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your wedding journey


Start Your Wedding Planning Journey!
Now You're A Crear Couple, Please Book Your Initial Planning Call

Crear wedding planning should be fun and stress free.
We're here to help every step of the way and look forward to helping with your plans.
Just click the links to book a call at a time that works for you! 

caroline whitehead small wedding crear beach
initial planning chat

Steps 1 - 10 Need To Be Considered When You Book

Steps 1 -10 are the things that need to be done soon after booking, so you can relax knowing everything is in place.
Steps 11 -20 can be done later on in the run up to your wedding.
 

We'll only recommend suppliers that we'd be happy to book for ourselves,
so you're welcome to ask us for suggestions, help and advice at every step.

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1. Crear House Party Guests

Every couple makes their own individual choice who will stay at Crear.  Some invite their closest friends, while their parents & siblings, along with other family, stay in other local accommodation.

Some brides choose to get ready in Crear while other times the groom's side use it as their base.  Depending on your personal situation, you have the flexibility to decide what works for you.

Most couples expect a contribution towards the cost of the accommodation at Crear - the amount is entirely up to you.

Hotels, B&Bs & other places to stay

If your guests are simply looking to put their head down at the end of the day then we suggest they stay in Ardrishaig or Lochgilphead.

For those wanting to make a weekend of it, then Tarbert is a very pretty fishing village. For those who are coming for a holiday, we can happily recommend some great places to go & explore. We really want all your guests to have the best time!

Encourage your guests to stay along one bus route, this will make planning easier and ensure that no-one has to sit on the bus for too long !

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Crear House Sleeps Twelve Guests

Crear has four large double bedrooms, one twin room and one bunkroom, sleeping 12 guests in total, plus the option to have additional pop-up beds for children.

All bedrooms have an en-suite bath or shower room.

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CREAR HOUSE BEDROOMS

CREAR HOUSE FLOOR PLAN

Crear House is fully equipped to self-cater, with everything you need for your wedding, including an iron and ironing board, hair dryers, towels and a washing machine. In the kitchen you will find salt and pepper, tea and coffee, cling film and silver foil, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets and tea towels. As mobile coverage is limited in Argyll a landline is provided.

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Reserve Accommodation For Your Wedding Party

You will be sharing more than just your wedding day with those staying with you at Crear, so consider the dynamics. For additional family and friends, who believe they should be with you at Crear, reserve alternative accommodation such as those on the Achaglachgach Estate, for additional house parties, so everyone feels included from the start.

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Please contact any alternative wedding party accommodation directly to ensure your wedding dates are firmly in their diary & send them the details of who is responsible for the booking.

We suggest you check availability & notify the hotels of your choice of your wedding booking.

The more you do for your guests, the less they will do for themselves.  Put the responsibility on them to confirm their accommodation when you send out your saved dates.

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2.Your Wedding Budget

Define your wedding budget and save wasting your time on suppliers and people you can't afford.

We have lots of tips of where you can save money however please prioritise your guests experience regarding food and drink.

If family and friends are helping financially, then we’ll help to ensure you have the wedding you want while keeping everyone’s expectations realistic.

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Your Crear Wedding Budget!
Define your budget to save wasting time on suppliers & people you can't afford. It's what you do with what you've got that counts. 
Focus on what's most important to you, and stick to that!  It's easy to get carried away, once the wedding inspiration search begins.
Set your budget as early as possible. It will define everything you do from how many guests you invite to all the extra outside suppliers. 

If family or friends offer to pay for something specific, check their budget for it. Don't overspend & assume they will be happy with the bill.  If their budget doesn't stretch, then you can always add to it without having to highlight this to them.
A good example is the offer to pay for your wedding flowers, without the giver realising the realistic costs involved. Graciously accept whatever their budget. It may only cover the basics & the giver will be none the wiser to your additional topping up to the spend. You get the wedding flowers you want, & the giver will be delighted by their gift when they see the beautiful florals on the day. 
Your guests will appreciate that your champagne is delicious & the beer is plentiful & that you have looked after their every need. As hosts of your wedding celebration, remember your guests who have travelled to be with you are your number one priority. Don't skimp on their experience with cheap wine or not enough beer, only to blow your budget on dresses & shoes!  

WEDDING BUDGET TIPS
Planning a wedding can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be! We’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve to help your wedding budget stretch further.

