A wedding weekend at Mar Lodge Estate in the Cairngorms

Planning a destination wedding comes with its own challenges, especially when guests are travelling from across the globe. For Margaux, originally from the USA, and Struan, finding a venue that showcased Scotland's scenery while offering space for a full weekend of celebrations was top of the list.

They found exactly that at Mar Lodge Estate, an exclusive-use wedding venue in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

Wedding highlights at a glance

Wedding venue | Mar Lodge Estate, Aberdeenshire
Photography | Scott Arlow Photography
Ceremony | Outdoor ceremony beside St Ninian's Chapel
Reception | Stag Ballroom
Special touches | Weekend wedding, whisky bar and chocolate Labrador ring bearer

A Scottish destination wedding at Mar Lodge Estate

"We knew what we wanted and it was quite specific," says Margaux. "It had to be something different from a hotel ballroom and somewhere that felt unique to Scotland."

From the moment they arrived, the couple knew they'd found the one.

"It felt grand and historic, but never pretentious.

"It was relaxed, and we loved that we could make the day entirely our own.

"Being able to turn it into a whole wedding weekend was a huge bonus, and the outdoor spaces completely sold it to us."

Discover more about weddings at Mar Lodge Estate

With self-catering accommodation for up to 45 guests, friends and family stayed together throughout the celebrations, making the wedding feel more like a weekend getaway than a single day.

The couple also loved the venue's distinctive interiors, particularly the famous Stag Ballroom, with its impressive display of more than 2,500 Victorian-era stag antlers.

An outdoor wedding ceremony in the Cairngorms

Mar Lodge's experienced wedding team helped bring the couple's vision to life.

"We wanted good food, good drink and good music with our family, and because the venue is a blank canvas we could personalise everything. Louise and Sophie were fantastic and had so much knowledge of local suppliers."

Check out this eco-aware and activity-packed wedding at Mar Lodge Estate in Aberdeenshire

The couple had always hoped to marry outdoors, and the Scottish weather couldn't have been kinder.

"We had gorgeous blue skies and 27-degree sunshine," recalls Margaux.

"Gary, our humanist celebrant, brought so much warmth and joy to the ceremony."

Held outside St Ninian's Chapel, the ceremony featured one very special guest. The couple's three-year-old chocolate Labrador, Yogi Bear, proudly took on the role of ring bearer.

"He was rolling around in the grass while we were exchanging our vows, which had everyone laughing."

Wedding photos around Mar Lodge Estate

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds explored the estate with their photographer, taking advantage of the spectacular Highland scenery and characterful interiors.

This intimate autumn wedding at Mar Lodge Estate in the Cairngorms is a photographer's dream

"There are too many beautiful places to count," says Margaux. "The Stag Ballroom is incredible, the bedrooms are full of character and the Cairngorm scenery is just spectacular."

The Billiards Room also became a favourite space throughout the weekend.

"It was actually one of the things that sold the venue to us. Struan even set up a whisky bar there for everyone to enjoy."

A Stag Ballroom reception to remember

Dinner and dancing took place in the iconic Stag Ballroom, where guests celebrated long into the evening.

A beautiful Mar Lodge Estate wedding with handmade touches

"Our band, Brother Man, were brilliant," says Margaux. "They played a ceilidh set in the middle of the reception and kept everyone dancing all night."

Looking back, the couple say the entire weekend exceeded every expectation.

"The whole weekend felt like one long highlight reel.

"We couldn't believe how lucky we were with the venue, the location and even the weather. Everything came together and made it so special."

Wedding suppliers

Venue Mar Lodge Estate, Aberdeenshire
Photography Scott Arlow Photography 
Celebrant Gary Smith, aka Gary the Humanist
Catering Regis Banqueting
Wedding dress Kavelle Couture 
Bridesmaid dresses Azazie and Dessy
Shoes and accessories Vinted
Wedding rings Laings
Groomswear Slanj Glasgow
Flowers Coo Hill Studio
Cake Costco
Stationery DIY by the couple
Decor Gordon’s Cater Hire
Band Brother Man
Transport Allan & Black Coaches
Hair and makeup Audrey McCarthy Makeup Artist 
Childcare Thank Evans