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Here at Restoration Yard we love to create beautiful and unique weddings that let our couples personalities shine through. These weddings were no exception!

We know that preparing for your big day can be equal parts joy and stress. Let us relieve you of a little stress as we provide you with some glorious gift ideas for those oh-so-important friends that will be holding the pieces together on your big day. With more brides-to-be deciding to pop the question to their bridesmaids in fun and creative ways, a thoughtful gift will always sweeten the deal. Whether you’re keeping it simple with matching jewellery or pyjamas, or picking a personal present for each member of your bridal party, we’ve collated our top bridesmaid gift ideas to present to your wedding VIPs. Shop all of our wonderful bridesmaid gifts in-store. Open every day from 10am to 5pm. Artebene Pink Pearl Clutch, £14.95 Estella Bartlett Necklace, £22.95 House of Disaster Jewellery Box, £18.50 RY Rose Garden Candle, £28.00 Nkuku Photo Frame, £27.50 Seilich Rose Moisturiser, £37.50 Les Touristes Paris Weekend Bag, £95.00 Portico Notebook, £29.95 Petra Boase Card, £3.95 Rifle Paper Co Card, £3.95

We caught up with our happy couple post-wedding to debrief and relive all our favourite moments. Here’s what they had to say…

We don't want to toot our own horn, but we do believe that Restoration Yard has something pretty special to offer. We want you to be the judge and confirm whether RY really could be Edinburgh's most unique wedding venue.

So you got engaged this Christmas. Congratulations! Woohoo. What next? Here Thea Nichols, wedding coordinator at Restoration Yard and Dalkeith Country Park, shares her top tips for planning your perfect big day. Take a breath, enjoy the moment and take some time to discuss what you both really want from your big day So are you looking for a big formal affair or something a little more, low key? Are you both on the same page when it comes to the type of day you’re planning? Now is the time to set that straight, create a realistic budget, think about guest numbers and start looking at venues that might create just what you want, when you want and with the people you want there. Don’t be overwhelmed by the big venue search In Scotland you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to unique wedding venues. Certainly around Edinburgh there are so many beautiful wedding venues from castles to beautiful bespoke bolt-holes. For weddings at Restoration Yard in Dalkeith Country we offer a very, personalised service. We can create a full-on formal day with a church wedding followed by traditional wedding breakfast but we also find that many couples are just as happy with a simple BBQ on the lawn. That’s why it’s important to get the right venue for you. They should be able to create something that feels very ‘unique to you.’ A sweep across the internet on a unique wedding venue hunt may overwhelm but boil it down to three or four you’d like to see in person. When couples come to see us they often come away surprised by how bespoke I can make their wedding day. That’s not possible to convey via an internet form, no matter how detailed. Enjoy yourselves Planning a wedding shouldn’t be a task. It’s meant to be fun. Don’t get stressed and embrace the joy. Go wedding dress or suit hunting with family or friends to make it more of an occasion than an onerous problem. Also, make some ‘you’ time for the two of you as a couple to relish in the fun stuff. Spend an evening listening to your favourite tracks, listening to the potentials for the ceremony or the first dance. Make lists of all the quirky things you’d adore to be part of your day. Perhaps you’re a dog lover and your four-legged friend must be the ring-bearer? We’ve had a few special dogs enjoy being part of weddings at Restoration Yard. Think about what your guests might like Weddings are wonderful things for bringing together all generations. However, that can mean a real mix up of guests’ needs. Will there be lots of kids? Do you need to think of a little entertainment for them? That could simply be some sticker books on the table (pic of sticker books from store at Restoration Yard) or it could be a room of cute wigwams for when those little people conk out later. We love Wigwams and wishes . Also, your more mature guests might find the band or DJ a bit much and need a chillout zone. At Restoration Yard, we have our lovely Boudoir which has played several roles at different weddings. It can be a crèche or it has been a little respite area for older guests to enjoy away from the throng. Food for thought Food is very much part of the day. From those reception canapes to the wedding breakfast, food is often the talking point at a