Teacher Charlotte and Engineer Zak’s wedding took place on a soft, summer’s day in August, within the ancient stone walls of Kilmartin Castle – a 16th-century gem tucked into the heart of Argyll. With its antique French furnishings and deep-rooted sense of history, the castle set the tone for a day that felt timeless, thoughtful and quietly powerful.
The couple share a deep love of the past, of folklore and historical tales, so it’s no surprise that their wedding was shaped by story. From the candlelit glasshouse to a handfasting ceremony rich in symbolism, every detail was steeped in personal meaning. Charlotte wore a romantic, Pre-Raphaelite inspired gown by the talented Ailsa Munro – a perfect match for the windswept drama of the Scottish landscape and the rich textures of the castle.
Captured beautifully by The Caryls, this wedding was not just an intimate celebration, but a heartfelt expression of identity, creativity and love.
Zak and I have a huge interest in history and we were looking for a castle to hold our intimate wedding. When I saw the photos of Kilmartin Castle with its French style antique furniture and historical charm I fell in love with it and even reduced the number of guests we initially wanted at our wedding so that we could have it at Kilmartin. I loved the glass house in the garden and imagined it being candlelit in the evening with a storyteller.
Venue & Location
The location of Kilmartin Glen is an area rich in Neolithic history, including stone circles which appealed to us. We had our first holiday in the Isle of Skye, so Scotland is very special to us. We also share a love of history, so we wanted to end the evening with a storyteller telling ghost stories and old Norse myths. My love of historical romance novels and films, also fed into the vision for our day, too.
I knew that I wanted peach flowers, so my mum and I spent months drying shop bought flowers ourselves in order to use in my wedding arch, we prepared mini bouquets to thread through chicken wire to create the arch. We made the arch on the morning of the wedding.
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The Ceremony
My stepdad Shaun and my son Finnian walked me down the aisle. Our piper played the Skye Boat Song as I walked down the aisle (he then kindly played it again for me after the ceremony, as I didn’t take it in the first time!).
Zak and his Best Man wore kilts from MacGregor & MacDuff in the Carmichael tartan. His Grandma was a Carmichael and it felt very fitting to be wearing it. We hired our boys kilts from Macgregor and Macduff – so did the rest of the wedding party.
Zak purchased the Sgian Dubh’s for both of his brothers from Flett Forge. He loves this designer’s authentic style and use of natural materials. He also went on a deep dive into Etsy and found a few bits for the wedding including his own Sgian Dubh made from 4000 year old bog oak from near Culloden.
We chose to have a traditional Scottish handfasting ceremony, as well as exchanging rings. Then Zak, I and the children all drank from the Quaich (which symbolises togetherness and a shared future).
My ring was from Etsy Eden Garden Jewelry. My ring has ivy leaves and a black diamond. Zak’s ring is based on a stone circle in Orkney the ring of Brodgar. It was designed by Teresa Shearer for Aurora Orkney Jewellery.
We adored The Caryls work on their instagram page and we knew that we wanted the incredible experience of being photographed by them in beautiful places on our wedding day.
We met online as two single parents and quickly realised we shared many interests and hobbies. Zak proposed in December 2021 at a special place that we have visited many times together, Avebury in England. We were looking at a beautiful sunset over the prehistoric Silbury Hill when he took out the champagne he had been keeping chilled in his backpack!
The Reception
Zak and I went hunting for antiques in local shops. I bought a beautiful silver bowl, stoneware vases, ikea candles, vintage brass candle holders, green and peach velvet ribbons, antique keys. We used these items to decorate the castle and glass house along with the dried flowers.
As we were getting married in Scotland in summer, we wanted our guests to be prepared! So we provided our guests with bags including personalised letters, rain mac, shortbread, homemade gin and tonics, and, of course… midge spray!
Our order of the day was designed by my friend and work colleague Liz Felstead, we printed it locally in Leighton Buzzard.
We went to the neighbouring Kilmartin Inn for a relaxed wedding meal. Then a lovely local company, Lucy’s, provided the most amazing meat and fish platters for the evening. Kate from Northern Lights Cakery.
Our cake was absolutely stunning, I wanted a night sky design and it was truly beautiful. The filling was chocolate and English rose Victoria sandwich.
We chose Lucy from Upon A Mountain Daisy for the bridal and bridesmaid bouquet, flower crowns and buttonholes. I love the subtle colour of peach and pink roses and they were a main feature in the bouquets and crowns. My bouquet had a very whimsical feel with flowers cascading and a peach silk ribbon.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
Zak: Don’t go for a three hour walk on the morning of your wedding otherwise you’ll find yourself pushed for time getting ready! I decided to go for a 3 hour walk with the men beforehand, to help me relax. But I was late back, so the getting ready was a bit of a rush. But when the piper started, and I knew Charlotte was coming, I just felt very calm.
Seeing her for the first time was my favourite part. She looked amazing! (I was also relieved that she didn’t have wings on. She kept joking and saying that she would be wearing wings!)
Charlotte: “Take a risk if you love something and don’t be afraid to try things that are out of the ordinary!
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