Shop Local ~ Fin Flükra Weddings & Events Planner

Welcome to our latest ongoing project!

Over the coming months, we’ll be featuring “portrait interviews” with local businesses in the Glasgow & Aberdeen areas.

“What on earth is a portrait interview?!” we hear you cry! Well, essentially we photograph and interview local business owners to learn about their livelihood and background, and share all of the juicy details with you.

You’ll get to learn behind-the-scenes stories of cool local traders, gain professional (and sometimes life) advice from people who have been there and done it, and you’ll also get to know a group of local creative entrepreneurs.

This time Sarah’s speaking with the uber-organised brains behind Fin Flükra Weddings & Events, Catrina Duthie!

“Have you thought about wedding planning?”, her boyfriend Andrew (now husband) asked. She hadn’t, until now. It played to all of her strengths; her love of organising (I totally get this, love me some organising ~ Sarah), her desire to help people and her soft spot for being part of such a happy occasion.

Cat’s a born and bred islander. Growing up in Mossbank, Shetland meant “complete and utter freedom as a kid. As long as you’re home for your dinner, all was well.” Ah, island life… With two younger sisters, Cat has always been the organised one (or the bossy one as she says); always trying to help her wee sisters “learn faster” at school. Her adventurous streak saw her leave Shetland at 16 and head off to study performing arts at college in Coventry. It was here that her confidence to speak to new people was founded.

Finding herself in totally new surroundings (a big city in a different country), it gave her the opportunity to meet new people from all different walks of life. “It gave me that confidence to throw myself in and just say “hi! This is who I am. This what I’m about. I hope you like me.” And it obviously worked as you can’t help but like Cat from the minute you meet her; she is amazingly friendly and within 5 minutes you’ll feel like you’ve known her for years.

However, after two years in Coventry, Cat began to feel a little homesick. Her family had now moved to Coatbridge, and she decided to join them.

Let’s fast forward to 2012 now when the first step towards Fin Flükra Wedding & Events came about. After encouraging her partner Andrew to go back into further education to complete his psychology degree; he was determined to help Cat make use of her untapped potential too… “Have you thought about wedding planning?”.

Six months later, and Cat was a fully accredited wedding planner! But then she did what every soon-to-be self-employed person does – she started doubting herself. “I’ve not even planned my own wedding, why would anyone trust me to plan their wedding?” And so, she let it go… But not for long.

A short while later in 2014, Andrew had a solution to that dilemma. BOOM! – a surprise proposal while out on a forest walk (Yay! Love this ~ Sarah). And now Cat would have her very first taste of wedding planning. Having already completed the accreditation course and conducting hours of wedding research, she was in a great starting place. Cat already knew the venue she wanted, having seen Lunga House at a wedding show. Planning and hosting her own wedding in 2015 definitely illustrated to her just how important a wedding planner can be. She now knew for sure, the difference she could make to a wedding day.

Despite being so organised (and having all of the courses and research on her side), she still felt that if she had someone there on the wedding day that it would have flowed better. They would not have lost the time at key points during the day which resulted in the wedding reception starting an hour later than planned. The knock-on effect of this meant that they kept evening guests waiting and lost an hour of dancing and band time.

“I’m an organised person, why would I need a wedding planner?”, Cat thought originally. But when you are the bride – you cannot BE the organised person – and trust me you do NOT want that hassle of being the go-to person for all queries on your wedding day. You’ll have more than enough on your plate! In Cat’s own words, “I was not at all prepared for how I felt on the day, I was really overwhelmed.”

This made it clear to Cat a wedding planner has a key role in the success of a wedding. And she knew she could do it well – in 2016 she was back on it! She did a refresher course with UKAWP, had work experience with another planner and set up her own business and website at FinFlükra.com.

Next, she offered her services to a friend’s sister who was getting married. This would be her first taste of wedding day co-ordination, and boy did it deliver. Well, you wouldn’t want your first work experience to go smoothly, now would you?! Crises were averted, late checkouts were secured for the bridesmaids getting ready in the morning (Pro Tip: Remember to get late checkouts on the wedding morning!), ice cream carts were carried up the stairs when they wouldn’t fit in the lift… Cat was even in the photo booth fixing printers whilst simultaneously encouraging guests to use said photo booth as well sign the guestbook. In a nutshell, Cat was all over it! “Despite all those stressful moments and hiccups and things that went wrong, I never felt stressed. I felt “this is why I’m here, I’m going to fix it, it’s going to be fine.”

