Earlier this year we had the privilege to host Pad and Sam MacNeil’s wedding, with a very special guest! The happy newlyweds kindly took the time to tell us a little about their very special day:
and yet cosy – and the moment we walked into The Fleece, we knew it was the venue for us. Everything from the artwork and exposed wooden beams down to the do-not-disturb collie teddies! After five minutes with Scott, we knew there would be no stress and we were in safe hands. Living in the Outer Hebrides, and being a full day’s travel away, Scott was very accommodating and always made time for us when we were able to visit.
The day before the wedding was quite tense until we arrived at The Fleece and saw the room. The staff were setting the tables, so after we had eaten in the restaurant, we went to add our decorations. After a few more drinks it was time for bed – the Lincoln Suite provided the perfect place for the bride to get plenty of beauty sleep, in the biggest comfiest bed! Downstairs, the bar staff were very accommodating and kept the rest of the family (and the groom) well-watered until the wee hours.
The Lincoln Suite was the ideal room to get ready in, with plenty of space and lots of natural light from the two large windows.
The make up artist (Jess Cant – @jesscantmakeupartist) set up by one window, and hairdresser by the other so no one was falling over anyone. Breakfast was ordered and brought up with no hassle and the whole morning was very relaxed. The big bathroom, with its freestanding copper bath, was a great place for a pre-ceremony photoshoot! Meanwhile downstairs, the Groom, his best man and our dog Moss fixed their ties and straightened their kilts and collars.
The ceremony room provided a lovely intimate setting for us to declare our love for each other in front of our nearest and dearest, before being piped out to our drinks reception. The Fleece provided a lovely backdrop for our photos, as well as creating some dramatic group shots from the library balcony.
The speeches ran perfectly to time (22 minutes to be precise!) and were followed by a very tasty three-course meal, coffee and cake. The staff served dinner promptly and without any mix-ups. An extra thank you to the chef who stepped in to save our cake, after a melting mishap.
The evening ceilidh was perfect in every way. The Robert Nairn Ceilidh Band catered very well for the mixture of English and Scottish families, calling dances as well as playing classic Gaelic songs. Bar manager Ash and his staff joined in our dancing and singing, all the while keeping up with some very thirsty guests. Sausage, bacon, haggis and chips were just the thing to refuel the dancers.
All in all, our day was wonderful and hassle-free from start to finish and we would highly recommend Scott, and his team at The Fleece. If we could change one thing, it’s that we wish we had stayed an extra night!
Reg Office: Company House 14 Stephenson Road, Durranhill Industrial Estate, Carlisle, England, CA1 3NX
