Castles & Stately Homes

Castles Exclusively Yours

The northeast is famous for castles and stately homes that make the perfect venue for a fairy-tale wedding. But with so much choice it’s hard to know where to start...

www.ballogie-estate.co.uk

Hiring a castle or stately home for your wedding is a great way to ensure exclusivity for you and your guests. Chances are you’ll be the only people there on the day (so ultra-safe!) and you’ll certainly have more flexibility choosing suppliers. These venues offer a beautiful backdrop that you can really make your own.

Be Distinctive, Be Yourself...

Ballogie House, Aboyne, Royal Deeside AB34 5DT Tel:013398 86497 I Email: weddings@ballogie-estate.co.uk www.ballogie-estate.co.uk The Lockdown Issue ❦ www.grampianweddingdirectory.co.uk

Do your research: There are hundreds of options in the northeast, especially hidden gems, so do your digging. You may have a picture in mind of what you want your wedding to look like so check with different venues on what you’ll be able to achieve within their space.

Look into non-Covid-19 restrictions: Being consumed with the pandemic, you can be forgiven for forgetting the ‘normal’ wedding planning checklists. So, remember these historic buildings often come with a rule or two.

Share your décor plans with the wedding manager so you know what will be possible. Are there restrictions on flash photography? And what about heels? You don’t want to ruin the manicured grass or antique flooring! Ask if there are specific suppliers you need to use, or extras you’ll have to hire in – tables, chairs and tableware, for example.

www.aboynephotographics.com

Do your maths: Talking of suppliers, remember they’ll be included in your 20 people limit at a venue like this. Decide what and who you want to prioritise (suppliers and guests!) then talk to your favourite venues to make sure they can work with that - even though weddings are smaller, there still needs to be enough space for social distancing.

www.byrhea.co.uk

Check out new options

Whilst you’ve been adapting your wedding plans due to the restrictions, so have venues – you might just luck out with a unique new offering!

Logie Country House has dreamed up a fairy-tale wedding package for up to 20 people with the ceremony in their dreamy dining room and drinks in the intimate drawing room afterwards.

House of Elrick and its stunning landscape could be the perfect place to escape to for your intimate wedding. Exchange vows in the private house or lovely garden then enjoy a gin tasting straight from their on-site distillery.

TURN YOUR WEDDING DAY INTO A 2-3 DAY CELEBRATION!

Logie Country House. Multi-Award Winning, Best Exclusive Use Wedding Venue in the North East of Scotland. The 1680s house, set on estate lands dating back to 1492 can host intimate weddings in the dining room or larger weddings for up to 160 day guests the beautiful ballroom. The entire house, sleeping 42, with indoor pool, grand reception rooms, courtyards, hot tubs and a private island is exclusively yours for up to three days and nights. Make your wedding celebrations last, surrounded by all those you hold dearest.

©James Kelly www.LogieCountryHouse.co.uk 08450 942424 I weddings@logiecountryhouse.co.uk f facebook.com/LogieCountryHouse I Logie Country House Pitcaple Inverurie AB51 5EE

The National Trust for Scotland has also created some amazing packages, perfect for a lockdown wedding. Elope as a couple in one of their unique settings and follow up with a romantic picnic. Or pick one of their dreamy micro-wedding locations where they promise to give you a day you’ll always remember.

All local venues know how much your big day means to you and they’ll be working hard to follow regulations while making your dreams come true. ♥ www.houseofelrick.co.uk

Raemoir House is an exclusive use private hire Country House and Estate. It is an indulgent Scottish hideaway, magnificent in stature and the perfect venue for you to create your dream wedding in “your house”. Raemoir has so many unique spaces for you to hold your ceremony both inside and out, you will be truly spoilt for choice, our magnificent woodland cathedral, top of the Hill o’Fare, the south facing extensive front lawn, the Oval Ballroom, Marquee or for a more intimate feel our Garden Room. For the duration of your celebrations the house is provided fully staffed and catered so there are no additional costs for caterers, bar providers or for accommodation, as all of our 18 ensuite rooms, which sleep 34 guests, are included as part of the package. So mum does not need to cook the breakfast allowing the whole family to relax. The House has the flexibility to accommodate larger numbers if required.

Banchory, Aberdeenshire AB31 4ED I 01330 824884 I house@raemoir.com www.raemoir.com