Tartan traditions: Louise and Michael’s timeless Haddo House wedding

What did you decide on as the main inspiration behind the look/atmosphere of your wedding?

Family and tartan were our two big themes. We used family tartans for the Save the Date cards, to the bridesmaids’ dresses, table confetti and beyond. The stateliness of Haddo House added to the sense of occasion and grandeur of the day.

How did you personalise your big day? What was important to you?

As previously mentioned, family and tartans were central themes to the wedding. We had family wedding photographs printed and placed in the entranceway with a sign that read: ’First they said I do, so that we can too’ that included our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. We also had tartan elements from both family clans in our dress and decorations.

Were any wedding traditions important to you to include, and any you were keen to ditch? Did you inherit any wedding traditions from your families? 

The wedding was very traditional, which was important to us. Nothing traditional was ditched.

Favourite wedding detail? 

The bridesmaids all wore tartan dresses that represented their family clan tartans, and similarly the groomsmen wore kilts representing the tartan of their respective clans.

What music did you walk down the aisle to?

Pachelbel‘s Canon played on the historic Haddo Organ. We exited the church to the Wedding March – we were traditional through and through!

What music was your first dance to?

When You Say Nothing At All by Allison Krauss and Union Station.

What were the highlights of the day for you?

Walking down the aisle with my dad; the cheer erupting from our guests as we sealed our vows with a kiss; walking down the Haddo House steps with friends and family either side cheering us on and showering us with confetti; the witty and heartfelt speeches; our first dance and every dance thereafter; and our first drink as Mr & Mrs!

What advice would you give to brides-/grooms-to-be that are about to start planning their day? Anything you wish you’d known before you started planning?

Use a wedding website — a one-stop place for your guests to find all the information they need. We used withjoy.com.

What did your guests say they enjoyed most about the wedding?

The setting, food and atmosphere.