BLACK VELVET suits, autumn FLORALS and their dog DAVIE by their side
William McGowan & Allan Smith
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William and Allan’s paths first crossed in 2013 during what was meant to be a quiet Sunday night out in Glasgow. “We both ended up in the Polo Lounge,” says William. “Allan offered to buy me a drink and two weeks later we had our first date.”
Fast forward a decade, and the pair decided together that it was time to make things official. “We’d talked about marriage for years. We had a small pot of savings and decided: let’s do it.” A few days later, William came home from work, Haribo ring in hand, and proposed. Their ‘proper’ engagement rings were handcrafted at Chisholm Hunter using platinum and yellow gold, a beautiful reflection of their desire to keep things simple, elegant and meaningful.
THE PLANNING
As seasoned city dwellers, a Glasgow venue made perfect sense for William and Allan. “We wanted somewhere central, stylish and easy for guests,” William explains. “The Blythswood has always been special to us. We’ve had countless date nights and spa days there over the years.”
Their autumn wedding drew on natural tones and soft candlelight. To personalise the space, they filled the rooms with Penhaligon’s Anbar Stone candles, creating a signature scent for the day. Styling by Make Believe Events tied the look together with rich, seasonal details that felt luxurious yet understated.
THE LOOK
Both grooms wanted bespoke suits – something timeless but tailored to them. They discovered Sett Kilts and Tailoring at The Scottish Wedding Show and immediately booked an appointment.
“Allan, his brother Kevin and I went together, and the experience was amazing,” remembers William. “The team are so knowledgeable. We got to choose everything from fabrics and linings to the smallest stitching details.”
The final look was matching black velvet jackets with satin lapels, black wool trousers and Tom Ford bowties. Allan added a green lining, socks and bronze accessories; William chose burgundy. “We had them altered twice. The team at Sett wanted them to be perfect – and they were.”
“We had GLOWSTICKS, DANCING and the best ENERGY. It felt ELECTRIC.”
THE DAY
The couple stayed at the hotel the night before, joined by close family for dinner and a spa day. “It felt calm, not chaotic.”
In the morning, they were up early for photos before the ceremony to make the most of daylight and spend longer at the drinks reception. “I was nervous,” admits William. “Allan was buzzing.”
Their ceremony was deeply personal with celebrant Rachel weaving their story into the service. “We wanted something relaxed, joyful and true to us. It was all that and more.” Their dog, Davie, even walked them down the aisle to Taylor Swift’s Lover, performed live by Nicola Mason, who also sang during the signing and as they left the room.
Guests moved upstairs to the Salon for drinks, canapés and live music before sitting down to a three-course menu featuring gin-cured salmon, braised beef shortrib and apple tarte tatin – all selected after a tasting with the Blythswood’s chefs.
Four speeches followed – both grooms spoke, joined by Allan’s brother Kevin and William’s sister, Leanne. “Kevin’s poem had everyone howling with laughter,” says William. The evening kicked off with a first dance to Let’s Stay Together by Joesef and after The StereoBeats Band took over, the dance floor never emptied. “We had glowsticks, dancing and the best energy. It felt electric.”
REFLECTING
“The day felt exactly right. After 12 years together, marriage was just the natural next step – a celebration of who we are,” says William.
Their advice? “Don’t let the small details take over. Trust your suppliers, make time for each other and do what feels true to you.”
Kate Godfrey Photo
“What I loved about Allan and William’s day was the obvious comfort they felt in each other and in being fully themselves. Everything I captured was real and a reflection of them – there’s not much more I could ask for.”
Kate
Here are the amazing suppliers that helped make my day so special
– I’d highly recommend them.
BAND THE STEREOBEATS BAND
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES LADY G
CAKE MARIA’S BAKEHOUSE
CELEBRANT RACHEL HAYS
DÉCOR MAKE BELIEVE EVENTS
DOG CHAPERONE HAPPY PAWS & CHASING BAWS
FAVOURS GLASWEGIN, THAT’S SO SKETCH
FLOWERS SHOWERS OF FLOWERS
GROOMS’ OUTFITS SETT KILTS AND TAILORING
HAIR KIRSTIE TREBLE
MAKE-UP ALCHEMÉ BEAUTY
MOTHERS OF THE GROOM OUTFITS CATHERINES OF PARTICK, LADY G
MUSICIAN NICOLA MASON VOCALIST
RINGS CHISHOLM HUNTER
STATIONERY TOASTY TYPE
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