Getting Married in Scotland: My Biggest Adventure Yet

We did it- we got married!

The past 10 weeks have been such a crazy journey. We got engaged, planned a wedding and then tied the knot one year to the day we met on January 17, 2020.

Our wedding was honestly the best day of my life. I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Okay, I lie- I wish it lasted longer! A lot of people told me that the day goes so fast so enjoy it while it lasts, and they were right.

I just got my wedding photos back so I thought I’d share these with you and also fill you in on what happened at our Scottish wedding.

The following may be useful to you if you plan on getting married in Scotland, or are just curious to see what happens at a Scottish wedding.

Wedding photos by the amazing Ksenia from Fat Creative. Follow her on Instagram here.

The Venue

We got married at the beautiful Macdonald Houstoun House in Uphall, approximately 30 minutes west of Edinburgh.

The Houstoun House is a 16th century Tower House turned hotel, and it’s claim to fame is that it was once visited by Mary Queen of Scots.

As soon as we drove up the long driveway, I knew this was exactly where I wanted to get married.

The hotel is surrounded by 22 acres of woodlands; I knew I wanted to get married somewhere with history and character, surrounded by nature.

The hotel itself is gorgeous; the tower house is a stark white against its green surroundings. Inside is The Vaulted Bar, filled with traditional Scottish paraphernalia, a huge open fireplace and leather couches that tempt you to cuddle up with a dram and a book.

Upstairs from the bar is the restaurant, and outside is a quaint courtyard which led to the Shairp Suite [which was once an old stable block] and where we had our wedding ceremony.

The Wedding

Our wedding theme was earthy.

We both wanted our wedding to be relaxed and fun. We didn’t plan out every detail, and tried to keep it simple but kept a few traditional elements.

When we arrived at the venue I checked into the bridal suite to get ready. I had a glass of wine to calm my nerves, and the sound of bagpipes floated in through the window as the piper piped our guests inside.

Walking up the stairs was one of the most emotional experiences I’ve had. There aren’t really any words, and it felt like a haze, but as soon as I walked into the room where my husband-to-be stood everything else melted away and there was only him and I.

I walked down the aisle to the piano version of ‘Daylight’ by Taylor Swift. The words to that song couldn’t have matched the moment more perfectly.

You 100% know if you are marrying the right person at this moment and the moments leading up to that moment. Every single doubt and question flows through your mind, and I had zero doubts in my mind when I walked down the aisle.

I was really excited. I thought I’d cry, but I just felt overwhelming happiness.

It was also the first time I’d seen the Haggis in a kilt, so this was probably another reason I couldn’t take my eyes away from him.

The ceremony was beautiful, and before I knew it I was signing my name next to his, and I was Mrs Webster.

What is a Scottish Wedding like?

I’d never been to a Scottish wedding before and Craig wanted to surprise me with some Scottish traditions.

The most Scottish element was our piper that piped our guests into the ceremony, and when we were wed he piped us out to the Flower of Scotland [Craig wore a kilt of the same name].

We had a ceilidh at the end of the night; first we did the Canadian Barn Dance and ended the night with The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.

Of course, there were New Zealand elements to the wedding too. We presented Craig’s family with pounamu, sacred New Zealand greenstone which can only be gifted.

Craig wore his around his neck under his shirt.

We also gave them Pineapple Lumps- a New Zealand classic.

My mother made our amazing wedding cake- she flew all the way from New Zealand for the wedding. Our cake featured a Scottish thistle and Silver fern, symbolising our two families uniting as one.

What I wore

I ordered my dress online from Chi Chi London and it cost me just £120. I was so lucky that it fit me perfectly; it just proves you don’t have to spend hundreds or thousands to find the perfect wedding dress.

I had my grandmother’s pearls refashioned into a bracelet and earrings, and I wore a crown of wildflowers in my hair.

My something-old was my great grandmother’s love letters from the war.

For my hair and make-up I wanted something earthy and natural. Originally I was going to wear my hair down, but I decided at the last minute to pin it back to reveal the tattoo on my upper back- my Scottish family crest.

Our wedding was honestly the best day of my life. We didn’t overplan anything, we kept it small, simple and focused on what was important: spending the day together with our friends and family, laughing and having fun.

Credits

Venue: Macdonald Houstoun House / Photographer: Ksenia from Fat Creative / Dress: Chi Chi Clothing / Dress Alterations: Alterations by Rasa Vall / Shoes: Pavers at the Livingston Designer Outlet / Earrings: My Grandmother’s pearls / Flowers: Williamson’s My Florist Garden Centre & Coffee Shop in Livingston / Kilt hire: R & I MacDonald Kiltmakers / Tartan: Flower of Scotland / Wedding rings: Beaverbrooks / Wedding cake: My mum and friend Kirsty / Make Up: Victoria Gromocki / Hair: Lesley Fox /  Guest Book: Starboardpress from Etsy / Flower Crown: HBotanicsWeddings from Etsy / Tan: Tanz in Livingston

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