When a Wedding Planner Ties the Knot at an Intimate Scottish Castle Affair

Like most wedding professionals, Sara and Josh did not want to do the big wedding. The huge guest list. The decisions of friends and “friendors” to invite. The pressure to perform for the industry. So Sara, the co-owner of Curated by Grace and White, as well as a former bridal boutique owner Grace and White Bridal, asked her then-fiance Josh if he could get married anywhere in the world, where would it be? Josh reminded her of his favorite place - Scotland. The history and architecture of Edinburgh. The romance and organic vibe of the Scottish countryside. And the intimacy of visiting a foreign country with only your closest circles. And that’s just what they did. Surrounded by 14 of their closest family members and the bride’s son, Sara and Josh journeyed from California to the Scottish highlands to tie the knot in a castle, for a once in a lifetime week experience surrounded by their loved ones. With free reign of the castle grounds, everyone enjoyed the festivities.

The bride, Sara, donned multiple bridal options that she carries in her bridal boutique in Northern California including New Zealand designer Trish Peng and California based Untamed Petals, as well as Millia London for her rehearsal.

The couple leaned into classic culinary palette of Scottish traditions for their meals, as provided by Drumtotchy Castle.

A lush ivory palette balanced the colorful and picturesque elements throughout the castle.

Due to a lot of food allergies in the family, the couple opted out of cake and just went with traditional scottish desserts served during toasts.

The couple were greeted with bagpipes at both the ceremony and the reception, and partook in Scottish traditions including the Quaich Ceremony and the Handfasting ceremonies.

Key Notes: The groom had a “second mom” based in Scotland, and fell in love with the country on a family trip when they were younger. The couple rented the whole castle for their 14 guests and son, whom loved roaming the grounds. The bride, Sara, donned multiple bridal options that she carries in her bridal boutique in Northern California including New Zealand designer Trish Peng and California based Untamed Petals, as well as Millia London for her rehearsal. Sara and Josh opted for classic white design elements to bring the attention back to the stunning history and design of the castle, as well as nods of green to tie into the castle’s green upholstery. Sara’s son Lou had his toddler moments but enjoyed making his family smile during the reception and on the dance floor. Being entrusted to photograph a wedding planner’s wedding in a foreign country is an honor I do not take lightly as a wedding photographer, and especially for a dear friend.