Write Down Your Wedding Budget
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? It’s often overlooked because of how simple it is. Do you ever look at your food shop on the conveyor belt at the till and try to guess how much it’ll come to? We’re often wrong because without keeping a note, costs will escalate. Use a budget planner and add everything in to it. We mean everything, even that packet of kirby grips! It all adds up and it’ll be easier to control if you can see what you are spending.

Beg, Borrow and Steal your Wedding Decorations & Accessories
Well, maybe not steal! But borrowing is a key way to keep your budget under control. It’s likely that you have friends that will have already got married. If you loved the frame they displayed their table plan in, or thought your best friend’s tiara was beautiful, ask if you can borrow it. You’ll need something borrowed for your wedding anyway so try and borrow where you can to keep costs down.
At Crear, we also have a selection of decorative items you may borrow for your special day. Some of these are free, others for only a small charge. Please speak to one of the team for more information as to what is available to borrow.

Call in Favours on your Wedding Day
Is your aunt a whizz on the sewing machine? Or a best friend who is a make up artist? Don’t be afraid to ask Auntie Jane if she wouldn’t mind altering your dress instead of a gift, or if Sarah wouldn’t mind doing your make up on the day. Just make sure they know it’s OK to say no if they don’t feel they can do it.

Become a Wedding DIY Diva
At one point, DIY meant spending a Saturday afternoon in the hardware shop looking at the different types of screw and tins of paint. Now it’s a wedding buzz-word, and with good reason. The more you can DIY, the lower your costs will be. Get acquainted with Pinterest for ideas for your decorations. Don’t go overboard and bite off more than you can chew. Crear studio doesn’t need much in the way of decoration to look beautiful and personal to your special day.

Consider Pre-Loved Wedding Dress
How often does any bride wear her wedding dress for? A day (usually…). So why not consider shopping for a pre-loved wedding dress? You could snap up your dream dress for a fraction of the cost and you’ll know it was only worn once. It makes sense if you’re on a tight budget.
Or keep an eye out for local sample sales. You can buy a new dress at an absolute bargain.

Skip a Weekend Summer Wedding
It seems like tradition that weddings take place on a Saturday in summer. Break the rules! Why not look at a midweek, winter wedding. You’ll see a difference in price. A week day might be awkward for some, but your nearest and dearest will always make the effort to get annual leave and make it. 

Cut Out Wedding Favours
How many favours from weddings you’ve attended do you have in your home right now? How many did you forget to pick up? The chances are, if it can’t be eaten immediately (or downed in one), it’ll be forgotten as your guests focus on chatting, eating the delicious meal being served to them and then partying. So, skip the wedding favours – no one will notice! 

About the Bridesmaids...
It’s a lovely idea to include your best girls in your bridal party…but they’ll be at your wedding whether you’ve asked them to be a bridesmaid or not. If you cut down on bridesmaids, you save money on dresses, hair and make up and thank you gifts. You can still involve them in your wedding by asking one to do a reading, one to be a witness as you sign the register or even to give a speech.
If you can’t bear the idea of having your day without them, why not have a frank chat with your girls and explain you’d love them to be part of your bridal party but would they mind contributing? Just remember – if you’re asking for them to pay for the dress (or you’re looking for a cheaper option) you need to be realistic; consider the high street for their dresses and keep your bridal party small.

Same for the Groomsmen
If the bride must cut back, so should the groom. You can have groomsmen and a best man, but can you ask them to wear a suit or kilt they already have? If that’s not an option, again look to the high street and suggest splitting the cost to make it more affordable.

Think About Wedding Flowers
If you have your heart set on wedding flowers, check out our Seasonal Blooms from Blooming Wild Crear Flowers – if your flowers of choice are in season, it’ll be much cheaper. 

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3.Your Guest List

Your budget will determine your guest numbers and, ultimately, who to include. Expect your final numbers to be 90% of those invited.

Due to Crear’s location, it’s a BIG ask to invite guests for the evening only. Weekend weddings allow you the option to host a brunch or burger bar the following day where, in addition to inviting your wedding guests back, you can also extend your invitation to those additional guests. 

For ceremonies hosted at Crear House, inside or out, the maximum guest numbers are 80. 

Crear Weddings are renowned for their laid back & easy going vibe. Wedding guests have travelled from every corner of the globe and all have claimed it was worth the trip when they reach this magical place.

Writing out your guest list may at first appear a fun & easy task however there will always be difficult decisions to be made. Guests lists have the potential to grow arms & legs & relations that you haven't actually clapped eyes on since you were two years old. At Crear we understand that the pressure from family to invite them can become intense.

