What is your most memorable wedding?
To date, the most memorable wedding we have done was the one for Shona and Philip. Taking them from the end of Loch Scammadale to their reception in a marquee on the banks of the loch.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Professional, personalized, romantic, magical and relaxing.
What about your business are you most proud of?
Holly, our carriage horse. She is 1 in a million, so calm and relaxed, loves getting her picture taken and the patience of a saint.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Plan everything well in advance, then, on the lead up to the actual day, you can relax and enjoy the day when it arrives.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
On this particular occasion it was the grooms parents who arranged for us to be at the wedding. The groom was Scottish and the bride was Canadian. The mother of the groom provided us with flags for the two countries and we attached them to the rear of the carriage. A lovely personal touch.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
When I am contacted by a prospective client, the first think I do is find out the bride and grooms names. I want them to see me as a friend who has their big day as my main priority, and you can' have that if your not on first name terms. Then I find out if I am available on the date they requested. Again, it's their wedding day and I don't want them to feel rushed or flustered, so I only ever book one wedding on any given day. This ensures that there is plenty of time to reach the venue, get set up, time for pictures both before and after the ceremony.
I then ascertain where the venue is, pick-up and drop-off points, distance between points (we have a maximum distance of 7 miles that the horse can travel between points), and how many trips will be done. If its a short distance between points, it may be possible to transport bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride ect.
I also find out the colour scheme of the wedding, as we plait Holly's mane and add ribbons to it to compliment the colour scheme and ask if any additional decorations are required for the day.
If i can I, visit the venue and make sure it is practical for the horse and carriage to do. If all is well, then to confirm the booking I ask for a deposit to secure the date for the couple, with the balance payable 1 month prior to the wedding date.
Nearer the date of the wedding I contact the couple to confirm details and ask if there is anything else they require, then its the wedding day.
What is the most original entrance you have given to a wedding couple?
The wedding I did at Roy Bride was quite memorable. It was the mother of the groom who organised for us to be there and the Bride knew nothing about us until her friends shouted up to her hotel room for her to look out the window. She did, saw us standing outside the hotel and burst into tears of happiness!!
What is your dream car and why?
I do love my carriage as I designed it myself. But one day I would love to have a Landau or a Vis-a-Vis or preferably both!
What would be your No. 1 tip for arriving in style?
Ensuring I arrive in plenty of time to get ready so everyone is relaxed and can enjoy the day.