A musical affair!

Iona Leigh and Rob Malcolm asked Highland Country Weddings to help them with on-the-day wedding co-ordination services and we were delighted to be there.

It was a beautiful sunny day on Saturday 17th May and Iona and Rob were holding the days festivities at The Findhorn Foundation, with catering from the Ramnee Hotel in Forres. A fantastic day was had by all, with lots of music and singing - Iona composed and sang a song to Rob during the ceremony and there wasn't a dry eye in the house! It was beautiful. The partying carried on well into the night, leaving people with lots of happy, smiling faces and I'm sure lots of happy memories. Our very best wishes go to Iona and Rob.

Here are some photos, taken by their photographer, Stephan Rauch.

Edinburgh Castle with Vicki and Jeff (family friends and a sweet poem by Emily Dickenson)

These are a couple of snapshots from a wedding last September 14th from Vicki a British national in Nebraska who married Jeff, at Edinburgh Castle. Vicki had planned to marry a year earlier when her mother fell ill - and with everyone anticipating a fabulous recovery for her, we scheduled this new date. Thankfully she is doing great and had a marvelous time with family and friends, as you can see from these joyous pictures!

Vicki and Jeff chose to have a Humanist ceremony and here is the sweet sweet poem that was read by Jeff's sister.

Hope is the Thing With Feathers - by Emily Dickenson - a beautiful metaphor for the power of love.

Hope is the thing of feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land,

And on the stangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity

It asked a crumb of me.

Highland Country Weddings

Mark and Amanda

All the way from the Isle of Man, Mark and Amanda chose the glorious setting of Dalhousie Castle for their wedding. Joined by family and friends, and a few of the feathered variety (!), a fantastic day was had by all. Our very best wishes to Mark and Amanda.

http://www.highlandcountryweddings.co.uk/

Photos By Rapture Photography

Renew your vows in Scotland this summer!

We had (and still have) an offer for ''Spring into Highland Weddings'' for 'last minute' Spring weddings. And, the response has been incredible - so much so that we were able to secure more incredible discounts from normally very expensive and exclusive castles! The offer is until the end of May, so hurry because we need a few weeks to get all the legal paperwork sorted.

And, if you are already married or in a long term relationship and in Scotland this summer, how about

renewing your vows or having a commitment ceremony overlooking a beautiful Loch in the heart of the Highlands?
We can help you achieve this with prices starting from 350 Pounds - with a fully personalized ceremony at one of our recommended stunning locations or a place of your choosing! Incorporate hand-fasting and other Celtic rituals. whatever you like, and wherever you like. Have a piper too!
Contact us and let us know your plans!

Highland Country Weddings

Birkhill Castle from Alastair Brown on Vimeo.

Renewal of Vows

The month of March, it seems was the month of renewal of vows ceremonies for HCW. And, we absolutely adore organizing these types of ceremonies because they are all so lovely and touching - during which there is not a dry eye around! And, it's because they represent everyone's fantasy of a great marriage! Often years have gone by since the 'big' wedding, children have flown the nest, good things and bad things have been experienced and a new phase appears in the lives of these couples. As a result, these ceremonies are super romantic!

Here are some pictures of the Goor family from New Jersey, with 20+ family and friends. Much merriment was had that day - March 25th - with falconry, clay pigeon shooting, tennis....and a gorgeous banquet at the private 18th Century castle of the Earl and Countess of Dundee.

Some couples decide to have a renewal of vows ceremony soon after their wedding. One renewal of vows ceremony we planned this month of March was for a young couple who had married just 3 months ago. They had come over to Scotland from Switzerland, wanting to be on their own, having experienced the 'big wedding' back home. This was the time for them to be alone in their bliss. They personalized the ceremony to their hearts content and had a wonderful exclusive wedding banquet - just the two of them - in the grand dining room of a privately owned 16th century castle (another fabulous castle!) in the heart of Scotland. It was a dream come true!

And, as I type this entry, this e-mail just in from the the Goors - from Paris!

Natasha,
Well, we are on the train from Paris back to London on our way back to the states. I think I can speak for everyone in attendance at our recent event in giving you and HCW an A++ for your efforts. Rarely in our lives especially these days are our expectations met, but when they are exceeded it is quite a nice surprise. Lady Dundee was simply delightful and the castle was amazing. Everything from the food to the various entertainment folks were just marvelous and I literally can't think of one thing I would have changed.
I will be happy to recommend your company to anyone who is interested, and Birkhill was a perfect choice as well. Please feel free to use us a reference.

Thank you again for a job which was truly well done!

