Kari and Stuart’s story began with a Tinder match in 2022, before Stuart surprised Kari by proposing in their living room with a three-carat solitaire diamond.

The couple gave themselves 18 months to plan, allowing them to secure the suppliers they really wanted. Finding the venue, however, was easy.

“We visited Netherdale on a cold, sunny February day and just fell in love,” says Kari. It was the first venue they viewed and they were so certain they'd found ‘the one’ that they cancelled their remaining appointments.

Kari initially imagined a festival-style celebration, but practicalities led them in a different direction. What remained was her love of colour, with pink, orange and yellow creating a wonderfully summery palette.

“I love bright colours and dopamine décor,” says Kari, who designed the menus, welcome sign, coasters, place names and invitations herself. Hanging lanterns, bright tapered candles, flowers in bud vases and neutral table runners completed the look.

Colour continued through to Kari's five bridesmaids: sister Sara, niece Grace and friends Amanda, Madeleine and April, who travelled from the Lake District, London and Sydney. Rather than matching dresses, they were given the colour palette and freedom to choose their own outfits, resulting in a fabulous mix of styles and fabrics across two pinks, two yellows and orange.

“I didn't want them uniform. I wanted them to be comfortable and feel good.” For her own look, Kari eventually found her dress at Heritage Bridal after initially struggling to find the minimalist style she'd imagined. Her 1920s-inspired satin gown featured a Bardot neckline and removable overskirt, complete with a very useful hidden pocket! A cathedral veil, borrowed diamond earrings and simple kitten heels completed the look.

On the morning of the wedding, Stuart and his family surprised her with a diamond tennis bracelet. Stuart chose brown jackets from McCalls Highlandwear, teamed with burnt-orange ties and pocket squares. Their American groomsman Antoine embraced his first Scottish wedding enthusiastically, referring to his sporran as a ‘furry purse’.

There was another important member of the line-up too. Waverley, the couple's dog, became the fifth groomsman, looking suitably smart in a personalised tuxedo scarf and matching burnt-orange bow tie.

With 24 guests staying at Netherdale from Friday to Sunday, the wedding became a two-day celebration, beginning with food, hot-tub beers and plenty of excitement the night before.

By 5 a.m. on the wedding morning, Kari was already wide awake. “It was like Christmas morning times a thousand”

Their celebrant-led ceremony was created to reflect them as a couple and included a reading from Kari's sister and the pinning of Robertson tartan to welcome Kari into the clan. The most emotional moment for Kari came when she walked down the aisle with her grandpa.

Afterwards, guests enjoyed canapés and live music outside before sharing charcuterie boards, barbecue food and a huge ‘JUST MARRIED’ tiramisu. The speeches provided plenty of entertainment too. Kari's grandpa spoke in such broad Doric that some of their non Northeast guests wondered whether the wedding film might come with subtitles!

Kari and Stuart chose Jordan Davis' Buy Dirt for their first dance, a song that brought back memories of listening to country music together during the early days of their relationship, before DJ Calvin Haggis kept everyone dancing into the night.

Even the bouquet toss delivered one final memorable moment when Kari's cousin caught it one-handed while holding two beers in the other!

Kari describes the celebrations as filled with “so much love and laughter and new connections”, and has some simple advice for other couples planning their own day.

“Don't stress the details. People won't remember the colour of a ribbon or what your hair was like. They'll remember how they felt, and so will you.”

Kari's Little White Book

Band: Ross Dillon

Bridal accessories: Richard Designs

Bridal outfit: Heritage Bridal

Cake: Patisserie Valerie

DJ: Calvin Haggis

Dress alterations: Sandra’s Alterations

Favours: Traceys Tasties Aberdeen

Flowers: Bliss Flowers Turriff

Food: Thistle Catering

Grooms/men outfit: McCalls Highlandwear

Hair: Emily Thomson

Make-up: Gosia Weiss

Photographer: By Rhea

Rings: Goldsmiths

Transport: RS Coaches

Venue: Netherdale House

Videographer: Gregor Philip