Rachel & Todd

The romantic setting of a ruined Scottish castle was the venue for the wedding of Todd and Rachel Gray earlier this year – on a date that coincided with Rachel’s 25th birthday.

“At least my husband won’t forget our wedding anniversary, seeing as it will be on the same day as my birthday,’’ said Rachel.

The couple, who are both from Sheffield, where they have settled into their marital home, wanted a wedding ceremony with a real difference. So they decided on the stunning Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, a moated 13th Century castle which is a popular filming location and one of the most visited ruined castles in Scotland.

Along with 14 close family members, the couple travelled to nearby Lockerbie where they stayed overnight before the ceremony. Afterwards they all enjoyed a wedding breakfast back at the hotel.

For the wedding ceremony, held in the open air among the castle ruins, Rachel wore an ivory coloured Adrianna Papell dress with a ruched and diamante bodice falling into a fishtail hemline. She carried a bouquet of Calla lilies, roses and stocks in various shades of purple.

Her two bridesmaids wore mauve dresses and carried similar flowers to  the bride.

After the wedding day, Rachel and Todd enjoyed a week-long honeymoon to The Maldives, and on their return organised an evening reception for 100 family and friends back in Sheffield.

One of the focal points of their evening party was their three-tier wedding cake. The top two tiers were made from Victoria sponge with a chocolate bottom tier. The cake was finished off with a flourish of purple roses from top to bottom.

Rachel, who works as a nurse at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, said: “The weather was kind to us and  the sun came out which was great, seeing as the ceremony among the ruins was all open to the elements. Our day was truly magical and we wouldn’t have changed a thing.

“Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, loves gives us a fairytale. On our return from honeymoon, we had a great evening party in Sheffield. All our family and friends attended and we laughed, cried happy tears and  danced the night away.’’

After all the celebrations, the couple are enjoying life as a married couple  with Rachel back at her work as a nurse and Todd at work as an engineer at Sheffield Forgemasters.

Shopping guide:

RECEPTION VENUE: DRYFESDALE HOUSE HOTEL, Lockerbie
BRIDES DRESS: ADRIANNA PAPELL
JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES: VEIL – DEBENHAMS, SHOES: MISS KG
HAIR: HAIR BY HAYLEY, Lockerbie
BRIDEMAID DRESSES: DEBUT, DEBENHAMS
GROOMSWEAR: FORMAL AFFAIR, Sheffield
RINGS: Brides – H SAMUEL, Grooms – Ernest Jones
FLOWERS: MONICA HEWITT, Sheffield
TRANSPORT & PHOTOGRAPHY: ARRANGED BY GRETNA WEDDINGS BUREAU
CAKE: A FAMILY FRIEND, Sheffield
SHEFFIELD WEDDING RECEPTION: STARS & MAYFAIR PARTY SUITES, Sheffield