It's important that you always remain smelling of roses during the diplomatic minefield of who gets an invite. We have some suggested tactics to manage everyone's expectations, attempt to keep everyone happy & host the wedding you want. Here is a short outline however please don't hesitate to ask us if you have any specific concerns.

Alternative parties for additional guests

If you have a hundred friends & family that you simply must invite, but the cost per head to your wedding is too much of a financial stretch, consider hosting a lunch event the following day. Not only will people eat & drink less at that time of day, for those travelling within Scotland it gives them the option of going home the same evening, saving on an overnight hotel stay.

Crear Kitchen can cater for an engagement or post wedding party throughout Scotland, bringing a little Crear magic & delicious food to you. Family, friends & work colleagues not included on your wedding day can gather to celebrate in your home or venue of your choice. You can take the flowers from your wedding day to decorate!

Crear House Party Guests

Every couple makes their own individual choice who will stay at Crear. Some invite their closest friends, while their parents & siblings, along with other family, stay in similar house parties at Barnlongart House or Achaglachgach.

Some brides choose to get ready in Crear while other times the groom's side use it as their base. Depending on your personal situation, you have the flexibility to decide what works for you.

Most couples expect a contribution towards the cost of the accommodation at Crear - the amount is entirely up to you.

Children & babies

Decide right at the beginning whose children you wish to include on your guest list. If you decide to exclude some, potentially risking offending their parents, then we suggest you host a specific child-friendly event over your wedding weekend to which all are invited - a picnic tea, a sandcastle competition or a treasure hunt the following day.

We also suggest those with young children and babies attending your wedding bring other family members to act as baby sitters where they stay so everyone can have a fantastic weekend away.

Elderly Guests

A vehicle track allows you to drive any guests with mobility issues down to the beach. You are welcome to take our folding chairs outside during your ceremony and reception. Bring rugs to keep everyone cosy. Sitting still even in the sunshine can get a bit chilly if you are not moving about.

Most elderly guests really appreciate the option of being able to retire a little earlier in the proceedings. We suggest having one of our recommended taxi firms on standby so anyone can leave if and when required.

All your guests are welcome to take some time out to relax in the living room with a cup of tea while the party is in full swing.

initial planning chat
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4.Your Marriage Celebrant

Contact and book your marriage celebrant directly. All the celebrants, with the exception of the Catholic Church, would be delighted to marry you inside or outside at Crear. Your legal marriage paperwork is processed by our local Registrar in Lochgilphead.
 

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Your Legal Marriage Paperwork

Contact Lorna Wilson, Head Registrar at our local Registry Office in Lochgilphead, regarding all your legal paperwork and, if relevant, Marriage Visas required to enter the UK. 

The earliest you can submit your Notice of Marriage legal paperwork by post is 3 months prior to your wedding date, however please do not leave it any later than 4 weeks before.

A Marriage Visa, stating purpose of visit, may be required to enter the UK for non-UK passport holders. 

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5. Reserve Your Wedding Bus

The Crear Wedding bus makes for a relaxed day as no one has to worry about driving the single track road and everyone gets safely home at the end of the night. 

The entire team at West Coast Motors go over and above to ensure your guests have a safe journey to and from your wedding. 

We always suggest that you tell your guests to be ready ten minutes before the bus is due to collect them. No one wants to have to wait around for stragglers! 

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Your Wedding Bus will collect all your guests on the bus route and ensure that everyone has a safe ride home at the end of the night.

Arriving by bus also ensures your marriage proceedings start on time, with everyone gathered in one place, and at the end of the night everyone leaves on a high. Guests at the best weddings should leave at the point at which they want to party just a little bit longer! By marking your Wedding Bus route on the maps before you send them, you can be sure your wedding guests will easily see the best places they should book to stay.

Think about sending one of our maps with your wedding invitations. 

The entire team at West Coast Motors go over and above to ensure your guests have a safe journey to and from your wedding. If you wish to vary our suggested timings of your day, please ensure you discuss this directly with the Operations Manager. The bus drivers have to adhere to strict regulations regarding the hours on a shift.

We always suggest that you tell your guests to be ready ten minutes before the bus is due to collect them. No one wants to have to wait around for stragglers! 

Contact Liz Logan to reserve your wedding date.

 

West Coast Motors Wedding Buses
T 01586 552319

 

PEP cars offer an airport and railway collection service. PEP cars 01880 730369 

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initial planning chat
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6. Photography

Photography by one of the talented team at the Crear Collective is included in the small gourmet Gigha Wedding Package.