wedding and it’s often the thing that couples worry about getting right. It’s why I work very closely with our chef to make a bespoke menu for every couple who choose to have their wedding at Restoration Yard. We enjoy our couples’ input and finding a way to express their personalities through delicious, locally sourced food. Personalise, personalise, personalise People want to come to your wedding to celebrate the two of you. Personalise their experience where you can by bringing the day alive with your personalities. Perhaps that’s a photo gallery of the two of you through the ages? Or perhaps a flower wall of your favourite blooms? We love Wild Flowers for their artistic installations. Interested in having your wedding at Restoration Yard and Dalkeith Country Park? Take a peak at what we can do for you HERE. Thank you to wedding photographers Helen Pugh Photography and Claire Fleck Photography for the images in this feature

Thinking of a wedding at Restoration Yard in Dalkeith Country Park? Set in wonderfully re-imagined 18th Century stables just a few miles from Edinburgh in Midlothian, Restoration Yard really is the perfect setting for your dream wedding. It’s a unique place to have some fun and let your imaginations run wild! We know choosing a venue and planning your big day can be a little overwhelming, so we aim to make your experience as relaxed and easy as possible. Enter Thea Nichols, our friendly Wedding & Events Coordinator here to make your special dream wedding at Restoration Yard a reality… Thea helping one of her brides on the day THEA’S BACKGROUND “I started off in hospitality eight years ago in a restaurant in the West End of Edinburgh and I found myself drawn to special occasions and organising events. I decided that this was where my obsessive spreadsheet making, colour coding and love of to do lists would best be served so my next move was to a hotel in East Lothian as Wedding and Events Coordinator. Fast Forward a few years, and a few different venues I now find myself in the best possible place for all things weddings and special events, Restoration Yard. The relaxed and truly personalised approach, makes this such a lovely place to work as I can remember each wedding I have done here because each one is just as memorable as the people that choose to get married here.” What are your top 10 tips for couples? 1. Personalise it Think of ways to bring both your personalities into the day. Guests really appreciate those personal touches that bring that unique to you element to the whole day. Keepsakes they can take away or ways in which they can add their own experience of your day – a book or a frame with a beautiful pen where they can note down their wishes for you both is always a hit. 2. Embrace the madness No matter how much planning has gone into the day, there will always be a few small things that don’t go to plan on the day, but that is okay! No panic. Wedding coordinators are designed to flex and adapt. Often those glitches turn it treasured memories of a fun-filled day full of love. 3. All you need is love The main goal on your wedding day is to marry your best friend – don’t lose sight of that! Nothing else really matters. So don’t sweat the small stuff and allow yourself to enjoy the whole experience from the day of your engagement right the way through your big day. 4. Go with your gut Everyone will have an opinion on what you should have on your day, but be true to yourselves. Try to shut out all the noise of other peoples’ thoughts on how your big day should be. 5. Listen to the experts Listen and work with your vendors and venue, they do countless weddings a year so will probably have some good advice. From the bridal boutique to the hairdressers and florists, these guys are a wealth of knowledge. Don’t discount their thoughts on even the littlest of details. Soak it up. 6. It’s all about you Think about what you both want for the day FIRST, and then think about things from your guests’ perspective. What did you enjoy at other weddings and events. Can you bring a little of that experience to your day. 7. Be as wacky as you like Don’t be shy if your plans aren’t the ‘norm’ – your suppliers and vendors will be happy to make your day personal to you. The more unusual the better! That’s what memories are made of. 8. See the bigger picture Remember that marriage is not just one day, it is all the days that follow too so don’t stress yourselves out for the sake of one perfect day. 9. Bring everyone together Plan activities for your guests to do – standing around and chatting is great ‘n’ all but giving both sides of the family some common ground is always a plus. 10. And most of all… . . . Have fun planning! . . . and any advice on what not to do? The biggest mistake I’ve encountered being a wedding coordinator is time management, because there is so much to fit into one day. I think people forget that time is still limited just like any other day. I would always recommend working in buffer points through the course of the day so, for example, if your photos take a bit longer, it isn’t a problem. This being said, don’t forget to make sure you also take time to just be with each other. I always make sure that my couples have time to themselves whether this be five minutes whilst we’re getting all the guests seated or a walk together after the meal – these are the moments you will remember from your wedding day – being alone together and saying ‘Hey, we’re Married!’ Final words of wedding advice? Do what makes you both happy! Planning a wedding? We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re looking for a fairytale outdoor wedding ceremony in our historic Orangerie or at the local St Mary’s Church; A reception on the lawn, in The Kitchen or even a marquee in the grounds. There are so many options for a wedding at Restoration Yard and we’re here to help you plan your perfect day every step of the way. Download our wedding brochure HERE or email thea@restorationyard.com. Photo credits to Craig Hayes, Ciara Menzies, Tamar Hope, Tony Marsh and Helen Pugh

WOW! We were blown away when we received the photos from Louise and Mark’s stunning wedding here at Restoration Yard in June. It was such a joy to be part of this beautiful couple’s special day. Their wedding was filled with laughter and fun, and their personalities shone through in every little detail from the laid back styling to the funky saxophonist in the evening! We caught up with our happy couple post-wedding to debrief and relive all our favourite moments. Here’s what they had to say… (scroll down for the full photo album!). How did you meet? We did the very “millennial” thing and met on Tinder. Perhaps a bit of a cliché but Mark moved to Edinburgh from Belfast 6 months before and didn’t know a soul. Louise on the other hand knew most of Edinburgh and still hadn’t managed to meet prince charming. It was an instant connection and after our first date we never looked back. We ate tapas and drank some wine and it has sort of stayed like that ever since. When and where did you get engaged? Our engagement was perfect and very “us” – neither of us are in to huge romantic gestures, so instead we always try to find love in the little things. Louise loves three things (aside from Mark): Our dog ‘Poppy’, the sun and walking on the beach. Mark proposed at 7am on our usual dog walk on our favourite beach (Belhaven Beach in Dunbar) on the sunniest morning I had ever seen. It was such a happy moment and completely took me by surprise. How did you go about choosing a venue for your big day? We knew we wanted a summer wedding and we didn’t want to wait very long so we quickly decided on summer 2019 and it felt right to do it a year to the date we got engaged. Neither of us are particularly formal and we love everything about the outdoors so we knew we wanted a venue that was going to be flexible and was a little bit different. When did you first view Restoration Yard? To be honest, we knew that the Restoration Yard was our perfect venue before we had even started looking. We live in Dalkeith and have a border terrier so we spend pretty much all our time at Restoration Yard and exploring the country park. We knew they did weddings so we made an appointment at the beginning of July and crossed everything that it would be perfect. What did you think when you first saw it? We were probably biased as we had already spent so much time there but looking at it through wedding planning eyes it was even more magical. The different spaces and the grounds are just incredible. However I think what I loved most was just the sense of calm I felt and still feel every time I go there, it is the most stunning, peaceful place. What made you choose Restoration Yard? We felt so lucky to be able to have our wedding in a venue that has such a big personal meaning for us both. Over the last three years we have had so many happy times together here and to be able to celebrate our big day with everyone close to us here was a dream come true. Not only is it absolutely stunning, it allowed us to have the relaxed wedding we wanted but do it with such class. I wanted a wedding that represented Mark and I and Restoration Yard allowed us to create that instead of telling us what we could do and what people had done before. Take us through your wedding planning process with the team here at Restoration Yard… Initially we worked with Stephen who was brilliant at letting us come up with ideas and accommodating our ever-growing guest list. We met with Stephen several times to confirm the initial details