Getting Invited to a Castle Wedding in Scotland
The other day, I attended a friend’s wedding. But not just any wedding—it was a castle wedding in Scotland, held at Drumtochty Castle, a breathtaking 19th-century Scottish castle nestled deep in nature. Located about a 40-minute drive from Aberdeen, this stunning castle felt like something straight out of a movie. All you could hear were birds chirping. For four days, the entire place was booked out just for the wedding—it truly felt like a dream.
This was actually my first time attending a wedding abroad, and the fact that it was in a castle made it feel even more surreal! The bride is French, the groom is Scottish, and they currently live in Luxembourg. A lot of the guests were French, and the whole ceremony was done in both English and French with a translator.
European Wedding Culture: What to Expect Before the Big Day
The first thing I received was a “Save the Date” via email. It wasn’t the official invitation or RSVP—just a message saying, “Keep these days free!” I got it in April, more than a year before the actual wedding. The ceremony was on May 13th, but the invite said, “Keep May 12th to 15th open.”
At first, I was like, “Wait, is this a four-day wedding?” I was a bit confused, but in the end it turned out to be a super relaxed time over three days of eating, drinking, chatting, and just enjoying our time together at the castle.
I stayed for two nights—the night before and the wedding night. Some guests stayed just one night, others for three. A few people stayed off-site, but there weren’t really any hotels nearby. The bride actually recommended staying at the castle, and I mean… when else would I get to sleep in a castle? So I said yes without hesitation.
Guests from All Over Europe
Guests came from Scotland, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands… all over Europe. The castle wasn’t exactly walking distance from the station either, so getting there was a bit of a mission.
Since I was attending alone, the bride kindly introduced me to another guest in advance. We booked the same flight from London and met at the airport, then shared a taxi to the castle. There were a few other solo guests too, and thanks to those little connections, I felt welcomed straight away and ended up having a great time.
The Night Before: BBQ & Free Flow Drinks Outdoors
After checking into the castle the night before, we had dinner outside (£15) with a buffet of pulled pork burgers. And of course—open bar!
My room was a cute little single with a cosy bed. Each room had its own vibe and charm. Bathrooms were shared between a few rooms.
Even though it got pretty chilly at night (Scottish springtime…), everyone was still outside enjoying drinks. Eventually someone brought out a bottle of rum, and then came the drinking games… I remember thinking, “Umm, the wedding is tomorrow, guys??” But the party didn’t stop until late into the night.
The Wedding Day: A Proper Scottish Celebration
We were lucky with the weather—sunny skies the whole time! Not a single gloomy cloud.
The ceremony started at 1pm, but the morning was super relaxed. Everyone took their time, chatting over drinks and soaking in the nature.
The bridesmaids and page boy walked in first, then the bride entered last. That little difference in flow was fun to see.
A lot of the men wore traditional kilts, and I have to say, they looked pretty adorable (in the best way!). It really suited them and gave everything a proper Scottish vibe.
During the ceremony, the bride and groom drank wine and then took a shot together, which caught me by surprise. I’d never seen that before, but I loved it!
Afterwards, we had about three hours of free time to mingle outside with drinks and canapés while the bride and groom went off for their photoshoot. That slow-paced atmosphere was so lovely.
Wedding Dinner: Delicious Local Cuisine and Heartfelt Speeches
At 5pm, we all sat down for dinner. It was round-table style, similar to weddings in Japan, but one thing that stood out was how the couple sat at the same table as the guests. That felt really special.
The starter was salmon, followed by roast venison. I honestly thought it was beef at first, but the person next to me said, “It’s deer!” It was delicious.
After the cake-cutting, we moved to another room to enjoy the cake along with some cheese and crackers. Unlike Japanese weddings, there was no first bite moment during the cake-cutting—instead, the couple just kissed. It was sweet in a different way.
Dance Party Like in the Movies
At 8:30pm, it was game and dance time! The same room transformed into a dance hall, complete with a mirror ball. The couple’s first dance under that glittering light—it seriously felt like a scene from a film.
Then came the group dancing, a DJ set, and even some hilarious games like “bring your ID” or “find a cup noodle,” sending people running around the castle in laughter.
They even did a couple game using Scottish and French flags. The whole night was full of joy and giggles.
The dancing officially ended at midnight, but people kept going. Some French guests danced until past 5am! One girl even took her shoes off and danced barefoot—so cute.
Reflections: Why I Fell in Love with European Weddings
This European-style wedding was so different from Japanese ones—but I absolutely loved it. The relaxed pace and the way everyone just enjoyed the time together was beautiful. The dance party was definitely a highlight for me.
And of course, staying in that magical castle… Waking up to the sound of birds, walking by the lake in the morning—it all felt like living in a fairytale.
To be honest, I was a bit nervous before going, especially since I was attending alone. But that worry disappeared immediately. I met so many amazing people, had so much fun, and the whole experience felt truly precious.
There were sweet reunions too—like bumping into someone I hadn’t seen in over 10 years, finding old photos, and hanging out again in Stonehaven and Edinburgh after the wedding. Every moment was special and unforgettable.
When I got back to Bristol, even the airport air felt a bit warmer and happier. That’s how much love and joy I brought back with me.
I’m so grateful to the couple for inviting me—and to everyone who made those five days so magical.
