A beautiful wedding with a celestial theme at The Signet Library, Edinburgh
Laura and Kara
- ThePlus Audio
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After sixteen months together, Laura proposed to Kara at the kitchen table – and Kara proposed to Laura just seconds after!
“After Kara solved a series of puzzles I made for her, the final puzzle spelt out the question.
“Kara immediately left the room and returned with a ring and the same question for me!
“We both said yes,” explains Laura.
They planned to marry in 2020 before the pandemic hit and decided to go ahead with an elopement at this stage, hoping for a much bigger event with family and friends in the future.
“It was just us and a judge in a little Texas courthouse,” says Kara who is originally from America.
They wanted to embrace and emphasise the venue’s beauty, leaning into it with a starry night-themed colour palette, forest-like greenery and sparkly candles.
Finding talented local suppliers who went “above and beyond to make our vision come to life” meant the couple had very little on their DIY list.
But they did have fun sourcing a few things together, like the polaroid cameras, the whisky tasting bar and their favours, which were gold sun and moon pins from Macmillan Cancer Support.
When it came to outfit shopping, Kara had some ideas in mind and did some trying on but couldn’t seem to tick all of her boxes with one single gown.
Laura, meanwhile, was in two minds.
“I knew what I didn’t want. But I wasn’t sure whether to go for a traditional kilt or tartan suit.
“In the end, I wanted to be comfortable and confident on the day, so opted for a tartan suit,” she says.
Made to measure
Having worked with Mette Baillie at Freja Designer Dressmaking in the past, Laura sought out her expertise again to create her bespoke suit.
Her chosen tartan went perfectly with the celestial wedding theme and she had fun designing her jacket; a dark navy velvet number with a silk lapel.
Laura finished off her super-stylish look with a tartan waistcoat, a gold tie, black boots, and a black and gold Casio watch, a gift from her wife-to-be.
Encouraged by her other half ’s recommendation, Kara headed to Freja Designer Dressmaking too.
“After a couple of sessions Mette had drawn out a dress design, and we picked out materials and lace.
“She created an initial template for the dress in calico and after a few sessions the final dress (an ivory gown with silken layers and floral details) came together.
“The last sessions were spent pinning each lace detail to the sleeves, bodice and train to complete the dress.
“I couldn’t have been happier with the end result,” she smiles.
The night before the big day the pair honoured a tradition from Kara’s side of the pond and hosted a rehearsal dinner at Divino Enoteca in Edinburgh.
It was the first time the majority of their family members had met in person, so after a little more fun than planned it was a slightly later-than-anticipated start
in the morning!
“There were bridesmaids and family members popping between suites to ensure everything was running smoothly and photographers were helping dress some of our first-time kilt wearers.
“It was a bit all hands-on-deck. But also brimming with excitement as we knew we’d see each other soon,” Laura explains.
Taking the edge off the nerves with a first look (at The Witchery where they’d been getting ready), they walked down the aisle together before starting their vow renewal.
Humanist celebrant Candice had helped them prepare their vows, making sure the words they’d said to one another in Texas were incorporated.
“Those felt important to repeat, to reaffirm our commitment to one another.
“It also added another layer about what marriage meant to us and how we saw our lives together.”
Afterwards, The Scottish Soul Collective played some jazz for the guests while the newlyweds snuck away for an early look at the upper library, all beautifully decorated for the wedding breakfast.
“We spoke and laughed and danced on the dancefloor in a private, stolen moment of the day. It was amazing,” remembers Laura.
After a fantastic wedding breakfast and heartfelt speeches – “the adoration and support from our friends and families shone through the jokes, the teasing and the laughter, and we felt so loved,” – the band took to the stage again, this time as a full eight-piece.
“There was lots of love and joy throughout the day but especially at the reception,” remember the pair.
“Everyone was thrilled to be mingling; people from across continents coming together with good food, good wine and good music.
“We hoped the reception would feel like a midnight dinner under the stars and it really did.
“We couldn’t have asked for better.”
Reflecting on the journey
Thinking back to the planning process, they admit the toughest thing was making sure they didn’t miss anything (“There were so many details and although
Kara tracked things on a massive spreadsheet there were still so many moving parts, deadlines and details to pull together”), whilst the best part was
picking the food and wine.
We couldn’t agree more!
Castle Name
- 01436 860201
- Lodge on Loch Lomond, Loch Lomond, Luss, Alexandria, UK
- List Itemweddings@loch-lomond.co.uk
- www.loch-lomond.co.uk
Mad House Weddings
“Kara and Laura’s wedding was such an incredible clash of cowboys and kilts. Their day was so authentically them and being
surrounded by their nearest and dearest made it all the more special. Photographing their love was such an immense privilege.”
Samantha
Here are the amazing suppliers that helped make our wedding so special
– I’d highly recommend them.
Band | The Scottish Soul Collective
Brides’ outfits | Freja Designer Dressmaking
Catering | Heritage Portfolio
Celebrant | Candice Dillen of Humanist Society Scotland
Cake | SugarDaddy’s Bakery
Flowers | Occasions of Eyemouth
Hair and make-up | Laura Gray Hair Beauty Bridal
Stationery | 2Flux Stationery Studio
Videography | Afterglow Wedding Films
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