A classic and romantic wedding at Drumtochty Castle, Aberdeenshire

Taylor and Gary

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Friends at school, coupled up at university and engaged (ten years later) during the pandemic, Gary’s romantic surprise proposal in New York was totally derailed by lockdown but that didn’t stop Taylor from saying ‘yes’.

She explains, “He opted for the next best thing – our living room!

“He had a heart-shaped rock we found at Loch Lomond made into a Christmas decoration and it said ‘Marry me’ on it.

“I love Christmas decs and collect them everywhere I go.

“It was so thoughtful and perfect.”

Already an expert

As a creative experiential manager by trade who produces events for a living, Taylor couldn’t have been more prepared for organising a wedding.

And, reflecting on the process, she says she found it all “absolutely fine”.

Her only problem was finding the motivation after a day at work to do more planning!

They quickly booked Drumtochty Castle, a venue close to the bride’s heart, where the managing director Nikki Curran guided the couple meticulously to ensure their day was perfect.

They decided on a classic and timeless vibe for the big day.

“I wanted all the florals and décor to feel fitting to the venue and the surrounding area.

“That meant being impactful and tasteful, and feeling like it was all meant to be there,” she explains.

As such, they didn’t add a huge amount of DIY details but went super-personal with the flowers – white roses in honour of Taylor’s late grandmother, Nancy.

They also popped an individualised welcome letter in each of the guest bedrooms before people arrived; a nice personal touch to make those special to them feel loved.

“It was a lovely idea but quite a commitment.

“We were up finishing them until midnight the night before we left for the venue!”

Pre-wedding partying

The couple settled into their castle the night before the wedding, hosting an intimate dinner with close family and bridal party members.

Later, more guests arrived for a welcome party in the drawing room.

In the morning she felt good, excited and nervous, loving the hustle and bustle as everyone got ready with a mix of Frank Sinatra and Disney tunes playing in the background.

The best part, of course, was slipping into the edgy yet timeless dress she’d unexpectedly fallen in love with – ‘Uluru’ by Pronovias, which Taylor bought at the designer’s flagship store in London.

“I always wanted a dress with a bit of drama, and one that felt fresh but wouldn’t date… Probably not the easiest brief but I was very open-minded.

“The experience at Pronovias was amazing and I ended up going for a dress I didn’t love at first look.

“But when I tried it on I knew it was ‘The One’.”

Her sister Robyn was her maid of honour and four amazing friends completed Taylor’s bridal squad, dressed in gorgeous sage green ASOS gowns.

“I’ve known them all collectively for most of my life and couldn’t imagine getting married without them,” she smiles.

As she readied herself to do just that, Taylor recalls feeling like she was on a rollercoaster about to set off; her heart racing with anticipation and nerves yet bursting with excitement.

Gary was waiting for her, looking ever-so-handsome in a made-to-measure kilt outfit from MacGregor and MacDuff, and they tied the knot in a meaningful Christian ceremony.

Congratulations!

The newlyweds and their 110 guests then made their way back to Drumtochty where Capella String Quartet played a selection of Bridgerton-esque songs.

The wedding breakfast followed and the couple loved it.

“The chef at Drumtochty is so amazing!

“We had an asparagus salad starter but also offered the classic haggis, neeps and tatties.

“The main was fillet of beef, provided by my grandad’s butcher shop in Montrose, or fresh seabass.

“And we finished up with sticky toffee pudding or crème brûlée.”

Speeches followed – “The father-of-the-bride speech really got me,” smiles Taylor – before the happy couple welcomed everyone into the drawing room for a Mr and Mrs (Espresso) Martin-i.

We love the play on their new married name, Martin!

Then the party kicked off with Euan and Steven from Tartan Entertainment putting on “the most amazing DJ set” and a DJ battle.

Although the dancefloor was never empty, taking a break for the evening buffet (mini macaroni, lasagne and steak pies from Taylor’s grandad’s shop) was a must.

And the perfect final touch for a romantic castle wedding? Fireworks, of course!

Thinking back

Reminiscing about the day, Taylor says it couldn’t have been more perfect, “My highlight was marrying my best friend in front of our nearest and dearest in a venue that’s so close to our hearts.

“It couldn’t have been more perfect.

“Drumtochty is actually managed by my mum’s best friend Nikki, and she was instrumental in making sure it was a success.”

Thinking about wedding planning as a whole, her favourite part was seeing everything coming together (“Researching suppliers and finding the perfect fit for your day is super rewarding”) whilst the toughest part was the guest list.

“It was hard to draw a line,” admits Taylor.

“The numbers add up and it’s so easy to get carried away.

“My advice to others would be to keep the numbers as small and intimate as you can. I think having your closest friends and family, those who know you both personally and as a couple, makes the atmosphere even better.

Derek Christie Photography

“Taylor and Gary’s wedding was like something straight out of a fairy tale! And the pre-wedding party the night before was amazing! Everyone was buzzing with excitement and soaking up
the love-filled atmosphere.”

Here are the amazing suppliers that helped make my day so special
– I’d highly recommend them.

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