After having our wedding reception at the Park House Suite, Cairndale, I thought I would write a review so that any other brides-to-be planning a wedding in the area can have some point of reference from someone who was in their shoes.

The Cairndale is situated only a couple of minutes from the town centre of Dumfries and directly across the road from the new DGOne leisure complex. The hotel has been run by the Wallace family for many years now and has a good reputation within the town and it's residents. The train station is also only a couple of minutes walk away and nearly all the main bus services in the town use the bus stop outside the hotel so there is definitely no worries about how to get there.

The hotel is looking a bit dated from the front with its fading red signs but the Park House Suite (you will use this entrance should you hire this ballroom and not the one in the main hotel) looks fresh and modern. The fairy lights placed in the welcome canopy are a magical touch at night for a wedding. There are also some lovely green areas outside which are perfect for photographs! Inside - again the Park House Suite is much more modern than the main hotel ballroom.

The hotel has it's own leisure club, the Barracuda club, which hotel guests have access to. It's the perfect place to relax before your big day with a sauna, steam room and 14m swimming pool. The facilities are clean and definitely worth a visit.

The bedrooms vary according to what you are willing to pay. We upgraded to a Business Executive at £109 (B&B) and the room was amazing. Massive four poster double bed, a completely separate living room area with TV and view across the town and to the hills and the biggest bathroom I have ever seen outwith an episode of Cribs. The rooms are very clean and are stocked with the usual dressing gown, towels, tea/coffee making facilities.

The important part - the staff! I cannot fault the staff in the slightest. Every request I made big or small was met with enthusiasm. They are friendly, helpful and willing to help with whatever it is you may need help with. The bar staff were very efficient and there were no long waits for anyone at the reception despite the hall being at full capacity.

The wedding co-ordinators are great at their job, armed with the checklist that you complete for them months in advance, they ensure that every thing at that end runs to schedule and that you are left with as little responsibility as possible. They take full control of decorating the ballroom and ensure that it is to your specifications. You want it, you get it, they make sure it's done perfectly. These people are professional every step of the way.

My main concern on the day was the buffet for 250 people, would it be cold if you were last? What if they ran out? I needn't have worried. Everyone got a hot meal as the food was brought out in stages and although everyone had large portions, there was still plenty left. It was expensive compared to the other hotels but after seeing how efficiently our guests were served and how impressed they were with the meal I'm glad that we spent the extra.

The breakfast buffet the next morning is exactly what is needed the day after your wedding. A buffet style with the usual hot and greasy, cereals and a choice of fruits. The best part - help yourself, eat until you are full. The staff are efficient at keeping your table clear and keeping the buffet tables stocked with fresh food.

After the reception, anything that had been left behind and any cards that had been handed in were collected and kept safe until someone could pick them up. Everything had been carefully packed and boxed, I was touched that they had taken the time to ensure our little keepsakes were so looked after.

Overall - this is a hotel that you can trust to make your stay perfect whether it's for one night, your wedding reception or a weeks holiday.