If you've booked our bespoke Jura package and are selecting your own photographer, Crear is on the bucket list for many to visit. If you have engaged a photographer travelling from afar please do let us know and we’ll do what we can to help with both their accommodation and additional work to help minimise your costs. 

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7. Videographer

If budget allows, a video makes for a fabulous memory of your day. Please let us know who you have booked when your final details are confirmed.
(Our feeble Wifi cannot stream.)

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initial planning chat
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8. Book Your Band

Be quick to book your band for your evening entertainment. We've welcomed many musical acts to Crear over the years, so please ask us who gets the party started, and who offers a professional, reliable service. Crear will ensure you're on the dance floor for 8pm to finish at midnight.

For smaller numbers you may wish to simply bring a play list.

We have a PA system to plug in or bluetooth your playlist. Our Wifi cannot stream music.

The acoustics are very lively so a PA system for speeches is not required.

 

What style of wedding band will you choose?

The most popular wedding bands usually get booked up around 12-18 months in advance. You will need to book your band nice and early if you want to get your first choice, especially during peak wedding season. The prices quoted will often be provided on current petrol prices and they rarely go down. If you book them early they are contracted to the quote they provide.

Band fees will vary depending on the style of music, how many members of the band there are, how far they have travelled. Booking a midweek wedding, or an off-peak wedding, you are more likely to get your first choice of wedding band! All those we recommend will travel to and from Crear on the day.

What toe tapping wedding band would you as the wedding couple and your wedding guests enjoy? As a spectacular Scottish wedding venue, there is nothing we like more than a ceilidh. These appeal to all age groups, young and old. A ceilidh as your wedding entertainment is almost guaranteed to ensure everyone has a good time. Having a traditional ceilidh is a sure-fire way to get everyone up on the dance floor, and with a variety of dances, you are going to get your wonderful wedding guests dancing with everyone in the room. It’s a real icebreaker to get everyone at the venue talking and having fun together.

Now, you don’t need to go full out ceilidh if you are worried about your and your guest’s stamina! A fantastic compromise is a wedding band that can do a mix of both covers of popular rock and pop songs, with a ceilidh section in the middle of the set. This can also allow for a nice change of tempo. Perhaps your chosen wedding band can play the ceilidh section of their set just before the evening buffet. Allow your guests to have a wee breather a chance to recharge their batteries before dancing on into the evening.

As the acoustics in the Crear studio are excellent, how about considering turning the studio into an old-fashioned Hollywood nightclub. Black tie wearing musicians playing the classics. Tables down the side allowing your guests to chat and catch up, with a dancefloor for your wedding guests to dance cheek to cheek to the intimate music.

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9. Save The Date

Crear Weddings involve a degree of organisation on behalf of your guests. For those who have never ventured north of the M25, it's important that they appreciate they need to make a few plans in good time to ensure they get here! 

To ensure your guests RSVP in good time, request a reply six weeks prior to your wedding.

 

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Our Crear Wedding Map is a great way of demonstrating where things are & allows you to mark clearly where you suggest they stay if they wish to be collected on your wedding bus. Bus tickets sent with your wedding invitation with the time of the pick up to & from Crear work well.

We suggest you send out a Crear Wedding Map to your guests with your wedding bus route clearly marked. Please don’t worry about details and timings at this point in time however encourage your guests to book their accommodation as early as possible. If you’d like maps posted to you, they’re £1 each, monies donated directly to a charity of your choice. The maps fit A5 envelopes.

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10. Insurance

Please protect yourself and your finances from mishaps in life beyond your control, including illness or redundancy, plus Public Liability cover. Ensure your Public Liability protects you from any potential impact of any guest's crazy antics or external supplier accident. Crear Ltd has £5m liability cover.

We strongly advise you to take out a wedding insurance policy to protect any and all your financial investment during your wedding planning process through to your wedding day. No one expects to have to cancel their wedding however it can happen for many reasons, both happy and sad, from finding out you are expecting, to illness and accidents or redundancy from work.

 Wedding Insurance covers you for your irrecoverable costs incurred as a result of the unavoidable cancellation of the wedding for reasons beyond your control. It also covers you for any issues that arise with your external suppliers.

Wedding Insurance was suspended during the Covid Pandemic however Event Insurance was still available. Your Home Insurance Policy may offer you Public Liability cover.

 

contact us now at Crear Weddings

Email us: hello@crear.co.uk

 or Call or Text + 44 (0)1880 770369

or WhatsApp: 07990 042983