Avril and Alan are kind, thoughtful and totally laid-back. They create a very relaxed atmosphere in their unique, and outstandingly beautiful home and surroundings. It was our choice to elope and have the wedding that we wanted. We hear about wedding plans being made all the time, and the stress of who to invite and who not to invite, who won't sit with who, etc. etc. This wasn't for us.
We stayed in Horseshoe Cottage with Ruby Bowtop at Roulotte Retreat, which was perfect for us. It was very spacious, well equipped, a lovely log-burner in the lounge, wooden beams and very nice soft furnishings. If you want to be totally at one with nature, enjoy peace and tranquility and the darkest starry night skies then this is the place. We had the most memorable day.
Jane the registrar from the Scottish Borders arrived before the wedding to meet with us. We had decided to include the Hand-Fasting ritual as part of our ceremony. This requires a piece of material (we chose tartan) which is wrapped around both the bride and groom's hands in such a way that when pronounced Husband and Wife and let go of your hands a knot is tied in the tartan - hence the term Tying the Knot.
The photographer Phil was just fabulous and was extremely patient as I was on crutches following recent knee surgery and could only move at a snail's pace, and he was a lot of fun. Phil didn't miss any opportunities to capture the photo-bombing hens or Bear, the dog who had wandered over to have a nosey at what was going on. Our evening was spent eating fish and chips, drinking champagne and eating our wedding cake which was made locally, snuggled up in front of the fire in the cottage reminiscing about the day. All in all and in every way possible it was a day to remember! Thank you to Avril and Alan - you really have something very special going on at Roulotte Retreat!
Thank you to Avril and Alan - you really have something very special going on at Roulotte Retreat!"
