Elle & Stuart’s Cluny Castle Wedding

Nestled in the heart of the Aberdeenshire countryside, Cluny Castle provided an idyllic setting for Elle and Stuart’s elegant July wedding. Far from a traditional fairytale, their celebration blended timeless charm and modern romance that unfolded amid Scotland’s natural beauty. Featuring chic all-white bouquets, bridesmaids in champagne, and gents in tonal tweed, this is one stylish celebration!

Elle describes the day as nothing short of magical. “It was like we were living in our own fairytale story,” she reflects, capturing the essence of a celebration beyond the ordinary. With its breathtaking architecture and lush surroundings, Cluny Castle provided the dreamlike canvas upon which their love story unfolded.

Over to Elle for all the delightful details…

Elle says…

From the first minute we got engaged, we knew we wanted to view Cluny Castle as we kept seeing it on Instagram and were blown away by the breathtaking photos. My first impressions were precisely this. When we drove down the driveway and got to the bottom of this magnificent castle, we knew we wanted Cluny!!

On the wedding day, from the minute we woke up to the minute we went to bed, the day went perfectly; it was like we were living in our own fairy-tale story. We wanted a relaxed vibe throughout the day but with hints of our personality shining. Cluny gave us both these things and more. From the stunning grounds to the beautiful, timeless interiors of the castle, Cluny ticked so many boxes for us and was exactly what we were looking for. I would 100% recommend it to anyone getting married and looking for an exclusive-use venue on which you can put your stamp.

Stuart went for a Mitchell Scott full kilt in the Herbidean Glisk tartan with a Crail brown jacket and vest and brown tie-up shoes. I wore a Rosa Clara gown from Ivory Grace with a custom-made overskirt to give off two looks with one dress. With Carvela shoes and a custom-made veil with lace details.

We wanted the whole day to be traditional but with some modern twists. We decided to go for a very neutral palette of colours with hints of gold throughout. All styling was done by our excellent caterers, Platter & Pop. It was like they went into my head and put everything I could ever dream of and put it together.

Hays Flowers was an absolute must for us, as all of Jill’s work I had seen previously was amazing!! She did all the bridal party flowers, and we decided we wanted very simple white roses and a touch of greenery. The boy’s buttonholes were the same: a single white rose and a thistle. Jill also did our beautiful arch coming into our marquee, which was so stunning, again with big roses and hydrangeas and some greenery. She also used the same flowers for our flower ring, which hung around the bar in the marquee. She also created a beautiful centre for the marquee with a birch tree, giving the marquee that summer outside feel.

The excellent Lois at Cut the Cake did our beautiful old-school cake and cupcakes. We decided we wanted a traditional cake, nothing three-tiered or fussy, so we went for a one-tier cake with beautiful piping and detailing.

Our caterers were fantastic at speaking with Suzannah and Sophie from day one. Not only did they create such a great meal on the day, but they also put so much effort into the fine detailing, ultimately winning me over. To make us a signature cocktail, to an espresso station, to a fantastic ice cream bar. We went for a grazing table for our reception food, which was a hit. Their attention to detail and taste was second to none. Nothing went without being beautifully presented.

We wanted our guests to remember how they felt more than anything on our special day, so entertainment was a big part. We had Scotia Strings playing in the chapel and out at our drinks reception, giving a brilliant atmosphere whilst everyone mingled. We then had a saxophonist, which put everyone in the mood for a party, while our evening guests arrived at the marquee. Once our evening guests were settled in, we had a super display from my dance school, Danz Creations, who put on a 10-minute highland dancing show for all the guests, which went down ace! Our nighttime band was The Rockettes, who played everything from hits of the ’60s & ’70s up to the present day. They kept the dance floor busy all night and were an absolute buzz.

We picked Sophie Alexandria Photography as our photographer. From the minute of meeting with Sophie, we knew she would be a fantastic photographer and a laugh on the day, which is precisely what we wanted. She nailed every part of the day perfectly. We liked very natural photos that wouldn’t age, and that’s exactly what we were given. She has captured the day flawlessly. She was more than a photographer on the day; she was always first to sort anything needing to be done or sorted.

The best part of the day

Our most memorable part of the day was the chapel. Getting married in Cluny Chapel is something we will both never forget. From the stained glass windows to the most beautiful woodwork, everything in the Chapel is everything we ever dreamed of.

From one couple to another…

Our words of marital wisdom would be to relax and take everything in because it’s done in a flash. Remember each part of the day and how you felt in that moment. Take time away from it all, just the two of you, and breathe.