Allana and Alan were married at Lochgreen House Hotel in Ayrshire in a beautiful rustic themed wedding. It was yet another gorgeous summer’s day (thanking you Scotland!) We met up with these 2 and their wedding party the night before for the rehearsal to check out the venue with them and also get a few shots. Was lovely to meet everyone before hand and to see how close knit they all are. I always find it to be such an honour to be a part of this even if only for a day. It never fails to warm up my heart and make me fall in love with what I do for a living all over again. St-Ninians church has a special place in Allana’s families heart. It was to be an extra special ceremony and that it was. I love this shot of this intimate family prayer.
As mentioned above the day ended up being absolutely gorgeous ending in a stunning sunset but the morning itself was not so bright. I kept my fingers and toes crossed in the car the whole way to the wedding…I guess it worked. The girls got ready at the venue itself and I had an absolute ball of a time with them. Allana is such an amazing, smiley and happy person! I am not surprised that she is surrounded by such an amazing group of family and friends! The boys got ready in Allana and Alan’s new home together cheering to some single malt whiskey! The day started off fab and it just kept on right up until the moment we left them to it in the evening! I loved all the details Allana put into the day, the ideas and effort she threw into this wedding was outstanding and it was a pleasure to photograph. Everything was made and thought up by her and seeing it all come together in such a beautiful setting was incredible. Even though I have only gotten to know them through this journey I know that every single part of the day was who they are as a couple and it was an honour to be there to capture it!!
Here is what Allana had to say…
Did you enjoy planning the wedding or was it stressful?
We booked our wedding just over a year prior to our big day which gave us loads of time to organise. We booked our biggest things in the first couple of months even before we announced that we had booked our venue. We were really lucky that we were more than pleased with every supplier that we met with first time. I can imagine it to be stressful if you meet lots of suppliers in the same industry as it would be hard to decide on whom to go with as there are so many talented people out there. I attended wedding fayres mostly to enjoy the build up to the big day and for fun girlie days out more than anything! I work as an Art teacher therefore, love being creative and got so engrossed in the décor, flowers and theme for our wedding. I spent months making and sourcing the décor. There were many wedding preparation nights with my family and friends which was great fun and added to the whole wedding experience. I don’t tend to get stressed that easily and loved every second of the planning and preparations.
What was the most special part of the day?
There were so many special parts and surprises on the day. I don’t think I could pin point only one!
I loved the wedding morning getting ready with my family and my bridesmaids. It was so special and we all got pampered while sipping champagne together, there was so much excitement. My bridesmaids had not seen my dress or my mum’s outfit which was exciting as we did a dress revealing at the bottom of the big stair case in the venue. The girls waited there having drinks before we went to meet them. I then went to put my dress on with my sister in-law which was lovely. She then joined the rest of the girls with my Mum. As I left my room my Grandpa walked out his room which was special as this gave us a moment together and he walked me down the corridors and the staircase to meet everyone. I will never forget the girls reactions. It was brilliant!
My dad passed when I was two so my brother gave me away which was emotional. I really wanted to go to the church in my fathers potato lorry, however as far as I knew the lorry was unable to be driven on the road due to mechanical issues. I arrived at the church with my bridesmaids, family and some of my girlfriends on the vintage bus. We sang ‘going to the chapel’ over and over at the top of our voices which was so funny. There were lots of family friends who I hadn’t seen in a while who had come to the church to see me. As we were outside the church mingling the air horn of my father’s lorry started pelting out with my Uncle and brother grinning away in the cabin. It broke down outside the church stopping all the traffic which was hilarious. My brother then got out half dressed with my bridesmaids dressing him properly in his kilt on the street. I will never forget that moment. It was really special travelling in the lorry to Lochgreen as newly Mr & Mrs with my Uncle driving us. They had made us stairs out of hay bales to get in and out of the lorry. It was fab!
The excitement of walking down the aisle was also a memorable moment. Our service was really special with my father’s cousin marrying us in his church. One of my bridesmaids sung for us and my flower girl and another bridesmaid read a poem during the ceremony. We won’t forget leaving the church to Andy Lucas singing ‘Grow old with me’ to be greeted with all our wedding guests for the first time. It was magical.
It was nice to have the time just the two of us getting our photos taken before we joined the party again. We also sneaked away to the beach for photos later on in the evening as the sun was setting which was great fun with our videographer and photographer.
Our party in the evening was wonderful. Our band was outstanding and the dance floor was full all night. It had been a roasting sunny day and the patio doors were open with people mingling inside and out. I remember at one point our guests all dancing outside as well as in. A moment to remember for us, at the end of the night was being huddled with my wee nana during ‘Runrig’ All our guests were going crazy dancing away. The girls all had flip flops on which I had left for them in a basket.
Alan and I wrote messages on the giant balloons that decorated the aisle and we let them away later in the evening which was special. We also had giant sparklers which everyone had a laugh with and it looks amazing in our video.
The day before the wedding was buzzing. My ‘work wives’ also art teachers led teams of my family and bridesmaids to decorate the venue make the bouquets etc. We had such a laugh and I cant thank them enough. Tom our minister made everyone so relaxed at the rehearsal. He had us all huddled together and gave us a blessing. Closest family and friends then joined us for a rehearsal dinner also at Lochgreen which got the wedding started the night before. My family and friends do love a party!
There are so many special parts of the day. None of them we could have predicted
And a list of which suppliers were used
Church: St. Ninian’s Church Troon. Rev Tom Montgomery (Allana’s Dad’s Cousin)
Venue: Lochgreen house hotel
Dress: Teri Fox Couture
Bridesmaids Dresses: Twobirds
Hairdresser: Sara Ferguson (Ferguson Neill & Beauty, Irvine) & Jade Patterson (Blades, Kilmarnock)
Make – up artist: Sharon Stewart (Salon Z, Kilmarnock)
Nails: Heather Marie Jardine (Couture Nails within Salon Z, Kilmarnock)
Videographer: Euan Williamson films
Flowers: Allana & her team of bridesmaids made the bouquets, centre pieces and button holes themselves.
Chair Covers: Winton Weddings
Sweetie Bar: Allana
Venue Décor: Allana had a rustic theme and made everything herself. She had personalised vintage crates filled with hydrangeas, wooden hearts, favours, personalised wine charms, wine glass lips & moustaches, oversized balloons, lanterns, bird cages and sentimental items such as vintage typewriters and father’s first bear and endless amounts of candles.
Cake: Family Friend
Transportation: Father’s vintage lorry (potato wagon) chauffeured by Uncle, Vintage bus by Waterside weddings
Band : A-Side Soul
Day Entertainment and during meal: Andy Lucas Pianist & trombone player
Chantal and Scott x