Inspiration

If you’re looking for an unusual touch for your wedding day, how about your very own wedding poet laureate? Frankie Parks is an actor and writer who has branched out into writing bespoke wedding poems that are specially commissioned for the occasion.

‘I’ve found that having a poem written specially for a couple is both touching for them, a wonderful keepsake and amusing for their guests,’ Frankie explains. ‘I like to make it precious, poignant, obviously personalized; but also like to inject some humour and spice so that the guests are entertained.’

One example is the poem she wrote for Simon and Kendra, who met at the Apple Store where they both worked. Kendra left Apple, but meanwhile Simon had moved in as a tenant into her flat, and they became good mates. Kendra was approaching 40 and getting desperate for a baby but was single, as was Simon. They went, as friends, to a festival and came back a couple.

Frankie interviewed the couple to get the details of their story for weaving into their poem. ‘I need some background information, catchphrases – that kind of thing. I also consider who will be reading it, whether it be the Bride to the Groom, vice-versa or another member of the wedding party.’

‘I heard that Kendra fell pregnant with Jackson Fox – named so because they’d been watching a fox in the garden the evening they conceived. Simon has openly, but lovingly, complained about how costly babies are; whereas Kendra’s pet gripe is her tummy – which she swears, is ‘the booze’, as she’s partial to a glass. That was enough information for me to write their poem, which was read by the Maid of Honour, as follows.’

SIMON & KENDRA’S WEDDING DAY POEM

Like Adam and Eve, they met at the Apple
Mates at first bite, not yet a ‘couple’
Simon moves in, ‘just renting a room’
Had no idea he’d soon be the groom
Kendra was happy, ‘I’ve got a good ‘flatty’
We get on great, we chat til late
And all that cool kind of stuff.’

A few months later, or was it weeks?
They went to a festival, began rubbing cheeks
Both faces and bums, they had all kinds of fun
Kissing and playing under the wet English sun
Simon was happy, ‘my landlady’s my date
‘We get on great, kiss until late
And all that cool kind of stuff.’

Soon after that, Kendra’s belly not flat
Was it the booze? ‘I’ve got weight to lose!’
A fox in the garden, had caused the hard on
Which led to the romantic romp
They both were happy, ‘my period’s late
We get on great, we’re the bestest mates
And all that cool kind of stuff.’

Kendra’s boobs expanded, Jackson had landed
He took his time to arrive, the pain she survived
Simon’s over the moon, Kendra’s all a-swoon
Jackson makes their hearts balloon
They’re all so great, ‘Jackson is happy,
We take it in turns to change his nappy,
And all that baby coo kind of stuff.’

Now not long after that, this is the fact
Kendra is tired, though totally wired
Simon’s bank balance fell, under the spell
Of a new family life, baby and wife
Wife? Yes WIFE! For life! So now you must
ALL be so great. Do love, not hate
Soothe not grate, listen don’t bait,
Kisses and cuddles are what it’s supposed to be

We all love you, and love you as Three.
Congratulations to you precious three
Wishing you all the luck there ever could be
To the Bride and Groom
Let’s make the most, and drink a toast
To your happy marriage
Kendra and Simon!!…..Now get me a carriage!

If you’d like to commission a bespoke tongue-in-cheek wedding poem from Frankie Parks, you can email her via fpark@toucansurf.com. Or click to see more fun wedding ideas from Get Knotted!

Lindsey Hunter of Get Knotted is a wedding planner for Scotland and the north of England. She’s the in-house wedding planner for four lovely Scottish wedding venues: Mellerstain House, Aikwood Tower, Hoscote Estate, and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel. For more wedding inspiration, visit our gallery.

Sheila Scott has been taking wedding photographs in the Scottish Borders and north of England for more than 20 years, but she’s no plans to rest on her laurels! Part of an award-winning team with her husband Harry, she specialises in bringing out the best in each couple’s personality and passions, and seizing the moment on the day. Whether it’s wind-strewn leaves, a sleepy bridesmaid or a shower of rain, Sheila beautifully captures the small decisive moments that make every wedding different.

‘I started photography as a hobby when my daughter was born,’ she says, ‘then opened a studio business in portraiture, and branched into wedding photography over 20 years ago. My photography experience has included everything from industrial and commercial assignments, to the Queen, TV personalities and government ministers.  Some of my more unusual commissions have involved coffins, sewage works and septic tanks, but I can also be seen wearing  a yellow reflective jacket, hard hat and safety boots, up ladders, on building projects or photographing road works in progress’.

Sheila’s work has been widely published in magazines, and she’s photographed brides from all over the world. ‘Now, I choose to concentrate mainly on wedding photography, as Harry and I both enjoy it, and we feel it’s a privilege to be involved in such a special day’.

A self-confessed gadget and technology lover, Sheila moved into digital photography in 2000. ‘I took the plunge earlier than most professional photographers, and I’m constantly updating my products to include the latest in digital offerings for the bride and groom, introducing an iPad package in 2010. My most recent venture is a professional wedding photo booth, which is the latest must-have for wedding receptions’, she says.

Most photographers would be happy to rest there, but not Sheila! ‘I recently became an author, with my first book, Galashiels Through Time. It’s a collection of colour and sepia photos recording the change in the town where I live, with a bit of history thrown in!’

