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A Broadwoodside Wedding

Broadwoodside is no ordinary back garden. A 17th century farmhouse garden set in East Lothian, this extraordinary space, looks out to the Lammermuir Hills and is centred on two beautifully designed courtyards. It was a dramatic setting for a garden marquee wedding in autumn this year.

When the eldest of three daughters announced her engagement there was never any question of where the marriage would take place. Effie and her bridegroom James had a real vision for the way their day would unfold and when they contacted us (after we’d lent a hand with their lovely engagement party) we were delighted to work with them to make every detail of the wedding perfect. 

Broadwoodside would be the feature and background – the whole wedding revolved around the garden courtyards, as does life generally at Broadwoodside. The three-day weekend included a drinks reception the Friday night before, a late Saturday morning ceremony followed by two separate receptions – afternoon and evening – and a family luncheon on the Sunday. 
 
The two receptions were both held in the garden – under separate marquees – and featured distinct themes and menus. The first was an elegant afternoon tea immediately following the ceremony. Champagne, crisp white linens, silver tiered sandwich and cake stands and full tea service for the more than 200 guests managed to be both polished and charming, fun and informal all at once. Homemade Tunnock’s teacakes, traditional cake cutting and speeches eventually gave way to the evening event. 
 
Cue a rustic, country-style wedding meal, complete with rough hemp linens, bamboo seating and set in a second marquee directly over the unique checquerboard lawn of the courtyard. Tables were decorated with autumnal 
gourds and leaves. The menu featured simple, beautifully cooked food. Starting with a family recipe that called to mind a Tuscan Autumn – roasted butternut squash salad with Taleggio, walnuts and Seggiano honey sourced directly from Italy – and followed by a main course of individual chicken pies crowned with rustic cockerels of puff pastry.  
 
At the heart of it all was the Dalrymple’s parrot – William who resides in an elegant wooden aviary in the middle of the courtyard. William, along with two family dogs, George and Elsie, and various chickens were all part of the wedding. As were Effie’s two sisters who constructed the perfect wedding cake from a traditional family recipe. Chocolate biscuit cake built on a Lego pyramid and topped with rice paper prints of the bride and groom was a scene-stealer and arrived to fanfare after the father-of-the-bride’s speech. 
 
From the lighting to the main course everything about the Broadwoodside wedding was bespoke – and for the best possible reason – to highlight a truly special place at the heart of a couple’s most special day. As always our role was to support and make possible. And provide fantastic food and take care of the heavy lifting of course!
 
And with these kind words from the family the team are really proud of their involvement in this great day.
 
“Lots of our friends have commented on not only how delicious the food was, but how excellent your staff were as well. The setting for dinner was truly magical and we keep looking at the photos of the lovely table arrangements. It was such a wonderful and happy day, and that is in no small way down to you and your team.”
 
Visit our Facebook page for more images from this inspring autunmal wedding.