Lia and Louis brought their story full circle with a country house wedding that had all the feels, complete with thunder, a giant Eton Mess and one perfectly timed bark!
Childhood sweethearts Lia and Louis Appéré returned to Fife for their wedding at exclusive-use venue Cambo House, bringing more than a decade of memories to a celebration featuring a romantic thunderstorm ceremony, their dog Bertie, personal family touches and a lively night of music and dancing.
Wedding highlights at a glance
Wedding venue | Cambo Country House and Estate, Kingsbarns, Fife
Date | 4th June 2026
Photography | Joanne Clenaghan Photography, with Ezra McYoung
Guests | 73
Decor | White flowers and swan details
Ceremony | Indoor humanist ceremony
Entertainment | Live ceremony singer, piper, covers band and saxophonist
A Fife wedding for childhood sweethearts
Lia and Louis first crossed paths aged 12 and became a couple after bonding at a house party when they were 16. “We immediately clicked and have been by each other’s side ever since,” says Lia.
Their relationship later took them from Fife to England, where Louis plays professional football. He proposed during a road trip through Sicily in May 2024, choosing a secluded beach at sunset to pop the question.
Discover more Fife wedding venues
Having both grown up in Fife, returning home to marry made sense.
“From day one, we pictured our wedding as being one big party, filled with laughter, drinks flowing, a packed dancefloor and, most importantly, a room filled with love.”
Why they chose Cambo House for their wedding
Louis’s football schedule meant the couple needed to marry during the off-season, while living in England limited opportunities to visit potential Fife wedding venues.
Cambo Country House and Estate in Kingsbarns quickly won them over. “We adored its romantic, elegant feel,” says Lia. “The drawing room and library offered a timeless, characterful, gorgeous backdrop, while the adjoining courtyard and coach house had a more relaxed vibe for the evening. The latter has a large disco ball overhead which already screams ‘party’!”
Autumn destination wedding at Cambo Country House & Estate
Planning remotely was made easier with help from wedding planner Hannah at Timeless White, who created a detailed timeline covering decisions and payments. “She was brilliant and we couldn’t recommend her more.”
A rainy indoor wedding ceremony
Lia and Louis had originally hoped to marry in the garden, but the deteriorating forecast prompted a move into Cambo House’s library. It proved to be a change for the better.
“Torrential rain and thunder during our ceremony turned out to be more gorgeous than we could’ve dreamed,” says Lia.
“It was a very cosy, dramatic setting for our vows.”
Celebrant Alan Edwards of Fuze Ceremonies led the “energetic, fun-filled and personal” ceremony in front of 73 guests.
A quaich containing Macallan 12 – the favourite dram of Louis’s late grandfather – added a family connection, although Louis caused laughter by attempting to down the whisky before Alan had finished explaining its significance.
Modern wedding ceremony traditions
Dog Bertie had impeccable comic timing too. “Immediately after Louis and I said ‘I do’, he let out a very loud bark!” recalls Lia.
Wedding morning surprises and personal details
Instead of reading personal vows during their ceremony, Lia and Louis exchanged handwritten letters beforehand.
Lia also gave Louis a scrapbook she had spent 10 years creating, containing memories from throughout their relationship – even train tickets from their first date.
Louis had his own surprise: a Swarovski necklace for Lia to wear with her Renhue wedding dress from Lovely Bride in London.
The speeches were another emotional high point. “They were the perfect mix of memories, humour and love,” says Lia.
Louis summed up their long history in his own speech:
“Today is the most special day of my life because it’s the day I got to marry my best friend, my soulmate and my childhood sweetheart all in one.”
A memorable Cambo House wedding reception
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed his-and-hers cocktails and live music from Ellen Marie Bain before a three-course dinner by Stocks Events, finished with one of the couple’s favourite desserts: Eton Mess.
The evening then moved into the more relaxed surroundings of Cambo’s coach house. Wedding band VH5 kept guests dancing before saxophonist Elliot G took over for a power hour later in the evening.
“The dancefloor was buzzing the entire time – definitely where the sore feet came from the next day!” laughs Lia.
By 2am, the newlyweds were the last two dancing.
Fife wedding photographers and retro wedding video footage
Joanne Clenaghan Photography, alongside second shooter Ezra McYoung, documented the candid moments and emotions that Lia and Louis wanted to remember.
“We wanted to be able to look back at our photos in the years to come and be transported back to that day, as if we were right there in the moment again.”
They also gave guests two early-2000s JVC camcorders previously used on Lia’s family holidays.
The resulting retro footage captured parts of the celebration the newlyweds had missed themselves: “Loads of little funny moments, people dancing when they thought no one was watching, and all the love the room was filled with.”
Lia and Louis's wedding trailer by Dean Johnstone Films
Wedding suppliers
Venue Cambo Country House and Estate, Fife
Wedding planner Hannah at Timeless White
Celebrant Alan Edwards, Fuze Ceremonies
Photography Joanne Clenaghan Photography
Second shooter Ezra McYoung from The McYoungs
Filmmaker Dean Johnstone Films (see highlights above)
Wedding dress Loren by Renhue from Lovely Bride, London, accessorised with ASOS heels and a Swarovski necklace
Alterations The bride’s talented mum, Lesley
Bridesmaid dresses Meshki, Pretty Lavish and Azazie
Groomswear McCalls Highlandwear
Groomsmen and party hires MacGregor and MacDuff
Hair Claire Adamson Bridal
Makeup Helen McNeill Bridal Makeup
Nails Cherene Davidson Nail Tech
Engagement ring Bride’s mum’s old ring
Wedding rings Queensmith
Catering Stocks Events
Cake Baked by Ailsa, mother of the bride’s best friend
Flowers The Petal Shoppe
Venue decor hire 88 Events
Piper Caledonian Cowboy
Ceremony and drinks reception music Ellen Marie Bain
Reception band VH5
Saxophonist Elliot G Sax
Dog chaperone Corries Buddies & Wedding Buddies
