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Everything You Need To Know About Planning A Scotland Destination Wedding

November 15, 2022 | kailey

Image by The Caryls. See more of this real wedding here.

The beauty of hosting a destination wedding in Scotland lies far beyond the history, stunning landscapes, and fun fashion—hello, kilts! Scotland might be known for its exceptional sights and brimming romance, but this buzzing tourist destination is a hot spot for “I dos” of every fashion. 

Are you and your partner dreaming of a large traditional castle wedding? How about a city-center celebration surrounded by cobblestone streets and historic buildings? Maybe you want an intimate elopement surrounded by the rolling Highland hills? In Scotland, all of these are a possibility. From finding your dream vendors to the country’s legal requirements, here’s everything you need to know about planning a Scotland destination wedding. 

Top Cities And Areas For A Scotland Destination Wedding

Edinburgh 

Walking the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, it’s no surprise why it’s one of the most popular cities in Scotland. From the medieval Old Town to the more modern New Town, every corner is rich with history and gothic architecture. Here you can visit the famous Edinburgh castle, Princess Street Gardens, and even walk the Royal Mile. 

Here are some notable venues in Edinburgh to check out: 

Glasgow

Though Edinburgh might be the first place that comes to mind, we’re reminding you not to sleep on Glasgow. This city has a heritage of Victorian architecture, packed with stunning buildings, quirky charm, and vibrant art. It’s the spot for couples dreaming of a city celebration that incorporates modern and old-world influences.

Here are some notable venues in Glasgow to check out: 

Image by Martin McLellan. See more of this real wedding here.

Aberdeen

This coastal town is a stunning city escape with sandy beaches, 18th-century grey buildings, and rigid coastlines. It also happens to be one of the sunniest cities in Scotland. So if you’re hoping for sunny weather on your big day, this might be the perfect location. 

Here are some notable venues in Aberdeen to check out: 

Dundee

Being Scotland’s fourth largest city, Dundee is a smaller alternative for couples that want to be surrounded by both city and nature. The coastal town has a variety of sandy beaches, ports, and even an extinct volcano towering 572 feet over the city. Adventurous couples will love Dundee and all the audacious experiences it offers. 

Here are some notable venues in Dundee to check out: 

The Highlands and Islands

Being a more remote and isolated area, the Scottish Highlands are a popular setting for destination elopements. You’ll find rolling hills, rigid coastlines, and a variety of hikes leading to jaw-dropping views. With the Highlands stretching far and wide, picking just one location worthy of celebrating your love can be difficult. Though every corner of the Highlands offers something different, we recommend looking into the village of Glencoe and Isle of Skye. 

Here are some notable venues in the Highlands to check out: 

Best Time Of Year For A Scotland Destination Wedding

It probably comes as no surprise that Scotland is cold and rainy year-round. So before booking your destination wedding here, you’ll want to make sure you’re okay with the unpredictable weather. If sunny weather is your main priority, consider a date in the late spring and early summer. These are typically the sunniest and warmest months of the year. 

When you picture Scotland, odds are your mind doesn’t immediately think warm and sunny. You probably picture a dark and moody vibe. And if you’re looking to take full advantage of the autumnal atmosphere Scotland is so famously known for, you’ll want to choose a date between late September and early November. 

If budget is your main concern, we recommend throwing a winter wonderland celebration. During the colder months, you’ll be met with cheaper travel costs and accommodations when you arrive. You’ll also be able to take full advantage of the romantic ambiance that comes with the snowy Scotland flurries. 

Image by The Caryls. See more of this real wedding here.

FAQs 

What Does A Scotland Destination Wedding Cost?

Your overall wedding budget will be determined by travel costs, your guest list size, venue, vendors, accommodations, and so much more. If you’re ditching a traditional celebration for an intimate elopement, you can expect to pay somewhere between $5,000-$15,000. Couples planning an extravagant celebration surrounded by their closest loved ones can expect to spend between $25,000 and $40,000. 

What Costs Should You Cover For Your Guests?

