First Wedding at the Shetland Museum and Archives
Shetland Museum and Archives has become Shetland’s latest unique wedding venue, hosting its first ceremony in June.
The wedding was made even more unique, with the ceremony taking place at midnight on the longest day (21st June). The happy couple, David Henderson and Caroline Pepper, were married out on Hay’s Dock, they explained: “We wanted to have an outdoor/waterside ceremony and Hay’s Dock was perfect, not just for the setting but also because our friends who could not make it could watch online through the Museum and Archives webcam.”
The couple also held a reception in the Museum and Archives, where guests were greeted with champagne before heading up to Hay’s Dock Café Restaurant, for a meal prior to the ceremony and a dance afterwards.
David and Caroline agreed they had a wonderful evening: “The Café Restaurant was laid out beautifully and it was unanimously agreed that the meal was exceptional. Also, the fantastic view allowed us to see that the rain had stopped and the sky was clearing just in time for the ceremony! The ceremony was lovely, but seemed to go by in a flash, and then we returned to the Café Restaurant, where the tables had been cleared, for some dancing. The night really could not have been better and we cannot thank all the wonderful staff enough, particularly Paul Nadin, for his help throughout, and Mike Skinner, for the fantastic food.”
The Museum and Archives gained approval to hold civil marriage ceremonies in February, after several couples enquired about holding a service in the building. It now offers various wedding packages, with party sizes ranging from an intimate gathering of 40 to a maximum of 150 guests. It has also already hosted its second wedding, in the Boat Hall, a week after the first.
Paul Nadin, Shetland Museum and Archives Facilities Manger, commented: “We had our first enquiry regarding getting married here before we even opened. It wasn’t part of our original plan but sounded like a great idea, so we looked into getting a license. The first two weddings have been a huge success and it’s great to see the building being used in yet another way, to the benefit of the community.”
If anyone would like further details of the facilities on offer in the Museum and Archives, including wedding packages, they should contact Paul Nadin on 01595 741555 or use our Contact Us form.