Lorraine and Iain’s Orkney Islands’ wedding

Lorraine and Iain met when she gave him a lift home after his 21st bus tour. “We met up again shortly after that… and never looked back!” she says.

Iain proposed on Christmas Eve in 2018. “He had my ring wrapped up and disguised in Christmas paper and a gift bag,” says Lorraine. “I thought I was opening an early Christmas present, and a very special one it was too! He picked the ring himself, and it was the perfect size. I was in complete shock. We had been together for nine years, so I wasn't sure it was ever going to happen!"

Bridal shops Edinburgh

Lorraine found her dream dress at WED2B’s bridal shops Edinburgh. “My mum, my sister, my cousin and my sister-in-law-to-be were all by my side,” says Lorraine. “It was a dress I had seen online, and one of the first three I picked out. I knew as soon as I put it on that it was ‘The One’. There were lots of tears!” 

“Almost exactly two years later, I got to wear my gorgeous Tanya dress. I wanted something elegant, sparkly and with back detail. This dress was exactly what I was looking for. Esther in the store looked after us so well, it was such an emotional and surreal experience. My headpiece and veil were also from WED2B. Esther picked them out and they were exactly what I was looking for.” (For similar styles try Fraser, Brixton or Laurette)

An island wedding

The couple married on Stronsay, the small island where Lorraine grew up, on the 10th July 2021. “Despite having to postpone our original date in 2020, due to Covid, we had the most amazing day,” she says. "We were surrounded by our closest friends and family, and it was very special.”

The big day

“We got ready at my folk's house, where I was brought up, surrounded by all the little ones,” says Lorraine. “My cousin laid on a fabulous breakfast for us all. Then my dad drove me to the church in a tractor! When he walked me down the aisle I’m not sure which one of us was most nervous! It was a great day, dry and not too windy or bright. We got our photos taken in a lovely garden on the island, then went to the community centre for our reception.” 

Treasured memories

The couple incorporated a few themes into their wedding day. "Sadly, we were not able to share our memories with a number of close relatives who are no longer with us,” says Lorraine. “My granny loved to do cross stitch and my grandad did tapestry. So I wanted to have embroidery hoops in our decorations, to remind me of them. Iain's sister embroidered our table names onto material, which went in the hoops. His cousin also made stands to hold them.” 

“Yellow was my granny's favourite colour, hence the sunflowers in my bouquet,” says Lorraine. “Our favours were badges and a donation to two charities close to our hearts, the Alzheimers Society and Macmillan Cancer Support. Iain's dear granny was diagnosed with Alzheimers many years ago, and my great auntie too, just last year. Macmillan were a great support too when my grandad was ill. We also used old bottles that Iain's dad had collected as part of our table decorations. Sadly, he’s no longer with us, so it was very special for us both to use something of his on our wedding day.”

Amazing suppliers

“Lauren and Keri did our make up and hair,” says Lorraine. “They made us feel so calm that morning, they really were just like part of the family. As was Leona, our photographer, who was fab. I didn't realise she was taking photos half of the time! Ingie Breck did our flowers, which was a tough job as we weren’t able to meet up to discuss plans. We did it all over FaceTime. But she did not disappoint, our flowers were absolutely perfect.”

“Our cake was made by my dad’s first cousin and the catering was done by another cousin. It was very important and special for me to have these folk involved in such major parts of our special day. After we cut the cake, we had a gorgeous meal and speeches, then there was dancing until the small hours,” says Lorraine. “The Stronsay Band helped us dance the night away and it was fab music, as always!”

My top tips…

“Relax and enjoy the run up to your special day, it goes so quickly!” says Lorraine. “Also, take time away afterwards to soak up all your precious memories.”

Lorraine’s Dream Team

Photographer: Leona Allan Photography

Bridal shops: WED2B

Florist: Ingie Breck at Flowers by Ingie

Entertainment: The Stronsay Band

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Or click here for more details about WED2B’s Bridal shops.