We had the pleasure of hosting Caitlin & Stephens wedding here at Pratis Barns in April – wow what a day it was!! The venue was beautifully decorated in rustic warm tones and had so much hints of their personality throughout! Take a little read below to hear about their big day and some do’s and don’ts!
Me and Stephen knew each other vaguely throughout uni but never really came into contact and then in 2018 he moved in with one of my good friends Neil. I went round for a flat warming where I got chatting to Stephen and then we all went to a very dingy club (Hive in Edinburgh!) where he rapped the lyrics to Crazy in Love at me and the rest is history! I found out later that Stephen had told Neil he wasn’t coming out that night and then changed his mind after we had been talking because he didn’t want to miss his opportunity ha!
Stephen was marathon training and so we went for a run in the pentlands and he asked to take a photo of me looking at the view on top of the hill Allermuir and when I turned around he was on one knee.
We had an unusual start because we had booked somewhere else that went bust just over a year before the big day! We had quite a big guestlist and so our first tickbox was to find a new venue that could comfortably fit 150 people and wouldn’t break the bank! Pratis ticked both of these boxes and Louise fitted us in so quickly after hearing our story so we got to see it within a week of finding out our first venue went bust.
We loved Pratis immediately! It was actually so much nicer than our original venue and just felt so cosy and rustic. Louise was so welcoming when she showed us round and we just felt completely safe in her and the rest of the teams hands. Louise and Nicola then helped us out with our budget for the day and sorting a payment plan that suited us considering we were booking it quite late on so the usual payment system just wasn’t feasible for us – this made everything so much easier and smoother for us and really eased any nerves we had.
I discovered a lot on instagram and tagged other couples who had got married at Pratis. We had heard the band at a wedding before and knew they were awesome so booked them immediately.
Not to worry or stress about the small things because you don’t even notice them on the day. And don’t worry about if people are having a good time because they definitely are!
I always loved autumnal colours so it was an easy choice for me to pick that!
The absolute best bit to me was when the band came on and the dance floor immediately filled with people. It was so so fun seeing everyone enjoy themselves and really let loose – in particular when the rock music came on and half the crowd were head banging! The speeches were also brilliant.
Enjoy the lull that comes between booking in the big bits and the final few months lead up and just enjoy being engaged – it’s a wonderful time.
We already had a dog, cat and house so not much has changed for us! Although I will say we’ve enjoyed having disposable income again after saving for the last 18 months haha!
Celebrant: Alan Barr (Literally the best humanist we’ve ever seen – would recommend to everyone)
Photographer: Sean Myles
Band: The Socials (again would recommend to absolutely anyone and everyone)
Accommodation: Pratis House
Hair: Natasha Dardas
Dress: Gwennes Bridal
Other suppliers: Katie Williamson on the fiddle, Cameron Boggan on the Bagpipes
Let us guide you with our stress free planning tips.
Start Early
As soon as you’ve booked your venue, kick off the planning! Your celebrants, photographer, videographers, and bands/djs are the secret sauce to a memorable day, so get them on board early. Suppliers book up fast so make sure you get in early to secure your favourites!
Guest list
We completely understand that all the planning can be overwhelming, especially when you have a a large guest list. However, it’s important to remember that this day is all about you and your partner. It’s a day to celebrate your love and commitment to each other. We highly recommend keeping your guest list focused on those who truly matter, you’ll not only create a more intimate and personal atmosphere, but you’ll also be able to allocate your budget more efficiently.
Let’s talk Budgets…
When considering your budget options, remember what is important to you. At Pratis we offer plenty of helpful suggestions to ensure you and your guests have the best wedding experience. Our collection of props and decor in our wonder room allows you to decorate the entire venue without spending a penny on decor. Canva is your best friend for personalising your own stationery and Scottish market place (facebook group) is fabulous for buying second hand decor and accessories.
Suppliers
You’re going to spend a considerable amount of time with your suppliers, both in the lead-up to the wedding and on the day. Especially with the venue staff, if they are as involved as we are! So, make sure you choose people you genuinely enjoy spending time with. We collaborate with some absolutely amazing suppliers and only recommend the top professionals in the industry!
Don’t forget
We’ve got everything you need, an in house catering team and bar. Our venue hire includes tables, chairs, tableware, glassware and lighting. Plus, don’t forget to check out our wonder room, filled to the brim with all the props and decor you could imagine!
And the best part? You’ll have your very own dedicated wedding coordinator and an online couples planning portal. Think of it as your wedding hub for all your important information. We’re here to lend a hand – let’s take the pressure off together!
