A beautiful winter wedding with subtle football and textile theme at Elsick House, Aberdeenshire

 

 

You’ve got to hand it to Kirsten and Gavin.

They had to change their wedding date three times and were finally set to say “I do” in April 2021 at Elsick House but, due to increasing uncertainty, decided to bring it forward to December 2020 at short notice.

Despite all the changes, they managed to pull off a stunning winter wedding, filled with lots of touching handmade details with the help of their creative families.

And after Gavin had managed to feature in two of photographer James Kelly’s previous highlights reels they knew he was the man for them!

Read on to hear all about their amazing day with beautiful shots from James.

Kirsten and Gavin first met in London when her flatmate set them up.

Six years later and the couple had returned to Kirsten’s home for a visit when Gavin took her out for a hike.

“He organised a trip to my favourite spot Bennachie,” she remembers. “It was a beautiful snowy morning. Gav took me to the top and proposed there.”

And as an added bonus he had invited her parents too to witness and record the proposal. “It was perfect,” smiles Kirsten.

The couple quickly set about finding the perfect venue and fell in love with Elsick House as soon as they pulled up.

“We were mesmerised by its picturesque setting and spacious surroundings,” says Kirsten.

“We knew people visiting Scotland for the first time would love the house and surroundings.

“And we fell in love with the character of each room, the little nik-naks and the amazing towel animals.”

Still envisaging a spring wedding, they fell for the beautiful gardens and marquee that was perfect for their large guest list.

Winter wedding

“We had taken inspiration from Gav’s love of football and my love of textiles, creating props that represented both of us,” says the bride.

When plans changed to a December wedding and their numbers were slashed due to the pandemic they still stuck to their original wedding theme.

“Our families are extremely creative so getting them involved with the decorations and layout of the room was extremely important to us.”

Kirsten’s mum and aunt made large twine balls while her dad made large knitting needles as well as large frames for the ceremony.

One of these was beautifully decorated by Linda from The Flower Pavilion, forming a gorgeous backdrop for their ceremony.

They crafted cork numbers for each table and Kirsten’s mum made chocolate footballs and football shirts as the men’s favours, while their best man’s wife Laura made candles for the women.

Kirsten’s Granda was a former master baker so it was only natural that he made their wedding cake. “At the age of 83 this was actually the last wedding cake he will be making.”

Talk about a team effort!

Kirsten was one of the lucky bride’s who ended up falling in love with the first wedding dress she ever tried on.

She originally wanted to try on Jesus Piero gowns at Perfect Bridal Rooms but kept coming back to the first Stella York dress she tried there.

“It was minimal, yet chic with a plunging v-neckline and matching v-back.”

Kirsten accessorised with her sister’s veil as her something borrowed.

And having a best friend who works at Kate Spade she naturally wore shoes, earrings and a necklace by the designer. Lucky woman!

And being a cool bride Kirsten made sure she had a white biker jacket from All Saints to complete the look.

When the day finally arrived Kirsten remembers being excited.

“The morning was very nice, emotional at times, but it was nice to get ready, see family and friends and almost feel normal,” she says.

Plus check out these sweet photos below of her dad seeing her in her dress for the first time.

Sign of the times

Walking into their ceremony to Jake Bugg’s A Song about Love, became a hilarious moment as Kirsten’s dad had prepared a two metre stick to social distance from her – a real sign of the times!

And the ceremony was especially touching as Kirsten’s friend’s mum Diane Minty married them.

“She conducted the ceremony with some beautiful words throughout,” she says.

“We also had a bridesmaid reading from Beth, and a Robert Burns poem ready by my brother-in-law and Granda Innes.”

The couple chose their vows together and were happy, nervous and emotional saying them.

“But we managed to have a giggle from time to time, especially when our baby nephew interrupted things by blowing a loud raspberry on my sister’s arm,” smiles Kirsten.

They toasted their ceremony with a nip from a quaich and had provided individual nips for all their guests.

Being a 2020 wedding the evening reception was a little different and to mark it Kirsten decided to give a bride’s speech.

“I wanted to express how happy I was and thankful everybody was able to be there,” she says.

The best man’s speech was very emotional and he was fighting back tears only to be interrupted by his son shouting “bingo!” having completed his speech bingo card.

The guests had great fun with games at the dinner table, a zoom call with friends who couldn’t be there and chatted the night away.

Looking back on their wedding Kirsten says it was amazing to have a rare chance to spend time with family.

“This was especially true of my grandparents, and amazing they could do readings or say grace,” she says.

“And it feels great to be married. Many day-to-day elements of course are no different, but when you do get to say ‘my wife’ or ‘my husband’ it’s a wonderful moment.”