She loved it, she received the highest of praise from the couple and their family. “I couldn’t have wished for such lovely feedback. The Maid of Honour couldn’t stop raving about how amazing it was to have me there and how much I did to support them [the Bride & Groom] on the day”.

‘Fin Flükra’ was born and ready to plan!

Since launching Cat has also planned and co-ordinated some awesome styled shoots which feature a whole host of amazing local vendors (us included!). You can check them out here:

Gay Styled Shoot @ Trades Hall, Glasgow – featured on The Gay Wedding Guide {this one was shot by us – yay – and features throughout this article too}

A Warehouse Wedding at Glasgow Engine Works {shot by us too}

A Colour Pop Styled Shoot at Sloans

The models for the last two are Cat’s stunning sisters, who she says have inspired her and supported her beyond what she could have ever imagined. She also credits her husband Andrew as her support mechanism, but we’re yet to see him model for her… 😉 Soon, I’m sure!!

Cat’s talents obviously extend beyond wedding planning and day of co-ordinating; she also has quite the eye for style and trends too. She now has contacts with some of the best local vendors and has worked with them herself. This is a gal who knows who to recommend to you so that you end up with a wedding dream-team on the big day!

You’d do well to have Cat on your wedding day team, she is an invaluable resource for all things wedding! She also carries an emergency kit filled with everything you could EVER need. Like this hot tip: white chalk, which can cover stains on your wedding dress! Boom – mind blown.

I (~ Sarah) had a ‘day of’ co-ordinator for my own wedding and it was easily the best money we spent. We had a complete DIY wedding and a few weeks before it hit me… Who is going to tidy away plates or give directions to lost vendors (yup – that happens)? Not me! My family, maybe? They probably wouldn’t be too chuffed at having to scrape BBQ off plates after their dinner. My co-ordinator was a godsend; super hands on and totally took care of everything for us! This is what Cat can do for you DIY brides out there. You might THINK you want to do it all yourself, but you sure as heck won’t want to do it all ON the day! Can you imagine having to direct lost guests or pick up beer cans on your wedding day? No, thanks!

Many thanks to Cat for sitting down with me and taking the time to give us a behind the scenes look into her life and business. I’m sure you’ll agree that she is one organised lady who can most certainly save you time AND money on your wedding day. What more can you ask for? Get on the blower to her pronto to help shape your wedding into the best it can possibly be!

~ Sarah

We also did a quick few Q&A’s for some handy wedding planning tips!

What is your favourite wedding venue?

Lunga House, Lochgilphead – Cat had her own wedding here and cannot rate them highly enough! She discovered them at a wedding fair she was doing research at before she was even engaged. They made such a lasting impression that she didn’t even consider another venue once she was wedding planning. “Little castle, big heart” is Lunga’s motto and Cat says it sums them up perfectly.

What’s your favourite thing about weddings?

When the couple sees each other for the first time at the ceremony. That little butterfly moment, it’s the best. Also, love the speeches where the Dads are so proud.

Any vendors you love and would recommend?

Wendy at Flossy & Dossy wedding dresses; she is just a wee star!

Any Advice for brides and grooms planning their wedding? {Cat obviously has LOADS, so I asked her to pick the biggies}

1. Work out your budget before you do anything else! I think that’s where most couples fall down. They forget to be strict and set a realistic and affordable budget. It will help you massively with choosing a venue and setting your guest list.

2. Quality over quantity. Look at what your priorities are. Is it inviting guests out of obligation or is it affording the photographer or videographer that you really love? Because ultimately that’s what you’ll have left over from the wedding day.

Any advice for small business owners?

Feel the fear and do it anyway! {I love this – this could be great wedding advice too!! – Sarah}

Any small business you’d like to give a shout out too?

I love the clothing shop Ness {which I have just found out did start as a 1 shop business!} and I love a wee afternoon tea. Cup is great.