‘In his words’ columnist Lee marries wife Louise at a stunning Auchen Castle wedding
Louise and Lee
- ThePlus Audio
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Lee met his soulmate Louise in 2011 while on a work night out.
He was in the military then, and about to be posted to a new location.
“We bumped into each other on the dance floor and the rest is history.
“I’m still convinced it was my dance moves that sealed the deal, but I’m sure Louise would say otherwise… She may have taken pity on me instead!
“It was fate that we met each other that night as we would not have seen each other again with me moving away,” he explains.
After eleven happy years together, Lee proposed at Culdees Castle Estate near Crieff.
“I got so nervous, I proposed a day later than originally planned!” he reveals.
And with a “yes” in the bag, the couple’s first priority was deciding on what type of wedding they were going to have.
Lee was thinking of a tropical island getaway, whereas Louise wanted a big white wedding.
They found themselves in a dilemma, but then Lee came round to the idea.
Like clockwork
Louise always wanted a white flowing dress, but says she only really knew The One once she had tried it on.
“It was ‘Elena’ by Essense of Australia, plucked from the runway and dropped into a modern-day fairy tale.
“The dress was a ballgown style, with textured gathered tulle forming a structured sweetheart bodice with a deep plunging neckline.”
Louise had 10 members of her wedding party.
Two were maids of honour (her sister and her life-long best friend).
Also in the mix were three incredibly cute flower girls and five bridesmaids.
All were a mixture of friends and family – and one special bridesmaid was Lee’s daughter.
“With a big autumnal colour scheme, I did not want to have too many other vibrant colours going on for the dresses.
“I wanted to keep it subtle, but classy so I opted for a warm dusty pink colour,” Louise explains.
Meanwhile, Lee and his best man had their kilts and outfits made bespoke.
“On the day, we both wore the watches we made at Kartel in Edinburgh when I asked Tony to be my best man.”
Booking the castle for the evening before meant guests had a chance to settle in and relax after their long journeys before enjoying a barbecue.
“Having our friends and family in one place for longer was a dream come true.
After a great night’s sleep, Lee and Louise awoke ready for the big day.
They parted company at 6am and didn’t see each other again until the ceremony.
Louise and her bridal party were whisked away to one of the gorgeous castle rooms where they were treated to breakfast and Champagne.
Lee, meanwhile, took time to have a leisurely morning, safe in the knowledge everything was running like clockwork.
Magical touch
When it was time to walk down the aisle, Louise says she was, “nervous, excited and emotional all in one – but excited to see Lee.”
A harpist played a classical version of Hallelujah as she walked down with her father.
“It was also really special that Louise’s dad managed to walk her down the aisle as he is very ill and just wanted to do this one thing unaided,” Lee adds.
The registrar who conducted the ceremony was actually best man Tony’s sister and a family friend, lending a real personal touch.
And Pitta the ring-bearing owl was a magical moment straight out of the pages of Harry Potter – Lee says their 76 guests were in awe!
After the ceremony, there was a drinks reception and canapés in the formal gardens, where they enjoyed the gloriously sunny weather not often seen in October.
And after a delicious meal and speeches, it was time for the first dance followed by some ceilidhing.
Outside, guests toasted marshmallows on the firepit and around 10pm everyone gathered in the gardens with sparklers for more photographs, followed by a stunning fireworks display.
“The whole castle was full of love and happiness for two magical days.
“We lost count of how many times we were told, ‘This is the best wedding we have ever been to’, ” Lee smiles.
“It goes without saying Auchen Castle made our dreams come true and gave Louise the fairy tale wedding she dreamed of.”
Paul Budzinski
“Louise and Lee’s wedding at Auchen Castle was one of the most significant photographic events of this wedding season for me. I love photographing in venues like this, where the light is perfect, and my couple radiates love.”
Paul
Here are the amazing suppliers that helped make our wedding so special
– I’d highly recommend them.
Bride’s dress | Essense of Australia from Eleganza Sposa
Bride’s shoes | Bella Belle
Bridesmaid dresses | Melle Cloche
Cake | Sweets by Ola
Celebrant | Louise McCutcheon
Content creator | Bow & Arrow Wedding Content Creation
Decor | The Wedding Room
Entertainment | The Kilted Caricaturist, The Scottish Magician, Firepit Hire Scotland
Favours | The Marshmallow Lady
Flowers | Bell’s Florist
Groom’s outfit | Kapital Kilts
Hair | Elegant Bridal, Bonnie & Bold Hairr
Make-up | Elegant Bridal, Makeup By Hania
Music | Callum Scottish Piper, Nicky McMichan Scottish Ceilidh Band, Pip Smith Harpist, Phil Campbell
Rings | Timothy J Sharp, Goldsmiths
Stationery | The Wedding Room, Com Bossa Luxury Wedding Invitations, Finishing Touch
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