Gothic romance
Emma Duncan & Steven Bain
- ThePlus Audio
Please click here to hear this couples wedding story.
Share this wedding day
Emma had always dreamed of a gothic wedding – and she completely nailed the brief.
Emma and Steven’s story technically began on the same street where they grew up as their parents had been close friends for years. But romance didn’t happen until a chance smile on George Street. “Steven refers to it as an arranged marriage,” Emma laughs, crediting her mum for quietly nudging fate along.
Six years later, he proposed in horizontal rain on a hill in Braemar, beside Prince Albert’s pyramid, during a yellow weather warning. “We couldn’t see our hands in front of our faces. But when I turned around, he was on one knee,” remembers Emma. The sapphire ring, inspired by Princess Diana, was her childhood dream.
The VIBE
Emma had always imagined something gothic – not moody for the sake of it but dramatic, romantic, theatrical – and Coos’ Cathedral in Aboyne gave them the perfect blank canvas to make it happen. “It was an empty shell, and we could completely make it ours.”
Burgundy ran through everything, from velvet bridesmaids’ dresses to scarlet candles. Ivy trailed around vintage candelabras, horror-film scores played softly as guests arrived and crows (so many crows!) appeared in every corner. “It was getting serious,” Emma jokes.
But beneath the drama was so much personality. Wedding photos of every married guest formed a ‘Wedding Wall’ and a silent projector played Young Frankenstein for anyone needing quiet. Emma wrote a personal letter to every guest and made Taylor Swift friendship bracelets, each with an assigned song. “It felt like the inside of my head exploded into real life.”
The DAY
Emma walked down the aisle to Ice Dance from Edward Scissorhands beneath haunted-library backdrops hand-built by her dad. Steven waited in a jacket he had designed and sewn himself – finished at 11:45pm the night before. He hadn’t told her and she admits she had “no idea” what her husband-to-be had created. “He knocked it out of the park,” smiles Emma.
They had written their own vows and Barclay, the family dog, delivered the rings. Eleven meaningful ribbons were woven into a handfasting (from family tartans to embroidered tributes to grandparents) and each was brought forward by someone significant. “It was emotional in a way I didn’t expect,” Emma adds. “I just started crying.”
The CELEBRATION
They entered the reception to a Formula 1 anthem before pivoting into Lana Del Rey for their first dance. A Victorian sword cut through red velvet cake, and the gothic dessert and cheese banquet disappeared within minutes.
When Emma looks back, one moment stands above the rest – a dancefloor packed with everyone they love, singing Taylor Swift at the top of their lungs. “The energy was unreal.”
For Steven, the surprise was seeing Emma in black. For Emma, it was seeing the jacket he’d secretly made. And for both of them, it was the same realisation – everything felt exactly right.
Emma advises others: “It goes by outrageously quickly, so just make it yours,” while Steven adds: “If you’re going to make your own wedding outfit, don’t leave it until two weeks before!”
J Dyer Photography
“Emma and Steven did their day their way. Their group shots weren’t the usual ‘everyone lined up and smiling’ photos, and they just went with It for their couple shoot – authentic and real, which Is how all couples should be.”
JONY
Here are the amazing suppliers that helped make my day so special
– I’d highly recommend them.
Venue: Coos’ Cathedral, Aberdeenshire
Photographer: J Dyer Photography, Samantha Clyne Photography
Videographer: Afterglow Wedding Films
Celebrant: Louise McAllister
Catering: Country Flavours
Fashion
– Dress(es): Essense of Australia from Perfect Bridal Rooms
– Kilts / suits: Kilts Wi Hae
– Accessories: Vivienne Westwood, Ivory & Co
– Alterations: Martine Blair Dressmaker, Thistle Alterations
– Boots: Dolls Kill
Beauty
– Hair: Jodie Macintosh Hair
– Make-up: Paula Beattie Makeup Artist
Styling
– Flowers: Flowers by Judith
Entertainment
– Band: VH5
Other
– Rings: Megan Falconer Jewellery
– Transport
– Dog chaperone
Read about other wedding days
A Golden Destination Wedding in Scotland
Sarah and Patrick ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
BLACK VELVET suits, autumn FLORALS and their dog DAVIE by their side
William McGowan & Allan Smith ThePlus Audio Please click here ...
GEORGIE and MATT’S Scottish castle celebration was personal from start to finish.
Georgie-Lacey Solymar & Matt Withers ThePlus Audio Please click here ...
