Lynsey Shand & Donald Sangster
30th June 2018
Venue | Tullibole Castle, Perthshire
Photography | Simon’s Studio
“I’d already said to Donald that I’d had ‘the best day of my life’ in October 2016 while we were snorkelling and paddleboarding on Great Kepple Island in Australia – little did I know he was about to propose and make it even more memorable!
We blitzed a lot of the initial legwork during a three-week festive holiday back to Scotland that year, visiting a shortlist of venues. We were certain we didn’t want a hotel function suite – that just wasn’t ‘us’. We preferred more rustic settings, so viewed some byres and castles.
However, the latter left us feeling a bit overwhelmed by their grandness… until we came across Tullibole Castle in Kinross. It ticked all the boxes: we could take over the place in its entirety, the grounds were incredible, the main castle building had wow factor without being stuffy or overbearing and it had a barn-like Carriage House.
Planning the wedding from Australia was challenging at times. We were on email and Skype a lot and I had to rely on friends and family to touch and feel samples of things like stationery and bridesmaid dresses for me. Our working holiday visas ended six-weeks ahead of our big day, so we ironed out all the last-minute details then.
My mum played florist and worked wonders on the bouquets and arrangements. She’d just completed classes so put her new-found skills to good use. In fact, one of my favourite wedding details was the outdoor ceremony space amid the castle’s gardens that both our mums dressed on the morning of the wedding. It ended up looking very romantic, dotted with wooden logs, lanterns filled with candles and a blooming ceremony arch at the top of the ‘aisle’.
We opted for an interfaith ceremony as we were keen to include some prayers as well as a celtic handfasting. Looking back, it was one of the points of the day that I’ll treasure forever.
Top tip: “Take the time to make a playlist of your favourite songs to play during the drinks reception. It really bestows a nice atmosphere. We often have it on in the car now, and it brings back so many happy memories.”
Dress Ivory Whites
Bridesmaids’ dresses Tulle and Chantilly
Groomswear Own kilts with jackets from McCalls
Celebrant Interfaith celebrant Jen Doherty
Cake Made by “talented friend Joanna Coull”
Flowers Arranged by the brides mum
Stationery Mellie Moo
Catering Delicious Catering
Entertainment Drams Ceilidh Band
Filmmaker Bees Nees Productions
Hair Hair Ups
