Evergreen romance

Tabitha McShane & Steven Black

From a proposal in a very special Edinburgh spot, to their nuptials surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Scottish Borders, the great outdoors played an important role in Tabitha and Steven’s marriage story. After meeting through a mutual friend, they had been together for nine-anda-half years when Steven proposed at the romantic ruin folly of St Anthony’s Chapel on Arthur’s Seat – the setting of their first date.

Tabitha’s first priority was a wedding venue, and she didn’t have to look far. “I saw Hartree Estates online and knew before even visiting it was the one for us,” she recalls. “We didn’t look at any other venues because we fell in love right away. We are both laid back and non-traditional and felt it suited both our personalities. We also loved the on-site accommodation we could use for the wedding party and make it a full weekend celebration.”

The couple had originally planned to marry in July 2021, but decided to delay for a year in order to have the day they truly wanted. “With the restrictions in place it wouldn’t have been the day we wanted. This way we could keep the guest list at the original numbers and have the party wedding we wanted,” Tabitha explains. “When our original date came and went, I was a lot sadder than I thought I would be – but it all worked out in the end.”

Bohemian Vibes

When it came to choosing a colour scheme, Tabitha opted for her favourite green. With Hartree’s stunning vistas and Tabitha’s choice of a gorgeous floral crown, greenery played a starring role in the day.

In her search for a dress this bride took an eight-hour round trip to Hull, where she found the perfect gown. “I always knew it would be a bohemian vibe, and I didn’t want it like anything I’d seen on anyone else,” says Tabitha. “I fell in love with the designer and knew I would end up with one of her dresses.” And who wouldn’t have been smitten with New York designer Alexandra Grecco’s long laced sleeves, deep v-neck and intricate details? To complete her look, she wore a crown of fresh flowers and gemmed Kurt Geiger block heels.

Tabitha had four bridesmaids and one maid of honour, who has been her best friend since the age of four. Having originally decided she wanted each to wear different colours, she purchased dresses from ASOS. But after delaying the wedding, other dresses caught her eye. “I had come across some gorgeous satin olive green dresses from Pretty Lavish. I knew I would regret it if I didn’t change them and soon purchased the new dresses,” she says.

For his own wedding look, Steven kept it personal. Having served in the Black Watch regiment it was important to him to wear a kilt in Black Watch tartan. His best friend Shaun took on the role of best man while other best friends Josh, Adam, Daniel and Ryan were his ushers.

The night before the wedding was a family affair with delicious food and cocktails at The Crown Inn, Biggar. And celebrations continued the following morning. “I was in the best mood and completely calm,” Tabitha says. “One of my bridesmaids made a beautiful spread and the drinks were flowing. Everyone was in the best mood.”

A Happy Day

Tabitha and Steven held their humanist ceremony in a luxury wedding tipi – and celebrant Ali Kerr was their perfect match. “Neither of us are religious and we wanted the ceremony to be personal. We met Ali over Skype and knew straight away she was exactly what we wanted,” Tabitha explains. “We were both excited to say our vows. We wanted them to be sweet and funny so we worked with Ali to make them perfect.”

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed frozen margaritas from The Little Margarita Truck, which Tabitha describes as, “Probably my favourite part!”

They worked with caterer Pickled Haggis to design their dream menu, sitting down with the owner to discuss their favourite foods, creating sharing platters for their 80 guests to enjoy.

Tabitha’s favourite aspect of the meal and speeches was when her maid of honour got up to speak. “It isn’t traditional for this to happen, but it was my absolute highlight and I loved hearing all our old memories,” she says.

The reception was a real party, with a live band ensuring the dance floor was full for the entire night. Company Skye Events provided a popcorn and candy floss cart for added fun as well as a photo booth. “We are still getting compliments now about the whole day and just how much fun everyone had,” Tabitha reveals. “It was the first big event for most after lockdown and it was just a really happy day. I also loved the little touches like the margarita truck and candy floss. They really helped show our fun personality.”

“The day was truly the best of my life and I loved absolutely every second of it,” Tabitha adds. “We had been together for so long I didn’t think it would feel much different –but it does. You feel more connected and like that person is really your person now.”

PHOTOGRAPHER’S CREDIT

“Such a beautiful wedding inspired by fun, bohemian and festival spirit and pets! Again such a nice way to make sure their pets were part of their special day which by the way made it extremely personal! Not to mention a forest of greenery, tons and tons of beautiful blooms and sophisticated details.”

Karol

Karol Makula Photography

BAND

The Kilts

BRIDE’S DRESS

Alexandra Grecco

BRIDE’S SHOES

Kurt Geiger

BRIDESMAID DRESSES

Pretty Lavish CATERER

Pickled Haggis, The Little Margarita Truck CAKE

3D Cakes Edinburgh

CELEBRANT

Ali Kerr of Humanist Society Scotland

DÉCOR AND ENTERTAINMENT

Skye Events

FAVOURS

As She Bakes

FLOWERS

The Flower Studio Ormiston

GROOM’S OUTFIT

8 Yards

HAIR

Katie Edington

MAKE-UP

Jenni Smith and Shawndella Scott, Sage Salon

RINGS

Ernest Jones

STATIONERY

Aarlotte Designs (Etsy)

TRANSPORT AC Coaches