wedding style— An Unforgettable Industrial-Chic Wedding at The Biscuit Factory

Written by Helen-Louise Dudney

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Charli and Philip's love story began with a serendipitous introduction on a lively night out at the iconic 'Underground' nightclub in Dundee, where they were both university students. Introduced by a mutual friend, their connection was instant, though they didn’t rush into things. Over the next few months, they enjoyed getting to know each other through casual dates, but life had other plans. When Philip graduated and moved back to Northern Ireland, they embarked on the first of many long-distance stints. Undeterred, they kept their relationship strong, even when Philip took a job in France. Eventually, he made his way back to Scotland, where they set up their first home together. Despite the miles and career adventures that have taken them to different corners of the world, Charli and Philip have always supported each other’s dreams, proving that love can thrive no matter the distance.

The Proposal

Charli and Philip were heading to Dundee for the weekend in October 2020 (back to the city in which they had met). Philip had the ring for six weeks, waiting for the right time and on a quiet beach in the little fishing village of Crail, he figured this was it and decided to pop the question, in a totally unplanned moment. After wandering around the harbour, soaking up the sun and sharing fish and chips, they picked up a shell as a little memento from their walk. Philip pocketed it without Charli noticing, and as they made their way back to the harbour platform, he casually asked, “Want to make this shell more special?”

Charli was confused until Philip lifted the shell to reveal the engagement ring underneath. Completely caught off guard, Charli did not expect the wave of emotions that followed. Philip dropped to one knee, and in that quiet, private moment, it all just felt right - no big crowds or over-the-top setup, just the two of them and the perfect timing. It was spontaneous, intimate, un-staged, and perfect for a couple that value simplicity and authenticity over grand gestures.

The Planning

The process of planning their big day took about two years, and they did all the planning themselves, adding lots of personal DIY touches. Charli and Philip’s love of architecture meant that their choice of venue was really important to them, and they decided on the old biscuit factory, which offered them a blank canvas, allowing them to infuse the space with their vision. From designing hanging fabric signs, to creating bespoke table settings and photo displays, their attention to detail was evident. Though the planning process was lengthy and, at times, overwhelming, the final result was a day that felt authentically "them."

Theme

Charli and Philip were all about making their wedding day a true reflection of who they are and the people they love. Family and friends were front and centre, with lots of personal touches sprinkled throughout to make the day feel intimate and special. They were determined to have a wedding that was totally them, with attire that suited their unique styles, and a playlist packed with great music to keep the vibes high. A fun-filled party was a must, set in a venue that wasn’t your typical choice, steering clear of tradition for something more architectural and full of character. There wasn’t a strict theme in mind – they didn’t want to feel boxed in by conventions – but what they created ended up as a modern, yet classic setup that felt timeless. The day was about their story, with fun and informality at the core, weaving their personalities and shared life together into every part of the celebration, alongside the loved ones who helped shape their journey.

The beautiful setup for Charli & Philip’s wedding guests to enjoy the wedding breakfast.

The Outfits

With their love of fashion, Charli and Philip knew their outfits had to reflect their unique styles. Charli envisioned a high-neck, long-sleeved gown that balanced timeless elegance with individuality. After trying on over 200 dresses, she decided a custom design was the only way to capture her vision, turning to a local Edinburgh boutique to make it a reality.

Charli’s gorgeous bespoke wedding dress 🤩

Philip opted for a striking green velvet suit - bold, personal, and effortlessly classic, maintaining a timeless elegance.

Both incorporated heirloom jewellery, adding an extra layer of sentimental value to their ensembles. And they didn’t stop with their outfits, but extended the cool look to their wedding party.

The newlyweds enjoying their city on their big day 🥰

Details

The attention to detail at Charli and Philip’s wedding was extraordinary, and every element carried personal significance.

A bagpiper greeting Charli & Philip’s guests arriving.

