Overcoming a dress disaster and a no-show hairdresser on her way to the altar, Alex and Matt became husband and wife in a magical and love-filled day at this popular East Lothian wedding venue
When Glasgow Warriors and Scotland rugby star Matt Fagerson married wife Alex at popular East Lothian wedding venue Dunglass Estate, their big day featured an interfaith wedding ceremony in ruined church, photography by Sophie Alexandria, The Phat Cats wedding band and a scrumptious Greek-inspired menu.
However, a last-minute wedding dress problem meant that a bridesmaid and Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations had to come to the rescue, as did MUA Rae Mathieson Makeup when the original hairdresser cancelled.
Read on for the full details, including their super-cute proposal story...
Alex Wark and Matt Fagerson, now Mr and Mrs Fagerson
1st September 2024
Venue | Dunglass Estate, East Lothian
Photography | Sophie Alexandria Photography
Putting your heart on the line in the world of dating is daunting – but it all paid off for Alex, who took a romantic leap of faith in 2018.
“I saw Matt on one of my friend’s Instagram stories and just decided to message him! What followed was months of chatting before we actually met, and then even more months of travelling back and forth between Glasgow and Edinburgh for dates – always with a freshly baked sweet treat in hand.”
“I joked my brownies would make him fall in love with me.”
And Alex’s plan worked as, two and a half years after that first Instagram message, Scotland and Glasgow Warriors rugby player Matt got down on one knee.
Alex and Matt Fagerson cute surprise proposal story
“Our proposal story is quite funny,” says the bride with a smile. “I went to Pilates with friends and decided to go for coffee afterwards. I’d told Matt that I’d be back around 1pm as he and I were supposed to be going out for lunch, but I had loads to catch up on with my friends, so I ended up being a little later than anticipated. He kept texting to ask where I was, adding that when I did get home, not to ring the bell as he’d be in the hot tub.
“When I walked in the door, there were petals everywhere. Something should have clicked but it didn’t – Matt is known for taking long, candlelit baths, so I just thought he had stepped it up a notch! But when I got to the living room, there were fairy lights and Matt was down on one knee. I was so shocked.”
What's Dunglass Estate like for weddings?
Two years on, and the couple “fell in love” all over again when they made their first wedding planning decision and booked their venue, Dunglass Estate.
“We loved the feel of the old kirk and the fact that we could have the entire wedding in one location with our family staying on-site. Everything about Dunglass was perfect – and we found it also has its own microclimate where it tends to be drier than the rest of Scotland. What a bonus!”
Providing accommodation for 28 people in three courtyard cottages and the eight-bedroom Seaview House, Dunglass Estate became a home from home for some of Alex and Matt’s nearest and dearest.
Planning an interfaith wedding ceremony
“The ceremony was important to us too – we wanted it to honour both of our families. Matt and his family are Christian, and although most secular or humanist weddings can’t have religious elements in them, we found celebrant Tony Goodall at TLC Faith who was able to create a blended ceremony for us.”
Discover all you need to know about planning your wedding ceremony in Scotland
It wasn’t only the vows where the couple wanted their personalities and beliefs to shine through; they were keen to extend that to every part of their special day. “We wanted a huge party that involved everyone we loved and that let them see a little part of our lives. We had 100 guests during the day, with a further 30 in the evening. One main focus was music – we both love a wee boogie.
“Matt and I also organised a game, which we called Maple’s Mysteries (after our dog, Maple). We hid cut-outs of her around the courtyard and the first four people to find them won a gift. This was instead of having favours and it really set the vibe for the evening.”
Last-minute wedding dress shopping and alterations in Glasgow
Most of the planning was easy but there were a few tense moments, as Alex reveals: “I bought my dress in 2022, took it home in 2023 and was ready for alterations in the summer of 2024. However, when it came to it, my dress couldn’t be altered the way I wanted. So, three weeks before the wedding, I was on the hunt for a new one.
“I found my dream style in Anne Priscilla Bridal in Glasgow, but unfortunately it wasn’t going to be ready in time. I was in a panic, as you can imagine.
“One of my amazing friends, Hannah, called every bridal shop in the UK and eventually sourced one in the right size at Marrime in Newcastle. It was then shipped to Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations in Glasgow. It was so worth it for the end result!”
Find more bridal boutiques in Scotland on Tie the Knot Scotland's online directory
Thankfully, with the help of their dream team (four groomsmen and four bridesmaids), everything fell into place. “We couldn’t have done it without them; they made everything so special.”
What to do if your wedding supplier cancels
And there was only one thing left to do – tie the knot. While Matt enjoyed a chilled, relaxing morning with the boys, it was a bit different for Alex as she got ready with her mum, grandma and bridesmaids. “Things were a little stressful – not only did the time run away from us but my original hairdresser unfortunately cancelled that very morning.
“Thankfully, my makeup artist Rae Mathieson contacted a hair angel, Stacey Deane, and she saved the day. At least the stress of it all meant I didn’t have time to feel nervous about anything else!”
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After Alex and Matt exchanged vows and there was an emotional reading of Whitney Hanson’s lovely poem ‘ Love Like a River’, it was time for cocktail hour. The couple had booked The Phat Cats to perform with a roaming band. “The Phat Cats were there all day and night and really kept the party going. It felt like they were in our heads, knowing exactly what song we wanted next!”
No detail was overlooked in terms of styling or decor either: “I adored what 2Flux Stationery Studio did. It created our save-the-dates, invites, all on-the-day stationery, plus a flower-box welcome sign. It all tied in with our stunning flowers – which were all in muted, timeless tones – by Platter & Pop.”
Next up was dinner (set up with three long banquet-style tables and a top table) with a menu inspired by a meal the couple had loved on holiday in Santorini: burrata and fig salad with balsamic glaze, blade of beef or salmon, followed by brown sugar panna cotta, chocolate orange ganache truffle or Eton mess.
Is it worth having a wedding content creator?
And one thing the pair will treasure forever (along with Alex’s bouquet, which she has since had pressed and framed) were the photos and all the the “little moments” caught on camera by Emma at Social Brides Club (see highlights reel above). “Our photographers and videographer captured the day so well and set everyone at ease too. We really treasure the pictures we have with our grandparents.”
Find a content creator in Scotland for your own wedding
“It was amazing to wake up in the morning to snippets of our day from Social Brides Club too,” smiles Alex. “We were able to relive it all again.”
How to keep on top of wedding planning
Top tip: “My advice is to set aside some time each week (depending on how long there is until the wedding) to discuss the to-do list with your partner. My best friend was Microsoft Excel for about a year – although I can’t stand the sight of it now! I made so many lists and ticked them off as we went. It helped being able to see how much progress we were making.”
Alex and Matt's teaser by Afterglow Wedding Films
Wedding suppliers
Venue Dunglass Estate, East Lothian
Photography Sophie Alexandria Photography
Second photographer Jade Esson Photography
Filmmaker Afterglow Wedding Films
Celebrant Tony Goodall at TLC Faith
Wedding dress Eva Lendel at Marrime (originally found at Anne Priscilla Bridal)
Dress alterations Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations
Bridesmaid dresses Maids to Measure
Shoes Bella Belle
Jewellery MedzeBride on Etsy
Hair Stacey Deane Hair
Makeup Rae Mathieson Bridal Makeup
Nails My Nail Club by Lauren
Groomswear Slater Menswear
Wedding rings Bercott Jewellers
Catering, flowers and styling Platter & Pop
Night before BBQ Field Fire Fork
Wedding stationery and decor 2Flux Stationery Studio
Cake Liggy’s Cake Company
Music and entertainment The Phat Cats
Content creation Social Brides Club
