Wedding of Alanis and Connor

Real Weddings
Written By Naydene Jardine

How did you find out about Sophia Grace Couture?

When I was searching for dresses, I found I really enjoyed a lot of Wona dresses. I went onto their stockists page and found Sophia Grace couture from there. I didn’t know Haddington, but it was close to me. I was blown away by the look of the boutique on social media so I was adamant I would be visiting!

How would you describe your experience at Sophia Grace Couture?

My experience at Sophia Grace was nothing short of incredible. Before coming here, I had visited a few other bridal boutiques and, honestly, I was starting to feel a bit disheartened and stressed—the excitement of dress shopping just wasn’t there. But the moment I pulled up outside Sophia Grace’s beautiful building, that feeling changed. Walking through the doors, I felt calm, excited, and truly looked after. The service was impeccable, and from the very start, I felt special, valued, and never judged—which, unfortunately, hadn’t been the case elsewhere. What made the experience even more special was that I never felt pressured into choosing a dress or making a decision. The team wasn’t just there to sell me a gown; they were there for me, making sure this moment was everything it should be. They were kind, caring, and genuinely attentive, creating a space where I could be honest about how I felt in each dress, without fear of judgment. Sophia Grace completely turned my dress shopping experience around, and I’m so grateful to them for that!

Tell us about your dress and why you choose your particular gown

My dress was everything I had dreamed of and more. I had always loved Wona as a brand (if that’s the right word!), but I went into Sophia Grace with an open mind, ready to explore whatever caught my eye. I picked out a few dresses to try, and then I spotted the one on the hanger. Immediately, I felt butterflies—it was everything I had been searching for. Modern yet classic. Unique yet timeless. I left it until second last to try on, and in the meantime, I slipped into some absolutely stunning dresses. Let me just say, I thought I was broken when it came to wedding dress shopping. In previous appointments elsewhere, I had started to believe I would never find a dress I truly loved. I worried I had unrealistic expectations. But the moment I stepped into Sophia Grace, I realized the problem had never been me—it was that I just hadn’t found the right place. They stocked so many dresses that actually fit my vision, and that changed everything. And then, I tried on the dress. The second it was on my body, I turned and said, “This is it.” I didn’t even need to see myself in the mirror—I knew from the way it felt. I was so eager to turn around, hoping it looked as good as it felt. Walking out to my mum’s reaction confirmed it. She had teared up at every dress I had tried on (she’d have me married in a bin bag and still tell me I looked beautiful), but this time, it was different. Her breath literally caught in her throat. She sat back, her eyes widened, and she just said, “This is it.” Stepping onto the podium and looking at myself, I felt it too. I felt emotional. Confident. Beautiful. But most of all, I felt like ME.

How did you meet? Are you happy to tell us about the proposal?

This was written in our ceremony booklet : In a town called Dumfries, two young hearts found each other. Alanis and Connor, both new to Noblehill Primary School, bonded over the shared experience of being “the new kids.” This connection quickly became the thread that wove their lives together. Their friendship blossomed into something more, and they proudly called each other “boyfriend and girlfriend.” As time passed and they moved on to high school, life led them in slightly different directions, but their paths always crossed. Both had a habit of running late to school, and every morning, at the same time, they would pass each other on their way to registration. Moving in opposite directions, they exchanged knowing smiles—a small, unspoken tradition that brightened their mornings and hinted at the bond they still shared. Years later, Connor, ever shy but deeply fond of Alanis, found the courage to reconnect. With encouragement from a friend, he sent her a short but sweet message: “Hey :P.” (Oh, so romantic!) That message however rekindled their friendship and reignited their bond, which grew stronger with every shared story, laugh, and dream of the future. From traveling the world to building a life together, they envisioned it all, always side by side. After ten years together, Connor planned a surprise proposal in a romantic chapel in Drumoig, near where they lived, with their families secretly in on the moment. Oscar worthy performances were given that day from everyone, derailing what alanis thought was going to be a last minute dash to town with Connor to pick up christmas gifts he “forgot to buy!”. Alanis, overwhelmed with joy, tearfully said yes. Their journey, which began with a childhood bond, has blossomed into a lifetime of love and partnership.

What was your inspiration for your wedding? Did you follow a specific theme or colour palette?

