Your Real Weddings - Ashley & Simon

Happily married since 12th May 2017 

The Love Story of Ashley & Simon

How did you two meet?

We met at the Glasgow University Union Debating Society at the University of Glasgow in 2003. We were close friends and got together in 2013.

Ashley how did Simon propose to you?

Simon surprised me on St Valentine’s day , we went for a nice walk up Kinnoull Hill , Perth. While I was taking a picture of the view across Perth Simon dropped to one knee and proposed.

How long were you engaged for before you tied the knot?

We were engaged for 16 months

Did you have any help when you were planning your day?

We had lots of great help while we were planning our day. Both our families, helped with all the really personal details that added to the day. Planning and organising made for wonderful days out , dressing fittings, bridesmaid and groomsmen fittings, menu tasting and venue arrangements to name a few. 

Simon’s mum Anne made the beautiful wedding cake and his Dad Peter made 120 tiny little pots of homemade marmalade , one for each of our guests , that we used a name places for the tables.

 

Ashley’s mum Janet sourced a fantastic local florist, the hairdresser and make-artist, spent days in country baskets choosing vases and made up pampering baskets for the ladies bathroom . Ashley’s Dad Frank helped coordinate the table plan, menu choices and decorated the house for the arrival of the photographer, as well as making sure all the bridesmaids were on time for their hair and makeup, fed , watered and topped up with champagne.

How did you decide on a venue?

Our venue, The House for Art Lover,  is an art deco  Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece that we had always enjoyed visiting. Located in Glasgow it was perfect for our friends and family to reach without any great expense or inconvenience , this was very  important to us.

The Planning/Budget

How did you keep track of your budget?

We kept track of everything we spent and also made sure that for the little details, we bought wholesale items and used local suppliers who came recommended for their personal touch, attention to detail and fair prices for their services.

Did you find it difficult to stay in budget?

Not really, we were very fortunate that our suppliers were fair. We also had a good idea of what we expected to pay for each of the service we hired.

How did you know your dress was the one for you?

I felt wonderful in my dress. I loved the style and the details on the side of the dress.

How many dresses did you try on?

About 5 or 6 in total, not too many at all. I had a good idea of what I didn’t want, lace or strapless and I also know what suits my shape so it made it easier to choose. My mum also has similar taste so if we both agreed I knew we couldn’t be far off.

What’s your top tip for a bride trying to find the perfect dress?

Don’t get too flustered. Mum and I had lots of fun but we did see lots of brides with huge groups of friends and relatives in tow, lots of options, lots of over excitement, a few frustrated comments and very rarely unanimous agreement. I would recommend to take a trusted sidekick rather than a big audience with you.

The Suits

Did you decide on a ‘traditional’ suit style? If not, why did you choose this?

Simon had his outfit tailored and had a wonderful experience doing so. Simon’s kilt, waistcoat and jacket, are items he will (and has since the wedding) wear again, unlike me with my dress, so it was a nice treat for him to work with the tailor to decide on material, tartan, colours and details on the buttons and lapels.

Our Groomsmen and the Dads wore kilts to match the bridesmaids’ dresses.

 

The Big Day

What was the most stressful part of planning your wedding?

Our whole experience we really very enjoyable and we honestly didn’t have any stress at all. The only tiny little worry that the  beautiful sunshine in the two weeks running up to the wedding was due to break on the day of our wedding making way for torrential rain. Fortunately, mother nature was on our side and the rain didn’t arrive, and yes it was torrential, until midnight when everyone was heading home from what had been a beautifully  sunny day.

 

Were you nervous on the day? How did you overcome this?

Nope, we were both just very excited!

What was the best part of the day for each of you?

Ashley: I have lots of favourite parts, I loved the morning in my parents’ house, it was very relaxed, like a spa morning , hair and makeup and lovely time spent with my closet friends. I also really enjoyed the ceremony, it was nice to see everyone as I walked down the aisle and a loved that we wrote the whole ceremony so it felt very personal. I suppose my favourite part however was the dancing at night, the dance floor was never empty and the band played all our favourites, it really was perfect.

Simon: The whole day was perfect from start to finish!

 

Simon, did you cry when you saw your bride walking down the aisle?

I did, when the music started for Ashley to walk down the aisle.

Is there anyone that made your day extra special?

When we went back to the hotel we were sitting in the lounge musing about how great a day it had been and Ashley’s dad suddenly went quiet and pointed to the reception desk…to Gerard Butler who had just checked in! An extraordinary end of the most wonderful day.

Credits

Dress –  Ronald Joyce at Angelique Lamont

Wedding Shoes – No.1 Jenny Packham Debenhams

Accessories – Eleganza Sposa, Glasgow

Kilts Groomsmen – Slanje

Kilt Groom – Andrew Brookes Tailoring

Venue – House for an Art Lover

Make Up & Hair – Blush Beauty, Kilsyth

Photographer – John Stirling

Videographer – Chris Kelly