Tracy and Franny booked The National Piping Centre for their traditional Scottish wedding and were thrilled when they found an ancestorial link to the venue
Franny McKeown and Tracy Russell, now Mrs Russell-McKeown
30th June 2023
Venue | The National Piping Centre
Photography | John Hendry Photography
Feeling close to your ancestors is something many of us aspire to. From using your great-grandmother’s recipe for chicken soup to perhaps enjoying a brew from your favourite late aunt’s Clarice Cliff tea set, there are many ways you can connect with and appreciate those who came before.
So, when bride Tracy realised one of her forebears had a link to The National Piping Centre, the venue she and husband-to-be Franny had chosen for their Glasgow wedding, it made their day all the more special.
“We had decided we wanted a Scottish-themed wedding,” the bride tells us of the decision to go for The National Piping Centre. “It was only after we booked that we discovered that I am descended from a famous piper whose documents are stored in the museum there.”
The couple didn’t bother to shortlist any other venue as they knew instantly that this one, in a beautiful old building at the top of Hope Street, ticked all their boxes: “We live in Glasgow and wanted our wedding to be central, and ideally in a venue that could hold the full wedding.
"We were having 31 guests during the day and 90 at night, and wanted it to be easily accessible for everyone – the location did influence our decision.”
Tracy stayed at the venue the night before, alongside her sister and parents-in-law which, she says, ensured the morning of the wedding was “fairly stress-free and prosecco-filled”.
She and Franny were able to personalise many elements of their day, with some moments proving more emotional than others. “My parents have passed away, and I felt compelled to make a speech so I could talk about them and make them part of our day,” recalls the bride.
“Franny and I were supposed to drink from the quaich during our ceremony, but we forgot to do it! So our best man asked the registrar if we could do it in the museum, right beside my ancestor’s display.
"We did – and we loved it. It actually worked out better than doing it during the ceremony.”
The couple had enlisted the help of Make Believe Events for their decor, but say the staff at the Piping Centre were on hand to organise and set everything up.
"The venue provided a piper for the day, a red carpet at the door for guests arriving, all the linen, table stationery, and a cake stand and knife,” recalls the new Mrs Russell-McKeown. “Make Believe Events supplied other decorations, like the chair covers, white carpet, lanterns, plinths for the flowers and eucalyptus for the ceremony.
"We also hired a whisky barrel from them to display the wedding cake.” The pair were able to DIY some elements too: “We took silk flowers for the table where we signed the register as well as our own small lantern.
We also brought a wicker basket which we decorated with flowers for cards. The venue staff took everything from me and did all the decorating the night before, including making up the confetti cones.”
She and Franny say the team “went above and beyond” their expectations to make the day perfect – changing the menu to suit certain dietary requirements and infant guests, and doing what they could to “keep costs down”.
“We were really touched by how supportive the whole team were. I am so happy we picked the National Piping Centre as our venue"
“When I was stressed they were always really calm and professional and literally took away my anxieties,” smiles the bride. “I stayed at the venue the night before the wedding and my party were gifted a bottle of wine with dinner that evening. We had amazing support from the moment we booked the venue right up until the day after the wedding."
Wedding Dress Sarah Louise Bridal
Shoes Lace and Favour
Accessories, wedding rings and jewellery John MacKay Jewellers
Bridal bouquet charm Bridal Boutique Charms UK
Bridesmaids dresses Dessy at Joyce Young
Groomswear Slanj Kilts
Officiant Registrar at Glasgow City Council
Cake Rosewood Cakes
Catering The National Piping Centre
Flowers Petals Flowers
Invitations, table plan, and welcome sign The Adorned Page
Favours Homemade tablet from Granny Beaton, and either a Scottish gin or malt whisky, bottled by couple
Venue décor Make Believe Events, with some things brought from home
Engagement ring Warren James
Ceremony and drinks reception music Provided The National Piping Centre
Reception music Drams Ceilidh Band followed by a playlist
Transport Doig's of Glasgow
Hair and make up The Aisle
Nails Savannah Beauty Centre
Homemade Brownies for the reception Beardy’s Bakes
Dress steaming Lisa’s Bridal Studio
