LIFE’S A BEACH

Bethany Lawler & Greig Robertson

DATE: Saturday 12th March 2022 PHOTOGRAPHY: Robert Lawler Photography VENUE: Seamill Hydro Hotel

This couple opted for an elegant light blue and peach theme for their beautiful seaside wedding

Bethany and Greig had been together just under five years when he surprised her with a picture-perfect proposal in front of Disneyland’s Magic Castle. The couple first met when they worked together at The Byre restaurant in East Kilbride and although they’d chosen her ring together – “Greig was unsure what I would like and straight away I saw the one that was just perfect” – Bethany had no idea when or how he would propose.

The couple had been to a friend’s wedding at Seamill Hydro and loved the day, the décor and the views so when it came to searching for their own perfect setting there was little competition. “Having looked at a few venues, it was obvious to us that nothing compared, and we couldn’t wait to book,” smiles Bethany. Other suppliers were also easy choices. They booked their videographer Candlelight Pictures quickly and the bride’s uncle just happened to be a photographer, making that decision a no brainer; “We couldn’t have asked for anything more from my uncle who captured our day perfectly. It was so special.” Greig’s cousin’s wife is also the florist Denise Wright Floral Design, who provided the stunning bouquets and arrangements and added a special memento to Bethany’s own flowers. “My bouquet featured a pendant with my dad’s fingerprint on it and a ring which belonged to Greig’s nana,” she says. “This was such a nice touch to honour their memory and still have them as part of our special day.”

A BUMP IN THE ROAD

However, it wasn’t all plain sailing. They were originally due to say ‘I do’ on 4th April 2020 but with just two weeks to go the country went into lockdown. Bethany and Greig originally switched to December but by that August things weren’t looking much better, and the venue asked them to reserve another date. “By then, Greig and I decided that 2020 just wasn’t our year and made the decision to move the wedding to 12th March 2022,” remembers Bethany. “Seamill were absolutely outstanding in the support they offered us.”

The couple had fallen in love with Seamill Hydro’s existing décor and didn’t want to over-complicate things with too many extras. However, keen to give their wedding a personal touch, Bethany made the centrepieces from glass domes with battery-operated candles surrounded by artificial flowers for the table and roped in her sister, and maid of honour, Rachel to create table plans, table names and all the wedding signage in keeping with her chosen pale blue and peach colour scheme.

As the big day finally loomed, Bethany remembers feeling so excited. They stayed at the hotel the night before and she and her bridesmaids checked into the Glenashdale Suite for some last-night-as-a-miss fun. “The girls had decorated the room with balloons, and we had afternoon tea booked which was delivered to the room for myself, the bridesmaids, my mum and Greig’s mum to enjoy,” she says. Then after dinner the girls gave Bethany her “Bride” pyjamas and the earrings she’d wear the next day along with a book of photos and letters from each of them and the two mums - “Safe to say, I was emotional reading each of the letters!”

In the morning Bethany chose to do a dress reveal as only her mum and Rachel had seen it until then. Her beautiful strapless A-line gown with its embellished bodice was only the second one she had tried. Once all her bridesmaids were ready, they left the room to let Bethany get into her dress, shoes and accessories so they could see the full look. “It was so nice to see their initial reaction,” she says. “There were a few tears but thankfully the make-up stayed in place!”

Walking down the aisle with her mum to Alan Cranney singing Ed Sheeran’s Tenerife Sea, Bethany was just so happy she and Greig were finally getting married. Their humanist celebrant Stephen McKerr allowed them time to relax into the ceremony, telling the story of how they met, prompting some laughs. “Stephen did the most amazing job,” smile Bethany. “There was just the perfect mix of emotion and laughter throughout. I felt quite calm saying our vows.”

WELL SAID

After the ceremony, Alan Cranney continued to entertain the guests and then it was onto the wedding breakfast, with a menu Bethany and Greig had had great fun selecting during a tasting.

The speeches were a combination of emotion and laughter with Bethany’s sister Rachel getting up to speak. “It meant so much to Greig and I,” says the bride. “Rachel and I promised each other we would do a speech at one another’s weddings to represent my dad who sadly passed away in 2015.” Then the best man had everyone laughing and Greig’s speech was “perfect” with just enough emotion and comedy.

The amazing evening reception was filled with fun as The Trueloves band kept the dancefloor full all night, complete with a conga winding around the entire room - “It was so lovely so see everyone having a great time!”

The couple were sure to take in all the special moments, pausing throughout the day to enjoy everything they had worked so hard on. “We were both just so, so glad that we could celebrate our big day with all of the people we wanted there,” says Bethany. “After all of the worry and stress, we finally got the day we had always wanted.”

“The highlight of the wedding was finally being married to Greig. It had been such a long wait with delays due to Covid and we were both just so excited that our day was finally here.”

Bethany

Dream TEAM

BAND The Trueloves BRIDE’S BRACELET Chisholm Hunter BRIDE’S DRESS AND VEIL David’s Bridal BRIDE’S EARRINGS Liberty in Love BRIDE’S ENGAGEMENT RING Goldsmiths BRIDE’S HAIR VINE ASOS BRIDE’S SHOES Charlotte Mills BRIDESMAID DRESSES ASOS CAKE Jappacakes CELEBRANT Stephen McKerr of Caledonian Humanist Association CENTREPIECES IKEA, The Range and Country Baskets FAVOURS Etsy FLOWERS Denise Wright Floral Design GROOM’S OUTFIT Slanj Kilts HAIR AND MAKE-UP Laura Gray Hair Beauty Bridal SINGER Alan Cranney Music VIDEOGRAPHY Candlelight Pictures

PHOTOGRAPHER’S CREDIT

“To be involved in any couple’s wedding is both a pleasure and privilege. So, to be the photographer for my niece was such an honour. Such a beautiful day and such a gorgeous couple.” Robert Robert Lawler Photography