Black-tie festive wedding at Canongate Kirk and Barnbougle Castle

Jack and Chloe flew from the States to Edinburgh for a luxurious black-tie festive wedding at Canongate Kirk and Barnbougle Castle.

With guests travelling from across the USA, Christmas-inspired details,  winter flowers and a three-day celebration in and around the capital, this destination wedding showed why Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s most magical places to marry in December.

Wedding highlights at a glance

Ceremony venue | Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh
Reception venue | Barnbougle Castle, South Queenferry
Date | 21st December 2024
Photography | Emma Lawson Photography
Guests | Around 120
Decor | Rich winter palette, personalised crackers, festive florals
Ceremony | Legal religious ceremony with Christmas carols at Canongate Kirk
Entertainment | Carlyle Band, ceilidh, piper, oyster bar, homemade beers

A festive Edinburgh wedding 

Chloe and Jack planned their Scottish wedding from the USA, relying heavily on the support of Chloe’s mum, Mags, and her godmother Ali — the “boots on the ground” who helped them bring their winter vision to life.

Though London-born, Chloe had long felt a deep connection to Edinburgh, where she spent time as a child. “The city holds such a special place in my heart,” she smiles.

“We thought there could be nowhere more magical for a Christmas wedding.”

Christmas has always been Chloe’s favourite season — Jack even proposed at the Munich Christmas market exactly a year before the wedding. Choosing a 21st December date meant travel was a risk, but it paid off.

“It felt like an adventure,” she says. “Otherwise many of our guests would’ve had no excuse to visit Scotland. We like to think it was a bit of a kids’ camp, but with whisky!”

Three days of celebrations

They hosted a three-day itinerary for their American guests. Festivities began with a whisky tasting at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, followed by a full rehearsal dinner at The Free Company — a farm-to-table feast that Chloe meticulously planned to help guests mingle before the wedding.

“I put a lot of effort into the seating plan so everyone had new friends by the time the wedding arrived,” she says.

Planning a Scottish wedding from the USA

The pair organised everything without a full-service planner, leaning instead on Mags' and Ali’s insights and on their venue and suppliers. 

“You have to trust vendors a bit more when you’re overseas. Find a few you really believe in and take their advice.”

The couple then made a flying visit to Scotland six months out to finally see the “truly spectacular” Barnbougle Castle in person. 

See more incredible Scottish castle wedding venues

They also squeezed in a menu tasting at caterer Wilde Thyme’s base in Perth­shire, met with the Reverend Neil Gardner to discuss their ceremony at Canongate Kirk, and made plans with florist and venue stylist Planet Flowers. 

A winter ceremony at Canongate Kirk

The ceremony at Canongate Kirk featured classic Christmas carols — exactly the atmosphere Chloe dreamed of. 

Vintage red Routemaster buses then delivered guests to Barnbougle, where the estate’s Highland cows made a surprise appearance. “I said to Jack in the car, the only thing that would make this day any better is seeing the Highland cows — and there they were!”

This Scottish-Romanian barn wedding also featured Highland cows

Christmas venue styling at Barnbougle Castle

Planet Flowers created a luxurious winter palette of deep reds and plums. “I’d seen another Christmas wedding at Barnbougle on the Tie the Knot Scotland website and fell in love with it,” Chloe explains.

See the Barnbougle Castle wedding that inspired Chloe

The team also handmade personalised Christmas crackers, filled with hangover kits and paper crowns. “We didn’t expect everyone to wear them all dinner,” she laughs. “Jack even gave his speech wearing his.”

Those speeches were a highlight — especially her dad’s, which he turned into a humorous “wedding awards ceremony” complete with printed merch.

Dinner, dancing and a festive first dance

Guests enjoyed smoked-haddock rarebit, venison and pavlova before Carlyle Band kicked off the dancing. 

The newlyweds were keen to include Scottish dancing despite their novice crowd. “We watched YouTube and even took a lesson, then forgot everything on the night,” laughs Chloe.

“Our wedding band Carlyle called the steps – but let’s just say that the ceilidh became a comedic highlight.”

And what did Jack and Chloe choose for their first dance? The seasonal classic, ‘Fairytale of New York’, of course!

Wedding suppliers

Ceremony venue Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh
Reception venue Barnbougle Castle, South Queensferry 
Photography Emma Lawson Photography
Wedding dress Suzanne Neville from A Little Something White, Connecticut
Alterations Kirsten Tucker Designs, San Francisco
Bride’s shoes Maje
Earrings Kenneth Jay Lane
Hair Calder & Calder, Edinburgh 
Makeup Lauren Gollan  
Groomswear Brooks Brothers
Wedding rings W4 Diamonds
Bridesmaid dresses Bec + Bridge
Flowers and on-the-day stationery Planet Flowers   
Cake 101 Bakery
Wedding invites and website Minted
Floral print / logo and thank-you notes The Floral Print Company
Catering Wilde Thyme
Wine Corney & Barrow
Reception band/DJ Carlyle Band
Piper The Essential Piper
Transport Lothian Motorcoaches and The Red Bus
Wedding car Edinburgh Classic Wedding Cars
Audio guest book The Original Audio Guest Book Company 
Rehearsal dinner The Free Company
Wedding party accommodation Gleneagles Townhouse
Whisky tasting Scotch Malt Whisky Society