Warmest Regards,
Michael & Betsy Goor

Pictures by Tony Marsh

Highland Country Weddings

Elope to the Highlands in April or May! SPECIAL OFFER

Occasionally we offer a fabulous wedding at well below normal cost. We can do this because a venue and/or suppliers that we regularly use come to us with 'last minute' rock bottom prices.

So, here's our April and May offer!

Choice of 3 fabulous locations in Scotland

Loch Maree - gorgeous loch in NW Scotland

Clava Cairns - Ancient stone circles near Inverness

Beauly Priory - 13th century priory in Beauly Village

Dates available: April 29th, 30th

May 6th, 7th 13th

Marry on the shores of one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland - Loch Maree - in the NW Highlands, Wester Ross. This is Scotland's 4th largest freshwater lochs (over 20km long) and off the 'beaten track', completely untouched and unspoilt. Loch Maree is surrounded by ancient Scotch pines, towering mountains and sandy beaches - there are few places that we can think of in Scotland that matches the serenity and beauty of this area. Close to quaint Highland villages where you may wish to 'schmooze' with the locals in their great pubs and ancient inns.

**Exclusive wedding ceremony on the shores of Loch Maree

**Minister to perform your personalized ceremony (Non Religious Celebrant additional)

**HCW Planner to attend and assist on day of your wedding

**Witnesses x 2 (should you requrie these)

**Elite Professional photographer* - all high resolution pictures on CD/Rom

**Piper to play the bagpipes at your ceremony

**Legal paperwork fee including marriage certificate and liason with local Registrar

**Complete coordination by HCW including assistance with all legal paperwork (in whichever country you reside)

Cost of £1,750 (+ tx)

*A word about photography - we know how important good photographs are and we would never recommend a mediocre 'off the shelf' photographer to save costs or otherwise. No! We will guarantee you one of Scotland's most 'in demand' professional wedding photographer - either Margaret McAtier Photography or Rapture Photography - Check out Margaret and Steve's cool contemporary winning photography at Magma Photography and at Rapture Photography

Other help - at no extra cost. Should you want extra help eg. on finding a great b+b close to this gorgeous loch, Highland Country Weddings will be happy to do this. We know this area well, we know the locals, the best pubs, the inns and b+bs as our head office is just around the corner! So, feel free to pick our brains on the best places to go!


Or, choose to marry here at Clava Cairns, near Inverness - prehistoric standing stone circles

Or, marry here at Beauly Priory - a 13th century ruin in the picturesque Highland town of Beauly

Call or e-mail Janis Maclean on 01667-493441 hcweddings@btinternet.com

And, if you are in the US/Canada, call or e-mail Natasha on 1-866-794-3675 weddings@hcweddings.com

Highland Country Weddings

Stirling is stunning!

Earl of Argyll's 'pied a terre'

A couple of weeks ago, we visited Stirling Castle and came upon this wonderful renaissance 17th century house, named "Argyll's Lodging" . This was the 'townhouse' of the Earl of Argyll who would travel from his other home in Argyll to entertain distinguished guests. Being just a stone's throw away from the great Stirling Castle, the Earl would throw lavish parties within the tapestry lined walls in now what expert architects consider to be the finest and most complete surviving 17th century townhouse in Scotland.

Our view directly looking down from Argyll's Lodging - over to the Wallace Monument and Stirling terraces in the foreground

We think this is a unique wedding venue - for smaller parties of between 5-40 people. With exclusive use, you can have the ceremony in one room, drinks in the courtyard, wedding banquet on a solid oak carved table, followed by music, dancing and merriment. You would truly feel that you have experienced a glimpse of how the upper echelon of Scottish society lived those many centuries ago.

And, just a stone's throw is the majestic entrance to Stirling Castle.

Highland Country Weddings

Video from Alastair Brown

This is a short video clip from Jennifer and Donald's wedding at Dalhousie Castle on December 20th. The video is by Alastair Brown and his team - we really like the way he captures the spirit of a wedding, transforming videography into a real art form. Check out others and you will see just how different they all are. www.abrown.eu

Glowing Castle Wedding

Stunning pictures from the wedding of Jennifer and Donald at Dalhousie Castle on December 20th.

Congratulations Jennifer and Donald!

Pictures by Tony Marsh

Highland Country Weddings

Wedding Ring - Owl

A really special thing is to have an owl swoop down to the groom with the wedding ring during the ceremony. Here's a picture of Bandit, the owl at Dalhousie Castle taken by Tony Marsh, wonderfully puffy and content after completing his task.