Email Sheila Scott or visit her website: Sheila Scott Photography.

Lindsey Hunter of Get Knotted is a wedding planner for Scotland and the north of England. She’s the in-house wedding planner for four lovely Scottish wedding venues: Mellerstain House, Aikwood Tower, Hoscote Estate, and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel. For more wedding inspiration, visit our gallery.

I’m a great fan of vintage wedding style and pretty objects that make good wedding gifts, so it was great to come across the Very Fabulous online boutique. It’s run by award-winning wedding stylists Cindy Kirkland and Kim Neville, whose motto is ‘there’s always a place for something fabulous in one’s life’. Couldn’t agree more!

The creative duo have more than 15 years’ combined experience in styling beautiful events, and have just launched an online mail order service selling all their most gorgeous finds, including wedding gifts and treats for mothers and bridesmaids. Everything has been chosen to be used and treasured long after the day itself.

Unusual finds in their online range include a handcrafted memory board to display trinkets and souvenirs, wooden love blocks and beautiful love votives.

Cindy and Kim have spent the past year scouring for undiscovered treasures in the UK and internationally, and there’s plenty of temptation on their site, even if you’re not planning a wedding – so be warned!

Visit the Very Fabulous website (edit: currently site not available – June 2012), or click for more vintage wedding ideas from Get Knotted.

Lindsey Hunter of Get Knotted is a wedding planner for Scotland and the north of England. She’s the in-house wedding planner for four lovely Scottish wedding venues: Mellerstain House, Aikwood Tower, Hoscote Estate, and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel. For more wedding inspiration, visit our gallery.

Royal Wedding watchers can’t have failed to notice a tasty trend that’ll appeal to everyone that’s no so keen on traditional wedding cakes – the groom’s cake. Prince William apparently requested his favourite chocolate, biscuity one using McVitie’s Rich Teas, as an alternative to the magnificent eight-tiered one created by Fiona Cairns.

It seems grooms’ cakes aren’t a new phenomenon – there’s a recipe for a ‘Plain Bridegroom’s Cake’ in an 1897 book called The British Baker. In the meantime, the trend originated in the United States, and the Royal Wedding has given it a big boost over here, with cake designers reporting a sudden upsurge in enquiries.

Groom’s cakes are usually themed around the groom’s job or hobby.  There are some wild and wonderful examples on Flickr, featuring beer cans, Daleks, stags and even hog roasts.  Time to have fun and let your imagination run riot!

And the best part is, you can have a traditional bridal cake, and a fun groom version. Have your cake and eat it, in other words. Sorry – couldn’t resist!

Check out the fabulous examples from The Cake Partnership below, or click for more wedding cake inspiration and fun ideas from Get Knotted.

Visit The Cake Partnership for more delicious groom’s cake ideas!

Lindsey Hunter of Get Knotted is a wedding planner for Scotland and the north of England. She’s the in-house wedding planner for four lovely Scottish wedding venues: Mellerstain House, Aikwood Tower, Hoscote Estate, and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel. For more wedding inspiration, visit our gallery.

With vintage weddings being such a big theme, here’s a lovely idea for vintage transport with a fun twist! This fabulous vintage ice cream Rolls Royce is a genuine piece of Scottish history which is bound to create a great talking point and provide some gorgeous romantic photos.

This amazing vintage Rolls Royce was originally built for the Marques de San Miguel of Spain back in the 1920s. It was then owned by Viscount Scarsdale, and finally bought by S Luca, who lovingly converted it into this unique Rolls Royce ice cream van. It’s now available for hire for weddings and can be driven to venues within a 50 mile radius of East Lothian, including most of our our Get Knotted wedding venues in the Scottish Borders.

S Luca has been making fabulous ice cream for 100 years to a secret family recipe, and they’re based in Musselburgh and Edinburgh. They also do a great range of confectionery, including chocolates, truffles, and fantastic classic sugar mice, soor plooms and Hawick balls! Not to mention their famous Knickerbocker Glories, Banana Splits and Chocolate Nut Sundaes. Maybe an idea for your wedding dessert?

Click for more fun ideas for your vintage wedding.

Lindsey Hunter of Get Knotted is a wedding planner for Scotland and the north of England. She’s the in-house wedding planner for four lovely Scottish wedding venues: Mellerstain House, Aikwood Tower, Hoscote Estate, and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel. For more wedding inspiration, visit our gallery.

It’s been a busy time at Mellerstain recently – I’ve been seeing lots of new couples who are looking at this amazing venue with a view to booking their weddings. Mellerstain has just launched a very special package for up to 80 guests. The package includes exclusive use of the house, catering, drink, flowers, photography and a night’s complimentary accommodation in one of the four-poster wedding suites. This one-stop shop means couples only have one bill to pay – keeping the process nice and simple and a great price too! Visit the Mellerstain website wedding page for further details.

I never tire of showing people around Mellerstain. There’s always something interesting going on and it’s quite incredible to imagine all the people that have passed over the threshold of this fairy-tale Robert Adam house.

At this time of year the snowdrops are spectacular and Mellerstain has just celebrated it’s 5th year as part of Visit Scotland’s Scottish Snowdrop Festival.

Here’s Mellerstain’s resident daschund, Gertie, enjoying the snowdrops in the grounds!