AT LAST

Debbie Edmond & Andrew Craig

DATE: Saturday 2nd April 2022 PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY: Goose Green Films & Photography VENUE: The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

Our ‘I do’ diary couple Debbie and Andrew married in style in a classy Edinburgh city centre wedding

Debbie is one of those brides whose natural gift for organisation carried her (and husband Andrew) through with minimal stress – so much so that in Andrew’s vows he mentioned he “loved her love for planning!” So, despite having to delay their wedding by a year because of Covid and juggling wedmin with their young son Lewis, this bride nailed it! She even found time to share her journey with YSW over the last year in her ‘I do’ diary column. Debbie and Andrew first met at the casino on York Place in the capital 12 years ago and they’d been together for a decade by the time he proposed. “It was Valentine’s Day 2020 in our house,” she smiles. “He gave me a card from our little boy Lewis (who was two weeks old at the time) saying ‘Daddy has an important question to ask you and I hope you say yes.’ We then went ring shopping and out for lunch.” For a bride who likes a plan, finding

their perfect venue wasn’t exactly straightforward. “I was set on Edinburgh Castle but the function suite was a little smaller than what we were after,” explains Debbie. “My dad suggested checking out The Balmoral.” The couple fell for the iconic Edinburgh hotel and booked the Holyrood and Waverley suites. The perfect setting may have taken a while to find but Debbie always knew her colour scheme would be ivory and aubergine. “I initially wanted the bridesmaids in black, but my mum struggled to get on board with that plan!” she laughs. In the end her sister - who was her maid of honour - and sister-inlaw, who was bridesmaid, were dressed in the aubergine/plum tone Debbie loves so much. With her niece as flower girl and little Lewis as page boy, her bridal party was complete.

THE PERFECT LOOK

Debbie began the hunt for her dream dress with a very specific look in mind. She had her heart set on a beautiful fitted Modeca gown with long lace sleeves, but it wasn’t to be. “Having just had a baby a few months prior my body disagreed!” she remembers. Despite the disappointment she still had a brilliant shopping experience with her mum and ‘maids, drinking fizz and trying on about 20 dresses. A trip to Gwenne Wedding Services was more successful with Debbie finding a simple off the shoulder boat neck gown that turned out to be The One. “Gwenne was absolutely brilliant and put me at ease straight away, having felt insecure about my post-baby body,” remembers Debbie. “She suggested I try on a different dress than the ones I’d picked, and I instantly loved it!”

After waiting an extra year for their delayed date, the couple were so excited to finally get to their April wedding. Debbie stayed at The Balmoral the night before with her bridesmaids and they went out for dinner with her parents and Lewis. He stayed with her mum and dad while Debbie and the girls spent the night in the bridal suite. “We planned an early night but ended up sitting up till 2.30am drinking prosecco!” she says. “Luckily Helen from City Brides was on hand the next day to keep those tired eyes away.” The couple chose to marry in a humanist ceremony and had worked with their celebrant Alan Ness over many emails to create something they felt truly reflected their personalities and “wasn’t too cheesy.” Walking down the aisle to the Beyoncé version of Etta James’ At Last, Debbie felt more nervous than she had expected. “My main focus was don’t cry and ruin your make-up!” she says. Debbie and Andrew stuck to traditional vows and she admits it was quite overwhelming saying them in front of everyone.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

While Debbie and Andrew were having their photos taken, they left their guests to be entertained by their amazing saxophonist Trav who played throughout the champagne reception, before it was on to a sumptuous three-course meal. The couple list menu tasting as one of the highlights of the entire wedding planning journey, when The Balmoral treated them to a private room overlooking Edinburgh Castle to sample different options and the champagne and wines they would serve. In the end they went for the opposite menu to what they expected. And while Debbie says Andrew was very chilled and pretty much left planning to her, he was very into choosing the food! The bride remembers the speeches fondly saying the two best men’s true or false game about Andrew was “particularly amusing!” Then the guests hit the dance floor to band Velvet Noir. “Everyone was in great spirits and danced the night away until the lights came on,” says Debbie. “Seeing all our friends and family in one room after two years of Covid restrictions and not being able to see people was a real highlight. And seeing our little boy Lewis in his little kilt was also precious.”

“It feels exactly the same to be married but we’re glad we have taken the step to fully commit to each other after so many years together.”

Debbie

Dream TEAM

BAND Velvet Noir of Coast Entertainments

BRIDE’S DRESS Gwenne Wedding Services BRIDE’S SHOES Always the Bride at Sophie Grace Couture BRIDESMAID AND FLOWER GIRL DRESSES JJS House CAKE Liggy’s Cakes CELEBRANT Alan Ness of Humanist Society Scotland FLOWERS Garlands Florist GROOM’S OUTFIT McCalls Highlandwear HAIR AND MAKE-UP Helen at City Brides RINGS ROX SAXOPHONIST Saxingh STATIONERY Mairi MacSween Designs

PHOTOGRAPHER’S CREDIT

“Fabulous day celebrating Debbie and Andrew’s wedding. It’s hard not to forget climbing onto the roof of the Balmoral Hotel to capture those special views of Edinburgh for the couple. Always willing to go above and beyond for our special couples.” Sylvia and Grant Goose Green Films & Photography