A relaxed and DIY-filled wedding at Roodlea Barn, Ayr
Nicolle and Lawrie
- ThePlus Audio
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Nicolle and Lawrie’s first meeting in first year of secondary school didn’t really give any indication of what was to come.
“We had a wee awkward chat on a bench, then didn’t speak again for years!” recalls Nicolle. “We then became part of the same friend group and got together in fourth year.”
The high school sweethearts had actually been together for 15 years when Lawrie popped the question in the most romantic of ways during their 2023 trip to Japan.
“On our final night we were at the Sumida Fireworks Festival in Tokyo hanging out in our pop-up tent having some boozy cans when he asked me to marry him,” says Nicolle.
It may have been a surprise to her but her parents who are jewellers at The Jewellery Company were in cahoots with her husband-to-be and there had been a secret group chat to discuss the all-important ring.
“My mum even travelled through to parliament (where Lawrie works) one day to show him a couple he was interest in!” It was a platinum oval halo that won pride of place on Nicolle’s ring finger.
Securing the perfect date for their big day was very important as the couple wanted to marry as close to their “normal anniversary” as possible.
They also had certain criteria for their venue too.
“Roodlea Barn ticked all our boxes – good location for friends and family, DIY element options but a foundation that was beautifully decorated and would look amazing without any extras, good price, it had a house next door we could rent for the weekend and friendly communication from Caroline the coordinator.”
Nicolle admits to being very self-conscious of her body and not being overly excited about shopping for her dress, but she knew she wanted something simple and not too glam.
“Something that felt pretty but also still ‘me’.”
Going on a recommendation she booked an appointment at Wed2B in Edinburgh with her mum and sister and loved how supportive her stylist was.
“She really understood what I was looking for,” says Nicolle. “Going with a smaller group also helped me.
“It felt like I was getting honest opinions from my mum and sister and then I really felt sure when I found the dress I loved.”
The winning number was a strapless sweetheart neckline gown which they added off-the-shoulder lace straps too.
Although there were plenty of DIY elements to this wedding the couple managed to have a relaxing night before the big day.
Nicolle stayed in the house next to the venue with her mum and bridesmaids and after some prosecco and handing out gifts and personalised notes they made it an early night, which was just as well as she had the alarm set for 5.15am for an early start on hair.
“I felt excited and really chilled, although it was a blizzard in Edinburgh and Glasgow and very stormy in Ayr so I was a little nervous about guests travelling.
“It was generally a good vibe. My grandparents came around 11.30am to join the fun so that was cute.
“There was prosecco and lots of Taylor Swift.”
Nicolle was nervous walking down the aisle to one of their groomsmen Adam singing Wherever You Will Go by The Calling and playing the acoustic guitar, but seeing Lawrie was “really lovely.”
The couple opted for a civil ceremony with a couple of Jewish elements to honour Nicolle’s family’s heritage.
“We didn’t want to have a service that felt disconnected to us and our relationship so opted for that,” she says.
“That way we could tailor it to how we wanted and keep it warm and light.”
Their celebrant Jennifer Lawrie from South Ayrshire Council helped them to include everything they wanted and was really friendly and warm.
“We had lots of comments about how nice the ceremony was,” says Nicolle.
“We wrote our own vows and saying them felt really sweet. It was nice to stand and be open about how we feel about each other (because we’ve been together so long it became a running joke to our friends that we don’t kiss or hug).
“Our vows were personal and had our humour sprinkled in. We even gave a shout-out to my parents’ business which made everyone laugh!”
Nicolle and Lawrie treated their guests to a wintery warming meal, served at feasting tables for effect with each roast being carved by guests in aprons and chefs’ hats and then it was on to a dessert table for variety.
Looking back, Nicolle says all the speeches from both dads, two bridesmaids, one of the best men and Lawrie himself made them feel really loved and valued by their closest people.
Then the party really got started as Lawrie’s brother’s band Jack Brotherhood played a selection of covers.
“They were amazing!” beams the bride. “They got the whole room up and dancing.
“They played for about an hour and then Lawrie, with some help from our groomsman Adam, had created a brilliant Spotify playlist.
“Having everyone we love in one room was incredible and really a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
“My pals got my grandparents up dancing and everyone just let loose and had fun. It was just so good!”
For a couple who had already spent half of their lives together, celebrating their commitment to one another was “really special.”
“Standing there at the ceremony was the culmination of all the different people we have been coming together, ready to start the next phase of our lives,” smiles Nicolle.
“I feels really special to be married.
“It’s made our relationship feel like it’s taken on a new chapter and feels like we are really connected. We’re probably the happiest and most settled we have been in the entire time of being together.
“Being husband and wife just feels right. Our friends always refer to us as ‘the old married couple’ in the group so it feels fun to actually now be one!”
And we love this bride’s style and knowing when to call it a day on her bridal outfit.
“At around 10pm I changed into a tracksuit with Birkenstocks and that was definitely a highlight! It was very ‘me’ and a lot comfier!”
Nicolle would urge to-be-wed couples to enjoy the whole process from the engagement to the taxi home at the end.
“Throw yourselves into the experience because you won’t get it again,” she says.
“Let people fuss over you. Let people hype you up.
“Those that are there love you as a couple and want to celebrate your relationship. Just enjoy it all!”
Joy Story
“My last wedding of 2024 was a goodie! The dancefloor was out of this friggin’ world epic as Lawrie’s bro and his band smashed it! And Nicolle had changed into her joggies by 9.30pm – ICONIC.”
Sarah
Here are the amazing suppliers that helped make our wedding so special
– I’d highly recommend them.
Bride’s dress | ‘Annika’ at Wed2B
Bride’s hair accessories | Amazon
Bride’s shoes | Next
Bride’s veil | Wed2B
Cakes | Marks and Spencer
Caterer | Regis Banqueting
Celebrant | Jennifer Lawrie
Favours | My Wedding Sketcher
Flowers | Narcissus Wedding Flowers by Susan
Groom’s bowtie | John Lewis
Groom’s suit | Moss
Hair | Cherry Hair by Loredana
Make-up | Glam by GG
Rings | The Jewellery Company
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