An incredible Bridgerton-themed wedding at Fasque Castle and The Fife Arms, Aberdeenshire
Chris and Jessica
- ThePlus Audio
Please click here to hear this couples wedding story.
Americans Chris and Jessica travelled to Scotland for their amazing two-stop wedding
As soon as Chris proposed to Jessica on a trip to Mexico in 2021 to celebrate their third anniversary, the couple knew they wanted a “small but extravagant destination wedding”.
From their home in America they looked at potential places all over the world, from Greece and Italy to more tropical climates.
But they ultimately fell in love with the “charm and whimsy” of Scotland, which doesn’t surprise us one bit!
Organising from overseas, Jessica knew straight away that she didn’t want to be super-hands-on about every little detail.
“I was pretty much the opposite of a bridezilla so finding a good wedding planner who could take my vision and bring it to life was a necessity.
“I gave a lot of creative control to Emma at Timeless White Wedding Planning.
“I’d send her photos or give her my ideas and like magic she made it all happen.”
The perfect places
That said, the input of their nearest and dearest was still important and their reception venue was actually a recommendation from Chris’ parents who’d stayed there a few years before.
“They had nothing but incredible things to say about The Fife Arms in Ballater,” explains the bride.
“And I’d decided that if we were marrying in Scotland it had to be a castle.
“Our wedding planner Emma presented us with a few different options near The Fife Arms and we fell in love with Fasque Castle.”
Knowing her grandmother wouldn’t be able to travel to Scotland, Jessica shared her dress shopping experience with her instead.
She had the idea of a ballgown with lace sleeves in her mind and although she tried on lots of other styles, the dress she fell in love with was exactly as she’d imagined.
“It felt perfect and exactly what I’d been searching for. It was absolutely gorgeous,” she remembers.
“My grandmother cried seeing me in it and I knew it was The One. It was so special to have that moment with her.”
She accessorised with a tiara, a veil, a pearl necklace and ‘something blue’ earrings gifted by her mom on the day of the wedding.
When it came to footwear, she had a pair of “cute bridal heels” picked out.
But they were only ever used in photos because she couldn’t help thinking back a few years to being a bridesmaid and having terribly sore feet from fancy shoes!
“On the day of my wedding I chose to walk down the aisle in my Scholl sandals and I have zero regrets because I didn’t think about my feet once – and you couldn’t see them under my dress anyway!”
Whilst husband-to-be Chris was suited and booted in a rental tux, Jessica’s girls were dressed on-theme (two in light blue and two in lilac) but she urged them to pick out their own style of gown to make sure they felt good on the day.
On Scottish soil
Sticking to the American tradition, the to-be-weds hosted a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, at the Fish Shop restaurant in Ballater, then returned to The Fife Arms for some whisky sampling.
The couple spent the night apart and the poor bride, full of nerves and thinking about everything being perfect, only got a couple of hours’ sleep.
Thankfully though, she woke full of excitement and adrenaline, and didn’t feel tired at all!
She headed off with her mom and ‘maids to get ready at Fasque, enjoying snacks, tea and mimosas.
“I was a nervous mess but everything was lovely and everyone was so helpful,” she remembers.
The nerves were still there when her dad walked her down the aisle – “I couldn’t believe it was really happening!” – but as soon as she got to Chris and held his hands, they faded away.
They said traditional vows in a meaningful humanist ceremony and decided to include some rituals like handfasting and drinking from the quaich.
Afterwards, they took advantage of the weather and toasted to their marriage with Champagne while their band played some Bridgerton tunes.
Jessica, Chris and their small but perfectly formed entourage of 17 returned to The Fife Arms for a dinner and speeches that varied from “touching and vulnerable” to extremely funny.
“After this we relaxed, chatted and spent time together.
“Some of us sat around the fire in the courtyard listening to music and eating s’mores, which we didn’t know weren’t a thing in the UK.
“The staff had to pull some strings for us last minute!
“Later we went to the Whisky Room and it was so special getting to sit with my closest friends and my new husband, sharing incredible drinks and just laughing and joking around for hours.”
Reflecting
Thinking back to the planning process, Jessica says helping to pick everyone’s outfits and seeing everything come together was the most fun part.
But the highlight – other than marrying her best friend – was spending four days surrounded by those she loves most.
“With our friends and family living throughout the US, they’d never all been together before and a lot of them had never met.”
“Everyone meshed so well and it was the best four days getting to be with everyone in the most incredible place in the world.”
Craig & Eva Sanders Photography
Every detail of Jessica and Chris’ wedding was thoughtfully curated, from the elegant styling to the breathtaking floral arrangements that transformed the space into something truly magical. Their day was a perfect blend of timeless romance and sophistication. What made the day even more remarkable was the family and friends who travelled all the way from the USA. Weddings like these remind us why we love what we do!”
Craig & Eva Sanders
Here are the amazing suppliers that helped make my day so special
– I’d highly recommend them.
BRIDE’S DRESS Morilee at Ivory & Lace
BRIDE’S TIARA AND VEIL Ivory & Lace
BRIDESMAID DRESSES Azazie
CELEBRANT Rachel Donald of Humanist Association Scotland
CAKE Love Laura Lane
DÉCOR 88 Events
FLOWERS Gloam
GROOM’S OUTFIT Men’s Wearhouse
MAKE-UP StephM.Artistry
VIDEOGRAPHY TLC Media
WEDDING PLANNER Timeless White Wedding Planning
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