Carolyn and Damien
October 5th 2024
Carolyn and Damien had such a clear vision for their outdoor that I could almost smell the autumnal air as they described it to me.
The couple and their loved ones were all assembled at the Fife Arms in Braemar but their ceremony was planned for a secluded patch of woodland ten minutes down the road at the Mar Estate.
We had a backup plan for bad Scottish weather, but it wasn't needed. The day was warm, and the sunlight through the pine trees created a beautiful setting for photos, as shown by the great pictures taken.by Harper Scott Photography.
The couple selected a location in Scotland for its stunning views, important to the groom's Scottish heritage, and reminiscent of the bride's beautiful New Zealand home.
The ceremony was thoughtfully planned to respect its history and the environment. We included Fire, Earth, and Water as key elements.
The incredible wedding planner Amanda from Coorie, helped the couple find a perfect ceremony spot among evergreen trees, with a mossy knoll for a stage and a carpet of heather.
The wonderful team at Gloam made a cozy space for eighty guests, using armchairs, benches, floor cushions, and floral arrangements that blended in seamlessly with the backdrop.
Here’s how we incorporated the elements of Fire, Water and Earth
Fire
The couple chose a sage smudging ritual to remove negative energy and bring peace to their space, helping them begin this new stage in their relationship with positively and harmony.
Water
The couple had a traditional handfasting ceremony during which they also exchanged rings. The Handfasting ceremony and exchange of rings is a powerful and visual symbol of the bond and commitment between two people.
Their young son assisted with the ceremony by giving the rings to his parents. Before they officially ‘tied the knot’ he poured water over the chord to symbolize their family unity.
The beautiful handfasting cord was made by Ceotha, from all natural materials.
And the guests all joined in to share the warmth and coorie by toasting with the hip flasks and whisky kindly given to them as wedding favours by the couple.
Earth
The couple read personal vows to each other whilst they held an Oathing stone. The idea is that the stone, representing the earth, grounds those vows, making them as enduring as the land itself and ensures that the promises are strong, solid and lasting.
The stone came from Loch Fyne, near Castle Lachlan, home of the groom’s Gilchrist clan ancestors.
Guests received a rose quartz oathing stone and were invited to share a personal wish on it.
After the ceremony, we went to the beautiful Linn of Dee to throw our oathing stones into the River Dee.
The energy we put into the stones mixed with the river's energy as the current carried them to the North Sea.
Our hope was that those wishes would follow us through life's currents and tides.
Kilts, Coorie and Kling-Klang!!
The couple aimed to immerse their guests in the above wedding theme
given many were traveling from London and New Zealand.
Kilts and Coorie
Guests were asked to wear something Scottish and many chose tartan scarves linked to their heritage. The groomsmen wore kilts.
I informed the guests about the area's important Scottish history. Braemar was the location of a major Jacobite uprising in 1715 led by the Earl of Mar.
Coorie comes from an old Scot's word meaning to nestle or snuggle. In modern parlance, it encourages us to appreciate the simple pleasures in life, embracing the great outdoors (no matter the weather) and enjoying the cosy feeling of coming back to home comforts afterwards. Guests were encouraged to keep warm and cuddle up to their neighbour!
Kling Klang
And the word that resonated with all the guests and my fellow suppliers…
Kling Klang is the life in the off beat.
It’s the noise of cowbells, the rustling of the wind in the trees, it’s bird song and children laughing, and it reminds us of possibility, of chaos and that beauty exists without order or control.
The couple’s invitation to us all was, in our otherwise regulated lives, to immerse ourselves in the beauty here in Scotland and embrace a little balancing Kling Klang, a little off beat.
It was truly an enlightening and visually stunning event and I feel so privileged to have been a part of it.
Thank you to Harper Scott Photography and Carolyn and Damien for the use of the photography.
Photography - Harper Scott
Venue - The Fife Arms
Planner - Coorie
Hair - Darren Fowler
Makeup - LeeAnne Fraser
Bridal Outfits - Emilia Wickstead
Bridal Shoes - Dolce and Gabbana
Bridal Jewellery - Jessica McCormack
Flowers + Styling - Gloam
Coaches - Allan + Black
Pipes - Spud the Piper
Cake + Bar + Dining - The Fife Arms
Band - Woohoo Band