Blending cultures and clans at Drum Castle
When Carolyn and Josh first started planning their wedding, they knew they wanted their guests to have an amazing time and to blend their Scottish and Indian cultures in a way that felt true to them. With two ceremonies, a vintage-inspired marquee, and a ceilidh that had everyone on their feet, their wedding was everything they dreamed of and more!
They gave themselves two years to plan. Indian weddings are known for being grand, and they knew theirs would have a lot of moving parts.
From stationery designed by Carolyn herself to sourcing beautiful ceramics from Jaipur for their décor, the couple loved adding personal touches that made their day feel even more unique.
Choosing Drum Castle felt like fate. Carolyn’s father is the Chief of the Irvine clan, and Drum Castle holds a special place in my family’s history; her grandfather even grew up there! So, it was the perfect setting for their Scottish ceremony, while the beautiful marquee provided more space for their Indian wedding and reception. The mix of history and personal significance made it the ideal place to celebrate both their heritages.
The celebrations began the night before with a mehendi evening at Crathes Village Hall, where their friends gathered to enjoy pizza, play games, and spend some relaxed time together. Meanwhile, Josh hosted a welcome event at Maryculter House with his side of the wedding party.
The next morning, the bridal party were up bright and early for their Hindu wedding. The sun shone as they circled the fire, exchanged garlands, and completed the many beautiful rituals that are part of a Hare Krishna wedding. Their guests wore shades of pink, a vibrant touch that made the day feel even more joyful.
Later that afternoon, the guests explored Drum Castle before returning for the evening ceilidh. Guests were greeted with drinks before being piped in by the Gordon Highlanders Pipe Band.
Their décor combined vintage elegance with Jaipur-inspired touches. The marquee was draped in creamy fabric, featuring blue and white table settings, styled beautifully by Alan Ritchie Exhibition & Design, Virginia’s Vintage Hire, and StyleinDetail.
The couple kept things simple for the Scottish ceremony, with just a bouquet and some ribbon wands for guests to wave as they left the chapel. The couple also designed postcards for the wedding using paintings by one of Carolyn's ancestors, Anna Forbes-Irvine.
Carolyn said: ’It’s hard to pick just one highlight, but having our friends perform for our first dance felt so personal and meaningful. Seeing our guests — some in sarees, some in kilts — dancing together at the ceilidh was amazing. It felt like the perfect blend of our two cultures, exactly what we’d hoped for.
’For anyone blending cultures, embrace the fun of combining traditions. We found that guests were enthusiastic about experiencing something new, from chanting mantras at the Hindu ceremony to learning ceilidh steps on the dance floor. For us, it was all about creating something that reflected our love story and our backgrounds while making sure our guests had the time of their lives!’
Thanks to the Grampian Wedding Directory for letting us share this story. Read the full story.
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Drum Castle
Jacobite tales whisper through the medieval grand hall of this castle
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