A super-cool autumnal wedding with hints of Halloween at The Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh
Rosie and Fraser
- ThePlus Audio
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Describing how he first met Rosie, Fraser quotes the famous Human League song – “She was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar.” Fraser also happened to be the bartender at the time in Edinburgh’s Voodoo Rooms and the rest was history.
Nine years later he had plans to propose at the top of Calton Hill in the city but the night was a disaster so he ended up popping the question in their house, watched by the “very confused” cats.
Having been together for so long the couple decided they didn’t want a prolonged engagement and quickly secured their venue, for less that nine months after the proposal.
As they first lived together in Leith and bought their first house there they loved the area’s The Biscuit Factory venue, and it was also in keeping with the wedding vibe they were dreaming of.
“We didn’t want a traditional white wedding with a church and organs,” explains Fraser.
“We wanted something unique, something that spoke about us and our being together.”
With their date set for October they naturally leaned towards an autumnal theme, with lots of oranges, gold finishes and candles.
“Downstairs, where we had the party was more neon and dance focused,” adds the groom.
Change of heart
Rosie really wasn’t loving the idea of a traditional wedding dress and intially favoured sashaying down the aisle in a white suit.
“I really didn’t like any wedding dresses I had seen over the years, in shop windows and online,” she explains.
“It was Fraser who had said he would quite like to see me in a dress, and I did think with the groomsmen in proper kilts, the bridesmaids in nice dresses it might look better to wear a dress.”
Admitting to not knowing where to begin the search, Rosie first thought she wanted something floaty over the stomach and sleeveless to show off her tattoos.
“Of course I ended up going for the complete opposite,” she laughs.
“I am quite picky and I don’t like ‘fussy’ so things like lace, floral, big poofy over the top dresses or anything with jewels or sparkles was out of the question.
“I looked for months, and finding the wedding dress was 100% the most stressful and difficult part of the wedding for me.”
Not wanting to spend a fortune or go for anything too traditional that wouldn’t fit the feel of their venue, Rosie trawled charity shops, Facebook marketplace and went to one proper bridal store, as well ordering online.
“I kept coming across issues – like buying secondhand, you’re buying a dress that is tailored to someone else’s body, so likely won’t fit.
“Buying online, I was finding a lot of the dresses felt cheap, poor quality and not ‘special’ when I wore them.
With only three months until the big day Fraser convinced Rosie to go back to Wed 2B, where she’d tried once before, and went along with her for support.
“I was at the point of giving up when I tried on my dress,” she says. “I remember being in the fitting room with the lovely assistant helping me, and I was putting on the dress explaining how it was the complete opposite of what I thought I wanted.
“But then found myself looking at my reflection and feeling really elegant and special.
“I came out of the dressing room and showed Fraser, and he had tears in his eyes. That’s when I knew!
Thankfully Fraser’s wedding outfit was a lot easier to come by and he hired his Ramsay Hunting Tartan Kilt from Bowdens Kilt Hire, pairing it with a traditional tweed grey jacket and waistcoat.
And for the bridesmaid dresses? “I found a photograph on instagram of someone’s wedding and basically stole their dresses!” admits Rosie.
“I did message and ask if they minded, which they were fine with!
“I loved the look of the same dress but in three different autumnal colours.”
Team effort
The night before was spent with friends setting up the venue, before a quick pint all together.
Then Fraser and the men went back to the best man’s house and Rosie’s girls joined her at the couple’s flat for a takeaway, tanning, skincare and prep.
But plans for a good night’s sleep eluded the bride.
“I woke up at 3.30am and couldn’t get back to sleep,” she recalls.
“My maid of honour, Eilidh, was fast asleep in bed next to me.
“I put my earphones in and watched a film on my phone, thinking I’d fall asleep (the animated Anastasia – great film!)”
She ended up watching the entire thing and eventually got up at 6am.
Then the morning was spent in her hairdresser’s (Who had opened specially for her on a Sunday and let the make-up artist set up too) with prosecco and breakfast food.
The couple opted for a humanist ceremony and wrote their own vows.
“I was nervous because I couldn’t stop crying happy tears, but once I started speaking I said what I really wanted to say and I think I was quite sweet,” says Fraser.
They loved their celebrant Kathryn Hanson who kept them calm during the day, added a few cheeky jokes and even let them have a wee tequila toast with their guests midway through the ceremony.
Celebrate
Avoiding a traditional order to events, the couple kicked off with canapes and arrival drinks before the ceremony, before treating their guests to more after the ‘I do’s’, ensuring there was plenty of Prosecco and Aperol Spritz both times.
Then guests enjoyed a Mediterranean meal with sharing platters, Za’atar chicken, roasted aubergine tahini and garlic and lemon salmon.
The speeches were wonderful with Fraser telling racy jokes about everyone – “they don’t bear repeating, but they got some fantastic reactions!”, Eilidh was heartfelt and Chris the best man absolutely raked the groom over the coals.
After dinner they were joined by 150 evening guests and their band Corra had everyone up dancing while drinks were flowing with a table of cocktails, a bar and even a taco van later on.
“We had a magician who kept the crowd busy while we made our way down from dinner,” remembers Fraser.
“The highlight for some guests was a bathtub full of crisps.
“The evening was great fun, super jovial and there were a lot of questionable dance moves!”
Go your own way
For a couple who were determined to not follow a traditional type of wedding they advise other like-minded to-be-weds to stick to their own plan and vision.
“The day is about you after all, so it should be your best day!
“Accept help, but have a clear vision and scope about what that help is.”
Joy Story
“Rosie and Fraser choose a venue that perfectly suited them – cool as heck! Their whole wedding was a joy-filled party from start to finish and I had an absolute ball getting to capture it for them!”
Sarah
Here are the amazing suppliers that helped make my day so special
– I’d highly recommend them.
Band | Corra
Bride’s dress | Wed 2 B
Catering | EventEats
Celebrant | Kathryn Hanson
Flowers | The Flower Studio
Groom’s kilt | Bowdens Kilt Hire
Hair | Rebecca Ritchie at DESH Hairdressing
Magician | Chris Cook Magician
Make-up | Sharon at The Madeup Team
Rings | Goldsmiths
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