We met at school when we were just 14. There’s still a bit of debate about who spoke first but we had a few classes together, and it wasn’t long before we were inseparable.

Cameron proposed in July 2023 during a surprise trip to an Airbnb near my favourite castle, Eilean Donan. He set the scene perfectly with pizza, a playlist, a bottle of wine and the cutest touch of all: a new tag on our dog’s collar that read, ‘Will you marry my daddy?’ How could I possibly say no

The ring was a complete surprise. He picked out a three-stone design from H. Samuel to represent our past, present and future. It felt perfect, especially since we’ve always signed our cards to each other Then, Now and Always.

We gave ourselves just over a year to plan the wedding. Not too long to wait, but enough time to actually pull it all together without losing our minds. Luckily, the whole process was surprisingly stress-free. I’m a teacher, so organisation is basically in my DNA, and Cameron is spreadsheet-obsessed. So, between the two of us, we had everything under control.

The first big decision was the venue. We knew we wanted exclusive use so the day would feel completely ours, and Raemoir House ticked every box. It had beautiful accommodation, in-house catering and, most importantly, a stunning woodland setting that made all our nature-loving dreams come true.

Cameron’s an amateur wildlife photographer, I’m a biology teacher and we both love being outside, so getting married in the woods felt like the perfect fit. We also wanted the day to be relaxed and personal, so a humanist ceremony made total sense.

Dress shopping was an absolute dream. I had a rough idea of what I wanted but was open-minded,and it turns out I only needed to visit one shop! The second I tried on the dress, I knew it was made for me. It was an ivory ballgown with lace and beading on the bodice, finishing in a long train with lace flowers… And the best part? It had pockets!

Cameron already knew he wanted a Modern Douglas kilt from Slaters, and he paired it with a black waistcoat, a jacket and a teal tie to match our colour scheme. His accessories were all sentimental - his tartan watch, a Barclay clan Sgian Dubh, and a hip flask I gifted him.

The night before the wedding we stayed at Raemoir with our closest family and wedding party. We had a meal, played games and soaked up that ‘this is actually happening’ feeling!

The ceremony was everything we’d hoped for and more. We were so lucky to have a warm, sunny October day and standing there in the woodland, surrounded by all our favourite people, felt like something out of a fairytale. We lit a candle in memory of loved ones, tied a knot using fabric from my dress and Cameron’s kilt, and shared a first drink from the quaich as a nod to our Scottish heritage. The Aurora Quartet played throughout, making everything feel even more magical.

After the ceremony, the quartet continued playing inside while we enjoyed a grazing table, then it was time for photos before heading in for dinner. We opted for two courses and the speeches were kept short and sweet - although Cameron did write his last minute while we waited to go into the dining room, which is very on-brand for him.

Our first dance was to Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran (the first song we ever slow danced to) before our DJ took over and kept the dance floor packed all night. One of the best things we did was ask guests to submit song requests when they RSVP’d, so the playlist was full of songs everyone actually wanted to dance to.

Looking back, the whole day was honestly a dream come true. The absolute highlight had to be the outdoor ceremony. There was something so magical about standing in the woods exchanging vows and knowing that this was the start of forever.

Our advice to couples planning their wedding? Book your dream suppliers early, don’t be afraid to do what you want and make the most of technology as it makes everything so much easier

Claire's Little White Book

Bridal outfit: Carringtons Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids' outfits: Carringtons Bridal Boutique
Cake: Dimbim Specialty Cakes
Décor: Artemisia Floral Art, Confetti Bee
DJ: Elite Promotions
Flowers: Artemisia Floral Art
Groom's Outfit: Slaters Menswear
Hair: Hair by Erin at Platform One
Humanist: Caron Harper of Independent Humanist Ceremonies
Make-up: RR Make Up
Musicians: Aurora Quartet
Photographer: Jennifer Riddell Photography
Ring: Chisholm Hunter
Stationery: Dotty About Paper
Venue: Raemoir House