The Journal

Wedding Inspiration

Real Scottish weddings, love stories, trends and planning advice for the modern couple.

Browse the journal

Love Stories — How they met
Real Weddings — From aisle to after-party
Planning Advice — Guidance for every stage
Wedding Trends — What's shaping 2026
Groom & Co. — Kilts, suits & style
Honeymoon & Mini Moon — Adventures after 'I do'
Wedding Tips — Quick, clever, useful
Pre-Wedding Celebrations — Hen, stag & everything in between

Latest stories

Wedding décor trends for 2027: what's in, what's changing and what really matters — Colour is coming back, centrepieces still set the room, and the best styling budget is the one spent where it shows. LBS Events on what Scottish couples are choosing for 2027.
Cake, But Make It You — Bespoke wedding cakes with a modern twist, a lot of detail and absolutely no boring bits — Pauline Rae of PR Cakes on designing a cake that looks like you.
Your dream dress deserves your best self: the ultimate wedding fitness guide — No crash diets, no 5am punishments. Falkirk coach Derek Thomson on the realistic, sustainable way to feel toned, healthy and glowing on your wedding day.
Eloping in Scotland: how it actually works — Two people, two witnesses and somewhere that means something. Why Scotland is the easiest place in Britain to elope — and the paperwork nobody warns you about.
Getting married in Scotland: the complete guide — Where you can marry, who can marry you, what the law asks and what it costs — the decisions in the order couples actually make them.
Scotland: The Destination Wedding You Didn't Know You Were Planning — Castles, lochs and Highland scenery — why Scotland is quietly becoming one of Europe's most sought-after wedding destinations, even for couples who already live here.
An Arran elopement on the summit of Goatfell — Six friends, one mountain, a flask of whisky and vows above the clouds.
The Modern Honeymoon: Why Experiences Are Becoming the New Destination — Mini-moons, delayed honeymoons and multi-centre 'honeymoon years' — how modern couples are trading three-week beach breaks for tailored, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
An Aberdeenshire farm wedding in high summer — Hay bales, hog roast, and the family collie down the aisle.
The ultimate Scottish hen party guide — From cocktail masterclasses in Edinburgh to Highland retreats with your favourite people.
Stag weekend ideas for grooms who want more than a pub crawl — Whisky tastings, sea kayaking, clay shooting and the best Scottish stag adventures.
Sarah & Jo: two brides, one tartan sash and a Highland castle — How a Loch Duich elopement became a full family celebration — and why the second sash mattered more than they expected.
A Loch Lomond summer wedding on the bonnie banks — a lochside hotel, a Chris Isaak first dance, and 130 people in linen.
A Loch Lomond proposal at sunrise — He hired a rowing boat, packed champagne, and got her out on the water before the tourists arrived.
Why we had a joint hen and stag in the Highlands — One couple, one long weekend, and a celebration that brought both sides together before the big day.
Trend forecast: what Scottish weddings will look like in 2027 — Nine predictions from planners, florists and photographers already booking a year ahead.
The ultimate Scottish wedding checklist — 150 tasks, twelve months, one PDF — everything you need to book, sign and confirm.
Andrew & Rory: tweed, tartan and a country house wedding at home — Two grooms in matching Highland dress on the steps of a Perthshire estate — and the small moment between the ceremony and the speeches that meant the most.
A Borders garden wedding at a family estate — Wildflowers from the field behind the house, and a marquee that fit 110.
The real cost of a Scottish wedding in 2026 — A line-by-line breakdown of what couples are actually spending, three worked budgets, and the questions to ask before you sign anything.
The 10-day Santorini honeymoon we'd book tomorrow — Cliffside caldera suites, sunset catamarans and a very quiet second week on Folegandros.
Low-key pre-wedding celebration ideas that still feel special — Not every couple wants a weekend away. Here are intimate, budget-friendly ways to mark the moment.
Loch & heather: the colour palettes defining 2026 — Six moody, landscape-led palettes taken straight from the Scottish outdoors.
Watches for grooms: the pieces worth wearing (and keeping) — From heritage Swiss to modern British — the watches that suit a wedding day and outlast it.
10 things to do the week before your wedding (and 5 to stop doing) — A calm, practical guide for the final seven days.
Season by season: what's trending in Scottish weddings this year — Spring pastels, summer meadow florals, autumn tartan, winter candlelight.
Legal requirements for getting married in Scotland — Your quick, accurate guide to the legal side of marrying in Scotland — M10 forms, fees, the Marriage Schedule and more, reviewed by celebrant Maureen Kettle.
The honeymoon packing list we actually use — The 12 things worth space in the case — and the 6 that never are.
Eilidh & Callum: A Glasgow love story that started on a rainy Tuesday — How a shared umbrella outside Central Station led to a Highland proposal three years later.
A Speyside distillery weekend: the bachelor stag done properly — Three days, five distilleries, one very good lodge.
