What do you get when you combine a Southern belle with a Scottish gent? 

One beautiful wedding, that’s what! For Rachel and James, their St. Andrews, Scotland union was a merging of two families, a combination of cultures and the culmination of a special love affair. “James and I met during the first week I was in Scotland,” says the bride. “We thought we would have our wedding in the place where it all began.”

When it came to planning the most important day of their lives, Rachel and James were extremely hands-on. “It was unusually easy,” recalls Rachel. “I did have an entire year to plan, but I found the entire process straightforward and stress-free.” The couple wanted a truly “bespoke” wedding and sourced most of the décor and details themselves. While it involved a lot of effort, the two felt it was key to ensuring their wedding reflected their personal styles.

Perhaps the most meaningful detail was the couple’s ceremony site: Holy Trinity Church. The 500-year-old stunner is where the couple met for their first date and was the perfect place for these two to take their first steps as man and wife. “The entire ceremony was very family-oriented and personal – which is exactly what we both wanted,” says the bride. “James and I were ushered down the aisle and out of the church to the sound of bagpipes as our piper led the way…”

For the reception, the couple wanted a romantic, rustic feel and Kinkell Byre, an old stone barn which overlooks the North Sea, was the perfect fit. These two got the personalized and sentimental event they were after and the bride has some advice for how you can be just as lucky in love.

“I had so much fun designing and planning my wedding, but I always tried to keep things in perspective. If you’re not careful, you can get bogged down in all the wedding details and lose sight of the main reason you’re getting married in the first place.” 

Vendors: Photographer: Annamarie Akins Photography, Ceremony Site: Holy Trinity Church, Reception Site: Kinkell Byre, Florist: Blue Poppy Florist, Stationery: Jonnie Piper (groomsman), Cake: Jane Bakes Great, Catering: Gourlay Catering, Car: Something Old, Band: Norman MacKay’s Ceilidh Experience, Hair & Makeup: Sandra Cormack, Jewelry: Nordstrom, Shoes: Betsy Johnson “I Do” Collection, Gown Designer: Mori Lee, Groom’s Clothing Designer: McCalls Highlandwear, Bridesmaids’ Clothing Designer: David’s Bridal, Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Personal Family Kilts and McCalls Highlandwear

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Fall/Winter 2015 issue. You can order a copy here.