We’re thrilled to share the charming wedding of Cate and Jonny, who exchanged vows at Cambo Estate in Fife, Scotland on June 22nd, 2019. The couple’s refined and laid-back celebration perfectly captured the essence of their country house weekend getaway. The venue’s picturesque setting and accommodation for guests made it an ideal choice for their special day. The outdoor ceremony took place beneath a stunning flower arch, followed by a reception in the courtyard and bar areas, where guests could mingle and enjoy the scenery. With the venue’s natural beauty already on full display, Cate and Jonny opted for a minimalist approach to decoration, simply adding fresh flowers, lanterns, bunting, and stationery to enhance the space. The overall aesthetic was truly breathtaking.The attire throughout the celebration was equally impressive. Cate looked resplendent in her stunning Marylise gown, complete with a flowing veil and chic updo, while Jonny wore a dashing navy Ted Baker suit, tie, and brown shoes. The bridesmaids’ varying frocks added to the stylish atmosphere. Another notable highlight was the beautiful flower arrangements, particularly the peony bouquets that stole the show.We extend our gratitude to Anna Urban Wedding Photography for sharing these stunning images with us today.
The Proposal
As Christmas and New Year’s approached, our holiday in Madeira with Cate’s family became the ideal setting for Jonny to pop the question. Initially, he had planned to simply ask her father for permission, but as the days went by, he realized that this picturesque island was the perfect backdrop for a romantic gesture. Seizing an opportunity when the rest of the group stepped out for the day, Jonny got down on one knee and proposed to Cate with a picture of the ring displayed on his iPhone – a sweet and sentimental moment that will be remembered for years to come.
The Vision
We aimed for a celebration that was equal parts unconventional and laid-back, yet still imbued with refinement and poise. Our ultimate goal was to create an atmosphere where our closest friends and family felt included and valued, while also ensuring that every guest left feeling entertained and fulfilled.
The Planning Process
It was Cate’s mum, an event planner herself, who brought our special day together. She introduced us to the stunning country of Scotland, where we both studied and eventually decided to get married. Given that many of our loved ones had to travel a distance for the big day, we opted for a weekend-long celebration instead of just one day. The morning after our engagement, we began our venue search on Google. When we stumbled upon Cambo, which offered an entire estate for the weekend, a wedding planner, and competitive accommodation rates, we knew we’d found the perfect fit. We toured a few other venues back in the UK, but Cambo’s exceptional service sealed the deal for us. Once we booked with them, they provided an extensive list of recommended suppliers, which served as a great starting point. Although we didn’t book everything through their recommendations, it led us to discover our caterer, Julian, from XO Catering. His company handled our rehearsal dinner, wedding-day canapés, main meal, and late-night snacks, as well as the BBQ we hosted the day after the wedding. One of the highlights of our planning process was visiting Julian’s home to taste the two wedding menu options we’d chosen – there wasn’t a crumb left! We found our photographer and videographer through good old Google searches and Instagram stalking. Since neither of us is particularly camera-friendly, we sought out professionals who could capture both posed couple shots and candid moments.
The Venue
We chose Cambo not just for its stunning looks, but also for the unique opportunity it provided to have our closest friends and family stay on site and celebrate throughout the entire weekend. The staff’s exceptional helpfulness and invaluable wedding planning experience were invaluable assets as we navigated the planning process.
With the venue’s versatility, we were able to host various elements of the celebration in different areas. We exchanged vows on the picturesque lawn, hosted our reception meal in the elegant drawing room, and used the charming courtyard and Cambolicious bar for our lively party. One of the best decisions we made was renting the lawn games offered by Cambo – they proved to be an unexpected hit with our guests, who enjoyed playing croquet and other activities throughout the weekend.
Your Outfits & Accessories
In the heart of London, Cate discovered her dream wedding dress at Angelica Bridal, a quaint boutique that exudes warmth and hospitality. Despite being a busy establishment, the staff made every bride-to-be feel like she was their top priority for the day. After some deliberation, Cate fell in love with the stunning ‘Eternally’ design by Marylise, which she complemented with a flowing veil. To ensure a perfect fit, all alterations were expertly handled by Angelica Bridal’s trusted tailor. Meanwhile, Cate found her footwear at an unexpected yet savvy source – Ebay! She scored a pair of gold Jimmy Choo wedges second-hand, a thrifty move that saved the day without sacrificing style. As for Jonny, he opted for a dashing navy blue suit from Ted Baker, paired with rich brown shoes from Dune to complete his dapper ensemble.
