Author Archives: Tracey

News Alert!!!!!

It is time for a change for our company founder Sarah Plant, who after 13 years of establishing and running a successful event management business, is off to pastures new from today.

“I have passionately put my heart and soul into Sarah’s Creative Occasions and worked with a wonderful array of clients both locally and across the globe to plan and manage their occasions at all the fabulous venues we have in and around Ayrshire.

I will forever keep a million amazing memories and hold dear many of the connections made as friends for life.  Thank-you to everyone for their support, custom and entertainment over the years, we have had many laughs and I will miss the build-up of excitement to all the special days ahead.

I leave you in the very capable hands of my trusted friend and business partner Tracey, with whom I have worked with for six years.  Tracey is based in Prestwick and will, for this year at least, retain the company name and brand.  I wish Tracey well for the year ahead and I can’t wait to see all the wonderful weddings and events take place, I’ll be watching out for them all.

I am becoming a full-time artist with my company Sarah Louise Art  based from my country cottage in South Ayrshire with my husband and miniature Dachshund.  Our travels and surrounding wildlife will continue to inspire my creativity.  From next month you may also spot me volunteering in the Coach House Gallery on the Culzean Castle estate, so do not be afraid to pop in and say hi!  Best wishes and colour hugs to you all”

Timetable for the easing of COVID restrictions

Today the Scottish Government released a timetable for the easing of restrictions which can be read in full HERE.

Included is an extract showing that wedding ceremonies with receptions may indicatively take place from 26th April 2021 with 50 attendees, but unfortunately no alcohol is to be served.

We await further guidance on what this means in terms of for example; social distancing, face covers, live music and dancing.  It’s also not yet clear when alcohol can be served and if that may be from the 17th May 2021.

What is great news for us all is that 2021 will be better for us and weddings shall be returning to normal over the next few months if the case and vaccine data continues to improve.

Scotland’s Planned Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions

This week Scotland’s First Minister released an updated strategic framework detailing the planned easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Below is an extract of the Framework which can be read in full online HERE.

For now it clarifies the aspects being relaxed first whilst we remain in lockdown through to 26th April 2021.  Thereafter it is expected each Council area will return to the tiered Level 0 to 4 system.

Fingers crossed for North, South & East Ayrshire being moved to at least Level 3 again when we can host weddings and small receptions with up to 20 attendees.

Scottish Weddings in 2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR from Tracey & I!  It may not feel like a happy start with Scotland in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but 2021 will be a better year for the Scottish wedding industry and for all those planning weddings.

Couples constantly ask us for advice on what we think may happen and so we thought it useful to simply share our own personal views on what weddings in 2021 may look like:

  • we think we will remain in lockdown until Spring and thereafter Ayrshire is likely to move into Level 3, allowing weddings and small receptions with up to 20 attendees
  • we hope the Summer will allow up to 50 attendees at weddings and receptions, but we do think social distancing and face covers will remain throughout the year
  • once the majority of the population have been vaccinated, then we could see a return to higher numbers attending weddings in the Autumn but there is a risk restrictions are re-introduced to see us through the next Winter season
  • we suspect no dancing or loud music could still be a restriction for some time yet unfortunately and so we need to consider other forms of entertainment for you and your guests after your wedding meal, like; wedding bingo, couple trivia, cosy cinema or toasting marshmallows on campfires

There’s many reasons to embrace a wee Scottish wedding so do not hesitate to get in touch with  us for some one-to-one consultation time on how we could make your wedding a safe and very much a special one.

Well What a Year 2020 Was

Tracey and I would like to wish all our past, present and future clients, suppliers, their families and friends a very Merry Christmas!

It’s been an extraordinary year for each and every one of us, so we all deserve a rest to enjoy a peaceful time over the holidays.

Here’s a snap from our most recent wedding, which saw Fiona & Michael say their “I Dos” at Harelaw Farm in East Ayrshire.

This was their delicate wreath place card for their guests around the dining table at their wee Scottish wedding.

Level 4 COVID-19 Restrictions in Scotland

For those areas moving into Level 4 restrictions of the Scottish Government COVID-19 Strategic Framework later this evening, including South Ayrshire & East Ayrshire, here’s a simplified graphic of what we can and cannot do through to 11th December 2020.

Wedding ceremonies can still take place with up to 20 attendees.  However wedding receptions are on hold for the next 3 weeks.  Stay strong and most importantly stay safe.

Further details can be found on the Scottish Government website HERE

Wee Scottish Weddings

We are all getting used to the idea that life is going to remain a little different for some time yet.

Do you just want to get married though and don’t mind that only the very best of your family and friends will be attending?

If you want to say “I do” in a few weeks and need some help to organise it in accordance with the Scottish government COVID-19 guidance then we can take that stress away and make it happen for you.

For the next 6 months we are offering our Full Planning & Management Swallow Package for a reduced price of –

£495 for a date before 30th November 2020 (usually £795 in 2020)

£595 for a date before 31st March 2021 (usually £995 in 2021)

Sarah and Tracey can be available to you every day in the lead up to your big day, offering our personal attention to:

  • Guide you step-by-step
  • Source & secure your suppliers
  • Manage your budget
  • Design a complementary decoration scheme
  • Help with the submission of your legal paperwork
  • Co-ordinate proceedings of your day
  • Offer a personal welcome, looking after you & your guests

Get in touch to check availability and let’s make it happen together!

Small Weddings in Scotland

Today small wedding ceremonies and receptions limited to 20 persons can go ahead!  The 20 persons does need to include all guests including children and any suppliers you secure, with one exception and that’s the person officiating your marriage, i.e. a Minister, Celebrant or Registrar.

This is great news as you can now organise an intimate celebration with your most important family and friends following your legal vows.

Receptions however can only take place in regulated environments, such as a hotel or other such wedding venue which has permission to re-open with safe and secure covid-19 measures in place.

The Scottish Government guidance is changing regularly, sometimes daily or weekly, but we are on it and if in any doubt on what you can or cannot do please refer to the full publication HERE or contact us for some one to one advice.

The Excitement of a Menu Tasting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is with excitement that we can tell you we have an event taking place tomorrow, a group menu tasting at Harelaw Farm in East Ayrshire.

We usually organise two tastings each year for this fabulous barn venue and 5 months ago we were all ready to go when lockdown came and the tasting had to be cancelled.

Now re-scheduled and planned to the nth degree, we have all the yumminess coming our way in less than 24 hours, whoop whoop.

Including haggis bon bons, mini Yorkshire puddings, Scottish starter platter, farmhouse steak pie, braised lamb, vegetable wellington, dauphinoise potatoes & the infamous sticky toffee pudding!!!

 

Guidance for Small Marriages & Civil Partnerships in Scotland

On Thursday the Scottish Government issued the following guidance clarifying what “small marriages and civil partnerships” are.

You can view the full publication HERE

An excerpt of this publication is copied below:

“Ceremonies and registrations should be kept as short as possible and be limited, as far as reasonably possible, to the elements required in order for a valid marriage or civil partnership to be constituted. We are advising that no more than 20 people should attend a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration, provided they can safely be accommodated with physical distancing in the venue. This suggested maximum includes all those at the ceremony, including the couple, the celebrant, the witnesses, any interpreter and guests. It also includes any carers accompanying an attendee. It includes as well any staff who are not employed by the venue, such as a photographer, musicians or others a couple has employed for the purpose of the ceremony or registration.”

“This guidance does not deal with any separate celebrations, such as a reception, that might typically follow marriage ceremonies or civil partnership registrations. Small celebrations can only take place if following physical distancing guidelines and other guidance on gatherings and meeting in hospitality venues.”