Our first real wedding blog!
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!
Can you share the story of how you met?
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!
Where was the magical spot you got engaged?
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.
Let’s talk about finding your venue and planning the wedding:
What was it about Pratis Barns that caught your eye?
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.
Did something special make you realise it was the perfect place for your big day?
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.
We’d love to hear about your wedding planning journey.
Where did you discover your suppliers?
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.
Any words of wisdom you’d like to pass on to our future couples?
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!
How did you choose your colour theme or style?
I always loved autumnal colours so it was an easy choice for me to pick that!
Let’s move on to The Big Day!
Tell us about your wedding day. What were the highlights and favourite memories?
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.
Do you have any advice for other lovebirds planning their wedding?
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.
How’s the journey of married life been so far?
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!
Let’s give a shout-out to your suppliers:
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
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
