This bride’s love of Scandinavian design inspired her monochrome big day…
WHO: Romana & John
WHERE: The Mitchell Library and The Grand Ballroom, Sloans
WHEN: November 2011
PHOTOS: Emma Case Photography
The proposal
“John proposed on the 21st of December, the anniversary of our first date,” remembers Romana. “It was the shortest day of the year, and the day of the lunar eclipse, and John had planned everything to perfection. However, he hadn’t expected that I would be really ill with a bronchial infection! The Champagne breakfast had to be scrapped because I couldn’t get out of bed, the romantic walk on Prestwick beach cancelled because of the freezing weather, then the meal at House For An Art Lover, where John had planned to pop the question had to be forgotten, too – they called to say they wouldn’t be opening due to frozen pipes! Eventually, with me in my PJs, sitting on the sofa, John asked me to marry him!”
The bride’s outfit
“My dress was a vintage 1950’s gown from Dragonfly Dress Design,” remembers Romana. “Lisa, the owner of the studio adjusted the dress for me, creating a new neckline, a v-shaped back and shortened the hem to a tea length. I had originally bought a BHDLN fascinator to wear, but felt that it was too fussy for my halo braid hairstyle. I was in Glasgow the day before the wedding and spotted my headband in Ollie and Nic and decided to go with it! Finally, my shoes (which I bought immediately after John proposed!) were a pair of sequined Marc Jacobs pumps – they were my ‘something blue’,” she adds
The groom’s outfit
John looked very dashing in his dark blue three-piece suit from tmlewin, worn with a pink and blue stripey tie.
The bridesmaids
“I wouldn’t have asked anyone else,” smiles Romana. “Rebecca, my sister, helped me with lots of the planning, while Dawn, my best friend, got married three months before us (I was her bridesmaid) so we spent the year providing support for each other.” Their dresses were from ASOS, the belts and tights from Topshop and their shoes were from Office.
“John planned for everything – except me getting ill with a bronchial infection!”
The ceremony
“We decided to have a humanist ceremony, performed by Linda, our Scottish celebrant. She created a very personal, moving, yet lighthearted ceremony, which perfectly captured both our personalities. We wrote our own vows, with tips and guidance from Linda, who was a great help throughout,” says Romana.
The reception
“I started collecting vintage crystal and cut glass vases about six months before the wedding – I think I cleaned out most of the charity shops in the West of Scotland!” laughs Romana.
“We have a plum tree in our garden and used the fruits to make chutneys, jams and pickles to give as favours.”
The honeymoon
“We spent a week touring the Highlands, staying in The Atholl Palace Hotel and The Loch Fyne Hotel, enjoying dramatic scenery, good food (especially the seafood) and heavenly spa treatments,” says Romana