When planning a destination wedding, it’s not always clear what should be covered for your guests. Though every wedding is different, it’s typical for guests to be responsible for their own travel costs—we’re talking hotel, airfare, baggage, etc. Though it’s not mandatory, you can set up a hotel block to keep your loved ones in close proximity and make the overall costs cheaper for your guests. 

When Should You Send Out Save The Dates & Invites?

A destination wedding timeline—especially for those that require international travel—is stretched longer than one for a traditional, local celebration. It’s important to send out your save the dates as soon as possible. Ideally, this would fall about eight to twelve months before your big day. Invitations should then follow about six months before your wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to book days off of work and secure flights and accommodations. 

When Should You Begin Booking Your Vendors?

Wedding vendors tend to book out well in advance. So when you finalize a destination, venue, and date, it’s time to hunt down your dream vendor team. And the further out you book your vendors, the better—especially if you’ve had your eye on a particular vendor for a while. 

Should You Hire A Wedding Planner?

There’s a long list of vendors we recommend securing for your wedding day. But when it comes to planning a faraway celebration, we can’t recommend hiring a wedding planner enough. Local planners know the area well and can provide suggestions for venues, vendors, and post-wedding activities you can’t find during a simple Google search. 

Not sure where to start? Check out our directory of wedding planners in Scotland.

Images by Mike Meller. See more of this real wedding here.

Legal Requirements For A Scotland Destination Wedding

Legal requirements differ from place to place. And the last thing you want is to plan a stunning destination wedding just to find out you haven’t finalized all of the paperwork or met the necessary requirements. 

Any two persons can legally tie the knot in Scotland provided that:

  • They are 16 years of age or older on the day of their wedding
  • They are not related
  • They are not already married or registered as a civil partner
  • They are capable of consenting to marry 
  • In case of opposite sex marriage, the marriage would be regarded as valid in the party’s country of domicile

If you meet all the requirements, you can then apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa and pay the £100 application fee. 

If you’re granted your Marriage Visitor Visa, you can submit a marriage notice form (three months to 15 days prior to your wedding) to the registrar of the district in which your marriage will be taking place. You will have to show proof of your original ID documents to the civil office issuing your marriage license in person before your wedding day. You will also need to produce your birth certificates, passports, and also documentation of divorce, annulment, or death of your former spouse, if applicable. 

If you’re having a religious ceremony (rather than a civil ceremony), the registrar in your district will provide you with a marriage schedule that’ll need to be completed and returned within three days so the marriage can be registered. After your marriage has been registered, you can obtain a copy of your marriage certificate for the appropriate fee.

Image by Raini Rowell Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

Now that you have all the information needed to bring your destination wedding to life in Scotland, the fun planning begins. Start by checking out our directory of wedding vendors in Scotland, then read our destination wedding planning guide to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Image by Raini Rowell Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

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Relaxed English Backyard Wedding Complete With Disco Balls

November 14, 2022 | justine

There’s something so special about exchanging heartfelt vows in a setting where so many special memories have been made. After getting engaged at the bride’s childhood home,  Hannah and Lindsay knew that there was no other perfect spot to tie the knot than the place that holds significant meaning to both of them. With stunning views of the countryside, romantic garden florals, and a few disco balls thrown in for fun, their relaxed English backyard wedding was everything they dreamed of and more!

For their marquee ceremony, the couple kept the decor simple, letting the picturesque scenery and their love be the highlight of the day. After their sweet “I dos,”  they moved to the Raveningham Barn down the road for an intimate reception. With the help of their trusted vendor team, they pulled off the aesthetic they envisioned using long farmhouse tables filled with romantic garden blooms and greenery, vintage crockery, and gold cutlery. And finally, mirror balls, fairy lights, and soft draping tied the look together and added a whimsical feel to the space.

Wanting to make their big day extra special, the pair’s loved ones helped with some of the DIY wedding details—from the place cards to the guest book. Everything came together so beautifully, and thankfully, Georgia Rachael Photography was there to capture it all. Planning to get married at home? There’s nothing sweeter than hosting a wedding at a spot that holds a special place in both your hearts. Keep scrolling for backyard wedding ideas that will spark inspiration to help you plan the most memorable celebration.