We knew we wanted a classic wedding with modern twist (very much in line with the style of dress I chose!!). However, I didn’t create a big Pinterest board or spend much time fixated on wedding magazines because I personally found the endless ideas and expectations overwhelming. Instead, I took things step by step. Ensuring that each decision and choice I made reflected on who Connor and I are as a couple and what matters most to us. Once I had chosen the venue and my dress, I could better visualise how everything else would come together.When it came to choosing my ‘‘colour palette”, I wanted to compliment both the venues modern, monochromatic interiors with the rustic charm of the historic castle itself. The castles clean, contemporary decor inside contrasted beautifully with the timeless florals and gardens that surrounded it. With it also being at the height of summer, I naturally found myself wanting to lean more into warm romantic tones- burnt peaches, soft creams and a hint of natural green from flower stems and light foliage. I was intentional on keeping greenery and foliage ’subtle’ , as I wanted to avoid the boho aesthetic in this particular case and maintain a refined classic feel. This influenced the style of bridesmaid dresses, hairstyles and the flowers they would hold. It all just naturally took shape from there. I always knew I wanted a classic, timeless wedding. But I wanted it to feel unique to Connor and I, and I think the venue itself played a role in achieving that also.

What made you decide upon your chosen venue?

I first discovered Carlowrie castle before I was engaged, whilst looking through a Grazia magazine, and from the moment I saw a picture of it, I was captivated and of course I told Connor all about it! It is funny how things come full circle, seeing Carlowrie featured in a prestige magazine like Grazia which first drew me in, and now our wedding has been featured in the prestige Vogue magazine! Almost like a 360 moment. Though I loved Carlowrie, I still looked at other castles before making my decision. Whilst at other Castles, I struggled to connect with the more traditionally historic Scottish interiors. As I am Welsh and don’t have many ties to Scotland, it wasn’t something I was overly passionate about. However whilst I may not have been born here, Scotland is a huge part of who I am now, and of course, it’s always been home for both my husband and his family. I wanted to honor that by choosing a castle, but it had to be one that truly resonated with both of us. Carlowrie Castle was exactly that. Not only does Carlowrie have breathtaking surroundings and the charm of a traditional Scottish castle complete with turrets and Ivy climbing up the stone walls , it also has a fascinating story. The castle was once home to Isabella Wylie Hutchison, Scotland’s first female explorer which felt like such a unique and meaningful piece of history. Connor and I were drawn to the story behind the castle just as much as it’s beauty. One of the things that made Carlowrie Castle stand out was its balance of timeless elegance and modern individuality. Carlowrie castle felt more intimate, but the real surprise was stepping inside. Stepping into Carlowrie Castle as an interior enthusiast felt like entering a meticulously curated design masterpiece, one that was both inspiring and inviting. The interiors were a perfect contrast to the historic exterior: Monochromatic, clean and modern, yet full of personality. From the champagne bar, to the bold contemporary art pieces draped across the walls, every room had its own story, blending tradition with creativity. There were unexpected touches of neon, sleek finishes, and a seamless mix of classic and contemporary elements. Connor, too, has developed a love for interiors over the years – partly from spending so much time with me! He has a deep appreciation for how a good design can completely transform a space and we both felt that Carlowrie castle was a reflection of us. Carlowrie Castle’s unexpected modern interior reflected our individuality, our quirks and the way we bring our unique energy into everything we do. Carlowrie Castle was the perfect place, making our wedding feel like an authentic extension of who we are.

Tell us about your wedding

Our wedding was everything we dreamed of…elegant, romantic, classic, fun, modern, and intimate, all at once. More than anything, we wanted our guests to feel relaxed, involved, and truly appreciated, because every single person there meant so much to us.

With Carlowrie Castle as our backdrop, I wanted the decor to feel refined but effortless. The burnt peach tones in the bridesmaids dresses carried through to the roses, which we paired with soft creams and whites for a timeless feel. We kept the greenery subtle, just in the stems and light foliage. Gold accents ran through everything from the charger plates to the photo frames and table details adding a touch of warmth and elegance. One of my favourite elements was soft ivory roses which hung on ivory ribbon from the chandeliers, adding something modern and unique, while the grand urn arrangements gave that classic, traditional touch. We also used gold antique-style mirrors for table numbers and welcome signs, which doubled as photo moments for guests. We made sure our ceremony was completely personal and written in our own words. With the help of Tim, our humanist celebrant, we crafted something that felt so us.

