Let’s Talk Tying the Knot

Rachel Snedden from Rachel Scott Couture (stand E36) shares three ways brides can customise their dress and make it their own. She’ll explain what the difference is between made to measure and made to order gowns – covering fit, sizing, design changes and more – and how playing with styling and accessories can transform a dress. Mums and guests can expect some insightful wedding dressing advice too! 

About Rachel Scott Couture 

Now, celebrating its 21st year in business, Rachel Scott Couture remains at the forefront of couture retailing, with Rachel personally hand picking each piece in its collections. 

Having built her multi-award-winning bridal business from scratch, Rachel has remained true to her original concept of providing the very best quality product and service, with the customer’s happiness at the centre of every decision she makes. 

With her trusted reputation for excellence in quality, styling and design innovation, Rachel knows what it takes to style your complete bridal look, plus with every piece individually made by the very best world-renowned bridal designers like Vivienne Westwood and Danielle Frankel, brides can be confident in receiving an individually tailored luxury product, whilst having the truly unforgettable and genuinely personal customer experience that only Rachel Scott Couture can provide. 

The Rachel Scott Couture experience doesn’t end at bridal though – in 2024, it opened a second boutique focusing on couture occasion and event wear. A first of its kind in Edinburgh, it’s the only boutique where you can get your hands on dresses by iconic designers such as Suzanne Neville, a favourite of mothers of the bride and groom. 

Whether you favour sharp tailored minimalism, feminine romanticism, glamorous sumptuous elegance or exquisite, concealed corsetry, each client’s dress is individually crafted using only the best fabrics and couture construction techniques. 

Modern, contemporary, flamboyant or classic bridal, Rachel and her team have the expert knowledge and endless creativity to help you discover your own style and uncompromisingly perfect wedding day look. 

Selina Carlton from multi-award-winning groomswear specialist Kilts 4 U (stand C40) tells us about all the ways the groom can bring his personality to his outfit. Selina and the team will show off tartan and jacket options, impactful accessories, and give an overview of what customisation options are possible. She’ll also talk about the all-important timeline when it comes to groomswear shopping.

About: Kilts 4 U

With over 10 years of experience within Kilts 4 U, Selina now manages Frank’s Gold Room’s made-to-measure experiences.

Whether you’re looking to hire, buy or go completely made to measure, groomswear specialist Kilts 4 U will help you find your dream outfit. They can take you through their one-to-one service designed completely around you and your big day. Whether you wish to own a stunning kilt outfit, suit, tux or hire, they will guide you through the process with ease and enjoyment.

With in-house outfit tailoring ensuring your garment suits your shape perfectly and fits as it should, its made-to-measure and bespoke design service ensures customer expectations are surpassed every time.

As part its extensive range, Kilts 4 U also offers an exclusive range of Highlandwear outfits to hire, designed in-house by a fantastic design team, that cannot be found anywhere else – modern and traditional-style tartans, bringing a very contemporary twist and feel to an age-old and proud Scottish heritage.

If the thought of the most important part of the day is making you nervous, allow celebrants Humanist Society Scotland (stand J34) to reveal their ceremony toolbox that’ll help you keep your cool. They’ll tell us about all the planning and prep that goes into building a humanist ceremony that reflects you, so that both of you can feel calm and confident, no matter if emotions take over! Expect to hear about options for ceremony structure, vows, traditions and, most importantly, sharing the story of your relationship. 

Saturday: Ronit Quayle and Claire Digance 
Sunday: David Smith and Helen Tuhoy 

About Humanist Society Scotland 

Humanist Society Scotland is the original and biggest provider of humanist ceremonies in Scotland, delivering legal humanist wedding ceremonies for 20 years. In fact, it was because of the campaigning work of Humanist Society Scotland that you can now have a legal humanist wedding! So, your ceremony is in safe hands. 

With a network of over 100 talented celebrants conducting meaningful, personal and unique ceremonies all over Scotland, they have someone who will be the perfect fit to tell your love story and marry you anywhere you choose.  

When you book with Humanist Society Scotland you also have the added peace of mind provided by their ceremony promise. This guarantees emergency cover from another Humanist Society Scotland celebrant in the unlikely event illness or unforeseen circumstances prevents your chosen celebrant from delivering your ceremony.  

Ready to tie the knot your way? Visit their website to browse celebrant profiles and secure your date!

About the celebrants 

Claire Digance (Saturday) 

For over ten years, Claire has been marrying people and telling their extraordinary love stories all over Scotland. How could you describe her? She would say original, engaging, and warm. Her daughter said tall, hungry, and unhinged – somewhere in the middle lies the truth.  

Ronit Quayle (Saturday) 

Ronit lives near Glasgow, where she spends her days looking after her wee boy, writing ceremonies, gardening and drinking cups of tea. Her approach to ceremonies is that if she has made you, and everyone else there, both laugh and cry then she’s done her job right. Whether your wedding is a big knees-up or a quiet elopement, Ronit will incorporate the traditions that feel right for you. 

Helen Tuohy (Sunday) 

Celebrant Helen Tuhoy lives in Cambuslang, near Glasgow, with Cookie the cat, but travels the length and breadth of Scotland to help couples 'tie their knot'. She feels privileged to be in a position to help her couples celebrate 'their' relationship in a way that is meaningful, personal and authentic to them.  

David Smith (Sunday) 

After 15 years as a wedding planner, I trained to become a humanist celebrant in 2017. I know I am supposed to say something meaningful here about weddings and how amazing they are – but we know that don’t we?  

I think the joy of a wedding is not in the big romance, the fireworks… The joy is in the mundane…  the wee day to day moments when you live together. I mean – I love where I live – but some of my neighbours get awful protective of their wheelie bins.... it’s weird. Wait, what were we talking about? 

If you do your bit for the environment daily, chances are you’ll want to carry your eco-friendly ethos through to your wedding. Hear from Penny Steel, owner one of Scotland’s most sustainable wedding venues, Folkerton Mill (stand H26), about how you can make eco-conscious choices for your big day, from attire to favours. 

About Folkerton Mill 

At South Lanarkshire venue Folkerton Mill, history and stunning vistas blend to create an unforgettable wedding venue. Comprising a gorgeous hay barn, intimate courtyard, historic mill, beautiful gardens, cosy fire pits and picture perfect stretch tent, this exclusive and private retreat opens its doors for weddings just a handful of times each year, ensuring that yours is personalised and unique. 

At the core of Folkerton Mill are Penny and her husband Scott, a dynamic duo whose personal touch defines every event held at this cherished venue. Scott’s meticulous attention to detail and passion for restoration seamlessly complement Penny’s big-picture vision and boundless optimism. 

About Penny 

For Penny, sustainability isn’t just a value – it’s a way of life. With a background in Marine Biology and a PhD focusing on the effects of climate change on marine calcifying organisms, her journey to understanding the fragility of our planet has profoundly shaped how she lives and works. 

This philosophy carried over into the creation of Folkerton Mill. Sustainability is woven into the fabric of the business, from the way it operates, to the choices made daily to reduce its ecological footprint. “Our focus is on running the business sustainably while creating a warm and welcoming space for all weddings” Penny says.