Stand by me

Sophie Willis & Chris Farrell

Our ‘I do’ diary couple celebrated their beautiful day with an intimate gathering by a spectacularly scenic loch in the Trossachs

Sophie and Chris first crossed paths when they were just youngsters, but they didn’t discover they were meant to be together until five years ago. “We first met around 20 years ago when I was 11 and Chris was 12 on the doorstep of my house – as Chris was friends with my brother – so he was waiting outside my house for him,” Sophie explains. “I questioned who he was, and it’s now very strange to think he is my husband!”

Chris made a romantic proposal at sunset on Durdle Door beach in Dorset after they had been together for around three years. Luckily, the couple didn't have to change any plans due to Covid as they set about searching for their dream venue. When they settled on Venachar Lochside for their intimate wedding, they were delighted their chosen date was available. “We didn't want a big, fancy, ornate hotel as it just didn't feel like us. We knew we wanted a venue that was on a loch and Venachar just ticked every box and more. It has a very natural, organic feel to it, lots of wood and greenery, some of which is foraged locally,” Sophie says. “The views are just out of this world and we feel so incredibly lucky to have got married there with the mountains in the background and all the beautiful scenery around.”

Sweet Memories

The next priority for Sophie and Chris was the wedding cake and Sophie says one of her favourite things about planning their wedding was doing a spot of cake tasting. “It was all so much fun and it was lovely for Chris and I to share that time together,” she remembers. “Our cake was made by Philippa Rose Cake Design. It was three tiers, one fake, one lemon and one chocolate. The sugar flowers were amazing, and looked so real.” The cake was simple in design – white with gold leaf – and this simplicity echoed the feeling of Sophie and Chris' entire day. “We didn't have too much of a theme, although in keeping with the décor of the venue, we had greenery and wood,” Sophie says. “We were cautious about adding too much detail because we didn't want to distract from the natural beauty of the venue and its surroundings. We had the stairs dressed in greenery and we had eucalyptus table runners but we didn't want anything too big and fussy on the tables as we wanted our guests to still be able to see the beautiful views outside.”

Before Sophie went dress shopping, she thought she wanted a slinky, lacey style. “I even paid for a dress to be shipped in from Australia – because I thought it was the dress of my dreams – tried it on and then didn't like it!” she reveals. Sophie went shopping with her mother-in-law and cousin as well as her sister-in-law, who persuaded her to try a completely different style that was perfect in the end. “My dress was a very plain, fitted, mermaid-style dress with a belt and buttons down the back, with a low cut back. It was the first dress out of so many that I tried on and actually smiled in. I felt good in it and could really see myself wearing it on the day.”

Sophie accessorised with a cathedrallength veil she designed herself and had made by a bridal veil specialist. Her sister-in-law also made her a personalised denim jacket.

The couple didn’t have bridesmaids, best men or ushers, but Sophie’s 13-yearold son Travis was their ring bearer. “He wore a ring security badge and lanyard and also black sunglasses – so he looked the part,” Sophie smiles. Both Chris and Travis wore all-black tuxedos and waistcoats, with Chris wearing a bow tie and Travis opting for a tie.

So Much Love

For Sophie, walking down the aisle to Stand by Me by Florence and the Machine was a real mixture of emotions. “I felt so happy, excited, nervous, but it was so lovely to see all of our guests that had travelled so far to be there,” she says.

The couple aren’t religious and wanted their ceremony to be lighthearted and relaxed. “We had a humanist wedding ceremony as it was more fitting with us as people and was very individualised and personal,” Sophie explains. “Our celebrant was the incredible Susan Douglas-Scott and we cannot sing her praises enough. She is such an amazing, warm individual and she brought that warmth and so much love to our ceremony. “She took the time to get to know us as a couple and made our ceremony so intimate and personal. We also wrote our own vows to each other and she supported us through that process.”

After the ceremony, Sophie and Chris' 35 guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and there was even a caricaturist to keep guests entertained. Meanwhile, the couple went off for a photoshoot in the forest to capture some magical moments together before the evening festivities began. Sophie reflects, “We wish we could do it all over again because the day just flies by.”