The 8 biggest Scottish wedding trends for 2026 — From clan-inspired colour palettes to sit-down ceilidhs and wild garden florals.
Kilt vs suit: what Scottish grooms are actually wearing in 2026 — We asked 40 recently-married grooms. Here's the honest breakdown.
The 6 Maldives resorts worth the flight in 2026 — Overwater villas ranked by privacy, food and how much you'll actually swim.
A Highland castle wedding in October: Kirsty & Ross — Autumn light, bagpipes at dawn and a first dance under fairy lights.
The bridal fashion forecast: silhouettes shaping 2026 — Sculpted bows, corseted bodices, detachable overskirts and second-look drama.
Sculptural cakes: the 2026 baking trend redefining the top tier — Ruffles, pleats, marbled fondant and hand-piped ridges from Scotland's best pastry studios.
Your 18–24 month Scottish wedding planning timeline — Month-by-month, exactly what to book, when — from venue to vows, across an 18–24 month runway.
Cotswolds mini-moon: 3 nights of pubs and pillows — Honey-stone villages, spa suites and a very good Sunday roast.
Modern Highland dress: how to wear the kilt in 2026 — Muted tartans, tweed jackets and the small styling shifts that make it feel current.
How to build a wedding budget that actually works — The 50/20/15/10/5 split — and the buffer nobody tells you to leave.
A slow honeymoon along the North Coast 500 — Sea-view lodges, whisky stops and one very lucky puffin sighting.
How we proposed on the Isle of Skye (and survived the weather) — A grooms-eye view of planning the perfect surprise on the Quiraing.
The best man job description (that nobody gives you) — Twelve things a best man is actually expected to do — and three he really isn't.
How to book a ceilidh band that fills the floor — Set lengths, callers, sound requirements — and why cheaper is rarely cheaper.
A Lake District mini-moon that beats a long-haul flight — Fell walks by day, log fires by night, and one very good tasting menu.
How to hire a kilt in Scotland: the definitive guide — Tartans, timings, tailoring and how to avoid the classic groomsmen mistakes.
Amalfi Coast: the honeymoon that never really ends — Where to base yourself, when to go, and the one restaurant worth the switchbacks.
Candlelit mocha: the warm neutral palette taking over 2026 — Mocha, tobacco, cream, gold — the palette every autumn-winter Scottish wedding is booking.
A Glasgow townhouse celebration with 42 of their favourite people — An intimate West End dinner that proved smaller is often braver.
Paris for lovers: a proper romantic escape — The arrondissements to base in, the bistros locals actually go to.
12 clever ways to save money on your Scottish wedding without cutting the fun — Small swaps that add up to thousands — and no one will notice a thing.
Sporrans, sgian-dubhs and cufflinks: the accessory edit — The small pieces that finish a Highland look — and where to find them in Scotland.
Table styling trends: candles, coupes and second-hand china — Layered linens, taper candles, foraged runners and mismatched vintage plates.
How to choose a Scottish wedding venue (without falling for the wrong one) — The eight questions to ask every venue before you sign anything.
Island-hopping the Outer Hebrides for two — White beaches, machair flowers and B&Bs where the owner bakes at 6am.
6 island honeymoons for 2026, ranked by how much you'll switch off — From the Maldives to Mauritius — and one Hebridean surprise.
Made-to-measure suits: Scotland's best groom tailors — Where to book, how long to allow, and what a proper tailored suit should cost.
Honeymoon travel insurance: what to check before you book — Ring cover, ceremony delays and the small print couples miss.
Invitation trends: letterpress, deckle edges & digital RSVPs — Print is back — but smarter. What's landing on Scottish doormats this season.
Modern tartan styling: how to wear heritage without looking retro — Muted palettes, unexpected pairings and one rule to break with confidence.
Questions to ask your wedding photographer before booking — Beyond the portfolio — the practical questions that separate great photographers from good ones.
20 groom speech openers that actually land — Warm, sincere, funny — twenty first lines to steal (or steal from).
Africa's most romantic safari lodges for honeymooners — From the Okavango to the Serengeti — where to sleep between the game drives.
Wedding shoes for grooms: brogues, oxfords, ghillies — The three shoe styles that work with kilts, suits and everything in between.
A dermatologist-approved skincare routine for grooms — Six weeks, five products, no gimmicks — clear skin by the ceremony.
An Edinburgh elopement at dawn on Calton Hill — Just the two of them, a celebrant, and the whole city waking up beneath.
The second look: why every Scottish bride is packing a party dress — Ceremony gown, ceilidh outfit — the two-dress wedding is officially standard.
Edinburgh vs Glasgow: which city wins for a Scottish stag weekend? — Cocktails vs nightlife, historic vs high-energy — an honest side-by-side.
Portugal's Douro Valley for wine-loving newlyweds — River cruises, quinta stays and a tasting itinerary that won't wreck day two.
Wedding invitation wording: 12 templates that actually sound like you — From traditional and formal to modern and playful.
Hiring a Humanist celebrant in Scotland: what to expect — From the legalities and the questions to ask, to cost, planning and what happens on the day — your complete guide to booking a humanist celebrant in Scotland.
