When Victoria took the plunge and asked Cody out on Instagram, it sparked a chain of events that would lead to the couple’s breathtaking destination wedding at the historic Spedlins Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Imagine saying “I do” surrounded by the grandeur of a Scottish castle. That’s exactly what Cody and Victoria envisioned for their special day. “Both Cody and I have family ties to Scotland and a deep love for it,” Victoria says. “I had to take my James Fraser look-alike and marry him in Scotland,” she joked, referring to her adoration for the character from the hit series “Outlander.” 

Choosing a destination wedding not only allowed the couple to have an intimate ceremony but also provided an opportunity for a grand vacation. “The biggest reason for our destination wedding was the opportunity it gave us to make a whole vacation out of it! After the wedding, we toured all through the UK and ended in Paris,” Victoria explains. 

Finding the perfect venue was no easy feat, but with determination and a little help from Airbnb, Cody and Victoria stumbled upon Spedlins Castle. “We looked up castles specifically to rent on the app,” Victoria says. “Thankfully, the host at Spedlins Castle was happy to let us have a small wedding ceremony there.”

With the expenses of flying to their destination in Scotland, Cody and Victoria had to get creative with their wedding decorations. “Since it was so expensive to fly over to our destination, most everything had to be DIY,” Victoria shares. From the bridal bouquet to the groom’s boutonnière, they enlisted the help of a friend with a floral business in the UK. “The rest of the flowers for the bridal party I made out of fake flowers back at home and put them in shoe boxes to transport in my luggage.” 

The ceremony was held in the castle’s courtyard garden, adorned with lush greenery. “We chose to have a handfast ceremony, an ancient Celtic ritual often performed at ceremonies, where the hands are tied together symbolizing the binding of two lives,” Victoria explains. 

Planning a wedding from a distance can be tricky, but Victoria and Cody had a stroke of luck. “We had no pre-sight visits, so I was just hoping the castle and gardens looked exactly like the photos depicted. Thankfully, they did!”

Reflecting on their wedding day, Victoria shared how holding their wedding away from home made it truly special. “It would have been so lame! Nothing beats a castle in Scotland! Plus, we would have had to feed so many people,” she jokes.

Vendors: Photographer: RebeccaMarie Photography; Venue: Spedlins Castle; Florist: Thornberry Flowers by Emily Lucas; Gown: Barbie Anne Bridal; Groom’s Attire: Haberdasher Custom Clothing; Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Jenny Yoo