Pete and Jo tied the knot on 15th June 2024 amid the wild splendour of the Cairngorms at Mar Lodge, and treated their guests to an activity-packed weekend
Pete and Jo
15th June 2024
Venue | Mar Lodge Estate, Aberdeenshire
Photographer | Pocket Square Photography
Over the 15 months of planning his wedding to Jo, Pete’s motto became ‘the details don’t really matter, so long as everyone has a brilliant time’. Amen to that! “We weren’t too precious,” recalls Jo. “We wanted it to feel like a massive group trip in a beautiful setting, with our closest friends and family in a place where we could relax and do the things we love such as run, bike, swim and party.” And what a setting…
Managed by the National Trust for Scotland, Mar Lodge Estate is Britain’s largest national nature reserve – a vast heather-clad wildlife wonderland in the heart of the Cairngorms – whose historic and atmospheric 19th-century sporting lodge is available for weddings.
There is self-catering and bunkhouse accommodation across the wider estate, which suited Pete and Jo’s plans to a tee. “We loved Mar Lodge’s relaxed style and the team’s flexibility, which enabled us to create a very personal wedding,” notes Jo.
"Our cheeks hurt for weeks after the wedding as we had laughed and smiled the entire time!”
Pete is a ranger who has worked alongside the estate team previously, so he had invaluable knowledge when it came to choosing pre- and post-wedding activities for the 60 guests who joined them for the full weekend. (“We had a further 40 join the ceilidh,” adds Jo.)
“Pete created a map of the estate showing lots of interesting things to do: great swim spots and running routes, as well as challenges such as finding the broadest pine tree. It was great seeing everyone forming into groups for activities on the morning of the wedding and the day after,” remembers Jo.
Beautiful autumnal Mar Lodge Estate wedding with handmade touches
The couple, who got engaged in March 2023 at the top of a Munro after Pete got down on one knee to propose, support nature conservation, so were keen to take an eco-friendly approach to wedding planning too. “We supported local businesses, avoided creating waste and tried to be as sustainable as possible,” says Jo.
Mar Lodge, with its antler-adorned Stag Ballroom already a sight to behold, needs little in the way of decoration, but all sorts of treasures can be found in a room filled with pre-loved wedding decor left by other couples who’ve married there. Jo and Pete tapped into this and recruited a florist who used locally grown flowers and foraged foliage.
The food was incredible – the ultimate in home-grown, local and sustainable fare: “Our friend shot two stags, Pete had them butchered at our local butchers, and chef Tim Maddams (who did our catering) cooked them: they fed the wedding party for the entire weekend – evening meals, nibbles, wedding breakfast (wood-fired venison kebabs), buffet – the lot!” explains Jo.
The morning of the wedding had gorgeous sunshine, meaning Pete and Jo could have the outdoor ceremony they’d hoped for. “Celebrant Felicity Gordon, aka Flick, created the most brilliant ceremony that captured us as a couple, and a perfectly timed downpour added such laughter and joy to the proceedings,” reminisces Jo.
Following drinks and dinner, the couple kicked off a foot-stomping evening of dancing to the Gay Gordons in the Stag Ballroom, before an afterparty in the Billiards Room that went on till 4.30am. “We have so many incredible memories."
Venue Mar Lodge Estate, Aberdeenshire
Photography Pocket Square Photography
Celebrant Felicity Gordon, Thistle Ceremonies
Wedding dress Catherine Deane top and skirt
Hair Jelena Bridal Hair
Makeup Kay V Makeup Artist
Groomswear Brook Taverner
Rings The Third Aye
Catering Tim Maddams
Butcher Balliefurth Farm Shop
Cake Groom’s mum
Flowers Coo Hill Studio
Favours Home-grown house plants
Additional venue decor and furniture hire Gordons Cater Hire
Ceilidh band The Jiggers
