Budget Scottish Wedding Venue/Ideas needed!!!

jacksma

Hi all

More a lurker than a poster previously, however, I'm now planning my wedding and would greatly appreciate any help that you might be able to offer....

My partner and I are looking to get married this year and with a little one, my partner being a student and I don't earn huge amounts we would like to do our whole wedding for £4k....

We live in East Lothian and are looking to get married in a humanist ceremony between April 23 - End Aug this year at some point in Scotland somewhere - ideally central/lothian/fife. We will have around 80guests (20 children in that number) and we want quite a laid back wedding, nothing over the top - we'd love a BBQ/Hog Roast for our main meal and there has to be accommodation on site or VERY close by.

We had considered getting married on Inchcolm Island using the boat - however, were unsure of how we would work it as if we get married on the island and have a meal on the boat - then the wedding would finish by 7pm - then what do we do?

We're a bit stumped really - budget is very tight, and although we don't want over the top, we would still like a nice day. Had thought about a marquee somewhere?

HELP.....

csh_2

jacksma wrote: »

Hi all

More a lurker than a poster previously, however, I'm now planning my wedding and would greatly appreciate any help that you might be able to offer....

My partner and I are looking to get married this year and with a little one, my partner being a student and I don't earn huge amounts we would like to do our whole wedding for £4k....

We live in East Lothian and are looking to get married in a humanist ceremony between April 23 - End Aug this year at some point in Scotland somewhere - ideally central/lothian/fife. We will have around 80guests (20 children in that number) and we want quite a laid back wedding, nothing over the top - we'd love a BBQ/Hog Roast for our main meal and there has to be accommodation on site or VERY close by.

We had considered getting married on Inchcolm Island using the boat - however, were unsure of how we would work it as if we get married on the island and have a meal on the boat - then the wedding would finish by 7pm - then what do we do?

We're a bit stumped really - budget is very tight, and although we don't want over the top, we would still like a nice day. Had thought about a marquee somewhere?

HELP.....

Getting married actually on the island? I'm sure thats open air there. Would you want to risk it with the weather?

These people were advertising really good all in packages recently in the local paper (better than the website deals for April weddings). I've been to a wedding here before and it was lovely. Just depends what you are after really. Hotel, unusual location etc...

We briefly looked at a marquee but 4k is a big ask for that tbh.

The Burgh Halls in Linlithgow has been recently renovated....
Check the local council website for other places that are set up for weddings.
University halls in Edinburgh?

What about The Vu in Bathgate? Very popular at the moment and they do weekday packages etc Packages from 3.5k on the website...
http://www.thevu.co.uk/

eta: you'll need to buget £300 ish for your Humanist and another £60 for the legal side

Bluespirit

I actually know someone who's getting married on Inchcomb island this year! They have the island for the entire day, and have rented a marquee so that they can hold the reception and meal there too. I'm not too sure of how exactly its all going to work though. If you didn't want to do that/it came over budget, what about using one of the pubs in South Queensferry for an informal evening get together after the ceremony on the island and meal on the boat? The Hawes Inn there is a pretty good sized pub, and is reasonably priced for drinks, plus its right opposite the dock on the South Queensferry side! They may be able to set aside an area for you. Or what about renting the boat for longer? I've been on one of the boats that went up and down the Forth till 11 at night - there was a bar downstairs and even a dancefloor (which was well used)

headoutthesand

Not really in your location but I was on the Hamilton race course website yesterday and it says they do wedding packages for £3000 for 80 people. I didn't read much more into it but I would assume that maybe Musslebourgh racecourse would do the same......

Sorry I don't have more information other than the price.

Bluespirit

headoutthesand wrote: »

Not really in your location but I was on the Hamilton race course website yesterday and it says they do wedding packages for £3000 for 80 people. I didn't read much more into it but I would assume that maybe Musslebourgh racecourse would do the same......

Sorry I don't have more information other than the price.

Musselburgh racecourse definitely do humanist ceremonies - not sure of the price though.

ChazbyBurt

I am getting married in East Lothian in July. Try looking at your local golf clubs. Craigielaw golf club near Aberlady was really nice.

In East Lothian avoid Marine MacDonald Hotel, Carberry Tower and Mavis Hall Park which I think will all be over your price limit.

jacksma

ChazbyBurt wrote: »

I am getting married in East Lothian in July. Try looking at your local golf clubs. Craigielaw golf club near Aberlady was really nice.

In East Lothian avoid Marine MacDonald Hotel, Carberry Tower and Mavis Hall Park which I think will all be over your price limit.

Whereabouts in East Lothian are you getting married? I was thinking Aberlady - it's beautiful there! Mavis Hall Park, I've just emailed for a price list - but guess I wont bother waiting for the reply then....

jacksma

csh wrote: »

Getting married actually on the island? I'm sure thats open air there. Would you want to risk it with the weather?

These people were advertising really good all in packages recently in the local paper (better than the website deals for April weddings). I've been to a wedding here before and it was lovely. Just depends what you are after really. Hotel, unusual location etc...

We briefly looked at a marquee but 4k is a big ask for that tbh.

The Burgh Halls in Linlithgow has been recently renovated....
Check the local council website for other places that are set up for weddings.
University halls in Edinburgh?

What about The Vu in Bathgate? Very popular at the moment and they do weekday packages etc Packages from 3.5k on the website...

eta: you'll need to buget £300 ish for your Humanist and another £60 for the legal side

The island has an old abbey on it, that is undercover, so you just need umbrellas if the weather is bad....

Will have a look at your links - thanks for that!!

ChazbyBurt

The trouble with Mavis Hall Park was the extras that they kept on adding on, e.g. you can have basic paper napkins or pay extra for linen ones, you can have paper table cloths or pay extra for proper ones. I can email you the price list I got if you want. However if you are happy with thier basic package then it should be fine.

The main reason for ruling our Mavis Hall Park in our situation was the sloping dancefloor (only a small slope) and the lack of disabled facilities.

I am lucky as both sets of parents have given money towards the wedding which means we can afford the Carberry Tower. However with a venue hire cost of £3000 I think it would not be feasible on your budget!

The Cragielaw golf club had the most amazing panoramic views across the forth. The function room upstairs was ideal for the food whilst the bar/room downstairs had those picturesque views and a dancing area that leads out onto an courtyard area. This was my second choice of venue.

themull1

I got married at Comlongon Castle, it was fantastic!

alarafan

I have seen a few Gretna green packages online that look very competitive. Maybe you could consider that - I always thought the idea of a Gretna Green wedding was very romantic.