Louise & Calum - Fyvie Castle & Pittodrie House

Our last wedding of 2008 took place on Sunday in a beautiful castle in Aberdeenshire – the perfect end to a fantastic year.

Louise & Calum are based in Japan and while Louise and I have probably run up quite a phone bill with our cross ocean wedding chats, Sunday was the first time the four of us had the opportunity to meet in person.

We arrived at Pittodrie House in the morning, where the girls were getting ready and the champagne was flowing. Already there was a great atmosphere (and lots of magic pant jokes!) and we knew we were in for a brilliant day.

I left Jay with the girls and headed across the hills to Fyvie Castle, which looked stunning in the winter sun. And despite being concerned about the glitter on his socks, Calum looked fantastic as he arrived with his ushers and best man.

After the guests arrived by coach, the bridesmaids arrived in a Range Rover, which had been chosen in case of heavy snow, followed by the vintage bridal car. Louise looked stunning and it was great to see how proud her dad looked as he escorted her inside. As the sound of Highland Cathedral filled the castle, Calum saw his bride for the first time. He couldn’t have looked happier.

A lovely service followed, with a surprise element for Calum when Robert Burns’ ‘My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose’ was performed by one of the bridesmaids, who sang it beautifully. Then it was outside for a quick photograph of Calum & Louise with all their guests (who had travelled from all over the world to be there). Jay loves to climb so this was his opportunity to get up on the roof!

It was then back in to the warmth of the castle where Calum & Louise signed the register as their guests toasted their marriage. A short time later we were able to steal the happy couple outside for some photos as the sun set. The afterglow was just gorgeous and the glow of happiness from Louise and Calum was pretty great too!

After some quick group shots we took a tour of the castle with the bride and groom, who were fantastic fun to work with. Louise demonstrated her flexibility with the dip shot and we were able to use the fantastic surroundings to great effect.

Then it was time to head across to Pittodrie House where more champagne and a fantastic meal awaited. Louise is a very talented graphic designer and, in addition to designing the order of service, had also designed all the table namecards herself.

After a wonderful meal and very funny speeches, Calum had a surprise in store for Louise. We all headed outside and an excellent fireworks display began.

Meanwhile, the band was setting up and Calum & Louise were joined by their guests in a wedding march before taking to the floor again – this time with a slightly slower number! A mix of ceilidh and other songs followed and the band were fantastic, which ensured that the dancefloor was always busy.

Before packing up our camera bags we took some shots of the lit-up hotel then headed off into the night with the sound of music and laughter in our ears.

Louise & Calum, thank you for allowing us to be part of your wonderful day. It was a truly memorable occasion and a fantastic way to end the year. We hope you have a great honeymoon and wish you all the happiness in the world.

We would also like to thank the staff at Fyvie Castle and Pittodrie House for being so helpful, it’s greatly appreciated.

Venues – Fyvie Castle & Pittodrie House
Dress – Avorio Bridal
Hair by Lyanne Cameron, The Style Room
Make-up by Kirsty, Beauty at the Bridge
Flowers – Floral Design
Cake – Cakes by Design, Fettercairn
Piper – John Mackintosh