The Couple:

Hannah and Lindsay

The Wedding:

Norwich, United Kingdom

How Their English Backyard Wedding Came To Be

We chose to have the ceremony in the garden of Hannah’s childhood home, where we also got engaged in January 2020. We had canapes, Pimms, and beer served in the garden from our family pub, The Tipsy Cow. The evening reception was held at Raveningham Barn down the road. We chose the barn as it is such a beautiful and intimate setting, as well as a blank canvas that we could work with. Our wedding was so much more beautiful than we ever imagined in every way possible. We were going for an intimate, relaxed English garden style with blush pinks, daisies, gold, and a hint of terracotta, plus a few disco balls thrown in for fun. Our dress code was “black tie/get dressed up to the nines.” Even though it was summer, we loved it. It just looked so lovely having everyone dressed up, and it translated so well in the photos and video.

Doing A First Touch Instead Of A First Look

We didn’t exchange gifts, but we did a “first touch,” which sounds funny. It’s like a first look, but we didn’t see each other. We stood back to back and held hands. We read each other a personal letter. This was such a special moment for us both to have with each other before the ceremony.

Personalizing Their Ceremony With A Ring Warming Ritual

We chose a celebrant wedding to have a more intimate and personal ceremony. Our lovely celebrant India FaceTimed us and provided us with a couple’s questionnaire and individual ones, plus a face-to-face meeting. India felt like an old friend by the end. She helped with many suggestions, one being a “ring warming.” Our wedding bands were tied on a ribbon and passed around to every guest. Each guest got time to say a prayer, blessing, or good thought over the rings. So the rings were “warmed” with love before we gave them to each other. We also had Hannah’s wonderful friend Amber read the poem “You are the Bubbles” by Rachel Bright.

DIY Details Were A Collective Effort From Loved Ones

We created the terracotta place cards with the help of family and friends. Hannah’s brother Douglas created the design of the table plan. Our sister-in-law Katya and friends Jodie and Esther helped create glass guest books. Our friends and family really were a blessing to us in preparation for our wedding. 

Advice From The Newlyweds

Our number one piece of advice is to 100% only invite people you genuinely want there—not who your parents want or everyone and anyone’s plus ones. We had fifty-five guests, and it was perfect. Secondly, create a mood board. This helped us see the vision and style of our wedding and how it would all come together. Thirdly, the small, thoughtful details make the day special but don’t get caught up in them. Remember, everyone is there to celebrate you and this new chapter of your lives as a couple. Fourth, use Google spreadsheets for all your vendors to keep track of spending and pay everyone on time. Fifth, have your wedding cake as dessert. This saved us money and avoided waste. Plus our cake was incredible. Sixth, Have an unplugged ceremony. And finally, enjoy it—the planning and the day. Give your phone to a friend and be in the moment as the day goes so quickly. 

Hiring A Coordinator Made For A Stress-Free Wedding Day

One of the most important things for us when planning our wedding is that we wanted a stress-free day that flowed as seamlessly as possible. For this, we sourced Emily Andrew Events for day-of coordination. They provided much-needed support before the wedding. No question went unanswered, and they were fantastic on the day. Highly recommend it if you are having a marquee/garden wedding or one not at a traditional wedding venue.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Georgia Rachael Photography
Event Planning – Emily Andrew Events
Reception Venue – Raveningham Barn
Floral Design – Floral Sistas
Catering – North Norfolk Catering
Cake – Dust with Cocoa
Officiant – India Bel Ceremonies
Live Music – The Joe Ringer Band
Videography – Browns Films
Invitation Design – Gable and Gain
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Boho Beauty Box
Wedding Dress – Hera Couture via Homestead road Bridal
Bridal Accessories – Loeffler Randall
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Coast
Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Apparel – MJ Bale Australia
Groomsmen’s Accessories – Assefs Moree + Kullillaart
Bunting + Lights – Boomting Bunting
Rentals – Events Under Canvas, Array Wedding and Event Hire + The Banqueting Hire

 

Congratulations to Hannah and Lindsay on their relaxed English backyard wedding. And a big thank you to Georgia Rachael Photography for capturing all the beautiful moments and stunning details they can look back on and cherish for the rest of their lives.

