These happy newlyweds celebrated with a joyful festival wedding on a lovely day in July…

Sarah-Jane and Stephen first met at a friend’s party. “The night is a bit blurry,” laughs Sarah-Jane, “but we bonded over a shared love of adventuring, snowboarding and the outdoors. We danced the night away and the rest is history! We went on our first date to Glasgow Green Fireworks and shared a bottle of wine, returning in the wee hours to steal Stephen's flatmates' leftover pizza.”

Stephen proposed at home on the 28th December 2021. “He had hidden a present under the Christmas tree as one that had been 'forgotten', hoping that I would see it,” says Sarah-Jane. “Unfortunately, the busyness of Christmas time had me bypassing the box for two days! Eventually, Stephen had to throw it at me in a panic while I was getting ready to go out for a nice dinner. He asked if I'd marry him and told me how much he loved me. How could I say anything else but yes!"

Shopping for the dress

Sarah-Jane found her perfect dress at wed2b’s Glasgow store. "It was the best experience I could have asked for,” she says. “The staff were very easy-going and there was no pressure to buy. They advised me on sizing, let me pick a few styles I liked and helped me try them on with ease. They also offered me accessory options and I ended up with the dress of my dreams."

An elegant A-line

She chose Elliana by Anna Sorrano, a modern, off-the-shoulder A-line in soft organza with a long sweeping train. “It was flattering, comfortable and made me feel like a princess,” says Sarah-Jane. “The train at the back was exactly what I was looking for, even though the style was the exact opposite of everything I had in my head. The neckline and cinched waist enhanced my curves and I felt so pretty!”

“I also bought a veil,” says Sarah-Jane. “It had Swarovski crystals, which I loved. Plus, it matched my belt and added a bit of sparkle. The service and quality was so good that I returned soon after and also bought all of my dark green bridesmaids dresses at wed2b too. Everyone found something that was perfect for them, in the colour I wanted."

A fun festival wedding

The couple had a mini festival wedding at a friend's outdoor classroom on the 13th July. “We had a stretch canvas full of fairy lights in a stunning woodland location,” says Sarah-Jane. “There were tipis, yurts and lots of good food, music and dancing! It tied in with our love of the outdoors, as well as being 10 minutes from our home and in the village Stephen grew up in.”

The big day

“I got ready at my Mum and Dad's house with all of my bridesmaids and  my ‘bridesman’,” says Sarah-Jane. “The weather was sunny and warm and exactly what we needed for a fully outdoor wedding. My dad walked me down the aisle to ‘Nuvole Bianche’ by Ludovico Einaudi. We had a Humanist ceremony and our celebrant also sang a song called ‘Here's To Life’.”

“Afterwards we walked back down the aisle and straight into the tent for a champagne reception and to greet our nearest and dearest. We then got some beautiful photos with our family and friends.” 

“We had food trucks for the wedding breakfast, a fish and chip van and the local Indian takeaway serving curry and pizzas,” says Sarah-Jane. “Our first dance song was ‘Beneath Oak Trees’ by Dylan Gossett, because we both love it and it linked well to the venue.”

A soft autumnal colour theme

“My favourite season is autumn, so all of my theme was autumn in summer,” says Sarah-Jane. “There were lots of dark greens, oranges, reds and yellows. I made all of the decorations myself, from my centrepieces to the big hoop we used as a backdrop. I also made all of the favours and the bridesmaids accessories, like coat hangers and robes.”

Cakes and ceilidh dancing

“For our cake, the local baker made a big sponge cake then surrounded it with our favourite mini treats, such as donuts, French Fancies, empire biscuits and strawberry tarts. Later there was a ceilidh band who called a number of traditional Scottish dances, followed by our friends’ rock band. Then we had a DJ to round off the day.”

The best bits…

“The most memorable moment of the whole day was looking down the aisle and seeing Stephen crying before he'd even seen me,” says Sarah-Jane. “It totally set me off and I couldn't wait to get close to give him a hug."

My top tips...

“Take it all in, it passes so quickly,” says Sarah-Jane. “Do you, don't be afraid to be a bit different. It's your big day and it should be all about you and your partner and all your nearest and dearest. Share the love!”

Sarah-Jane and Stephen’s Dream Team 

Photographer: David Long Photography 

Wedding dresses Glasgow: wed2b

Bridesmaids dresses: wed2b

Flowers: Sunnyside Nursery

Cake: Irvines Bakery Beith

If you would like us to feature your big day, like this festival wedding, then please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Your nearest wed2bis closer than you think, click here for your nearest store and here for what to expect when you visit.