Raindrops, Roses, and Autumn Leaves...

Remember I posted the other week that we were off to a wedding? Well it was quite the most excellent weekend! We started with the short flight from Stansted up to Edinburgh, and had the Saturday exploring that wonderful city which is always a treat.

We dodged rainshowers and wandered - along Princes Street and around its wonderful gardens...

...and then we found a few of our favourite pubs - not difficult as there are so many fantastic ones! I even found my favourite Oban whisky in one, which was an added bonus! The following morning we returned to the airport to collect a cute little white Vauxhall Corsa which was to be our chariot for the day, and with MrEH at the wheel we headed North! We did get distracted at the Forth Crossing - I can't possibly go past that amazing structure without getting the camera out...

Wonderful isn't it? We detoured to stop at South Queensferry where there is a little beach, when the tide's out, that means you can walk right underneath the bridge. I've seen it from the road bridge before, and been across it on trains many times, but walking that close to it was a new experience - fantastic! We had a good wander about, and walked out on the little jetty you can see on the right of the picture above, and then, finally, headed north again towards Dunkeld, where my lovely friend Fay and her fiance were having their wedding.

We were there as helpers as well as guests - absolutely the way things should be in a "Handmade Wedding" - and our first job was a good old stomp about with the lovely Peedie & Haggis. MrEH shot off at a run with Haggis (who always has energy that needs dispersal) and Peedie gave me a look that simply said "I hope you don't expect ME to behave like that!" before we followed at a more sedate pace! Back to settle the dogs, then, and on with our other task for the day - that being to take lots of photos! (Well what else?!)  some you will already have seen on Fay's blog no doubt, so I'll just share a few of my favourites if I may...

Remember Fay mentioning their £10- bunch of Fairtrade roses? And the borrowed fairy lights? I think this shot shows both off rather nicely...

...and look - table runners and foraged table decorations all in evidence here. The vibrancy of the colours there could actually be a good indicator of the whole day - bright, vivid, and fun!

With photos of the decorative stuff all taken, and frocks changed into, off we whizzed to the beautiful forest of The Hermitage just up the road - a very special place this, and one which myself and MrEH are determined to visit again now! Naturally Fay's bouquet also contained all the autumnal colour you might expect, and came in quite handy to hide behind, too...

...whoever knew that wedding flowers could double up as hide 'n' seek props eh? Even a beautiful blushing bride needs a hiding place from time to time! She did indeed look gorgeous too - from her red wellies to her fabulous frock (vintage, naturally...well, Charity shop anyway!) our lovely lady just glowed with happiness ALL day. The Groom didn't let the side down either - dashing in his kilt, and the young adults also were stunning and handsome in turn.

From the forest we returned to the wonderful Birnam Arts Centre for some of this....

...and rather a lot of this...

...and a whole load of dancing, and chatter, and music, and fun!

What a truly magical day we all had - and almost entirely provided by the love and skills of a group of people many of whom started the day as strangers and ended it as friends - with wellie boots, and sushi, and pink fizz, and a wondrous forest, in common. Truly "Handmade with Love".

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, your Bride & Groom, Mr & Mrs McB...

May the best you've ever seen
Be the worst you'll ever see;
May a moose ne'er leave yer girnal
Wi' a teardrop in his e'e.
May ye aye keep hale and hearty
Till ye're auld enough tae dee,
May ye aye be just as happy
As I wish ye aye tae be.

Robyn xx