and he was brilliant. After the new year, we were introduced to Thea who to be honest has become such a good friend as well as being absolutely amazing at wedding planning. We were in touch with Thea weekly to run ideas by her, confirm suppliers, get advice and in the later stages do our food tasting and also drop daily packages of décor with her. Thea helped us with every aspect from the food to the music and without her we can truly say our wedding wouldn’t have been the same. Tell us all about your wedding day… We had 120 guests all day which included 10 kids! We wanted a traditional ceremony so got married in St Marys Church which is situated at the entrance to the country park. It was a modern take on a church wedding and it was wonderful. Mark and I love to party so we had a saxophonist playing in The Orangerie for our reception. It was such an amazing sight to see our family and friends drinking and dancing in the most incredible setting with epic music. Our theme was very minimal and chic but we mainly just wanted everyone to party like we do. Our first dance song was Wild Love by James Bay. We both love that song and I think it sums us up, we always want to adventure and have fun together. The words resonate with what we love about our relationship. The food was EPIC – we went for prawn cocktail and pate to start, for main we went for chicken supreme and braised beef bourginon with greens, salad and mashed potato, and we then finished with cherry pavlova and crème brulee. It was a feast and nobody went hungry. We left the tables super plain – the view from The Kitchen is spectacular and we didn’t want to interrupt that. We had some menu cards and as favours gave everyone a drink token which seemed to go down well. For the top table we had floral hoops and M&L letters made by an amazing small business called MacMade. We also opted for no seating plan – we hate forced fun and wanted all of our guests to mingle and it worked perfectly – the room was buzzing. Which suppliers did you work with? Bride’s dress: Sophia Grace Couture Bridesmaids’ dresses: ASOS Grooms Suit: Custom made by Andrew Brookes Tailoring. Ushers: Next Photographer: Claire Fleck Photography Videographer: Tracey Largue Photography Flowers: Liberty Blooms. We also had wild flowers in the Orangerie which were grown by Louise’s mum and arranged by 2 friends. Hair: Morena Crolla Hair Make-up: Mark’s twin sister Lynne worked for Bobbi Brown so we hit the jackpot there! Music: Sam Irvine was our saxophonist for the reception. We had Euan Lawrence at Tartan Entertainment for night time and also Shades of Sax for a guest hour slot on the sax at night. Any special shout-outs? Claire Fleck our photographer is the best in the world at what she does, her photos told a story and captured all the moments we probably missed. She is so lovely and I just would recommend her to everyone. Euan – our mate and our DJ – is an absolute legend and the top guy at what he does. There isn’t a party without Euan and we are so lucky to call him our friend. Sophia Grace Couture (where Louise purchased her wedding dress) – Naydene and Hannah are incredible. They made me feel so at ease the whole time, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else. What was your standout moment of the whole day? We drove down from the church in a gorgeous vintage wedding car, the driver took us all the way round the park whilst we sipped champagne. To have that 10 mins just us 2 and see all our guests walking down as well as all the families out and about in the park was so magical. Then we arrived and saw all of our guests dancing and drinking to our favourite dance song being played on the sax in The Orangery – it was a pinch yourself moment. Mark’s was obviously seeing me walk in .. haha I wish. Have you been on honeymoon yet? We have – in true Mark & Lou style we went on an adventure to Canada. 6 destinations in 3 and a bit weeks – we hiked, kayaked, cycled and drank our way across the west coast and it was incredible. Highlights probably seeing humpbacks and killer whales in the wild and then a grizzly bear stroll right in front of our car. We love being outside and there is no place like Canada. Would you recommend Restoration Yard to other newly engaged couples? We would recommend it one million % – if you want a venue that allows you to use your imagination and create a totally personalised day. Restoration Yard isn’t like any other venue we looked at, they didn’t tell us what we could have they asked us what we wanted. They worked with us to make sure our day was as close to perfect as possible – I love it because every wedding will be unique and different just like every couple is. We wanted an informal wedding that was executed with class and that is exactly what we got. The Photos…