Lunga Weddings: little lunga wedding

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Maggie and Oliver - the most relaxed, lovely, Lunga couple

Maggie and Oliver decided to get married at Lunga on the basis of one phone call. Both based in Singapore, they trusted that this lovely little castle was the perfect place for them to gather together their family and friends from all over the world to celebrate their wedding. If they were nervous about arriving here a couple of days before getting married without ever having been to Lunga, they didn't show it.

On arrival, Oliver described it as beyond their wildest dreams. Beyond their expectations. Beyond everything they could have hoped for. And everyone involved in making their day so special was rewarded with smiles as big as the ocean. All weekend long.

The lovely charlotte from Lotte and Bloom decorated the fabulous cheesecake, which guests enjoyed with vintage port after dinner and throughout the evening.

We loved all of the details, co-ordinated online from their home in Singapore.

Maggie and Oliver walked together to where friends and family waited..

..passing the piper and the harpist along the way...

..carrying the loveliest of bouquets that looked like it had just been picked, which is precisely how Maggie wanted it to be.. and precisely how Charlotte made it to be..

And under a tree, with the sun shining on a cloudy day, and a slanty lawn and his and her Lunga tweed chairs and guests casually gathered to watch, and to enjoy and to share in this special special day..

...lovely, lovely Maggie and Oliver got married!!

Have you ever seen such happiness!

I'll be posting Nick Kirk's fabulous photography of the day just as soon as he forwards it to me and food shots of the vegetarian meal in Lunga's lovely ballroom are coming soon on my food blog.

Maggie and Oliver are quite possibly the kindest hearted couple I have ever met. They brought us gifts. They brought us smiles. And they brought us a wonderful collection of friends and family happy to share a lovely lovely celebration. Safe travels, Maggie and Oliver. We hope to hear from you soon!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

A lovely little Lunga wedding

From Lunga, you can arrive at the lovely little island of Seil (previously home to Princess Diana's mother) by boat or by road. Over the sea, in a howling gail and rain and waves, it's a short and adventurous trip - skippered by a local seadog who knows the local waters like the back of his hand. The Isle of Shuna to port, the hills of Mull and Jura in the heavy clouded distance. By road, you head North towards Oban, cross the tiny little bridge over the Atlantic onto Seil Island, past the 18th Century pub, Tigh an Truish (where long ago kilts weren't allowed and the men would stop at the hostellry and swap their kilts for trousers - hence the name 'House of Trousers), and then a winding, hilly drive to the lovely little Kilbrandon Church, with it's beautiful stain glassed windows and hill top setting.

Carol and Stephen journeyed by sea, welly - walked towards the church where a handsome piper in a soggy busby and wind lifted kilt played Highland Cathedral. They spoke their vows, and laughed and cried, then followed the piper back down to the tiny pier where the little Luing ferry tooted its horn and passengers clapped and did a wee highland fling as handsome piper piped 'congratulations.' Heading back to Lunga they drank champagne and huddled warm in the cockpit. In the evening, I fed them lobster thermidor - the biggest lobster I have ever seen with enormous claws.

The lovely Nick Kirk (trusty sailor and fab photographer) and I shared the photography as on days like this it really isn't possible to be in 2 places at the same time. Nick spent a lot of the day getting wet, but his spirit was never dampened and I think this is reflected the photos he took, which you can see on the slideshow below. I stayed drier longer, and had fun from beginning to end.

This was a special, intimate, beautiful happy day for two people who travelled far to get married. Carol's smile brightened a dark, damp and blustery day and passers by smiled and waved their congratulations and wished them a long and happy future. All of us here at Lunga wish them the same.