Ali & Sarah’s Super Fun & Colourful Carlowrie Castle Wedding
“Thanks so much! We’re both in tears! It was such an awesome day and we’re so glad you were a part of it.”
– Ali & Sarah
Strap yourselves in folks, this is a good un! Ali and Sarah are, you guessed it, one of my COVID couples and had a fair old wait for their big wedding bash. However, there’s a twist, they actually got married just over 2 years ago. Just a little legal thing to settle Visa issues (Sarah is American) so this celebration at Carlowrie Castle was the one they had been waiting for!
Wedding Photography at Carlowrie Castle
A crowd of Scots and Alaskans descended on Carlowrie Castle, just outside Edinburgh for the weekend. This is a fab wedding venue. Lots of Sarah’s family had never left America before and this was the first time in Scotland for most of them so how cool that they got to stay in a castle?!
Carlowrie Castle was recently voted one of the top three wedding venues in Europe, I can see why. It’s amazing! Built in 1852 for the Hutchison family (renowned Scottish wine merchants) it was passed down through the generations before Isobel Wylie Hutchison, Thomas’s granddaughter inherited it. She is so cool. I definitely recommend having a Google and finding out more about her, her Arctic explorations and her work for National Geographic. She was a renowned botanist and you can still see the results of her work in the castle gardens today, including loads of rare species she brought back from her travels. What a legacy!
American & Scottish Carlowrie Castle Wedding Edinburgh
Nowadays the Castle has been transformed into an incredible wedding and events venue. It’s been given a new lease of life and I love the more contemporary interiors. Such a good juxtaposition between the old and the new. There is so much to this place, tennis courts, a massive walled garden, stables, greenhouses, the main castle, the side castles (yep, they’re a thing!) and it wouldn’t be a Scottish castle without some Highland Coos!
I could talk about this place all night but back to Ali and Sarah and that incredible wedding party. As they’d already been married for ages they weren’t bothered at all by tradition. Sarah spent the morning wandering in and out of the room the boys were getting ready in. She just wanted to hang out with everyone (and rightly so!) Once her and Ali were all dressed up and looking fancy they did an official first look which was very sweet.
Colourful Wedding Reception at Carlowrie Castle
They had such a fun ceremony and incorporated lots of Scottish traditions like a handfasting and jumping the broom. Their celebrant then announced that if any of the guests wanted to absolve their sins then to feel free to come up and jump the broom. Only one guy took them up on the offer though…!
I love that Sarah had two grown up ‘flower people’ to scatter petals for her as she walked down the aisle. They both really embraced their role, Billy told me it was a life’s dream come true for him!
After the ceremony it was time for confetti. I always tell my couples to go big or go home when it comes to confetti and, you guessed it, Ali and Sarah went BIG! There was so much colour! Loved it.
Carlowrie Castle Wedding
The weather was perfect, lovely and sunny so everyone spent the afternoon chilling out in the grounds. After some heartfelt speeches (got to love American speeches, they’re always mega emotional) it was time to Ceilidh. Now, you all know my love of non Scots dancing a Ceilidh so you can imagine my delight at a bunch of Americans taking to the dancefloor. It was carnage and everyone loved every single minute of it.
Ali and Sarah had booked me to stay all night (feel free to add that on if you’ve already booked me but now want some more of your party shenanigans covered) so I got to see the midnight Loch Lomond. YES! This is one of my very favourite Scottish wedding traditions. It’s basically a wedding mosh pit. When midnight hits Loch Lomond by Runrig is played. Everyone surrounds the couple and dances in a circle until the chorus. At that point everyone rushes at the couple and mayhem ensues. It’s got to be experienced at least once in everyone’s lifetime.
What a day. Well worth the two year wait I’d say. Ali and Sarah are total legends and their wedding was everything I imagined it would be and more.
Sarah x
Creative Team
Venue: Carlowrie Castle
Videographer: White Tree Wedding Films
Cake: Liggy’s Cakes
Band: Studio Wedding Band
Florist: Vicky’s Flowers
Bride Outfit: David’s Bridal
Groom Outfit: Eight Yards
Second Shooter: Sinead Firman Photography
Are you having a Carlowrie Castle Wedding? Get in touch to book a consultation and find out how we, as an alternative wedding photographer, can capture your wedding day amazingness!
