A Fairy Tale Wedding in Scotland
The story for this wedding is wonderfully romantic and storybook …but very long. I’m told young girls don’t like to “read all that stuff” and would prefer big pictures. So, my apologies to the bride and groom, I really shortened this one, but I encourage everyone to take the time and read the full story here.
Maegan Bardes & Brian Ernsthausen
September 1st, 2009
Ceremony and Wedding Reception Dinner:
Dalhousie Castle, Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh, Scotland EH19 3JB
Maegan and Brian wanted something different than the normal church wedding and reception. Since they go on a big scale European vacation every 3 years and 2009 was the next big trip, they decided to combine the wedding and honeymoon into their trip to England and Scotland.
The destination wedding was Dalhousie Castle, a castle steeped in Scottish history. Maegan recommends that there are two things to consider if you’re doing a destination wedding: hire a wedding planner and if you have to have wedding VISAS then go through a VISA company. They did it themselves the first time and were denied which added a lot of stress.
Originally, Maegan was going to go the traditional wedding gown, but her mother found a plaid wedding gown that was perfect for her. She found the plaid after extensive searching though a company called Lochcarron of Scotland. She then found a local seamstress to make the dress who had nothing to go by except a picture from the Internet. You can see the results in the pictures.
The wedding party of 15 stayed at the castle. The rooms within the castle are very old and just what you would expect out of a unique venue like this. The castle is run very much like a B&B, so you can wander around pretty much wherever you like. The themed bedrooms are very upscale, just what you would expect from a Von Essen property. Brian and Maegan had the Mary Queen of Scots honeymoon suite which is one of two historic rooms in the castle.
You can organize private falconry displays for your guests during your stay for an additional fee. They also offer “owl delivery” for your wedding rings for an additional fee. Maegan jumped on this, because it was so magical. Their owl’s name was Teddy. So when it is time for the rings during the ceremony, the owl flies down to the Best Man’s glove with the ring bag and “delivers” the rings in the chapel. This is a very cool addition and is only offered to those having religious ceremonies.
Their wedding day would not have been complete without the Star of the castle which was Pipe Sergeant, Andrew Sharp. Maegan sent him 5 songs to play since they didn’t plan on having any other music at my ceremony. He piped in all of the guests and then he came up stairs and met the wedding party in the honeymoon suite. Andrew piped Maegan, her mom, her sister, and dad all the way down the stairs to the entrance of the chapel. Then it was Maegan and her Dad’s turn. Andrew learned a special song for her bridal processional that she had found on the internet.
The entire wedding was a fairytale come true for Brian and Maegan. The castle, the people and their honeymoon was amazing and it was a trip of a lifetime.
- Photography – Gary Donihoo and Kym Skiles F8 Studio www.f8studio.com
- Flowers – Bryan’s Farm Florist http://www.bryansfarmflorist.co.uk/
- Makeup – Jo Bechard Makeup www.jobechardmakeup.co.uk
- Music – Andrew Sharp, Pipe Sergeant (Bag Piper)
- Minister – Reverend William Brown
- Falconry – Falconry Scotland http://www.falconryscotland.co.uk/
- Dalhousie Castle – www.dalhousiecastle.co.uk
- Fit Tailor – Mai – Plano, TX – Park/Preston
- Lochcarron of Scotland – www.lochcarron.com
- Melville Golf Centre – http://www.melvillegolf.co.uk/
You might also like:
Destination Wedding | The Beach 
Destination Weddings: The Snowy Surroundings of Vail 
Lake Como, Italy – An extraordinairy destination wedding 15 Comments on “A Fairy Tale Wedding in Scotland”
Leave a Reply
Categories
- Holiday Ideas
- Honeymoons
- Inspiration Boards
- Invitations
- Jewelry
- New York Events
- Photographers
- Real Weddings
- Reception
- Rehearsal Dinner Venues
- Spas
- StrictlyWeddings.com News
- Tuxedos
- Uncategorized
- Videographers
- Wedding Bridal Tips
- Wedding Consultants
- Wedding Favors
- Wedding Reception Venues
- Wedding Trends
Archives
- February 2012 (5)
- January 2012 (15)
- December 2011 (13)
- November 2011 (15)
- October 2011 (14)
- September 2011 (18)
- August 2011 (17)
- July 2011 (16)
- June 2011 (16)
- May 2011 (16)
- April 2011 (18)
- March 2011 (16)
- February 2011 (20)
- January 2011 (20)
- December 2010 (16)
- November 2010 (14)
- October 2010 (18)
- September 2010 (18)
- August 2010 (16)
- July 2010 (18)
- June 2010 (16)
- May 2010 (16)
- April 2010 (17)
- March 2010 (16)
- February 2010 (13)
- January 2010 (13)
- December 2009 (13)
- November 2009 (15)
- October 2009 (12)
- September 2009 (11)
- August 2009 (14)
- July 2009 (11)
- June 2009 (13)
- May 2009 (10)
- April 2009 (9)
- March 2009 (8)
- February 2009 (5)
- January 2009 (9)
- December 2008 (12)
- November 2008 (6)
- October 2008 (12)
- September 2008 (18)
- August 2008 (12)
- July 2008 (6)
- June 2008 (8)
- May 2008 (8)
- April 2008 (9)
- March 2008 (8)
- February 2008 (31)
- January 2008 (1)
I read the whole story, loved it-thanks for sharing! Scotland is so beautiful…
Thanks for sharing, we love THE RED PLAID GOWN!
I love this site, it has so many things to look at and not confusing, and I just had to comment on this wedding. I love Scotland, and what a unique wedding, and so quaint! Cheers to the new Bride and Groom!!
Hats off to this couple! I was in ahh of this wedding, wished I could have been a guest, or just a common person looking on, to such delight! Congratulations to both!
My New Bride to me, is making me look at all these sites to understand what she goes thru, and I must say, this has captured my attention. I love Scotland, and go there every year to play Golf with my Dad and brother at St. Andrews, and this wedding really makes all those memories come back. Yes, to the dress, and I am not gay!
This is a dream wedding!! !This will leave you with a lifetime of incredible memories of a beautiful wedding and an adventure with your family that will never be forgotten.
Thank you for sharing, and this gown that the Bride chose, is so wonderful, and how she tied all together, to have so many memories that they both will have for many years to come! I love that couples are thinking out side the box, again thank you-very neat!
,..] http://www.strictlyweddings.com is one another interesting source on this issue,..]
What a totally cool wedding! Never seen anything like it. So romantic. Love the tartan wedding gown and matching vest, ties and shawl for the maid of honor…perfect for the Scottish castle!
The Photographer, really captured the beauty of this wedding! I love this, for it is so unusual but so, so Scotland! The History, is like you said “a Fairy Tale” and this is one wedding, I would want to have been at! Thanks for sharing, and Congratulations to Meagan and Brian!
Have a wonderful life together. Congratulations on your marriage!!! Your wedding looks beautiful.
Beautiful dream wedding!!
Thanks for sharing, Congratulations to Meagan & Brian!
Wow!!! Romance and history, what an amazing venue. The dress was beautiful, the faconry outstanding, and I can almost hear the piper now. This is a wonderful idea for an enchanting destination wedding,
Thanks. Congratulations Maegan and Brian.
Wish, I could have been there and I am sure there are many, many more photos but I know that you are limited. This was inspiring, to think about having a wedding somewhere that you love, and also that has so much history to it. Congratulations to the Happy Couple!
Indeed a Fairy Tale Wedding! How different and all the efforts to put into this wonderful wedding and to have these memories for a lifetime, is priceless. Thank you for sharing! PS, love the Gown she chose!