A backyard wedding is a sweet, sentimental, and truly one-of-a-kind way to tie the knot. But keep in mind that it still involves a fair amount of logistics to pull off, so use your team of pros for their expertise to ensure your celebration is stress-free and one for the books!

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Classically Romantic Stone Meadow Gardens Wedding

November 14, 2022 | justine

A charming industrial venue surrounded by beautiful stonework and gardens, luscious florals, and a dreamy muted color palette—Jillian and Tom’s Stone Meadow Gardens wedding is the very definition of classically romantic. Putting their full faith and trust in the experts, the pair relied on their talented team to create an effortlessly elegant affair filled with seriously gorgeous details. And even though there was a traditional element to their big day, the couple ensured that they infused unique pieces of themselves into their celebration.

For their ceremony at the Immaculate Conception Church, they did their best to put their own spin on it by including their loved ones in the program. The pastor also added a thoughtful and funny gesture by singing a personalized jingle for the couple. At the reception that followed, florist Central Park Flowers brought to life a show-stopping installation of blooms, cascading greenery, and branches that beautifully contrasted with the venue’s exposed brick and concrete backdrop. Tying the look together were cross back chairs and long farm tables adorned with a greenery garland and pops of white flowers.

If you’ve set your sights on a classic romantic featuring all the timeless, traditional, and personal touches you and your partner have in mind, then this is the perfect inspiration for you. This breathtakingly beautiful day was captured by Junebug member and photographer Brittany Boote. Keep scrolling for ideas that’ll never go out of style.

The Couple:

Jillian and Tom

The Wedding:

Stone Meadow Gardens, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, United States

Personalizing Their Church Ceremony By Including Their Loved Ones

We had a rather traditional ceremony in my childhood church that I still attend to this day. I decided not to go crazy into the details and just let the beauty of the church speak for itself. There were virtually no design elements to our ceremony, and we don’t regret it at all. We did personalize our ceremony by getting as many friends and family involved as possible. We had our cousins as ushers, our uncles walked family members down the aisle, cousins brought up gifts, godmothers did readings, friends read the petitions, and my best friend’s mother sang. Tom’s uncle also participated in the ceremony by serving as the deacon, which was very special. Our priest added a little fun to the ceremony by personalizing a jingle for us. He sang it aloud, and the whole church had a nice laugh.

Why A Stone Meadow Gardens Wedding

Stone Meadow Gardens is a beautiful venue, so it truly stands out on its own, but it was transformed into something magical. Our favorite part of the whole design was the floral installation by Central Park Flowers that perfectly contrasted the beautiful rust-colored accent wall in the venue. It truly captured the romantic look we dreamed about. Stone Meadow Gardens was the first and only venue we looked at. We knew right away it was right for us. While the entire space was covered, one wall was exposed, allowing for an open feel. This was perfect for our summer wedding. 

Recommended Reading: Looking for affordable and chic bridesmaid dresses? Check out our round up of faves for stylish ensembles for you to shop guilt-free.

Making Sure They Had A Killer Cocktail Hour

The most important thing to Tom and me was that everyone had a good time and left full. We wanted a fun and inviting cocktail hour for our guests to set the stage for the rest of the evening. We accomplished this by welcoming our guests at the door with delicious signature cocktails and prosecco served from the cutest vintage mobile bar, Boujee Bubbles. Guests then made their way into the venue to enjoy an assortment of passed hors d’oeuvres along with a slider station and a Tuscan garden station. Everyone said they were full before they even ate dinner. Constantino’s Catering absolutely did an amazing job with the food.