Planning
We’ve got a super handy couples portal just for you! It’s the perfect planning tool where you can spill all your ideas in one place. All the juicy details about the venue, mouth-watering menus, exquisite wine lists, fabulous extras, and chic furniture packs are right here for you to pick and choose to your heart’s content. Plus, we’ve got our new, couples hub brimming with information to help you plan your dream wedding and get to know every nook and cranny of our venue.
Have fun!
Remember, it’s your special day, and you deserve to have the wedding of your dreams surrounded by the people who truly matter to you. So go ahead and create your day with love and intention, and enjoy every moment of your celebration with your favourite people by your side.
If you are looking for an all in one wedding venue, contact us for more information info@pratisbarns.com, pop over to our “Why choose Pratis Barns as your venue” blog here.
On 27th January 2024, we hosted a special event for our 2024 couples – The Feast & Open Day. It was a day filled with inspiration, delicious food, and the opportunity for our couples to plan those all important details for their Pratis wedding.
We transformed the venue spaces with lovely set ups to allow our couples to visualise their own wedding and gather endless ideas for their big day.
The Shed showcased our styling packages. From furniture to rugs and decor, our couples were able to see how they could add that extra “wow” factor to their wedding reception.
We kicked off the Feast in The Shed too where guests were treated to a selection of delicious canapés and some fizz. It was the perfect way to start the grazing and tasting journey. Each couple received a menu, allowing them to take notes and mark their favourite dishes as they indulged in all the yummy flavours.
The Byre was set for our Feast, complete with long banquet tables, styled with items from our Wonder Room, showcasing the endless possibilities for creating a magical atmosphere.
Guests enjoyed a tasting selection from all our 2024 dishes to delight their taste buds and showcase our award winning catering.
We served bite-sized starters, tapas-style main courses and canapé sized desserts; there was surely something for everyone!
Throughout the day couples had the opportunity to meet with their dedicated wedding coordinator. They could ask questions, seek advice and ensure that everything was being thought of and taken care of.
This personalised touch is what sets us apart.
As a special treat, we hosted a raffle, giving couples a chance to win something extra for their wedding. The ‘Big One’ was an extra night in Pratis House and the couple who won were absolutely jumping for joy when their number was called out!
The Feast & Open Day was a resounding success, leaving our couples inspired, excited, and confident in their wedding plans.
We love being part of all their journeys and look forward to welcoming them for their big day, helping create unforgettable memories.
If you’re planning your own wedding, get in touch. And if you join us as a Pratis couple you will be able to join us next time round!
Email us info@pratisbarns.com for more information
Photos by Lynsey Melville Photography – www.lynseymelvillephotography.co.uk
We are an ‘All-In-One’ Barn Venue.
Your wedding planning should be the best days. It shouldn’t be stressful or overwhelming, and that’s where Pratis Barns leads the way. We’ve got you covered from start to finish.
At Pratis we have everything you need to start bringing your dream wedding to a reality. With three large Barns to style for your wedding, arriving for the first time at Pratis might feel daunting but don’t worry – we have so much included in our hire pricing.
We’ve got loads of furniture in various shapes and sizes; rustic wooden trestles, round tables, chivari chairs, and all your tableware is here too. Imagine coming to a restaurant or hotel venue where they have everything for seating and eating; that’s us too, but we’re in an atmospheric, rustic Barn setting.
Then there’s our wonder room, filled with decorations that mean you can dress and style the venue spaces without having to bring in a thing. From barrels to pallets, glass vases, gin & champagne bottles, candles & log slices; we have everything you need and more.
We understand that your costs can escalate quickly so we also have some simple couches and coffee tables, cushions and blankets to create those cosy wee corners. Or you can upgrade to one of our gorgeously designed furniture packages; chesterfields, wooden units, trunks and rugs to add that extra “POW” to your set up.
Food…. it all starts with good food! Our award-winning catering team have been looking after lots of happy couples for years and will work alongside you to create a menu that reflects who you are.
Pratis House…. the jewel in our crown. This imposing, solid Scottish manor house gives you luxurious onsite accommodation for up to 15. With sweeping 180° views, you can relax in stylish comfort with your nearest and dearest and have no worries about getting them to the right place, at the right time! And we can provide all your meals too, which means you have no worries of who’s doing the shopping and cooking.
From the moment you book with us, you will have a dedicated coordinator who will look after you every step of the way. Our team will work alongside you to create a wedding that your family & friends will talk about for years to come.
We work with lots of EPIC suppliers and can help recommend “a dream team” who will pull together a corker of a celebration with you.
We know what makes a good party and we love weddings.
We’ve got you covered, from today when you call us up, to the final goodbyes at the end of your wedding night.
Your I Do, Your Way! Contact us today to book your viewing – info@pratisbarns.com
Let the fun begin…