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Melody of Love

enjoy!

The sun peeking past the clouds, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees & love in the air. Beautiful, isn’t it? That scene painted the backdrop to the most special day in Bethany Reid & Luke Radford’s lives - their wedding at Maryculter House

Luke and I crossed paths in college back in 2014, music being the shared thread that connected us – he played the saxophone and I sang. What started as friendship blossomed into something deeper by 2017 then in 2021, on a magical Christmas day, Luke took my breath away by proposing with a song he'd written just for me! It was called Marry Me.

The planning process was a whirlwind, but a beautiful one. We gave ourselves just under two years to organise everything as we wanted to cherish every moment and ensure our loved ones could join us. Maryculter House Hotel felt like fate when we stumbled upon it. It was cosy inside with an outdoor space that was perfect for our nature-loving families. It really was like a dream come true.

We went for a wooden rustic vibe with lots of foliage, and touches of green and gold. Illumin8 and Without a Hitch turned our vision into reality, blending everything seamlessly with the venue. And the weather on the day somehow made it all the more magical – it felt like nature was celebrating with us.

Angel Silk WeddingsArmed with a Pinterest board full of inspo I had a clear image of what I wanted my dress to look like and I found ‘The One’ after trying just four! It had a deep plunge and was a strappy gown with a flowing train adorned with delicate embroidery. It paired perfectly with my ivory leather platform Converse, which were both practical and perfect. The girls at Midnight Elegance were absolutely amazing. They made my family and I feel so at ease and with just a few questions they were able to help me find the dress of my dreams.

Luke wore a kilt passed down from his grandpa in the Murray tartan. He looked dashing and the accessories (like the plaid made by his grandma's friend Moira and a 300-year-old pocket watch passed down through the generations) added sentimental touches that made it even more special.

The ceremony, which took place outside and was officiated by Gary Smith, was a beautiful reflection of our journey. We were surrounded by family and friends, sipped from the quaich then had a handfasting ceremony with a blend of our tartans – a memory we now proudly display at home.

After the ceremony there was lots of laughter, hugs and canapés before we excused ourselves to get some stunning snapshots with our wonderful photographer. Then it was time to eat. The meal was exceptional and the speeches, especially Luke's, left everyone feeling moved. After dinner we took to the floor for our first dance to She's the One by Robbie Williams, surrounded by our loved ones. It was like a moment frozen in time; one we’ll cherish forever.

The Elaine Stewart Band had everyone on their feet, dancing the night away. The celebrations felt warm and fuzzy, the room was filled with love and we couldn’t have been happier. We were so grateful to the team at Maryculter House Hotel for making it so special, especially Kelsey who was the guardian angel in our wedding journey.

Our advice to couples organising their big day would be this to take your time, make it your own and steal moments with your partner amidst the hustle and bustle of the planning process.

Our mini-moon in Tenerife, gifted by our families, was the perfect way to unwind after the celebrations. A week in the sun, soaking in the joy of being newlyweds. Bliss