Intimate Scottish wedding in mediaeval castle in Ayrshire

Erin wore a completely bespoke gown crafted out of recycled lace. This A-line gown featured a V-neckline and delicate lace detailing that covered the open back and sleeves adding a refined touch. This bespoke dress made her feel comfortable, relaxed and like herself on her big day.

Why did you choose a bespoke wedding dress?

I’d been to a few shops already and hadn’t managed to find what I was looking for. I started to consider getting a dress made instead, and found Mirka when I searched online. The dresses in her collection were the closest to what I had in mind and the sustainable lace was an added bonus, so I was excited to visit and explore bespoke options!

How did you find the process of having a dress made to measure and customised for you?

The process was surprisingly easy – Mirka explained every step and what to expect. The fact that the dress was made to measure and customised for me made it feel even more special.

Did you end up choosing a dress in the style you thought you were going to go for or was it something completely different?

Going in, the main thing I was focused on was the style of the sleeves and I only had a rough idea of style for the rest. So the dress ended up being a combination of ideas I already had, and suggestions from Mirka that I wouldn’t have considered on my own.

Could you tell us a bit about your dress?

The dress is fully lace, with open lace on the sleeves & back and white fabric underneath the rest. I planned to wear a long cloak over my dress (as March temperatures in Scotland can be unpredictable!) so it was floor-length, without a train.

How did you feel in your dress on the day?

I felt so relaxed in my dress! I don’t wear a lot of floor-length or formal dresses so it was really important to me that I still felt like myself on the day. The dress was really beautiful but was still so comfortable and well-fitting that a few times I forgot I was wearing it and not something more casual!

What was your biggest wedding inspiration?

We wanted a fairly chilled vibe for the wedding. We were inspired by experiences of visiting friends, staying up late chatting, and relaxed holidays with friends and family. We tried to incorporate a lot of personal touches too, like our favourite colours and Tom’s love of Lego.

Tell us more about your big day

We only had 30 guests plus ourselves, so everyone stayed at the venue from Friday to Sunday. On Friday night, we did pizza-making (harder than it looks!) and ran a quiz, and on Saturday morning everyone was free to explore the castle and grounds. Our wedding ceremony was on Saturday afternoon, photos outside during a spell of sunshine, then dinner. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing with our guests in the castle’s cinema room and pub.

What is your favourite picture from your wedding day and why is this image so special to you?

My favourite picture is of Tom and I outside, looking up at the castle, as we both look calm and happy – ready to enjoy the venue now that most of the logistics of the day were done and dusted!

Finally, do you have any advice for future brides visiting Mirka Bridal Couture?

Be open to trying things – even eliminating something could give you new ideas! Don’t be afraid to communicate about what you’re looking for. Trust Mirka! She’s an expert and will do everything she can to create your dream dress.