Introducing Wine and Dine Weddings – the hottest new way to say ‘I do’

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If the past couple of years have done anything, they’ve challenged the way engaged couples think about their dream wedding.

In the ever-changing wedding landscape, we’ve seen couples slip away to elope with just their dog as a witness, intimate wee weddings with only parents in attendance, and the emergence of beautiful micro-weddings, which forced couples to focus on what really matters.

But now we’ve discovered a fresh new category of wedding that offers a beautiful alternative when tying the knot, if you don’t fancy returning to the “big white wedding”.

Wine and Dine Weddings allow couples to kick back and enjoy a relaxed micro wedding with family and friends, and importantly, put their own stamp on their big day.

With an emphasis on quality food with menus to fit your tastes and those of your guests, they’re a far cry from trying to please the majority in an expansive guestlist.

So, what exactly is a wine and dine wedding?

These weddings are for couples who want a more intimate wedding where enjoying quality time with family and friends over delicious food is the main focus of the day.

Siobhan Leith, head of sales and marketing, at McLarens on the Corner in Edinburgh, is an advocate for this brand new category.

With nearly 20 years’ experience in the wedding industry, she’s watched the shift in couples’ appetites with real interest.

“I think the parameters have changed,” she explains.

“People are now looking for, and expecting, to do weddings their way.  The last two years have normalised having smaller affairs and it’s now the perfect time to concentrate on that.

“Micro-weddings have been around for a couple of years and wine and dine is an evolution of them. People no longer need to have the big white wedding. It’s now ok for food to sit front and centre.”

Siobhan and the team have spent a lot of time curating the perfect space for smaller weddings at McLarens on the Corner.

Situated on Edinburgh’s famed Morningside Road, this unique venue offers couple the chance to enjoy exclusive use of two floors of the venue, including the beautifully decorated Parlour & Tellers level – complete with its own bar, and also the unique and eclectic Loft.

How does the day run in a wine and dine wedding?

The key thing here is choice and freedom to run your wedding day as you see fit.

A ceremony, drinks reception and dinner can take place in the same place in this unique style of wedding.

Or following a ceremony in a separate venue, a drinks reception and dinner can take place at your wine and dine venue.

“We’ve built the wine and dine wedding package at McLarens around what you want,” explains Siobhan.

“You don’t have to hire the space to have the wedding here if you don’t want. You can pick and choose what elements you want.”

But having a smaller wedding, doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice any elements that are key to your dream wedding.

There is still lots of scope to have dancing, cake cutting and all the traditions that usually accompany a wedding.

However, the focus is very much on a personal and relaxed celebration without the worry and co-ordination that can come with a large-scale affair.

Food is the language of love, and couples are able to select menus that reflect their personalities and those of their guests or cultures.

What makes the perfect venue for a wine and dine wedding?

As this category of wedding is all about choice, couples need to be able to choose a venue which suits their personalities; whether it’s a grand space or an informal, but beautiful, restaurant.

Exclusive use of an area is ideal so that the wedding party can enjoy their celebrations in private.

“It also has to be flexible and meet the couple’s needs and wants,” adds Siobhan.

“If they want the ceremony here we can absolutely accommodate it in the space we have that’s dedicated to it.

“It’s not about shoehorning their wedding into the space or about the restaurant putting chairs in the back.

“The perfect venue is about having a specially-allotted, exclusive space for the ceremony.”

Why McLarens on the Corner could be your perfect wine and dine wedding venue

As mentioned above, at McLarens on the Corner you have your own exclusive space with a separate entrance and staircase, and once inside, you have options.

You can choose to hold your ceremony in the Loft, which offers a relaxed beautiful space which comes with a “living wall”, a range of seating and quirky décor.

Alternatively, the Parlour & Tellers level is an elegant space with lots of natural light and an informal, yet stylish ambiance.

Both spaces have their own bars and sound systems, making ideal locations for drinks receptions or lounge spaces for you to spend quality time with your guests.

Plus, you’ll have the freedom to move between the areas throughout the day so if you fancy escaping with your photographer for some photos of just you two, simply head up to The Loft while your guests enjoy drinks downstairs.

The Parlour & Tellers level is also partitioned so you can have ceremony and drinks on one side and then dinner for around eight on the other side if you favour a really intimate wedding guestlist.

Larger numbers of up to 40 can also be accommodated easily.

Then there’s all the extra touches you’ll love here, such as a complimentary tasting with wine while you talk through the ideal wedding menu with your dedicated wedding coordinator.

“The company mixologist can also make bespoke cocktails for you and we don’t charge corkage so we can order in your wine of choice,” says Siobhan.

McLarens aims to take the stress away from organising your wine and dine wedding.

They have a suppliers list for any extras you might fancy, including Quate & Co for your flowers, Reel Time Events for a piper or All Wrapped Up for any décor items you might want to hire in, like extra Chiavari chairs.

It’s also important to note that McLarens has availability for both mid-week and weekend weddings and, situated just five-minutes’ drive from the centre of Edinburgh, you’re ideally located for the City Chambers, photo opportunities aplenty, and accommodation.

What couples would suit a wine and dine wedding?

“Wine and dine weddings are definitely about couples who want an intimate ceremony for just them and their nearest and dearest,” explains Siobhan.

“Guests should feel honoured to be one of the 20 or so invited guests.

“The entertainment is in enjoying the food and wine with your guests, you don’t need lots of added extras.”

If the idea of holding an intimate ceremony before hosting a wedding breakfast with amazing food and wine and a cocktail soiree before bed sounds like your dream day, then the wine and dine wedding should definitely be up for consideration.

But just remember, you don’t have to sacrifice the other elements that might be included in your idea of what makes a wedding.

There is still plenty of scope for dancing the night away in a dedicated space. It’s just a case of sharing those moments with the people that truly matter.

What the future holds

Choice has become the key factor when planning a wedding with couples expecting to do things their way – something Siobhan says should be celebrated.

“This is a lovely way for smaller venues to be able to celebrate smaller weddings and really accommodate the intimate weddings couples have in mind,” she says.

“You can have just as memorable and wow a wedding, even if it’s not a big affair.”

Want to find out more about wine and dine weddings?

Contact McLarens on the Corner here