Intimate “I do”s and a private party at Hotel du Vin, Glasgow

Like many couples in the past year, the pandemic put Kirstin Maclay and Callum Bowie’s original wedding plans out the window.

A celebration for 200 suddenly became one for just 20 but, thankfully, dealing with unexpected hiccups comes naturally to Kirstin, a senior executive assistant.

She quickly moved the date (“Thank goodness as our original date would have allowed us to have only five people!”) and embraced the intimate vibe at their new venue.

“One Devonshire Gardens is always a stunning setting and the fact it was in my hometown of Glasgow was another winner,” says Kirstin.

“We booked a whole townhouse and had 20 of our immediate family and a few close friends staying there.”

Read how they made their day special, featuring gorgeous snaps from the talented Euan Robertson.

 After hitting it off on Bumble and more than three happy years together, Callum proposed to Kirstin in Mexico – with a token ring.

“He knew my mum had given me a ring with two diamonds in it that I wanted to remodel,” she explains.

“So, I went to Sarah at Brazen Studios to design my engagement ring and wedding ring and got Callum a wedding ring designed as his wedding gift.”

When it came to dress shopping, Kirstin toured the bridal boutiques of Edinburgh, West Kilbride and Glasgow with her mum, her sister and her best friend.

“We went to one shop in Glasgow and the girl who helped us was amazing and so lovely,” she remembers.

“I thought I’d found the dress… But then we headed to Opus Couture in West Kilbride. We had another really lovely experience and found another dress! I finally landed on the one from Opus Couture, which I was delighted with.

“It was sleeveless with beautiful Chantilly lace, a plunge neck and a beaded back. The skirt was plain and sleek with a lace train, and we added some more lace at the front.”

She kept her accessories simple and elegant – a cathedral-length veil, diamond earrings (a wedding gift from her mum) and low-heeled, gold shoes – and did the same with her sophisticated black bridesmaids’ dresses.

As the wedding drew closer, Kirstin admits it was pretty stressful – not just due to the pandemic but also as she was very particular about the aesthetics.

“I wanted it to be a wedding but not too themed. For example, I initially wanted simple greenery but when we changed venue, the flowers became the main event.”

Fortunately, Baillie at fiori “nailed the vision” with a ‘romantic grunge’ theme.

Perfectly in keeping with the cosiness of the venue and the time of year, it’s no surprise that the bride was blown away with the stunning arrangements when she arrived at the venue after a special, fun-filled morning.

A cosy drinks reception followed before a wedding breakfast that had been fully tried and tested by the new Mr and Mrs.

“We actually went to stay at Hotel du Vin before we got married and were blown away by the meal we had that night. So, we had exactly that for our wedding menu!” laughs Kirstin.

Unfortunately, after the speeches (which were “not overly gushy but just enough, with a good measure of tongue and cheek humour”) there was no live music due to restrictions.

But that didn’t stop the couple and their guests letting loose!

“We had a playlist on through the speakers and since we had the whole townhouse, we took the party to one of the rooms after the 10pm curfew.”

Now, happily married to her “best pal”, Kirstin (a self-confessed control freak who struggles to delegate) would urge other brides to enjoy the planning process because, after all, it’s your day and it can be exactly how you want it!

“Don’t sweat the small stuff,” she advises.“

Everything will come together in the end and the details you might notice, your guests will be none the wiser of. So, enjoy it and take every bit in as the day will go by in a flash!”