10/08/2026
As I drove across the hills to Drumnadrochit, the radio cheerfully announced that it was another hot sunny day across the country, with temperatures reaching 36°C (!!!).
As I looked at the low hanging clouds and rain spattering my windscreen, I scowled. My couple for the day had planned an outdoor ceremony and garden games, but I knew that if anyone was going to look on the brightside, it was going to be Matty & Sharis!
And, true enough, as I pulled up outside Polmaily House, Matty came bounding out just wearing a pair of shorts and a huge welcoming grin. He and the boys were making breakfast, but you could tell that Matty was in his element, buzzing to get going with the main event of the day!
Leaving the lads to their fry up, I headed upstairs to find Sharis, and was immediately welcomed into the bustling business of a big, close family. Plus, even before I entered the room I could hear MUA Maddie,'s infamous giggle 😆 It's always fun to work with her and stylist Jenna, and we were in great company with Sharis' chill & hilarious wedding party, including her big brothers Kurtis (with a fabulously caustic humour that I appreciated) and Travis, who alternated between being sent on errands and wearing his videographer hat.
Throughout the morning I caught pics from the windows of Matty, his boys and friends playing tennis or doing wheelies around the grounds, but a thump and curse from outside the bridal suite let me know that the grooms' party were moving upstairs to get ready... be warned that the door lintels upstairs at Polmaily are low enough to be a bit of a problem if you're 6' 5".... or anything above 5'11 really 😆
And the great thing about renting a big house for your wedding weekend, is that I can dot back and forth between everyone getting ready. I could spend time with Matty and his kids, as they all leveled-up into their kilts, but then also nip back to catch Sharis reading aloud a beautiful letter from her big romantic, which had us all in tears!
After a 'first touch" between Matty & Sharis, and then some slightly unhinged trickery from best man Travis, we said a last prayer to the weather gods that the rain would stay off and headed out to the gardens for their ceremony.
Thankfully the guests were well armed with brollies and novelty hats, but everyone was more than entertained by Celebrant Nicky Marr's lovely service, and our groom chipping into the stories whenever he could get away with it 😆 And as their family clearly means the world to them, it was lovely to have the couples' 3 boys up playing key parts in the unique ceremony, even sharing several toasts with J20 in the quaich, until mummy & daddy's last promises to one another with some knock-out rum!
And whilst the weather might have rained off some of the games and sun-burned noses we were promised, what followed was a really fun, relaxed afternoon with a great group of people who clearly just enjoy spending time together.
Highlights included the tequila shot 'Mexican wave' at the houses' private bar, Matty jamming on his drums with the afternoon's entertainment, singer 'wee james' and a hilarious couples shoot that included Sharis chucking her new husband into a hedge, rolling around on the grass and a lot of cheeky comments and raucous laughter from me that I hope Travis doesn't have on camera 😂
Dinner was a relaxed affair, with everyone enjoying their Smoke pit dinners (an excellent catering choice for anyone having a DIY wedding) whilst Sharis' older brothers and Matty caught everyone off guard with their amazing, heartfelt speeches ❤️
After 'Resevoir Dogs meets Highlander' cigar shots and a cake cut that turned into a cake face-smoosh, I reluctantly left this lovely group to their partying, wishing I was joining highland games the following day.
M&S, its clear you've been through a lot together over the years, but I am so glad you've come through the other side stronger as individuals and as a couple, with three wonderful young men by your sides. It was truly a pleasure to spend the day with you both, surrounded by love and a lot of joyful silliness. Thank you for hunting me down at the wedding fair and having me catch all the happiness of this gorgeous day xx