Beauty
Cate took matters into her own hands when it came to her wedding day make-up look, opting for a DIY approach by purchasing the products and following a ‘wedding make-up’ tutorial from the renowned Charlotte Tilbury. Meanwhile, Natasha Dardas worked her magic on the hair of the bride, mother of the bride, and bridesmaids, earning herself the nickname ‘hair wizard’. The trial run even saw Cate change her mind about the style, opting for a loose messy bun instead of half-up, but Natasha’s expertise still allowed her to deliver a stunning up-do that exceeded expectations.
The Readings & Music
We decided not to incorporate religious elements into our ceremony, instead opting for a civil marriage conducted by a registrar appointed by Fife council. Our registrar, Veronica, was wonderful in helping us tailor the ceremony to our tastes through a series of meetings and Skype calls. We each wrote our own vows, although we did draw inspiration from online examples and personalize them as needed.We also had two close friends participate in the ceremony by delivering readings. Jonny’s university friend read an excerpt from Les Miserables, while Cate’s friend adapted the preacher’s wedding speech from Fleabag for the occasion. The combination of traditional Scottish bagpipes and our family friends’ (who are trained opera singers) harmonies added to the ceremony’s unique atmosphere. The piper led Cate down the aisle, accompanied us as we signed the documents, and then played again after the ceremony while guests mingled.For the reception, we sought a band that could play a mix of music for dancing and singing along, as well as some ceilidhs to keep things lively. ‘The Bridges’ fit the bill perfectly.
Bridesmaids
While selecting the perfect attire for the bridal party, we opted for all BHLDN bridesmaids dresses. Cate’s bridesmaids were given the freedom to choose their preferred style and colour from the available options. Interestingly, my sister discovered that Jenny Yoo designed dresses for BHLDN in the exact ‘morning mist’ hue chosen by Cate. This led some of the bridesmaids to select their dresses directly from Jenny Yoo’s site. To ensure Cate’s wedding dress would take center stage in photos, we decided that my maid of honour (my sister) would wear a navy blue dress, providing a beautiful contrast to the overall aesthetic.
Groomsmen
In line with the wedding attire guidelines, groomsmen were instructed to opt for any suit in navy blue, resulting in a cohesive and stylish appearance. The only exception was their shoes, which they were encouraged to select individually. Jonny, in particular, showcased his personal touch by purchasing matching knitted navy blue ties from Marks & Spencer and a simple white pocket square from Amazon UK.
Your Photographer
We selected Anna Urban because we were impressed by the natural quality of her photography – even staged shots looked effortlessly authentic, and the couples in them exuded a sense of ease and relaxation. Her collaborative approach was exceptional; she went above and beyond to ensure that every photo we requested was captured to perfection. We also shared with her examples of photos we admired from other photographers, and she skillfully recreated them, surpassing the originals in many ways. On the day of our wedding, Anna proved herself to be a consummate professional, effortlessly capturing stunning shots from every angle without ever being intrusive or noticeable. In fact, we barely noticed her at all – she was like a photographer ninja! Her ability to put us both at ease in front of the camera is a testament to her exceptional talent and skill.
Your Filmmaker
At first, we had no intention of hiring a videographer, but after stumbling upon Zoe Alexandra’s impressive portfolio, we were won over by her captivating storytelling through visuals. What truly set her apart was her editing style, which transported us right into the heart of the wedding, as if we were witnessing it unfold in real-time. We also appreciated that she opted to use music instead of audio recordings from the actual wedding day. This unique approach added an extra layer of emotional depth to her videos. On the big day itself, Zoe and her husband made a lasting impression on us by being warm and accommodating. They worked seamlessly with our photographer, Anna, to capture stunning shots that would translate beautifully into both still photos and video formats.
The Flowers
When it came to our wedding flowers, we entrusted Adelaide with bringing our vision to life – almost. The ceremony arch was adorned with fake blooms sourced by my mother-in-law from a craft store! As we had some ideas in mind, we created an ‘idea board’ and shared it with Adelaide. Her team used this inspiration, combined with follow-up phone calls, to craft stunning bouquets and boutonnieres that exceeded our expectations. Given the outdoor ceremony, Adelaide suggested meadow arrangements to frame the arch; later, we moved them indoors to complement the decorations. My mother-in-law, a talented potter, created small vases to adorn the venue, while Adelaide supplied three buckets of flowers to fill these containers, adding a personal touch to our special day.
The Details & Décor
As Cambo itself is a stunning backdrop, we didn’t need to add much in terms of decorations. Cate’s mum created small vases that guests could fill with flowers and place around the venue – we actually used these as wedding favours too, and they were such a hit that people were trading them among each other! The courtyard took on an enchanting atmosphere with solar-powered lanterns that shone brightly during both day and night. We also added a touch of whimsy with Mexican wedding bunting intertwined among the existing Christmas lights at Cambo. For table settings, we used silver-plated candelabras from eBay to add a touch of elegance. When it came to other décor items like signs, table plans, number holders, cake stands, and a ‘guest book map’, we turned to Etsy for inspiration. In fact, Cate even found the crochet pillow pattern that she used to make her bridesmaid’s gifts on Etsy.
