Real Wedding – Rachael & Jamie Cunningham – 10th July 2023

We watched this amazing couple get married on a gorgeous Monday back in July and what a day it was! They had some gorgeous food from the amazing Lazy Sunday and colourful florals throughout the byre! They have written a little bit about their journey and wedding plans!

Firstly a little bit about you..

How did you two meet?

We were both working in the same gym in 2014.

Where did you get engaged?

At home, the night we sold our first home in March 2022.

Finding your venue and planning the wedding

What was it that first attracted you to Kinkell? Was there something that stood out when you knew it would be the perfect place for your special day?

We both knew we didn’t want the traditional ‘hotel’ type wedding and Jamie’s family have always visited St Andrew’s. When we found Kinkell Byre, it was our first and last viewing of a venue. We fell in love with the venue, the outdoor space and the idea we can make it our own – from the suppliers down to the lighting. We had always wanted a relaxed day and the venue just fitted at idea perfectly.

Tell us a little bit about planning your wedding. Where did you start?

We booked Kinkell in April 2022. We booked our suppliers quite quickly. Rachael is a teacher and we live over 2 hours away, so we tried to tie in meeting all suppliers on the same day and during the school holidays.

Everything somehow just fell into place and we were over the moon when we saw it all come together on our wedding day.

How did you decide on a colour theme or style?

Pinterest!! We had an idea of a rustic type day with long tables with a little décor on them and simple signs which we made ourselves.

We don’t know if we had a “theme” as such, and when people asked us prior to our wedding what our theme was it scared us a little!! We just put together what we wanted and it all came together perfectly.

Where did you find your suppliers?

Due to living a couple of hours away, we didn’t know any local suppliers. We got all our suppliers from Kinkell Byre’s Suppliers page and recommendations from Claire. We got a list of hair/ make-up artists from Claire as well and we used suppliers from that list.

Is there anything you wish someone had told you about before about planning a barn wedding?

That you have to organise everything – down to tables and chairs!! We had a little panic a few months before the wedding when Stevie asked who was supplying our tables and chairs…. Thankfully Virginia’s stepped in and saved the day.

I also think it took us a while to realise that we can literally do whatever we wanted with the venue – it is yours to do with it what you wish to make it perfect.

Was there anything that was really important to you both to have?

Good and relaxed food! Lazy Sunday blew us and all our guests away with their grazing table and sharing food. Our guests still talk about the food! We had always wanted plenty of good food so no one was hungry – and I think we achieved this! It was topped off with our pizza van at night from Wildfire – again food our guests continue to talk about.

The Big Day!

Tell us about your wedding day, what are your highlights and favourite memories?

For me, Rachael, it was getting ready at The Fairmont and looking out the window and seeing Kinkell Byre in the distance knowing in a few hours I’d be getting married there.

It was really special setting up the venue the day before. I loved being able to do it all myself – from setting up the pick n mix I made to putting names on the tables.

Seeing all of our friends and family mingling was also amazing. It was such a relaxed vibe all day and people mixed so well – we loved seeing everyone enjoy the day as much as we did.

Have you any advice for other couples that are planning their wedding?

Book your suppliers early. We loved every single one of ours and we are so glad we went with Kinkell Byre’s recommendations.

It all comes together in the end – and it will be the best day of your life!

How is married life treating you?

We have recently gotten our video and photos back – it is so special to look back on our day and it brings back so many emotions. We keep saying, if we could do it all again, we would and we wouldn’t change a thing!

Suppliers

Photographer – Duke Photography

Caterer – Lazy Sunday Catering

Florist – Blue Poppy Florist

Band – The Wireless

Cake- 3D Cakes

Dress Designer- Enozani

Dress Store- Opus Couture

Kilts – Macgregor MacDuff

Bridesmaids Dresses- Christie’s Couture

Make-up- Kerry Scanlan – Pretty You

Hair – Claire Adamson