Italy-based grooms marry at dream venue Cambo Estate in Fife

Brunno Silva and Nigel Wilson

19th August 2023

Venue | Cambo Estate, Fife
Photography | Photos by Zöe

Having fallen in love with Cambo Estate on a short break there some years ago, Brunno Silva and Nigel Wilson knew this was the only place they could imagine saying ‘I do’. The couple, who live in Italy, invited 85 guests from all over the world, plus their cute pup Vita, to join the celebrations in Scotland on 19th August last year.

What’s that old saying – when you know, you know? Well, not only did Brunno and Nigel feel that way about each other, they also had that same feeling about Cambo Estate. After spending a weekend there a while back, the pair realised this had to be where they would say ‘I do’ – even though they’re based in Italy and just two of the 85 people they planned to invite actually live in Scotland.

“We always knew we’d have a weekend wedding, and we considered different cities and places for it,” Brunno says. “We wanted somewhere that was relaxed and inviting, yet still felt important. We wanted our guests to feel at home from the moment they arrived, a place that had different areas to hang out in, where they could get to know one another. We also wanted to offer different moods across the weekend.”

That’s exactly what they got at Cambo Estate. It has a wealth of stunning spaces, such as the Library in Cambo House; a woodland escape festooned with fairylights; and the Coach Yard, which is the ultimate party space to dance the night away.

The couple might live in Italy, but Scotland has a special place in their hearts, so booking their big day in this bonnie country probably didn’t come as much of a surprise to their guests (who hailed from the USA, Kenya and everywhere in between).

“We always loved Scotland (Nigel went to university in St Andrews), and we knew we’d be back again and again,” says Brunno. “In a way, we wanted to get married ‘away’ from home, but at the same time in a place that we see as our souls’ home – and St Andrews is exactly that. It was after we’d spent those two days at Cambo that we knew this was our place; all the other ideas quickly faded away.”

Planning their wedding from Italy meant they needed to lean on the venue staff – and they really did get support. “All I had to do was pay the invoices and write my vows!” jokes Brunno. “Joanne and Lauren from Cambo did everything and more,” he says.

“They managed to coordinate the entire weekend with a mastery that was exemplary. We could see how much they care, and we love them for it. If our wedding was memorable, it is thanks to all the hard work they put into it. Joanne and Lauren looked after all the things we saw (and all the things we didn’t see) to build the most special and happy day of our lives.”

The couple wanted to keep things simple so that Cambo itself was celebrated. “For example, we didn’t have flowers in the Library for the ceremony, just chairs for our guests,” recalls Brunno. “It is such a stunning room as it is, and we wanted to show that. Then we had an easy move from the ceremony to the drinks reception in the front garden.”

He and Nigel worked with The Pantry Events to create a menu that celebrated local ingredients and recipes. “Our brief was very straightforward: simple and delicious!” says Brunno. “We did a meal package for each guest, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner during the whole stay. Basically, all the food was in one package, and the drinks we sourced ourselves – living in Italy has its pros,” he laughs.

The couple wanted to give their guests a meaningful keepsake, something more than the typical wedding favour, to remind them of this love-filled Scottish escape: “We decided give everyone a copy of our favourite book, Immortality by Milan Kundera. We were unsure about handing these over to the guests on the last morning before they departed. We eventually decided to give them it on the first night, during the first meal; this was definitely the right thing to do, as it became a token of our love for them – it wasn’t only about celebrating our love as a couple. We liked the idea of this quiet book sitting on their bookshelf and reminding them of our wedding, a joyful secret."

Venue Cambo Estate
Photographer Photos by Zöe
Shoes and accessories Prada
Celebrant Annabel Moresome (personal friend, not a legal ceremony)
Cake Sandra’s Cakes – St. Andrews
Catering (Welcome dinner and all Wedding Day food) The Pantry
Flowers Cambo Gardens
Stationery Love Beth
Favours Toppings & Company Booksellers
Venue décor All Wrapped Up, 88 Events and Cambo Gardens provided decor, Cambo House (Lauren and Joanne) dressed everything
Ceremony and drinks reception music Couple’s playlist
Reception music The Anti Wedding Wedding DJs
Other entertainment The karaoke party on Sunday night!
Hair Studio One Hairdressing
Makeup Pretty You
Beard tidy and shave Barney's Barber Shop
Drinks reception food The Oysterman
Piper St Andrews Piper
Hangover brunch Spitting Pig
Sunday dinner Crail Fish Bar