The Cake
Our wedding cake was a labour of love, courtesy of our friend’s mum who had recently started her own bakery, Flourish Cake Couture. We sent Fiona, the talented baker, a few visual references for inspiration and she skillfully combined our favourite designs into a stunning final product. The tasting experience was just as delightful as it sounds. With our hearts set on chocolate and carrot cake, we also wanted to incorporate a classic sponge and jam layer. Fiona kindly obliged, presenting us with not one, but two delectable variations of each flavour. Needless to say, we devoured them both on the spot! The guests seemed to share our enthusiasm, leaving behind only a trail of crumbs by the end of the weekend.
The Honeymoon
Our honeymoon was all about indulgence – a chance to do absolutely nothing but indulge in delicious food, refreshing drinks, and sweet relaxation. We chose TRS Yucatan in Riviera Maya, Mexico, as our ultimate getaway, and it exceeded every expectation. With access to three other hotels within the resort, we were spoiled for choice, but truth be told, we barely left the TRS grounds – it was that wonderful! The staff’s warm hospitality was a constant reminder of their commitment to making guests feel like royalty. As an all-inclusive resort, we didn’t anticipate the generosity that came with it, and it was truly impressive. Although we didn’t take advantage of the excursion options, they were available for those who wanted to explore more. We booked our entire trip through TUI, securing an unbeatable deal on hotel, flights, and transfers.
Memorable Moments
The weekend unfolded like a surreal dream, with unforgettable moments scattered throughout. It’s challenging to pinpoint a single highlight, as everything felt so extraordinary! One pivotal moment occurred when Cate sought input on her wedding dress from her brutally honest mother and godmother. This decision proved to be one of the most beneficial aspects of the planning process. While their feedback was candid and direct, it was also invaluable. Rather than surrounding herself with people who would simply validate her choices, Cate opted for individuals who would offer constructive critiques, leading to a more informed and satisfying outcome.
Advice For Other Couples
When planning our special day, we underestimated the importance of booking in advance. A year and a half seemed like plenty of time, but we soon discovered that many popular wedding vendors – venues, bands, photographers, caterers – can be snatched up as much as two years ahead! Having a dedicated wedding planner on site at our chosen venue turned out to be a godsend. Not only were they intimately familiar with the property’s layout and quirks, but they also anticipated and addressed various logistical details we might have overlooked otherwise. Their expertise proved invaluable in ensuring the smooth execution of our big day. In retrospect, it’s clear that preparation is key – we initially thought we’d only need to tackle a few last-minute tasks before the wedding, but as the day approached, an exhaustive list of errands suddenly materialized! Fortunately, our network of supportive friends and family members arrived early to lend a hand, which proved instrumental in helping us stay on top of things. Don’t underestimate the value of having your own ‘village’ of loved ones who can provide a helping hand – it’s an absolute lifesaver!
Credit Where Credit Is Due
With a touch of elegance and whimsy, Cate and Jonny’s special day was brought to life by an incredible team of vendors. At the helm was photographer Anna Urban Wedding Photography, who captured every precious moment with her expert eye. The stunning venue, Cambo Estate, provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s celebration. XO Catering wowed guests with their delectable offerings, while Angelica Bridal helped Cate find her dream dress – Eternally by Marylise, a breathtaking masterpiece that stole the show. Hair stylist Natasha Dardas worked her magic to create a look that was both effortless and chic. The bridesmaids’ ensembles were equally stunning, thanks to BHLDN and Jenny Yoo’s gorgeous designs. Adding a touch of Scottish flair, Scotia Pipers brought the house down with their rousing bagpipe performances. The Bridges, meanwhile, got everyone on their feet with their lively tunes. Adelaide’s Secret Garden created a floral wonderland that was almost too beautiful to disturb, while Flourish Cake Couture crafted a wedding cake that was as stunning as it was delicious. Zoe Alexandra captured the day’s most tender moments on film, and Connie and Joan brought creativity and humor to the couple’s custom wedding signs and table plan. Etsy was the go-to source for unique touches like the cake stand, guest book map, and even Cate’s bridesmaids’ crochet pillow patterns. After exchanging vows, the newlyweds embarked on a romantic honeymoon adventure to TRS Yucatan – a fitting reward for their love. As they look back on their special day, Cate and Jonny extend their heartfelt gratitude to each of these talented vendors – thank you, Lou!