Picture by Tony Marsh

Higland Country Weddings

Winter celebrations at Eilean Donan Castle

Spencer and Louise travelled with immediate family from Bristol, up to the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle in Wester Ross, where they tied the knot on 14th January. It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining, albeit a little on the cold side! Spencer and Louise were married by Alan Smurthwaite of the Humanist Society for Scotland and photographs were taken by Steve Wilson of Rapture Photography. Many congratulations to you both!

Highland Country Weddings

Castle Campbell Wedding

Beautiful photogenic pictures from Leah and Kevin's wedding on September 8th at Castle Campbell

Here is our own Lesley Simpson performing the hand fasting part of the ceremony!

What an amazing picture of shoes!


Pictures by Rhiannon Connelly

Highland Country Weddings

December 31st at Urquhart Castle!

Dynamic pictures at Urquhart Castle with Sabrina and Jon from Stanwood, Washington!

Congratulations to Sabrina and Jon!

Pictures by Margaret McAtier

Highland Country Weddings

Scottish Castles for weddings

Janis and I have been traveling Scotland these past couple of weeks, visiting castles both on and off the beaten track. We do this periodically ao that we can both review and decide upon existing castles that we recommend (some change hands or have new managers, for better or worse) and also to check out 'new' castles that may not have previously been available for weddings. We feel that this is so important. A constant review of Scottish wedding venues with our list of criteria is essential for complete confidence.

With this latest trip, we are very excited to have discovered (and to be adding) a couple of select castles to our recommendations. These castles have retained their authenticity with original features, artwork, paintings, decor so that you really do feel that you are in a castle in its original state (with a few modern amenities such as electricity and bathrooms!) These are truly authentic and still lived in by the original descendants - castles even that have regular visits from present day royalty.

We can't wait to recommend these to you!

More pictures to follow shortly - back at our offices in the next few days - Glasgow ends our tour tomorrow!

Highland Country Weddings

Highland 18th Century Regal House Teams up with HCW for its First WEDDING FAYRE - January 27th!

Highland Country Weddings has teamed up with a premier wedding venue in the Highlands - Pomaily Country House - the stunning early 18th century regal estate, home to Bonnie Prince Charlie's family throughout the centuries. On the borders of Loch Ness (minutes from Urquhart Castle) and set in 20 acres of woodland gardens, this is one of the Highlands 'must-see-and-consider' wedding venues for 2008!

WE INVITE YOU TO AN OPEN DAY FOR WEDDINGS AT POLMAILY HOUSE

(under new management)

SUNDAY 27th JANUARY 2008

11AM – 4PM

We invite you to take a look around the hotel and grounds and consider Polmaily House as the wedding venue for you. Exclusive hire available, overnight accommodation also available in 14 bedrooms, crèche facilities, heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, facilities for a marquee for larger weddings, beautiful 20acre historic grounds for photographs.

We invite you to sample the hotel and grounds, as well as potential suppliers for your wedding day. Come and have a chat and see what Highland Country Weddings and Polmaily House can do for you.


FREE ENTRY

Welcome glass of bubbly for everyone
Food tasting

Exhibitors - photography, floristry, celebrants, vintage car, beauty treatments, jewelery, wedding cake and more....

We hope you will join us and look forward to meeting you on the day.

http://www.polmaily.co.uk/
http://www.highlandcountryweddings.co.uk/
Tel: 01667 493441
E/M Janis at hcweddings@btinternet.com

Happy New Year!

A very big thank you to all our 2007 brides and grooms. We've thoroughly enjoyed working with you to make your wedding day perfect and wish you every happiness in the coming years.
And for those of you planning to marry in 2008, we can hardly wait!
Happy 2008!

Team HCW - Janis, Natasha, Helen, Barbara, Lesley and Susan.

Highland Country Weddings

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May you have a happy, peaceful and merry festive holiday!

Best wishes, from all the team at Highland Country Weddings.

Polmaily House and Urquhart Castle

The Highlands of Scotland offers one of the most scenic and beautiful, as well as romantic, locations in Scotland to get married. The clear sparkling inland lochs, the towering mountains, lush, green and ever changing landscapes all contribute to the most picturesque locations in the Highlands. Add to this stately homes, ancient and historic castle and abbey ruins, perfectly preserved (and in some cases, still lived in) castles, luxurious hotels and you have the perfect recipe for romance!

Welcome to the Polmaily Hotel in Drumnadrochit, near Loch Ness. A romantic and family friendly hotel available for weddings all year round. Ideally suited to the smaller wedding party but equally available to the larger party, with a marquee. Why not get married at Urquhart Castle overlooking Loch Ness, then move on to the Polmaily Hotel, just ten minutes along the road, for your reception and party? With beautiful grounds, you will have perfect wedding photos, both here and at the castle. Ask us for further details and a quote for a wedding here. Watch out for further details of our wedding fayre which will take place at the Polmaily Hotel, complete with marquee, on Sunday 27th January 2008. A unique experience with lots of things to see and do! Please check our blog on a regular basis for updated details.

