Reisha 33, & Scott, 33
Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
Wedding Date: October 10, 2009
Number of Guests: 28
Wedding Cost: $22,000
Wedding Ceremony Location: Balgonie Castle
Wedding Reception Location: Balgonie Castle
Why did you have an intimate wedding?
We wanted to have a destination wedding {the couple is from the U.S.} and the destination we chose immediately limited the number of guests that would be able to attend. We really just wanted our closest friends and family there so that we would be able to enjoy everyone and those in attendance would be able to get to know those people which they didn’t know.
What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?
The biggest challenge we faced was not impacted by the intimacy of our wedding but rather the fact that we were planning a wedding overseas. Having control over every minute detail was a bit of a challenge but also made our overall experience more enjoyable!
Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?
It really wasn’t difficult at all we invited all of our close friends and family, a total of only 55 invitations to begin with and after the RSVP deadline only 28 were able to make it.
Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?
We did not have any ‘issues’!
What were the highlights of the ceremony?
There were numerous highlights of our ceremony worth mentioning, the first being that it took place in a candlelit chapel in a 13th century castle. The ceremony was very much a fairytale as I was piped into the chapel by a bagpiper. We had a string quartet, and an owl as our ring bearer. After the ceremony we released doves in the castle courtyard and we had our pictures taken in the courtyard and throughout the castle. The biggest highlight was that all of these things were a surprise to our guests!
What were the highlights of the reception?
We had a candlelit dinner in the Great Hall of the castle it was a very intimate setting where we served a 5 course meal (that I personally put together) with some of the traditional Scottish food while we listened to music from the string quartet played from a balcony in the hall. I was also pleasantly surprised with a toast from my sister as well as a surprise “group” toast from our fathers and a grandfather.
What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?
It was very memorable for everyone especially being a destination wedding to Europe. Many of the attendees had never been out of the United States and we feel that it was more than “just” a wedding for us but more of an adventure for everyone in attendance. We were also able to interact intermittently with all of our guests over two full days of activities.
What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?
It is definitely the way to go. All said and done nothing else would have compared!
Vendors:
Venue: Balgonie Castle
Wedding Planner: Highland Country Weddings
Cake: Too Good to Eat
Catering: WildTyme
Photographer: Margaret McAtire
Wedding Car: BainCraig
Guest Transportation: Scotland Welcomes
Lodging: The Green Hotel
