Following a fun Vegas ceremony, back in Scotland Emma and Michael loved the fact that Ardoe House made their wedding celebrations completely stress-free
Following a fun-filled ceremony in Las Vegas – with a pale-blue Cadillac and striking pink decor which was snapped by Scottish photographer Susie Olzen – this couple celebrated with friends and family back home in Aberdeen.
Their special day – which took place at Ardoe House Hotel & Spa in Aberdeen – was captured by Apricot Tree Photography, and bride Emma donned two dresses, one from Ivory Grace and the other purchased from The Bridal Courtyard.
Read on to discover how Emma and Michael planned their dream wedding...
Michael and Emma, now Mr and Mrs McTavish
31st December 2024
Venue | Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, Aberdeen
Photography | Apricot Tree Photography (Aberdeen) and Susie Olzen Photography (Las Vegas)
“A few years ago Michael and I had joked about getting married in Las Vegas because it would save us any hassle,” says Emma.
“But once we got engaged, we did actually start looking at venues in Scotland, particularly blank-canvas ones. We found a place we liked enough to book, even though it required a lot of DIY. But once we started contacting various suppliers, we found the price was going up and up.
"It wasn’t long before we said to each other, ‘Let’s just go for it and book Vegas.’
“We knew we still wanted a Scottish party, though – and when better than New Year’s Eve? We were very lucky to find that Ardoe House was available.”
Planning a Las Vegas wedding from Scotland
Emma enlisted the help of Siello Weddings & Events to plan their Las Vegas ceremony – boasting a pale-blue Cadillac, striking pink decor and an iconic backdrop – and asked Scottish photographer Susie Olzen to fly out with them.
“We said our legal vows on 15th October at Sure Thing Chapel (after collecting our marriage certificate from the licence bureau the night before) and then arranged a party bus to take our 13 guests out to the desert.
"Food and drink trucks were set up as we watched the sun go down over the Strip and then we danced the night away.”
Check out this Edinburgh wedding reception photographed by Susie Olzen
Finding a Scottish wedding reception venue
And the party didn’t stop there: just two months later, the new Mr and Mrs McTavish invited 95 friends and family members to join them to end the year with a bang.
The location was a place that is close to their hearts.
“Michael and I grew up in Aberdeen and have moved back, and most of our friends and family live there too. But we also had guests making the journey all the way from Australia and Dubai, so finding a venue with accommodation was a must, especially since it was Hogmanay.
Weddings at Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen
It wasn’t long before the couple stumbled upon Ardoe House Hotel and immediately fell in love with the 19th-century baronial mansion.
Learn more about Ardoe House Hotel in the Aberdeenshire countryside
“When we made our way into the grounds, it was a bit of a showstopping moment. We knew our guests would be blown away when they saw it too.
“We wanted everything to take place under one roof and for us not to have too much to do, and both of these things were possible here. We were also impressed by Ardoe’s package options.”
With the hotel’s helpful and cheery team always on hand, it was time for Emma and Michael to celebrate a second time.
The couple brought Vegas vibes to Scotland, decorating Ardoe House in pink and orange and disco balls, which all complemented the venue’s striking turrets, mosaic flooring and stained-glass windows.
This summer wedding at Ardoe House Hotel combined German and Scottish traditions
“We organised a piper to be playing as our guests arrived at 4pm and then we all walked together to our drinks reception, which lasted around 30 minutes,” says Emma.
“I wore a long wedding dress at the beginning and then slipped into my shorter one, which I’d worn in Vegas, for the evening.”
Catering at Ardoe House Hotel for a wedding
Guests sat down to a meal, with two options for each course including haggis and beef, to fuel them for the party ahead.
Before the speeches, though, there was a wonderful surprise: “We played our Vegas wedding video on a projector, which was really lovely. No one had seen it yet and it allowed everyone to feel a part of that wedding too. I think this moment was the highlight of the day.”
“We had two music bookings – Tony on the Strings, who was amazing, before the party, and then our DJ, who kept everyone on the dancefloor until 2am.”
Search for your own wedding suppliers on Tie the Knot Scotland's online directory
Wedding fireworks in Scotland
The couple had one last surprise up their sleeve: a dazzling fireworks show.
“They were organised by Ardoe House and they were just incredible,” smiles Emma.
Not a bad way to welcome 2025 – and to do it as husband and wife!
Supplier list
Reception venue, catering and fireworks Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, Aberdeen
Aberdeen photography Apricot Tree Photography
Vegas photography Susie Olzen Photography
Vegas ceremony filmmaker CJ Forever Club
Short wedding dress Watters from Ivory Grace
Long wedding dress Sarah Seven from The Bridal Courtyard
Shoes and bag Loeffler Randall
Bridesmaid dresses Six Stories
Groom’s kilt Handmade by a family friend
Groomswear McCalls Highlandwear
Flowers Blooming Good Flowers
Venue decor Thoughts and Crosses, with additional supplied by the couple
Hair Sophie at Findlays Hair Studio
Makeup Caitlin Ewen Makeup
Piper Callum Lamont
Drinks reception music Tony on the Strings
DJ All Night Passion
Vegas wedding planner Siello Weddings & Events
Vegas officiant Sure Thing Chapel
Vegas catering Irresistible Events
Vegas party bus Cactus Transportation
Vegas transport Liberace Garage