One of the most special moments was my mum reading a poem she had written in Welsh, a heartfelt nod to my heritage. We included an English translation in the ceremony booklet so everyone could follow along. Connor’s three sisters read a poem close to our hearts, and his grandparents shared words of wisdom from their many years of marriage. We also had our mums as our witnesses, which felt really special. And of course, my mum walked me down the aisle, which meant everything to me- she has been both my mother and father for as long as I can remember, and she is the strongest woman I know.

My dress was classic, elegant with a modern twist, which fit the whole feel of the day. I had six bridesmaids in mismatched dresses - three different styles, with two of each- so they could choose something that suited them and made them feel amazing. It was important to me that they felt comfortable and confident, and that their personalities shone through. Connors goddaughter was our flower girl, and my sister, Tanisha, was my maid of honor, which made everything feel even more special. We wanted the celebration to feel like an experience from the moment the ceremony ended. During the cocktail hour, our roaming band, The phat Cats, played while guests wandered the beautiful Carlowrie Castle grounds, soaking up the sun and sipping on drinks. We actually had signature drinks to add a personal touch- mine was a French Martini, which ended up being a guest favourite, and Connor, being the gin lover that he is, went for a Gin Fizz. It was so fun seeing everyone with our go-to cocktails in hand, making the moment feel even more like us.

For dinner, the live music continued a band played throughout the meal, with a saxophonist and violinist performing from podiums that lit up as the evening went on. As the night went on, things definitely got livelier which is exactly what we wanted! We had foam light-up fingers, a photo booth, and even fireworks to end the night in style. We also had a guest audio book where people could leave voice messages throughout the evening. I know some of them might be a little questionable to listen back to now, but honestly, they’re some of the best memories! For our first dance, we chose The One by Kodaline as it was the song we connected with the lyrics the most and kept singing on the lead up to the wedding so it felt right. We didn’t choreograph a routine, just one move, which we somehow ended up repeating over and over again unintentionally hilarious, but also kind of perfect. Our wedding cake was classic and elegant, with white roses and gold initials ‘ C & A’ to tie into the overall theme. And of course, my maid of honor, my sister Tanisha, completely stole the show with her speech. She had everyone in both tears and fits of laughter. Looking back, our wedding was exactly what we wanted- timeless, fun, meaningful, and completely us.

What was the most memorable moment?

Gosh, there are so many. But if I had to choose, one that stands out the most is seeing Connor tear up as I walked down the aisle. In that moment, everything else faded away, it was just him and me. I had thought about this moment so many times, but when it actually happened, I completely forgot about any sort of choreography or pacing. Instead, I basically dragged my mum up to the altar with me because I was so overwhelmed with excitement to get to him. I just couldn’t wait to stand by his side and start forever together. The second was the final song of the night ‘‘loch Lomond’ , a true Scottish wedding tradition. As the song began, everyone joined hands in a huge circle, swaying and singing along, the anticipation building. And then, as the chorus hit, everyone ran toward the center, arms flying, voices raised, the energy electric. In the middle of it all, Connor and I were lifted onto our friends shoulders, (shout out to my best men for getting me up there & keeping me up there even in an awkward dress!!) rising above the crowd. Looking down at our family and friends- the people who love us the most, celebrating us with everything they had was a surreal and unforgettable moment. It was just us two, high above it all, taking it all in together, surrounded by pure love and joy. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day.

What was the most memorable moment?

Gosh, there are so many. But if I had to choose, one that stands out the most is seeing Connor tear up as I walked down the aisle. In that moment, everything else faded away, it was just him and me. I had thought about this moment so many times, but when it actually happened, I completely forgot about any sort of choreography or pacing. Instead, I basically dragged my mum up to the altar with me because I was so overwhelmed with excitement to get to him. I just couldn’t wait to stand by his side and start forever together. The second was the final song of the night ‘‘loch Lomond’ , a true Scottish wedding tradition. As the song began, everyone joined hands in a huge circle, swaying and singing along, the anticipation building. And then, as the chorus hit, everyone ran toward the center, arms flying, voices raised, the energy electric. In the middle of it all, Connor and I were lifted onto our friends shoulders, (shout out to my best men for getting me up there & keeping me up there even in an awkward dress!!) rising above the crowd. Looking down at our family and friends- the people who love us the most, celebrating us with everything they had was a surreal and unforgettable moment. It was just us two, high above it all, taking it all in together, surrounded by pure love and joy. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day.

Naydene Jardine
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