Scouting for Love

In the picturesque setting of Maryculter House, overlooking a serene river, Courtney Pope and Ryan Johnstone exchanged vows, surrounded by rustic charm and a colour palette drenched in deep burgundy hues. Here, the bride tells all about the most exciting

In the picturesque setting of Maryculter House, overlooking a serene river, Courtney Pope and Ryan Johnstone exchanged vows, surrounded by rustic charm and a colour palette drenched in deep burgundy hues. Here, the bride tells all about the most exciting day of her life…

“Ryan and I crossed paths many moons ago at Scouts. Fast forward several years and he decided to pop the question on our doorstep, leaving me teary-eyed and thrilled. He surprised me with an engagement ring from Beaverbrooks, a stunning choice he’d handpicked all by himself.

Planning took us about two years (we wanted to escape any lingering lockdown restrictions) and I took the reins. One of the top priorities was making sure our furry companions Layla and Molly were part of our celebration!

Choosing Maryculter House was a decision made straight from the heart. The riverside setting is picturesque and holds sentimental value for us – a place we can revisit to relive our beautiful memories. Our vision was a relaxed, family-centric celebration, accentuated with DIY rustic décor - handcrafted by the Ryan's father - and a dominant burgundy theme. Even our car was in sync with the colour scheme!

Shopping for my bridal outfit was nerve-wracking but stumbling upon ‘The One’ at a sample sale was an absolute delight. The gown made me feel like a queen so I knew it had to come home with me then and there! I complimented it with sentimental accessories like a necklace Ryan had gifted me anda bracelet from my mum.. Alterations were a must, being a petite 5'2" lass who’d planned to wear Converse beneath my dress!

The evening before we enjoyed a wonderful meal as a family at Maryculter and the wedding morning was a mix of emotions. Ryan, ever the early bird, had been up crafting his speech since 4am while I savoured the quiet before the beautiful chaos of the day.

Our ceremony, officiated by a registrar, was simple yet profoundly meaningful. Afterwards we enjoyed drinks, canapés and wonderful entertainment, including a talented caricaturist and a delightful piper.

The evening celebrations were a whirlwind of laughter, heartfelt speeches and our first dance to You & Me by Lifehouse, a song that resonated deeply with us.

Following our blissful day, we escaped to a lodge in Pitlochry for a week, revelling in the beauty and the tranquillity with our furry faves.