Combining their German and Scottish cultures, Andrew and Cita married at Ardoe House Hotel and had everything from log sawing to highland cows
Andrew McMaster and Cita Ebert, now Mrs Ebert McMaster
14th July 2023
Venue | Ardoe House Hotel & Spa
Photography | Lauren Polson Photography
Love transcends all cultures and languages, doesn’t it? It knows no bounds, and when it comes to making things work, where there’s love there’s a way. So when Cita and Andrew’s German and Scottish families came together to celebrate their union, they all played a part in ensuring everyone felt included in the proceedings.
“Ever since I moved to Scotland for university, I’d been in love with the country and the people, so for me, there really were only two options: we could either marry in Scotland or Germany,” says Cita.
Once the decision was made and Aberdeen’s Ardoe House was booked, the couple went all out to make sure the bride’s family felt welcome. “We had little printed booklets for the ceremony, where the vows and readings were translated for our German family and friends. We wanted them to feel thought of. And Ive, our maid of honour, translated the speeches too.”
Cita and Andrew live in Derby, but say they were keen to have a venue that would show off the beauty of Scotland: “We originally pictured an outdoor ceremony, with a charming venue in the background.
"But we also wanted to be realistic – we obviously all know the good old weather in Scotland! So we had to make sure that the venue we picked had a good indoor ceremony option as a back-up."
Ardoe House, a 19th-century baronial mansion surrounded by 30 acres of beautiful grounds to the south of Aberdeen, fitted the bill – and had a special family link, says Cita: “Andrew’s parents had married here too, so it felt like a nice little aspect and made us feel connected to Ardoe in a way we didn’t with other locations.
It was clear from the get-go that Ardoe’s staff were going to do everything they could to accommodate our wishes. They just made it happen
The team were a little bewildered by the strange German tradition of ‘cutting a log’ that we wanted to include, but they made it happen nevertheless.”
The couple had 73 guests (plus an additional 22 in the evening, who arrived in time to enjoy the buffet of fish and chips). The dancing was led by the couple’s band, North Rig, who “played and instructed everyone in ceilidh dancing – it was carnage and so much fun!”
The pair had opted for Ardoe’s Blairs package, giving them exclusive room hire, a four-course meal, a master of ceremonies and an overnight stay for both sets of parents, as well as much more.
Cita loved that she and Andrew were able to personalise elements of the package too. “The team were really great when it came to accommodating our food and drink requests. I’m a vegetarian and I wasn’t 100% keen on the initial veggie main courses, so the chef, Graham, came up with three different vegetarian options. During the tasting session, he came to chat with us before and after each course,” explains the bride. “This meant we could give feedback and he offered ideas for tweaks or alternatives.”
The newlyweds say they received all the support they could have dreamt of from the venue: “The staff at Ardoe didn’t need us to ask for anything on the day. They looked after us and they were doing stuff that they technically didn’t even have to do. It really felt like the sky was the limit.”
Wedding Dress and Veil Tracy Lea Bridal
Shoes Rainbow Club
Bridesmaids dresses DressPlace Bridal Boutique
Groomswear Georgian Dress Hire
Celebrant / officiant Debbie Crichton (Aberdeenshire Council)
Cake Dimbim Cakes
Catering Ardoe House Hotel
Flowers, chairs and decor Higher Calling Flowers & Events
Stationery DIY
Favours miniature spirits, chocolate and candles (candles from Etsy)
Children packs Rucksacks from KraftyGoose + assortment of games / toys from different toy stores
Centrepieces DIY, with lantern images designed by Cita’s sister Ive
Wedding rings Harriet Kelsall Jewellery
Engagement ring Clola Antiques Centre
Ceremony music Andrew’s Grandad (Ali Ross)
Drinks reception and reception music North Rig
Hair Kerry Anne Bridal Hair
Makeup Samantha Cardno Makeup
Nails The Beauty Studio
