Tie the Knot Scotland February-March 2025

The beginning of a new year usually splits the wedding-planning cohort into two: either freshly proposed to (congratulations if that’s you, btw!) and raring to go; or been engaged a while and filled with renewed energy and enthusiasm to finalise those pending plans. Whatever camp you find yourself in, we’ve got you sorted… Newbies will appreciate our introductory ‘back to basics’ features. We cover the entry-level fundamentals of planning a wedding (p.8), lay out what a humanist ceremony might entail (p.180), explore music and entertainment considerations (p.208), and talk through groomswear options step by step (p.74). The biggest decision at the outset is where you’ll actually get married. A wedding planner shares her top venue-hunting tips (p.197), and with budget in mind, we look at what some common venue ‘types’…

1. Set your budget How much do you want to spend on your wedding? And how much can you afford to spend? Those two figures are rarely the same, sadly, and as your finances will dictate the rest of your plans, hold off on buying that couture gown until you and your other half have had the money chat. Do you have a nest egg you’re willing to crack open? Might parents or other family members be keen to chip in? Getting married in Scotland need not be an expensive business (you could have a no-frills ceremony at a registry office from £155, plus registrar/room hire fees), but if you want some level of ‘wedding experience’, you can realistically expect to spend anywhere from around £5,000 all the way up…

Opus Couture in West Kilbride recently celebrated the beauty and elegance of real brides in a stunning in-house photoshoot, perfectly showcasing their bridal boutique. For this special project, they collaborated with three of their beautiful past brides, as well as future bride Kirsten Cameron, bringing their bridal dreams to life once again. The shoot was made all the more memorable by a talented team of professionals: hair styling was expertly handled by the brilliant Pamela Docherty, makeup artistry by Stephanie McDowell and Stacey Toner, and photography flawlessly captured by Donna McGowan. As a past bride of Opus Couture herself, Donna truly understood their vision, WIN bringing a unique and personal perspective to the shoot. Each dress was tastefully complemented by an array of custommade earrings by Sophie Smith, owner of…

I love my job (mostly), but there are times that are admittedly better than others. One such stellar day was an otherwise ordinary Friday in December, when I and the rest of the TTKS team booked ourselves in for an afternoon session at the Craft Pottery, a few minutes’ walk from Anderston station in Glasgow. The Craft Pottery has a sister studio where you can work with the actual raw clay (and live out your Ghost fantasies – you know what I mean), but here it’s all about paints and brushes. If you’ve never painted pottery before, let me reassure you: anyone can do it. And if you do need any pointers, the Craft Pottery team are a friendly, welcoming bunch who are more than happy to answer questions. Step…

By royal appointment For the first time ever, Emilia Wickstead dresses will be available to try on in Scotland and customers will be able to view the pieces before anyone else at Edinburgh boutique Rachel Scott Couture. From Wednesday 26th March to Sunday 30th March, brides can get a true feel for the designer’s trademark modern and feminine style that has made her a favourite of the Princess of Wales. The event will come hot on the heels of the Dundas Street store’s Vivienne Westwood trunk show happening on 13th-16th March. Spaces at both are expected to fill up quickly and spots are limited. For appointments, email hello@rachelscottcouture.co.uk. NOT TO BE MISSED Are you looking for an elegant, modern wedding dress? Then Opus Couture has a date for your diary. The Ayrshire bridal shop…

As the go-to bridal alteration specialists recommended by top bridal boutiques in Glasgow, we have built a reputation for reliability, precision, and excellence. Our reputation speaks for itself. Our spacious, picture-perfect fitting rooms are designed with your comfort in mind. Whether you’re making a simple adjustment or a complete transformation, you’ll feel relaxed and pampered as you try on your gown with your closest family and friends by your side. No gown is too complex for our expert team. Whether it’s intricate lacework, delicate beading, or a major redesign, we take pride in perfecting every detail of your dress, ensuring it matches your dream look to perfection. Why choose us? • Long standing reputation • Attention to detail • Luxury experience • Privacy and comfort • Flawless craftsmanship • Generations…