Perfect pairing

Becky Peters & Darren Landells

With her family’s business Saltire Hospitality at the helm, Becky could enjoy bringing together all the finishing touches, including a DIY glitter bar!

Working as sales director with her family’s catering company Saltire Hospitality, Becky knows a thing or two about wedding planning. So when her partner Darren surprised her by proposing on the Bow Bridge in New York’s Central Park back in January 2019 – “Genuinely the shock of my life!” – she was able to take things in her stride. “I am lucky that working in the industry does make things really easy!” she smiles. “The hardest thing was moving dates so many times (due to the pandemic). However, May is probably one of our busiest months so juggling a full workload of events and my own wedding was challenging! I’m lucky I had our very own company wedding coordinator Kate. She was always there to help me!”

Saltire was, of course, involved right from day one. “Having the family company and the team who I have known pretty much my whole life look after us was so special to us and I know it was my mum and dad’s dream to cater for our wedding.” With their catering sorted, the first major task was finding a venue they loved that could accommodate their large guest list, (160 during the day),and did not have in-house catering. It turns out there was only ever one real contender. “I have forever loved Archerfield House, it feels so magical!” says Becky. “It was the only place we ever viewed or even got in touch with! As soon as we started to think about the wedding, I took Darren and we just knew it was the place for us!”

The Personal Touch

Becky’s wedding vision was elegant and romantic with a mostly white colour scheme and plenty of candles and mirrors. Wanting to make it as personal as she could, she made her own table plan on a floor-standing mirror, tables were named after places they visited in New York, she created a sweetie table with photos of loved ones who couldn’t be there, and a DIY guestbook with a polaroid camera and a huge bag of props. She even made a glitter bar in the toilets. “It was so fun!” she remembers. “By the end of the night everyone was covered, even my grandad!”

Second Boutique Lucky

Becky had no idea what sort of dress she wanted. All she knew was a veil would definitely be involved. But after finding nothing she liked in the first boutique she started to worry. She was feeling a bit flat while having lunch with her mum at The Blythswood when their waitress surpised them with a glass of bubbles. “She said to me ‘You will go into this next shop and buy your dress’she was right!”

Becky accessorised with a cathedral veil so long her little cousin had to walk behind her down the aisle! Her shoes were specially designed to match her dress and she personalised the soles with her maiden name and nickname “Becky P”. For her something(s) old she wore both of her grans’ rings and she carried a white fluffy bag that Darren’s auntie had on her wedding day and his sister had used for hers.

The Food Of Love

The wedding festivities kicked off in style the day before with close family who were staying in Archerfield House being treated to afternoon tea, followed by drinks and dinner. “It was very chilled and so special to spend time with those closest to us,” smiles Becky. “The boys enjoyed golf and I was able to get involved with the set-up of the Water Pavilion with my Saltire team!”

The next morning the excited bride woke up her maid of honour Becca at 6.30am playing Going to the Chapel; “I think we woke the whole house up!”

Becky absolutely loved walking down the outside aisle to Can’t Help Falling in Love – (Elvis is one of Darren’s mum’s favourites). “To have my dad by my side was a moment I will remember forever,” she says. “He was so nervous, he gripped my hand so tight. I think he cried the whole way!”

Darren is known to be the emotional one in this couple so Becky was surprised to find she was the one crying throughout their ceremony, presided over by registrar Susan Shaw who has known Becky since she was a teenager. “She was amazing and made it so personal for us,” says Becky. “She did this as a gift to us which was beautiful.”

Wedding Feast

After the drinks reception, festivities moved to the Water Pavilion for the wedding breakfast. “The food was the most essential thing,” Becky recalls. “Being a caterer was such a huge part and I wanted all guests to be spoiled and really showcase what we do! Our chefs created an amazing dish of scallops, duo of beef with sirloin and slow-cooked ox cheek, a pallet cleanser and then passion fruit and white chocolate to finish!” Wines were also masterfully paired to each course before after dinner cocktails were served.

The couple remember the evening reception being so much fun. “Everyone was dancing and running about with the props just genuinely enjoying themselves!” laughs Becky. “It was so lovely to see everyone so happy!”

Becky admits to wedding blues hitting after such an incredible weekend but the couple are loving this new chapter. “Married life does certainly bring you closer,” she says. “I think it makes you feel that little bit more mature and there is definitely something about feeling a stronger connection! It’s such a nice feeling.”

BRIDE’S DRESS, SHOES AND VEIL

Eleganza Sposa

BRIDESMAID DRESSES

Silk Fred

CAKE The Cake Lounge

CATERER Saltire Hospitality

CELEBRANT Susan Shaw DÉCOR

88 Events, 360 Event Hire, Planet Flowers, White Leopard Events, Saltire Hospitality

FLOWERS Planet Flowers HAIR Patersons SA

MAKE-UP Emma Cantwell at November Collective MUSIC The Rumours RINGS ROX

STATIONERY

The bride alongside Andrew Captivate Creative

PHOTOGRAPHERS' CREDIT

“We love capturing all the action and beauty of weddings in a timeless, beautiful way full of light, joy and colour. We loved the energy (especially an extremely moving outdoors ceremony, and of the dancefloor!) of Becky and Darren’s wedding and we're so happy that they invited us to capture all the details, the grandeur of the location and special moments of their celebrations and most importantly, their love and bond between their families and friends.”

Sylwia and Simon Crofts and Kowalczyk Photography

A collection of unique & multi award winning venues: The Caves, The Rowantree and Marlin’s Wynd situated in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

We can offer the whole day’s wedding experience with The Rowantree suitable for 50-70 day guests and up to 110 in the evening, The Caves suitable for 70150 for the day and 200+ in the evening and Marlin’s Wynd suitable for 40-50 day guests and up to 120 in the evening.