Selin and Alex’s love story began with a burst of bold energy—specifically Selin confronting Alex in law school about a position on Law Review that he wasn’t even running for. What followed was a slow-burn friendship that grew into something deeper, nudged along by their mutual friend (and future officiant) LeeAnne. From late-night study sessions to Alex making dinner and riding the bus back to school just to bring it to her, their connection formed in the small, thoughtful moments.

Years later, that same intention guided their destination wedding in Scotland. They chose Achnagairn Castle, a place they had never visited but instantly felt drawn to for its sweeping landscapes, historic character, and the chance to gather their loved ones under one roof. Over three days of cozy gatherings, Highland games, emotional speeches, and a “Fabulously Formal” dress code, they created an experience that was grand without being stuffy.

What We Love About This Destination Wedding in Scotland

• A full three-day celebration with welcome night, Highland Games, and a formal barbecue
• Creative black tie (“Fabulously Formal”) with bold colors, textures, and deeply personal fashion choices
• A ceremony scored entirely with movie soundtracks
• A storybook reception with jewel tones, velvet linens, and florals that looked like they “grew out of the table”
• A DJ–sax combo that kept the dance floor full all night

Featured Vendor:

Ella Hartig

A Warm, Laid-Back Welcome in the Scottish Highlands

Guests arrived Sunday afternoon to the glow of castle lights, fresh pizzas made on-site, donuts from Perk, and an open bar where friends greeted each other with long-awaited hugs. Selin wanted the first thing guests saw to set the tone immediately. “Our florist came early to set one large statement arrangement,” she said. “It was important to me that guests walked in and instantly felt the visual direction of the wedding.” The welcome night photos show cozy interiors, people laughing over slices of pizza, and the castle glowing against the night.

Highland Games, Whiskey, and a Formal Barbecue

Monday was the first full day, starting with breakfast at the castle before everyone headed outside for Highland activities: archery, axe throwing, and laser clay shooting. “By the championship round, it had turned into a full spectator sport,” Selin said. 

A whiskey tasting warmed everyone up, followed by a more formal barbecue dinner by Spitting Pig. Alex’s sister closed the night with a heartfelt speech. “A lot of our guests had met before,” Selin shared, “so the energy was actually infectious. People were already bonded by the time the wedding day arrived.”

Getting Ready at the Castle and a First Look in the Forest

The wedding morning began slowly as Selin’s bridesmaids got ready in matching pajamas and Alex gathered with his groomsmen. Their planner, Junebug vendor Ella Hartig arranged for Cult Cuts, a local barber, to come to the castle. “Alex wanted to do something for his boys, so they all had fresh shaves with cognac. It was the coolest thing.”

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Their first look took place among the tall trees just outside the castle. “Once we saw each other, all the jitters were gone. It also made the timeline so much easier,” Selin said. “We actually got to enjoy cocktail hour, which was a big priority for us.”

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A Ceremony Filled With Music and Meaning

The ceremony took place in Achnagairn’s ballroom, under dramatic wood beams and warm natural light. Guests found their seats as a string quartet played from the balcony above. “I loved that you could hear them before you saw them,” Selin said. “It felt like the sound was coming from the heavens.”

Each song was chosen intentionally:

• Alex and his parents walked in to She from Notting Hill
• The bridal party entered to Elisa’s Theme from The Shape of Water
• Selin walked to the Cinema Paradiso love theme
• They recessed to the PM’s Love Theme from Love Actually

Their officiant, LeeAnne—also the mutual friend who introduced them—stepped in last-minute after an emergency changed plans. “She pulled together an incredible speech in just days,” Selin said. “It was exactly what we wanted: funny, emotional, and personal.”

Fashion Choices as Thoughtful as the Celebration Itself

Selin’s wedding dress was designed with movement and romance in mind. “I knew I wanted a fun skirt—something romantic and bouncy that you could run through castle gardens in,” she said. Her cathedral-length veil carried even deeper meaning, featuring dangling jasmine flowers for Alex and real dried forget-me-nots dipped in resin to honor his Armenian heritage.

Alex chose a classic black tuxedo, staying true to their creative black-tie vision. He and his groomsmen kept things timeless but sharp, guided by two firm requests from Selin: “This was strictly a no-vest zone, and their tux had to be properly tailored, no slouchy ankles.”

For the wedding party, Selin created a jewel-toned color palette of deep red, navy, gold, and dark green. “I made a 14-page guidebook for them,” she shared. “My maid of honor managed the colors so no shade was worn more than twice.” The varied silhouettes and rich tones added depth to the photos and harmonized beautifully with the Highlands backdrop.

Designing a Storybook Reception at Their Destination Wedding in Scotland

Dinner took place in the ballroom under candlelight and warm uplighting. “Lighting is part of decor for me. It completely shifted the room’s mood.” The green velvet table linens reminded her of moss, and she searched the entire UK for plum chargers until she found the exact color. “The rental fee was less than the delivery fee but we refused to compromise, and we have zero regrets.”

Their florist created long centerpieces that looked like they were growing straight out of the table. “I wanted to bring the outside inside and elevate it,” she said. Menus included shoutouts to local Highland farmers—one of many nods to the region they fell in love with.

Personal Touches That Made the Celebration Feel Deeply Theirs

Selin and Alex filled their weekend with thoughtful details that highlighted their story, their personalities, and the Highlands setting. Guests arrived to welcome bags filled with Inverness gin, Highland whisky, locally made shortbread, tablet, and heather soap, each item chosen to showcase the makers and traditions of the region. Selin designed custom tote bags and welcome booklets herself, and the final touch inside each bag was a handwritten letter. “We got texts saying people cried reading them,” she said.

Smaller details carried the same intention. They chose Tom Ford scents for the day—Jasmine Rouge for Selin and Ombre Leather for Alex—so the memory of their wedding would always be tied to a specific fragrance. 

Their first night napkins featured the “u up?” text that kicked off their relationship, and their dog Ivy appeared as a flapper illustration throughout their stationery suite. Even Selin’s veil held meaning, adorned with jasmine flowers and real dried forget-me-nots dipped in resin. Guests also adored their stationery by Momental. “People unboxed our invitations like PR packages.”

What Selin and Alex Want Other Couples to Know About Planning a Destination Wedding in Scotland

Selin went into the reception with one clear goal: a packed dance floor. “If you want people to dance, you better be dancing too,” she said, and she meant it. Tartan Entertainment delivered the exact energy they wanted, mixing live mashups while a saxophonist moved through the crowd at all the right moments. “There was literally not a dull moment from the beginning,” she shared. The photos capture it perfectly: glowing uplights, full dance floors, and guests singing late into the night.

When asked what advice they would give other couples, Selin and Alex didn’t hold back. Their biggest takeaways:

• Invest in a planner or coordinator. “If not for full planning, at least for the last three months and wedding day.”
• Be honest about your guest list. “If you need room in your budget, cut the guest list.”
• Choose decor you genuinely love. “If you wouldn’t want it in your house, you probably don’t want it in your wedding.”
• Keep your visuals cohesive. Colors, fonts, and design elements should flow from invitation to reception.
• Lead the party yourself. “If you want people to dance, you better be dancing too.”
• Don’t skip uplighting. “It is never a waste of money.”
• Record the moment. “An audio guestbook is gold. We still listen to the voicemails when we need a laugh.”
• Think about how everything feels. “If you want a memorable experience, you have to think about the details—it’s worth it.”