Robin and Emma McPhee’s love story soared to new heights with their stunning Christmas wedding at Rowallan Castle. Filled with festive warmth, laughter, and personal touches, their celebration was nothing short of magical
Robin McPhee & Emma Robinson, now Mr and Mrs McPhee
16th December 2023
Venue | Rowallan Castle
Photographer & filmmaker | Stevie Weir Photo + Film
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when two people, deeply in love, decide to celebrate their union surrounded by the warmth of family, friends, and the sparkle of the holiday season.
For Robin McPhee and Emma Robinson — now Emma McPhee — their wedding on 16 December, 2023, was just that: a perfect blend of Christmas cheer, personal touches, and heartfelt moments that they will cherish forever.
Robin, an airline pilot, and Emma, a flight attendant, met in the skies during a flight to Austin, Texas. Their connection was undeniable, and over six years, they built a life together, including welcoming two children.
Their engagement was a simple yet meaningful moment at home, surrounded by their closest friends. There was no grand proposal— just the shared decision to spend the rest of their lives together. With just over three months to plan, they created a day that was uniquely theirs.
Emma’s first decision as a bride-to-be was to select their rings. A work trip to Dubai led her to the gold souk, where she found their wedding bands and a stunning engagement ring for herself.
“I absolutely adore Christmas,” Emma shared, explaining their choice of a December wedding. “The rich colours, the aromas, the cosiness, the food… I could just picture it all.”
For their venue, Rowallan Castle in Ayrshire was a serendipitous find. A chance Instagram message to the venue’s coordinator, Katy, revealed a last-minute December availability.
"I couldn’t believe it when she replied within five minutes to say they had one weekend left available. It was available because another couple had changed their date, and it suddenly felt like a 'meant to be' moment. We went to visit that week, and were blown away."
After a visit, the couple knew it was the place for them. “Katy was incredible,” Emma said. “She made sure every request was possible, and the castle’s roaring fires and luxurious decor took our breath away.”
The bride's favourite thing? "Rowallan Castle offers a cocktail bar where you can pick two cocktails for your guests to enjoy, all served in the venue's library."
While Emma and Robin had initially envisioned eloping, securing Rowallan Castle inspired them to host a larger celebration, with 100 guests for the ceremony and reception and 120 for the evening festivities.
"Rowallan gave me a vision, the whole thing was really centred around using the absolute best of the venue. We had at least double the guests we envisioned, but when you sit down and count your nearest and dearest, you suddenly realise there are a lot!"
Emma’s bridesmaid and design-savvy friend Amy played a crucial role in coordinating the wedding’s colour palette, seamlessly blending Rob's "strikingly orange" McPhee tartan with rich Christmas tones. The result was a harmonious and festive aesthetic.
The couple also put their unique spin on traditions. With Emma's dad no longer with us, the bride's brother walked her down the aisle, and her best friend gave the 'father of the bride' speech.
They opted for banquet tables rather than a top table, allowing them to sit amongst, and mingle with, their guests. Personalised menus and Christmas ornaments as table favours made the day's set-up even more special.
The ceremony, conducted by Independent Humanist Ceremonies celebrant Anne Wilks, was equal parts emotional and humorous. “Not a dry eye in the house, for laughing and crying!” Emma recalled.
Accompanied by the Cappella String Quartet, Emma walked down the aisle to 'One Day Like This' by Elbow.
A personalised reading by their friend Harry, a reverend, added a deeply sentimental touch. “We will cherish that piece forever,” Emma said.
The couple’s reception was a joyous affair, starting with a drinks reception featuring canapés, Prosecco, and live music. For dinner, they curated a menu of their favourite dishes from Rowallan’s offerings. “It was the perfect opportunity to be selfish and choose meals we love,” Emma laughed.
Their first dance to 'Come Fly With Me' was a nod to their shared love story in the skies. “Seeing everyone’s reaction to our song choice was priceless,” Emma said.
The James Honey Band kept the dance floor alive all night, while guests enjoyed The Oak Booth photo booth and late-night bacon rolls.
While the bride was easily able to single out her favourite wedding detail – "100% the fairylight cascades from Make Believe Events, they were perfect for a winter wedding!" – picking just 'the one' wedding dress was an entirely different story.
Emma’s wedding attire was a tale of two dresses. "In the end I wound up with two dresses... but I easily could’ve had five."
Her aisle gown, a simple yet striking Ellis Bridals design, was love at first sight during a shopping trip in Cornwall.
Her second dress, a House of St Patrick creation, came from Ivory Pinks in Hamilton.
“If you haven’t been then I suggest you do, Wilma, the owner, is the most phenomenal woman,” Emma says with a smile.
“She just knew that dress was for me as soon as I tried it on. I totally fell in love with it, and it was made even more special that one of my closest friend's daughter, Lyra, chose it off the shelf for me to try."
Speaking of special moments, the couple's photographer and filmmaker, Stevie Weir captured them all.
"Stevie Weir, was by far the best decision we made for our day. I cannot shout his praises enough (and Sarah from Joy Story who came as his second photographer)!
"Not only is he a top guy, but a master at his craft. The whole atmosphere of the day was set by Stevie; he literally ran the day."
"The wedding film is one heck of a tearjerker. He captured he day beautifully, all the photos and the film are just so full of love. I look through our wedding gallery and think ‘yeah, they aren’t your average wedding photos!’"
For Emma, the day's highlights included seeing all their loved ones in one place together and watching Robin take time out to play Uno with their daughter in a quest for "a quiet five minutes".
Looking back, Emma wouldn’t change a thing – except to make time slow down. Her keepsakes, including personalised menus and a packet of confetti, are reminders of a day filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
For Robin and Emma, their wedding was more than a celebration – it was a reflection of their life together, a testament to their love story, and a beautiful beginning to their next chapter as Mr and Mrs McPhee.
Top tip: “If it’s a short-notice wedding like we had, I would suggest that when you find a supplier you love, just book it. Get the decisions made and finalised with bookings so that you can spend time doing all the nice little things."
Venue and catering Rowallan Castle
Photographer Stevie Weir Photo + Film
Second shooter Joy Story
Filmmaker Stevie Weir Photo + Film (see teaser above)
Celebrant Anne Wilks from Independent Humanist Ceremonies
Wedding dress ceremony dress: Elaine Rawlings bridal boutique in Cornwall, reception dress: Ivory Pinks bridal (both bought off the rail)
Bride’s shoes Zara
Bridesmaid dresses ASOS, Rewritten, Ever-Pretty (all chose their own dresses based on a colour palette)
Flower girl dresses John Lewis dresses with H&M boleros
Groomswear/best men kilts were all their own + a few last minute jacket hires from MacGregor and MacDuff
Cake Custom Cakes by Lynsey, Ayr
Flowers Mud Urban
Invitations Zazzle
Table plan + on-the-day stationery Blossom Stationery
Favours personalised Christmas decorations by Rachel at The Papercut Creative; candy canes from Aldi; Kids' reindeer food + personalised cups from Etsy
Venue décor candles, fairylights + aisle petals by Make Believe Events
Engagement/wedding rings and jewellery Azora Jewellers, Dubai
Ceremony and drinks reception music Capella String Quartet
Reception music The James Honey Band
Other entertainment The Oak Booth photo booth
Makeup Shannon O'Neill Makeup Up Artist
Hair Hair Creations by Anna Wade
Nails Dee at Deeva Nail Boutique
Wedding nanny Kaitlyn's Kiddie Care
Confetti YourConfetti
Piper Piped in by Bryce McCulloch
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