In his own words: groom-to-be columnist Lee on the big proposal
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YSW columnist Lee Thomas proposed to his fiancée Louise summer 2022 and he’s sharing their wedding planning experience with us.
First up, the proposal!
Lee and Louise first became sweethearts while he was serving in the military.
“I was due to be posted out to a new location and we bumped into each other on my leaving night out,” he explains.
When they first started seeing each other Lee joked that if they were together in 10 years he would marry Louise.
“This unexpectedly became our thing and before we knew it, it was closer to 11,” he says.
With a proposal on the cards, Lee started looking for somewhere to sweep Louise off her feet and stumbled across Culdees Castle near Crieff.
“As soon as I saw the pictures online, I knew this was the place,” he remembers. “
Something seemed very magical.”
Wanting to make sure everything was perfect, Lee contacted Tracey the owner to enlist her help in his grand plan.
Lee had booked glamping cabin Spiers Lodge, which looks directly out on the castle, for their romantic getaway.
“It’s such a peaceful setting and I could not have wished for more,” he says.
“We snuggled up together in the tree swing and just listened to the birds – bliss!”
All the little touches the owners had laid on including Champagne, chocolates, a barbecue pack, flowers and a fire pit package set the romantic tone, not to
mention having a private hot tub and waking up to views of the castle.
By their second morning Lee was well and truly nervous, as he still hadn’t proposed.
“We went for a morning walk and while in front of the castle I got down on one knee and asked Louise to marry me,” he smiles.
With Louise’s “yes” and a cute love lock secured in the grounds to mark the occasion, the team at Culdees helped them celebrate in style, providing a magical spread of food and drinks in the castle courtyard with the help of Crieff Food Co.
“Later in the evening the owners invited us for Champagne and gave us a tour of the castle,” says Lee.
“It finished off the evening perfectly. I came away with memories that will last a lifetime and a fiancée!”
While Lee planned the proposal with military precision he says the hard task is now upon them.
“Being blessed with so many beautiful and amazing locations in Scotland we are spoilt for choice for a fairy tale wedding,” he explains.
“We’ve spent many long weekends exploring the country high and low.”
During one trip they visited Loch Awe and by chance passed St Conan’s Kirk, the beautiful church by the water.
“It was everything we could have dreamed of and we fell in love with it at first sight,” he says.
“This has presented us with the problem of finding a venue to match the stunning church in this location.”
The couple are now on the hunt for a castle or mansion setting for their romantic reception.
“Once we find the magical location it will be full steam ahead and time to book!”
Keep an eye out for more updates from Lee
And have you seen our columnist Rachel’s wedding to new husband Brian? Check it out here
