CULZEAN CASTLE WEDDING
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine attending a wedding in Europe, let alone in a castle! Thanks to my dear friends Nikki and Carlo, I had the opportunity to witness the most romantic and enchanting wedding imaginable. Unlike the ostentatious million-dollar weddings adorned with extravagant flowers and excessive high-ceiling decorations, this wedding was the epitome of sweetness, warmth, and pure romance. I also got to stay in the castle in my own room, which makes me feel like a princess, hehe!
The scenery in Europe has truly captivated me. It emanates a distinct energy and vibe unlike the nature we encounter in Canada. There's a romantic and vibrant essence to it for some inexplicable reason. Photos simply cannot capture the true essence of the landscapes I saw with my own eyes!
Culzean Castle
Carlton Castle is situated alongside the coastline of Scotland. Since the 1980s, the castle has been featured on the £5 note. Constructed entirely of rock, the castle is meticulously maintained, with regular trimming to preserve its exterior appearance.
The entire castle is exclusively reserved and closed off to wedding guests during our stay, allowing us ample opportunity to explore its nooks and crannies! We even had the chance to experience a vintage elevator, reminiscent of those seen in classic films from the 70s, where we had to manually wheel open the gates. I was seriously scared that I’d be stuck in the elevator for once. Thank god the elevator was well-maintained :)
The entire three-story castle comprises six rooms, including the master bedroom, which was gifted to President Eisenhower in 1945. This bedroom boasts two toilets and a dressing room, which are all beautifully designed.
Notice the final photo in the gallery above showcasing the table setting? That's the very table where we'll be dining on their wedding day! It's surreal to think we'll be sitting at a table that's centuries old… feel like the next minute I’d be time travelling back to the old days, like the movie “Midnight in Paris”.
This was the room I stayed in, and it was incredibly spacious with an absolutely stunning view! I even had my own vanity, which added a touch of luxury to the experience. Truly amazing!
Many of the vegetables offered in the castle are grown in their own vegetable garden, and even many of the grapes used for wine are sourced from their own vineyard! The food offered at the castle are very well-made and delicious too. I even got a chance to try the traditional Scottish food (which I have already forgotten the name).
At sunset hour, we headed out and took some photos. It was quite windy outside, but we’ve managed to take some super lovely photos!
Ocean View
The night before the wedding, a bunch of us went out for a walk. We were very desperate for some kind of ghost hunting tour around the castle lol (cause that’s what dark nights and castles all about, right)?
Wedding Day
Oh it’s wedding day!
The wedding ceremony wasn't held inside the castle but in a glass room within the castle grounds. Their wedding ceremony was simple yet deeply heartfelt, showcasing the profound love they have for each other. They have been together since high school, a decade-long journey of love. Many say that as time passes, romantic love naturally transforms into familial love. However, in my heart, I don't believe that the evolution of love necessarily leads to familial affection. Even as they become a family and each other's kin, love remains love, and it will never become anything else - and the best of all, they totally proved my theory :)
During the exchange of vows, my friend truly moved me. They also performed a "tie the knot" ceremony during the wedding, which added so much solemnity and significance to the occasion!
My fave shot from the Castle!
Cocktail hour is filled with live music and bubbles :)
A Perfect Blend of Simplistic and Romantic
The dinner was exquisite, and each of us had the opportunity to share a heartfelt speech for the bride and groom (I'll refrain from sharing the details here as they're deeply personal). Additionally, my friends surprised me with a charming wooden name tag, which was so adorable and deeply touching!
Later that night, I lost count of how much scotch we indulged in, but it was certainly a considerable amount. One of my friends ended up quite drunk (which is probably the 2nd time in my life that I’ve seen him this drunk… the first time was 2 days ago at Glasgow), evident from the series of photos I discreetly observed (a total of 7, to be precise) as they sit in front of me. Of course, I'll be a good friend and spare him the embarrassment—his drunken antics are safe with me, haha!
Anyways, I wish Han could have come with me. I'm sure the trip would have been even more fun with him. However, as a solo traveler, I'm also secretly thrilled to explore Europe with my friends. It feels like I'm back in my early 20s, haha!