HUGE thanks must go to the following people for the excellent photos in this post:

Danielle Crichton and Ian MacLean

Polmaily Hotel

Top Class Wedding Cars

Margaret McAtier Photography

Rhiannon Connelly Photography

Amanda Call Wedding Flowers

Historic Scotland

Enjoy!
Highland Country Weddings

Cool Team!

Check out these gorgeous emotion filled pictures from Team Thomson! We love the aesthetic details in these pictures from Laura and Paul's wedding, November 11th.

Photographs by Team Thomson

Highland Country Weddings

Letter from America - 11th November wedding at Airth Castle, Scotland

"Hello, my wonderful wedding planners!!!

Thank you so much for everything--you came through beautifully. I was amazed at seeing our vision for the day unfold in front of us. The best part (besides marrying my best friend, of course) was how calm I was able to be. I knew every detail was taken care of, all I had to do was enjoy myself. As you know, I was swamped at work in the months before the wedding. There is no way I could have put together such a breathtaking day here, much less on another continent. And what a wonderful surprise it was to receive the box of bath goodies! Thank you so much for that unexpected treat.

As for vendors, we had a fabulous experience with all. I don't know if there were any problems, as you all insulated me so well, but the outcome was perfect. The cake was elegant and tasted as good as it looked. The flowers were abundant and beautiful (I don't know how they tasted). For all the bossiness of the Castle beforehand, once we arrived, they were amazingly accomodating and gracious. Though the drive was long, The Gathering had the exact ambiance we wanted for our rehearsal dinner. There was much venison & haggis consumed (although I can't imagine why), and supposedly it was wonderful, if you like that sort of thing! Our photographers made us feel so comfortable and worked unobtrusively--I can't wait to see the images.

Best of all, Lesley was as kind & in control as you've been all along, Natasha. Then of course Janis saved our marriage (legally, of course) with some good detective work and a swift dialing finger. You make a great team.

We've fallen in love with Scotland, and your planning had a lot to do with that. Clan McDuff has asked us to write an article for their newsletter. As you may remember, that's the newsletter where we first saw HCW. Though the piece will focus on our trip to the McDuff castle the day before the wedding, I'll try to work you guys in. I'll send you a copy when it comes out. I know we had you all scurrying with pastors, paperwork & pounds. You handled it with grace & efficiency.
Kudos!
Blessings,
Laura (& Paul)"

Congratulations Laura and Paul!

Picture by Laura's father - Kirkland Jones

Highland Country Weddings

Happy Thanksgiving!

Phew! Janis and I are taking a wee break. We happen to be both in the US this week - Janis in New York and myself in L.A. On this Thanksgiving day, we are all extremely thankful for a wonderful year planning weddings for couples from all over the world. We've been up mountains, by lochs, in beautiful medieval castles and country estates all over Scotland. Thank you for trusting us with the most important day in your lives!

Keep in contact in these next 3 days, as we are only a blackberry away! Helen is looking after the fort in Scotland in the meantime and in fact meeting tomorrow with a couple planning to marry in a castle in the New Year. And, talking of which - we have some absolutely amazingly wonderful plans for the New Year. New website, new business and expanded services all to make your Scottish wedding experience the best that you could ever have dreamed! Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, I hope you will take time to read the very latest testimonials - the greatest validation of all.

Thank you all so much!
Natasha

Ship Ahoy!

Karen and Ewan both work offshore in the oil industry and so they wanted to add a touch of their everyday lives to their big day. They decided upon a cake, made by Rainbow Sugarcraft, which was a replica (scaled down of course..!) of the sea vessel on which they both work. Finished off with cake toppers of Karen and Ewan, it certainly was the talking point of the day. Karen and Ewan chose the romantic setting of Tulloch Castle in Dingwall, where they got married, held a fantastic reception and stayed overnight. A great party was had by all. Congratulations to Mr & Mrs McConnachie from all at Highland Country Weddings!

Photographs by Highland Country Weddings and Graham Vaughan Photography

Medieval Castle wedding on the Borders - October 23rd Wedding

This 14th century medieval pink sandstone castle (Comlongon Castle), was the perfect setting for the wedding of Michelle and Matthew from Roseville, California. They married in the impressive Great Hall and then all spilled outside into the gorgeous gardens, for an incredible falconry display. Beautiful clear blue sunny weather for this delightful end of October wedding

Congratulations Michelle and Matthew!

Pictures by Jenniflower Weddings

Highland Country Weddings