Lake Como slow: a 7-day romantic itinerary — Villa breakfasts, water-taxi lunches and a Bellagio sunset for the ages.
Second time around: A Fife love story about starting over — Marrying again in your 40s — what it taught us about doing weddings differently.
Candle-heavy decor: the low-light trend Scottish venues love — Hundreds of tapers, low centrepieces, and a mood you can't fake with fairy lights.
The groom's grooming checklist: 30 days to the wedding — Skincare, haircuts, beards — a no-nonsense schedule for the month before.
How to plan a dream honeymoon on a real budget — Points, shoulder seasons and the upgrades that are actually worth paying for.
A Skye elopement at the Fairy Pools — Two rings, one waterfall, and a piper who walked in from Portree.
Japan in cherry blossom: a two-week honeymoon plan — Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone, and a final ryokan few couples know about.
Wild Scottish florals: the foraged bouquet trend that's here to stay — Heather, thistle, rosehip and everything else that thrives in Scottish soil.
Choosing a Scottish wedding florist: seasonal, sustainable, sensational — The right florist doesn't just deliver bouquets — they design a whole visual language for the day.
City honeymoons: 5 European escapes for couples who hate lying still — Rome, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Ljubljana, Seville — and why we'd pick each.
The best man speech structure that always works — Opener, story, twist, tribute, toast. Five beats, six minutes, zero regret.
Patagonia for the honeymoon of a lifetime — Torres del Paine, glacier treks and eco-lodges you'll never want to leave.
The wedding-morning checklist every couple forgets — Cash for the piper, phone chargers, plasters — the tiny things that matter most.
New Zealand: the honeymoon for couples who can't sit still — South Island glaciers, North Island wineries, and the loveliest lodges in between.
Long tables vs rounds: which Scottish wedding tablescape wins? — The seating format shift that's changing how Scottish receptions feel.
Beard shape guide: matching your beard to your face — The five most flattering wedding-day beard shapes — and the two to avoid.
How to write a groom speech in one evening — A four-step method that turns a blank page into a six-minute speech.
Iceland in winter: the moody, magical honeymoon — Northern lights, black-sand beaches and geothermal soaks for two.
Documentary vs editorial wedding photography — which is right for you? — The two dominant Scottish styles, side by side.
Hand-painted menus & place cards: the detail everyone's photographing — Watercolour, calligraphy and one-of-one paper goods from Scottish studios.
An Inverness cathedral wedding with a Highland reception — Ceremony under stone arches, dinner in a converted steading, ceilidh until 2am.
Modern groom accessories: pocket squares, ties & tie bars — The small choices that separate a good suit from a great one.
Engaged under the Northern Lights on Skye — A once-in-a-lifetime aurora display over the Quiraing turned a quiet trip into a proposal.
The outdoor bachelor weekend: canoes, cabins & cold water — For the groom who'd rather trade cocktails for a loch swim and a fire.
How to break in wedding shoes (without ruining them) — The three-week routine that saves your feet on the day.
DJ or live band? How to choose your Scottish wedding entertainment — Cost, energy, floor-time, flexibility — a proper side-by-side comparison.
Floral installations & ceremony arches: bigger, wilder, greener — The suspended installation is out. The overgrown archway is in.
Watch and suit pairings: the quiet style rulebook — Leather, steel, dress, sport — how to pair the right watch with the right suit.
What's in season: Scottish wedding flowers by month — A month-by-month guide to what your florist can actually source locally.
Cheese tower or cake? What Scottish couples are choosing in 2026 — Or both. Definitely both.
The Edinburgh rooftop proposal that took a year to plan — How one groom secretly coordinated with a Royal Mile hotel, a string quartet and the weather.
Getting married in Scotland as a non-UK couple — Extra paperwork, extended notice, and why Scotland is still one of the easiest places in Europe.
A St Andrews winter wedding by the sea — Fur stoles on West Sands, a whisky bar in the marquee, and snow on the day.
Engaged at the Fringe: a comedy show that ended in a yes — She thought she was watching a stand-up set. She wasn't.
Winter Scottish weddings: the season quietly stealing the show — Firelight, tartan, whisky bars, snow-dusted castles. The case for a January wedding.
An Edinburgh Old Town library wedding in December — Candles, black tie, mulled wine on arrival — a proper Old Town celebration.
Ten years and still dancing: revisiting our Highland wedding — For their tenth anniversary, they returned to the castle where it all began — with the same photographer.
Our first anniversary in the Cairngorms — A cabin, no phone signal, and the wedding album — how we marked one year in.
A Borders love story: from farm shop to family — How a chance meeting at Peebles farmers' market turned into a rural Borders wedding.
Engaged on Arran: Scotland in miniature, love in full — A hillwalk up Goatfell, a hidden ring box, and a proposal above the Firth of Clyde.
Twenty-five years: a silver anniversary in St Andrews — A quiet weekend on the East Neuk, the original vows, and a walk down West Sands.