Real Wedding: Sam and Allan, August 2023

19 Sep Real Wedding: Sam and Allan, August 2023

Sam and Allan gathered their closest friends and family at Dundas Castle to celebrate their marriage. It was a beautiful celebration of Chinese and Scottish cultures, incorporating several traditions into the day.

Once the wedding party were all ready, the bridesmaids began the Chinese Gatecrashing Games. These challenges test the groom’s sincerity and love before being allowed to marry the bride, including fun games such as eating hot chilli, waxing the groomsmen’s legs, drinking shots through super long straws and more. After they have completed all the challenges, they get to see the bride for the first time, dressed in a beautiful red Chinese gown.

Continuing tradition, the bride and groom perform a tea ceremony with their parents. This symbolises the unity of the two families and is a way of showing respect to their elders. A selection of decadent light lunch items were served as guests gathered in anticipation of the wedding.

Sam and Allan chose to be married in front of the Dundas, with the Castle as a dramatic backdrop. The aisle was dressed with soft pink flowers and pampas grass, perfect for a summer wedding. They chose to have a Scottish handfasting as part of the ceremony, where two pieces of cloth representing the bride and groom are tied together to symbolise the binding of their lives together.

Following the ceremony, the wedding party joined a drinks reception where the piper performed an address to the haggis, another Scottish tradition which allowed guests to try this delicacy. Sam and Allan then had time alone for this special occasion to sink in and capture some beautiful memories of the day.

Speeches commenced in the Pavilion, followed by a wonderful three-course dinner. The bride and groom then cut their cake, which Sam beautifully decorated. After the meal, the band performed a mix of pop music and traditional ceilidh, allowing guests to try their hand at some Scottish dancing.