Wedding of Louise and Dominic

Real Weddings

2 Sept

Written By Naydene Jardine

How did you find out about Sophia Grace Couture?

I saw them on Instagram!

How would you describe your experience at Sophia Grace Couture?

I had a really great experience at Sophia Grace Couture… The boutique is absolutely beautiful, and the staff were kind, patient, professional and knowledgeable. I have recommended Sophia Grace Couture to anyone who will listen!!

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

I saw the dress on Instagram and fell in love with it. It was by an Australian designer, so I looked for stockists in Scotland and Sophia Grace Couture appeared. It was just as beautiful in real life, it had sleeves (which was a non-negotiable for me), it was sequined from head to toe and wasn’t your usual wedding gown.

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

We were both working in Hong Kong and matched on Tinder!

We went for a staycation to the Outer Hebrides in August 2022. On our first evening we went for a wander down Prince’s Bay beach on the Isle of Eriskay. It’s an amazing beach with white sand and turquoise water. Dominic told me to look out towards the sunset so he could take a picture (as any good “Insta-Boyfriend” would). This took a wee bit longer than Dominic had probably anticipated as I was distracted by a really nice golden retriever taking a stroll along the sand. But when I did eventually turn round Dominic was down on one knee!

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

We didn’t really have a theme, we just picked all the things we liked and hoped it would all come together. I wanted the bridesmaids to have green dresses and our flowers to be happy colours (reds, pinks and oranges)!!

What made you decide upon your chosen venue?

We viewed quite a few venues around the country, but Restoration Yard was by far and away our favourite. The ceremony location (in front of the Orangery) is stunning, and we loved the relaxed vibe. It’s quite a small venue which was perfect for us because we knew we’d have around 70 guests. We liked the fact that it is was in the middle of Dalkeith Country Park, so it feels rural but is actually very close to Edinburgh. This was handy for our guests, many of whom had come from overseas.

Tell us about your wedding:

We were a bit worried about the weather as the rain had been horrendous during the week, and we really wanted to get married outside as planned. Luckily the rain held off (just) and I was able to walk across the park and down the aisle to a cover of 500 miles! We had a Humanist ceremony and included our own vows. After signing the marriage schedule, we walked through the confetti throw and into our drinks reception. Around 4pm we had speeches followed by a family style meal. The evening brought a few more guests, ceilidh dancing, cake, a Scottish-themed sweetie bar and truffle and parmesan fries! It flew by so quickly, but we had the best day ever!

What was the most memorable moment?

The ceilidh dancing! Most of our guests are not Scottish, so it was chaotic but hilarious!!

Do you have any advice for future brides visiting Sophia Grace Couture?

If you’re getting married and are in the market for a gown, I would highly recommend a trip to Sophia Grace Couture. Make sure you leave enough time (around 9-12 months before your big day). Let the girls know any specific styles that you would like to try so they can look them out for you. And, remember, the most important thing… it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks – it’s how YOU feel in your dress that matters.