Venue Sales Manager and all-round event expert Dawn Balfour, speaks to bride and groom, Cara and Gary, about their big day in November 2016.

How did you both meet?

Gary and I met on a dating site called Plenty of Fish (I still find this embarrassing!)

Where / how did the proposal take place?

Gary proposed whilst on the ferris wheel at the Edinburgh Christmas market. I was taking photos and wanted to take a selfie at the same time Gary was on one knee, I hadn’t realised.

 Why did you choose Eskmills Venue?

A friend recommended it so we decided to take a look and fell in love. The venue was amazing and all our guests were commenting on how lovely it was.  

 What’s your favourite thing about the venue?

We liked how everything was in one room and that the bar was not separate. The day went so well with no problems whatsoever. I can’t actually believe how smoothly it ran.

 What food and drink did you have during your wedding?

Canapes – mustard sausages, salmon and haggis bon bons. Meal – roasted pepper and tomato soup, chicken stuffed with sun dried tomato and sticky toffee pudding. Drinks – sparkling wine. The food was just outstanding!

 How did you calm your wedding day nerves?

Surprisingly I never had any nerves.

 What was your biggest surprise on your wedding day?

How amazing the venue looked and how smoothly the day ran.

What one moment will last with you both forever?

Our ceremony, it was lovely and personal.

Which moment are you the most excited to see in your photos?

Family photos as my Gran is no longer with us. Our wedding was her last outing.

What was your wedding inspiration? (think decor, overall theme and colours, etc.)

I wanted our wedding to have a rustic/vintage theme. The venue really helped.

Describe some of your favourite wedding details and how you came up with them.

We loved the curtain and pillars at Eskmills. As it was a winter wedding, we got full use of these as it got dark earlier. We had a sweetie ferris wheel – I’m a sweetie lover so this was ideal! Our table names were named after our favourite restaurants that we visited whilst in Chicago and Las Vegas. We chose personalised love hearts as favours as these are my favourite sweets.

What song did you walk down the aisle to?

I walked down to James Horner – For the love of a princess (it’s from Bravehart and is just beautiful.)

What song played for your first dance?

Bryan Adams – Everything I do (Gary always said when he was young that this would be his song.)

Any advice for couples planning their wedding now?

Start planning early. I did but, oh my, the last couple of weeks just take over your life.

What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?

Starting our future together and starting a family.

A big thanks to Cara and Gary for letting us feature you here.Congratulations again on your wedding and we wish you the best of luck for the future. 

To chat to Dawn about booking your wedding at Eskmills, please contact us 0131 273 5254 or info@eskmillsvenue.com.