A SPRING wedding filled with personal LETTERS, global TRADITIONS and the JOY of finally bringing EVERYONE together
Danni Pearson & Sandy Vracar ThePlus Audio Please click here ...
A WARM countryside CELEBRATION filled with WILDFLOWERS, hand-crafted DETAILS and the PEOPLE who mean the MOST
Eilidh Dickson & Sandy Bendall ThePlus Audio Please click here ...
Golden Season – Lynn Connelly & Gary McGee Wedding
Lynn Connelly & Gary McGee ThePlus Audio Please click here ...
A HEARTFELT farm wedding filled with SUNFLOWERS and the most PERSONAL handmade touches, all brought to LIFE in the grounds of Jenna and Pete’s FAMILY home.
Jenna Brand & Pete Brown ThePlus Audio Please click here ...
A day of CALM, COLOUR and effortless JOY at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews
Elbina Avdich & Ross Christie ThePlus Audio Please click ...
A clifftop GREEK SUNSET where everything felt MEANT TO BE with all their FAVOURITE people
Romy Mccahill & Stewart Burt ThePlus Audio ThePlus Audio ...
Back Home Kathryn Hutchinson – Ryan Gauld
Rayn and Kathryn ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
An incredible Bridgerton-themed wedding at Fasque Castle and The Fife Arms, Aberdeenshire
Chris and Jessica ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A vibrant, fun-filled summer garden party wedding on Isle of Seil
A heartfelt wedding on the stage of Dundee Rep Theatre
A fantastic colourful twilight wedding at Queen’s Park Bowling Club, Glasgow
A pretty garden-inspired Winton Castle wedding
Alexandra and Seumas ThePlus Audio ThePlus Audio Please click ...
A beautiful summer St Andrews wedding at St Salvator’s Chapel and the University of St Andrews
Talia and Insung ThePlus Audio ThePlus Audio Please click here ...
A beautiful wedding with a green colour scheme at Cairns Farm Estate
The wedding of YouTubers Foxes Afloat at Ardross Castle, Alness
‘I do’ diary couple Vivienne and Greg’s fabulous wedding at Kingsfield Barn, Linlithgow
Vivienne and Greg ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
‘In his words’ columnist Lee marries wife Louise at a stunning Auchen Castle wedding
‘I do’ diary couple Lauren and Gavin’s island wedding at The Dougarie Boathouse, Arran
Lauren and Gavin ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A weekend-long wedding celebration at Kinmount House, Annan
A fairy tale wedding at Cluny Castle, Sauchen
Rowan and Martyn ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A Rural wedding with a subtle Harry Potter theme at Silverwood Resort, Inchcoonans
Hayley and Saul ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A relaxed and DIY-filled wedding at Roodlea Barn, Ayr
Nicolle and Lawrie ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A beautiful wedding with a celestial theme at The Signet Library, Edinburgh
Laura and Kara ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A stunning lochside wedding at Carrick Castle Estate, Cairndow
Claire and Martin ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A picture-perfect wedding at Broxmouth Courtyard, Dunbar
Lucy and Liam ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A rustic and romantic wedding at Òran Mór, Glasgow
Holly and Ryan ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A simple yet stylish summer wedding at Peebles Hydro Hotel
Pavlina and Anita ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A relaxed and intimate wedding at Loch Lomond Arms Hotel
Emily and Jason ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A windswept but picture-perfect elopement at Kilchurn Church, Loch Awe
Hannah and Ben ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A beautiful Christmas wedding at Drumtochty Castle, Auchenblae
Gemma and Nick ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A Gothic winter wedding in a romantic Scottish castle
Jamie and Andrew ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A gorgeous Christmassy wedding at Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh
Cassie and Tomo ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A gorgeous summer wedding at Backhouse Rossie, Auchtermuchty
Sarah and Euan ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A blooming gorgeous wedding at Killearn Village Hall, Killearn
Hannah and Sam ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A glamorous wedding with a pale pink theme at Lochside House Hotel, New Cumnock
Aimee and Ross ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A super-cool autumnal wedding with hints of Halloween at The Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh
Rosie and Fraser ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A stunning autumnal wedding at The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, St Andrews
Emma and Andrew ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A floral delight of a wedding at Colstoun Estate, East Lothian
Erin and Callum ThePlus Audio Please click here to hear ...
A classic and romantic wedding at Drumtochty Castle, aberdeenshire
A classic and romantic wedding at Drumtochty Castle, Aberdeenshire Taylor ...