In his own words: groom-to-be columnist Lee talks finding the perfect venue
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Last time we caught up with Lee and Louise they had fallen in love with the charming St Conan’s Kirk on Loch Awe and dreamed of marrying there.
But it wasn’t to be when they couldn’t find a nearby location for their reception that fitted their needs.
“It was quite gut-wrenching,” Lee reflects.
“I had already pictured and planned the day in my head.”
It was back to the drawing board and the groom started to stress that finding their dream venue wasn’t going to be plain sailing.
The couple’s families live in England and Wales and they wanted a venue where they could hold the whole day under one roof with space for 60-70 guests to stay over.
However, this didn’t prove as easy as they’d initially thought.
“We found many of the castles were beautiful but couldn’t accommodate the numbers we wanted,” says Lee.
“We also quickly found that while we would be booking exclusive use of a castle, the reception would then be held in a marquee.
“This was a big no from us.”
But then they found Auchen Castle online and fell in love!
“We met up with the staff and toured the location and we were blown away,” says the groom.
“They can cater for our every need and more!”
With so many guests travelling, Lee and Louise have decided to pay for everyone’s accommodation and have hired Auchen Castle for two nights, taking advantage of a package that includes everything from food and entertainment to make-up artists, the cake, a piper, flowers, decorations and even a ring-bearing owl!
“This has taken the stress right out of it,” says Lee.
“We will be getting married on 14th October 2024 and the first night will be a relaxed barbecue, where everyone can meet and unwind over a glass of fizz before the main event the next day and night.”
The finer details
Now their venue and date are decided, Lee and Louise are moving on to the other suppliers who will help create their dream wedding.
“What we have found so far on this journey, is our heart rules our head and everything we have chosen so far has been done from the heart,” says Lee.
“No more so than finding our photographer Paul Budzinski.
“Not only does Paul have experience shooting at Auchen Castle, but his work has an edge that truly spoke to us.
“We can’t wait to see what magic he does on the day!”
Say ‘yes’!
Lee’s already proposed once but this groom knew asking his best man to stand by his side had to be heartfelt too, so he took his friend Tony for a special watch-building evening at Kartel in Edinburgh.
The men chose their designs while having a beer and now have a cool memento to mark the occasion.
And, along with securing his best man, Lee and Louise have also found their celebrant; Tony’s sister – another Louise.
“It makes it that little bit extra special!” he tells us.
Keep an eye out for Lee’s next column when the couple go panning for Scottish gold
And you can read all about his super-romantic proposal here
