Heather Parker Photography captured a classic Boston wedding that is not only breathtaking from start to finish but also incorporating some MAJORLY awesome wedding attire. More specifically kilts. We love a nod to heritage and this tartan-infused affair is pure Scottish perfection with a dose of classic details by Gracie Lou Events and stunning florals by Faxon Green. What’s black, white and plaid all over? Why this Beantown beauty and you can see it all here.
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From the bride… It was very important that both of our cultures were recognized in our wedding. I have Scottish heritage, which led me to live in Scotland in the first place, and it was important that Scotland was represented. The kilts were the most important piece of the puzzle — my father even wanted to wear one! Barrie’s family does not have its own tartan, so we picked one that suited the setting and the bridesmaids dresses. From day one, I was inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany’s and 1950’s New York glamor. I wanted to keep the colors to black and white with shades of green to mimic the kilts and the beautiful garden. It was important to me that the bridesmaids dresses were flattering for all five girls. They are all different shapes and sizes with different coloring, and one of my girls was six months pregnant, so it was important for them to all feel beautiful and confident.
The flowers were also a way for us to merge our cultures. The boutonnieres were a beautiful and traditional Scottish mix of heather and official flower of Scotland, the thistle. They were tied lovingly with a ribbon my mom sourced locally. The centerpieces, bridesmaids’ flowers and flower girls’ bouquets were crafted to look like they were organically gathered from a New England field, incorporating babies breath and white hydrangea. My bouquet was designed with inspiration from The Duchess of Cambridge’s bouquet for her wedding to Prince William, but with seasonal flowers for July. I could not have planned the wedding without Elizabeth and Adrienne from Gracie Lou Events. They were able to help me with design details that would be unique and special and say something about us as a couple. For example, instead of table numbers we used cities that held special significance to our relationship.
Many of our marriage traditions are similar in America as they are in Scotland, but one exception that we were not willing to budge on was wedding cake. In Scotland, wedding cake is a dense fruit cake that is a long running tradition and joke all in one because very few people actually enjoy it. I wanted to have a super delicious wedding cake so we opted for chocolate cake with chocolate raspberry mouse instead of inedible fruit cake. We were definitely not disappointed! We wanted as many personal touches as possible and for the wedding to really have our personalities show through instead of a typical package wedding that we have all attended. Barrie wanted it to be a party and for everyone to drink and have a good time, and I wanted to make sure that there were sentimental details that would create memories to last a lifetime in addition to everyone enjoying the party. The first decision we made was that we wanted our siblings to marry us. It was important to us that the person or people who married us had known us for a long time and knew us as a couple, so who better than our siblings? Our cake topper was also a very personal touch, but we did not know about it until our beautiful cake was revealed. My mom won the opportunity to have a handmade cake topper in our likenesses. It was such a special touch! Aimee lovingly crafted cake toppers to look exactly like us on the big day. My mom secretly collected pictures of my dress, my veil and hair and Barrie’s kilt to make a miniature replica of us — so special!
Wedding Photography: Heather Parker Photography / Wedding Planning: Gracie Lou Events / Flowers: Faxon Green / Venue + Catering: Le Méridien Cambridge-MIT / Wedding Gown: Pronovias / Veil: Handmade by a friend in Scotland with french lace / Bride’s Necklace + Diamond Bracelet: Borrowed from her mother / Cake: Party Favors Brookline / Cake Topper: Aimee Empey / DJ: Beat Train Productions / Wine Cork Escort Card Display: DIY / Ceremony Musician: Yacov Aviv (Boston_cello@yahoo.com) / Wedding Favors: Cookie Creatives / Hair: Tasha Manes / Makeup: Jean Carney, friend of the bride / Kilts: Kilt Rental USA / Wedding Stationery: Bride’s Father / Bridesmaids’ Dresses + Shoes: Their Own / Bridesmaids’ Headbands: new look / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Katie Long, Bride’s Cousin / Flower Girls’ Dresses: Handmade in Romania, a Gift from a Bridesmaid / Flower Girls’ Shoes: Teddy Bearskins / Bride’s Shoes: ollie Snake Embossed Flat / Dress Hanger: DIY, Bride’s Mother / Ceremony Officiants: Liz Finlayson, Bride’s Sister, and Kenneth Hill, Groom’s Brother