Setting Up Different Lounge Areas At Their Stone Meadow Gardens Wedding

The guests enjoyed eating and socializing while getting to sit back and relax on our custom lounges–created by Chippy White Table–that were positioned throughout the room. They also created a perfectly appointed lounge that sat in front of the floral installation, and this served as a special little spot for Tom and me to sit and enjoy the toasts from our friends and family.

Trusting Their Vendor Team To Bring Their Stone Meadow Gardens Wedding To Life

I had a really hard time describing a style that I wanted, but when it came down to it. I used words like romantic, whimsical, and classic. It sounds silly, but I just wanted everything to look pretty. We didn’t have super strong feelings about exactly how we wanted it to turn out. So we trusted our vendors to create something better than we could ever think of . I was often saying, “Just do your thing!” and gave them a lot of creative power.

Wedding Advice: A Wedding Planner Is An Invaluable Resource

Our wedding planner Danielle Pasternak was a godsend. She was with us since the beginning of the wedding planning process, and she was the best investment. I trusted her opinions and suggestions. And it made the entire process less stressful, knowing we had someone to support us along the way. I didn’t worry about how the day would turn out.  At the very least, I suggest a wedding coordinator. As a bride, you want to enjoy your wedding day. It goes by so fast, and you really need to soak up every minute. You don’t want to be fielding questions all day or be the person people come to for every little thing. Danielle and her team handled everything for us. Tom and I were able to have fun without being in charge of the behind-the-scenes stuff.

Keeping The Dance Floor Packed Was A Priority

Dancing was the next most important thing to us. We wanted everyone to be on the dance floor enjoying themselves, and we were able to accomplish this by getting an amazing DJ. There was not a single moment that people were not dancing. We had people of all ages on the dance floor, which made us so happy.  DJ Tonez kept the party going all night. He read the crowd and kept the people dancing and having fun. I’d like to think people left full and happy, and for that, Tom and I are proud. 

A Memorable Last Dance That Included All Their Guests

The day became more fun as time went on. The most memorable part was the final minutes of the reception. From the corner of my eye, I saw Tom hopping up on the DJ’s booth to dance, so I ran over to join him. If you know us, this is very out of character for Tom, but not so much for me, so I absolutely loved seeing him get into the music and enjoy himself. We had a blast, and the crowd loved it. After all the high energy from the evening, DJ Tonez slowed it down a bit for the final song of the night, a song we both love, “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton. All of our guests gathered around us as we did a final dance. It was so emotional and special. We both hugged and kissed every guest around the circle as a huge thank you for coming. And at that moment, I felt so very grateful and loved. It was the perfect way to end the night.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Brittany Boote
Event Planning – Danielle Pasternak
Ceremony Venue – Immaculate Conception Church
Reception Venue – Stone Meadow Gardens
Floral Design – Central Park Flowers
Catering – Constantino’s Catering
Cake – Electric City Bakehouse
DJ – DJ Tonez
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Philly Hair and Makeup Company
Wedding Dress – Van Cleve Bridal
Bridal Accessories – Loeffler Randall
Reception Dress + Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Bella Bridesmaids Allentown
Groom + Groomsmen’s Apparel – Jos. A. Bank
Rings – Jangmi Jewelry
Rentals – Chippy White Table
Transportation – Martz
Photobooth – Metro Photo Bus
Calligraphy – Classique Keepsakes
Signs – Unforgettable Events
Audio Guestbook – Echo Phone
Prosseco Truck – Boujee Bubbles

 

Congratulations to Jillian and Tom on their classically romantic Stone Meadow Gardens wedding. And a big thank you to Junebug member and photographer Brittany Boote for capturing all the lovely timeless details soon-to-be-wed couples will want to save on their mood boards. Be inspired by more elegant celebrations like this by checking out Brittany’s profile in our directory of photographers from around the world. 

An enchanting venue, lush florals, plenty of greenery, and meaningful personal touches—you can’t go wrong with these tried and tested wedding details that will never go out of style. If you and your partner dream of an elegant affair that’s heavy on the romance, check out our planning and budget guides to get you started!

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