The ceremony itself was special, filled with unique, personal touches that broke away from tradition. Guests were welcomed with the soulful sounds of Paul Weller and Aretha Franklin, setting a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. One of the standout moments was when Charli's brother bagpiped her down the aisle, a surprise that moved everyone.

Charli and Philip ditched the traditional straight aisle seating for a curved arc layout and incorporated playful moments, like a fun game that had everyone laughing. A particularly comical highlight was Charli’s Dad unintentionally downing the whisky from the Scottish Quaich before the Mums had their chance! It was a ceremony filled with laughter, love, and originality, perfectly capturing the couple’s unique personalities.

Wedding guests getting involved and having fun during the ceremony.

Cool seating layout for the wedding guests.

Equally special were the unique photo locations Charli and Philip selected, which were refreshingly different from the typical city wedding spots. Instead of picturesque, well-known backdrops, the couple opted for something more personal and quirky. Their first stop was an old outdoor launderette in a more industrial part of town, followed by a visit to Charli’s Grandad’s childhood home, adding a touching family connection. For Charli and Philip, the highlight of their photoshoot came when they were, by pure chance lucky to be captured alongside one of Edinburgh’s new trams being tested on its way to Newhaven - a happy accident that added an unexpected element of the city’s history to their special day.

From their ceremony to the wild reception, Charli and Philip poured their personalities into every detail. The venue was filled with touches unique to them - a custom neon sign, hanging vinyl records celebrating Charli’s family’s love for Northern Soul, and disco balls suspended next to DIY printed fabric signs. They even added a bathtub prop by the dance floor, which turned into an instant photo hotspot! Every corner of the space felt like a reflection of their story, creating a celebration full of energy and fun.

Making Their Own Traditions

Charli and Philip embraced the idea of making their own traditions and doing things their way, making their wedding day a true reflection of their personalities. A private "first look" before the ceremony gave the couple a chance for them to share an emotional moment together before the whirlwind of the day began. Charli had a male ‘mate of honour’ instead of a maid of honour. Charli’s Grandad walked the Mother of the bride down the aisle. The bride did a speech. And their decision to break from tradition didn’t stop there. Forget the usual cake-cutting; instead, they opted for a champagne tower, whereby they could engage with their guests and share in the fun as glasses were passed around!

Favourite Part of the Day

After arriving at the venue separately, for Charli and Philip, one of the most unforgettable moments of their wedding day was the time they spent alone, just the two of them, soaking in all the emotions before the ceremony. They felt their "first look" together, before the ceremony was a raw and intimate moment, full of joy and emotion where they had the chance to share in the excitement and nerves together before the celebrations kicked off.

They also loved the powerful experience of seeing everyone they loved gathered in one space. They felt being greeted by the familiar, smiling faces of friends and family was like a rush of love and warmth. Like Charli said, it’s the kind of moment you probably only get to experience once in a lifetime. From the ceremony to the meal, they couldn’t help but look around the room and feel the immense love and support filling the space. It was truly a day of being surrounded by their favourite people, celebrating the love story they’d built together.

Advice

For other couples planning their big day, Charli and Philip’s advice is:

Take the planning process at your own pace and set a date suited to you that feels right.

Don’t over people-please when wedding planning – do what feels right for you. Even if it hasn’t been done before, go for it!

Don’t feel like you must go with things because that’s what others did. This is too common.

Look after your health in the build up to your wedding and stay hydrated in the days before! Sounds dull and repetitive, but it is key. It’s going to be a hectic day on the day and feeling your best is so so so important.

Try to support local businesses when engaging suppliers – this may make things feel more personal.

Make decisions together. Embrace the differences in opinion and create something different and unique through compromise between them – it doesn’t have to be black or white.

Always remember the exact reasons you got together and got engaged and don’t sweat the small stuff. If there are times you are disagreeing over wedding specifics, refocus your thoughts on what the day is really about – you as a couple and your union.

Enjoy the small moments with all of the ones you love. Tell them you love them!

Hug everyone at the wedding 😊

Don’t be afraid to delegate responsibility when planning!

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