Source and visit potential venues
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Set the date! See when venue is available
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Choose bridesmaids and best man
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Book Photographer/Videographer
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12 months to go Start saving
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Research entertainment
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Begin the ‘dress hunt’
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9 months to go Order menswear, cake, cars and rings
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Choose wedding dress & bridesmaid dresses
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Finalise guest list
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Plan honeymoon
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6 months to go Obtain a Marriage Notice Form from district registrar
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Order stationary and invitations
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Choose a florist
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Attend dress fittings
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4 months to go Submit Marriage Notice Form
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Set up wedding lists
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Shop for bridal party accessories
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Order wedding favours
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Arrange accommodation
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2 months to go Send invitations
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Final dress fittings
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Finalise seating arrangements & menu
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1 month to go Pick up Marriage Schedule
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Beauty treatments
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Final confirmation on all arrangements
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Start packing for honeymoon
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The Big Day! We realise that you’ll have one thousand and one things to do, but the main thing is to remember to have fun and enjoy your big day!
Fashion
Expect to pay Actual
Wedding gown
£50 - £2,000+
Bridal lingerie
£30 - £200
Bridal Accessories
£70 - £450+
Bridesmaid dresses
£75 - £300
Hair/Make-up
£200 - £600
Grooms outfit (purchase)
£600 - £1,000
Mum’s outfit
£100 - £1,000
Legalities Church fees and honorarium
£100 - £250
Registrar fees
£104+
Planning Photographer
£500 - £3,000
Videographer
£500 - £2,000
Rings
£150 - £3,000
Stationary package
£200 - £500
Floral package
£350 - £1,000
Wedding cake
£56 - £600
Favours (each)
£1.60 - £6+
Planning (cont.)
Expect to pay
Transport
£150+ per car
Wedding Insurance
£49 - £299
Dance lessons
£45/hour
Reception Toastmaster
£250+
Venue decoration
£100 - £250
Music
£200 - £1,500+
Entertainment
£200 - £350
DJ
£200 - £500
Linen hire
£400 - £1,500
Venue Ceremonial room hire
£100 - £500+
Function suite hire
Inclusive - £200+
Wedding meal
£44 - £63+pp
Drinks Package
£12.50 - £20+pp
Evening Buffet
£5.50 - £8+pp
Inclusive venue packages Total wedding cost
£5,100 - £6,700+
Actual
We got the inside wedding scoop from the people in the know in these wedding Q&As, from wedding rings to wedding speeches…
Barony Hall
0141 522 4400
Bowers & Peacock
0141 552 6789
Brazen
0141 552 4551
Brunswick Hotel
0141 552 0001
Cupcake
0141 552 2195
Gandolfi Fish
0141 552 9475
McCalls
0141 548 1116
Outstanding Communications
07510 574 318
Parrucche
0141 552 2270
St Andrew’s in the Square
0141 559 5902
The City Retro
0141 237 4649
We have also got a few helpful hints for men on how to look good kilted from McCalls and a personal tailoring guide from High and Mighty.
Cars – whether you’re hankering after a classic beauty or modern glamour Wedding Car Hire will be able to help. Entertainment – Find the best entertainment from traditional pipers to DJs at Coast Entertainment. Favours – From classic sugared almonds to luxury lottery ticket holders, Caesars Wedding Favours is the place to go. Invitations – Made in Heaven specialise in bespoke invitations to suit all tastes and budgets. Lingerie – Give yourself secret confidence on your big day – and an extra special night – with lingerie from Agent Provocateur. Photographer – We’ve heard lots of rave reviews about Photographer Lisa Devine.
We would like to give special thanks for assistance producing this publication to: The Barony, Strathclyde University, St Andrew’s in the Square, Café Source, Gandolfi Fish, Bar Gandolfi, Rab Ha’s, Penthouse G1, Fraser Suites, Brunswick Hotel, Merchant City Inn, Brazen, Cupcake, Flowers by Suzy Liu, Perfection, The City Retro, Mr Ben, High and Mighty, McCalls, Bowers & Peacock, Parrucche, Peaches Wax & Beauty Bar, 2canvas, Eye Candy and Glasgow Print Studio. Images used: wedding hair by Bowers & Peacock; bride and groom at St Andrew’s in the Square; St Andrew’s in the Square table setting; couple at The Barony; Gandolfi Fish wine glasses; Rab Ha’s restaurant; Trades Hall tables; Penthouse G1; Fraser Suites apartment; Brunswick Hotel room; Cupcake cake; set of Brazen Studios wedding rings; roses from Flowers by Suzy Liu; two women with wedding hair by Bowers & Peacock; couple with wedding hair by Bowers & Peacock; Parrucche image by Elena Nevzoro; Neal’s Yard Remedies treatment room; eyelashes; Perfection bridal dresses; Perfection dress detail; McCalls Pride range; McCalls Glasgow store; High and Mighty SS13 collection in car and walking shots; 2canvas interior; Eye Candy interior and Glasgow Print Studio interior.
www.merchantcityglasgow.com Merchant City Tourism & Marketing Cooperative 27-29 Trongate, Glasgow, Scotland, G1 5EZ Tel: 0141 552 5255 A Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in Scotland No: 341479 A Local Enterprise Funded by Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government and BIDS (Business Improvement Districts Scotland).