A destination wedding abroad invites a different kind of perspective — one shaped as much by intention as it is by place. For some couples, that means returning to somewhere familiar. For others, it’s about stepping into the unknown entirely, choosing a city they’ve never set foot in and trusting that it will meet them there. For Caitlin and Tim, that leap led them to Edinburgh — a place selected not for history or convenience, but for a feeling they had carefully imagined long before a location was ever locked in.
With just 15 guests in attendance, their October celebration was deliberately intimate, allowing space to be present with each person who had travelled across the world to be there. Planning a destination wedding from overseas can feel daunting, particularly in a place you’ve yet to experience firsthand, but their approach was grounded in clarity — focusing on what mattered most, working closely with local vendors, and allowing the city itself to shape the finer details.
The result was a day that felt both personal and cinematic. From quiet moments tucked into hidden gardens to candlelit dining in a space discovered by chance, every element reflected a sense of ease and intention. Below, Caitlin and Tim share how they approached planning an intimate destination wedding in Edinburgh, the decisions that shaped their day, and why choosing somewhere entirely new made it all the more meaningful.
Tell us a bit about yourselves, how you met and what you’re like as a couple.
We met when I was visiting Australia for an internship and, from the very beginning, it just felt easy. We instantly clicked, and somehow both knew we’d met our person. It sounds cliché, but it really was that simple. After that, we navigated a few years of long distance before I was finally able to move to Australia in 2021. That time shaped us deeply, it taught us patience, communication, and how much we truly value being together. As a couple, we’re thoughtful, grounded, and very intentional, but we also love adventure and doing things a little differently.
When did you tie the knot? How many guests did you invite for your intimate destination wedding?
We were married on October 9, 2025, with 15 of our closest family and friends in attendance. Keeping the day intimate was incredibly important to us, we wanted to genuinely spend time with everyone there, rather than rushing through conversations and well wishes. That intention really shaped the entire day.
Why did you decide to have a destination wedding in Edinburgh, Scotland?
Why not? Neither of us had been to Scotland before, but it had always been on the list. Edinburgh felt like the perfect blend of romance, history, and atmosphere. There’s a timeless quality to the city, from the stone architecture to the winding streets, that felt completely aligned with the energy we had envisioned.
How did the destination setting influence the overall feel of your wedding?
We actually went about it the opposite way. Instead of starting with a location, we spent months scrapbooking how we wanted the wedding to feel. We pulled inspiration from paintings and skylines long before we looked at other weddings.
Despite this, Edinburgh set the tone effortlessly with its historic buildings, moody skies, and dramatic landscapes. It felt both intimate and cinematic.
Which venues did you choose for your Edinburgh destination wedding, and what made them stand out?
We chose Custom House in Leith for our ceremony and Montrose for our reception. Logistics played a role, particularly with older family members and a smaller guest list, but we fell in love with both spaces visually. Custom House is a beautiful historic building that’s having new life breathed into it as a creative space for artists. The light-filled event room gave us a blank canvas that we knew we could shape into exactly what we wanted.
Montrose, however, was pure kismet. Our original reception venue fell through, and finding Montrose ended up being one of the best decisions we made. One of my favourite moments of the day was everyone going completely silent during a course because the food was just that good. Genuinely some of the best food we’ve ever eaten. They curated a menu inspired by favourites from our travels and everyday staples in our lives, and the staff were incredibly lovely. The chef even crafted a surprise takeaway bacon roll for our guests at the end of the night, which was such a thoughtful touch.
How did you approach planning a destination wedding from overseas? Were there any challenges?
It was much easier than people might expect. Early on, we decided what mattered most to us and agreed that photography was our top priority. We spent months researching and virtually meeting vendors, and once we found our photographer, the incredibly talented Claire Fleck, everything else fell into place more quickly. Claire shared a trusted list of local vendor recommendations, and many of our team came from that. Planning from overseas did require trust and clear communication, but working with experienced local vendors made the process far smoother than we expected.
Our biggest piece of advice is to trust your gut. If a vendor doesn’t feel right, don’t force it. You spend a lot of time talking to these people about a very important day, it’s worth finding a team you genuinely enjoy and who are just as invested as you are.
Were there any hidden gems or local experiences that made your destination wedding feel unique?
Some of our favourite moments came from simply being in the city, wandering quiet streets, discovering tucked away corners, and letting Edinburgh unfold naturally around us. We exchanged private vows in a hidden rose garden before the ceremony, and one of our dear friends officiated, which made everything feel incredibly personal. We also wrote letters to each guest that doubled as place cards, sharing what we love about them, our history together, and funny moments we’ve shared. Our drinks were inspired by some of our favourite things — roses from our front garden, lavender from the Hunter Valley — and we had a violinist who truly set the tone. Hearing the strings playing as we arrived at Custom House before even walking through the door is a moment I’ll never forget.
Did you organise any pre-wedding events or welcome activities for guests travelling abroad?
We arrived about a week early to spend time with family and friends who had travelled across the world for us. Rather than formal events, we kept things relaxed with a loose daily plan that people could pop in and out of. It was a big trip for everyone, so we wanted guests to have the freedom to explore, rest, and recover from travel, while still creating opportunities to spend time together. It worked beautifully, especially as some guests hadn’t met before. Those casual drop-ins became a lovely way for people to connect ahead of the ceremony.
How did your budget compare to what you might have spent locally?
Overall, our budget for the wedding was comparable to if we had it locally, but the experience felt completely different. It also meant we could start our honeymoon immediately without an enormous plane trip right after the wedding. We could have done some things cheaper and could have splurged more in other areas; it really comes down to what you’re comfortable with.
Did you incorporate Edinburgh’s landmarks or architecture into your wedding photos?
Yes, it would have been hard to take any photos in Edinburgh without also capturing the beauty of the city. We did the first look along the Royal Mile, private vows in a secluded rose garden, photos at the Portrait Gallery, and on Calton Hill. We fell in love with Edinburgh very quickly and wanted to capture the magic of the city in our photos.
Were there any timing or lighting considerations specific to shooting where you did?
Yes definitely, Claire helped so much with figuring out our schedule and planning around the light. Invest in your photographer! We had our list of maybes and must-haves, and after our ceremony we chose to go to Calton Hill to catch the sunset before our reception, and it was so worth it.
Is there anything you would do differently when planning a destination wedding abroad?
There are things we could have done differently, but the day felt so ‘us’ and we had such a great time that I don’t regret anything and would only want more time with our family and friends.
What advice would you give to couples considering a destination wedding in a place they’ve never visited?
Trust your vision and don’t be afraid to do something a little different. We didn’t share much of our plans with guests beforehand, so everything, from the venues to the violinist, felt like a surprise and we didn’t have to consider outside expectations at all. Try not to compare your day to others, just do what feels fun and meaningful to you.
What are your top tips for planning a chic, intimate destination wedding?
- Choose a location that genuinely resonates with you as a couple.
- Work with local vendors and trust their expertise, they know the area best.
- Have fun! Pick things that make you happy.
Looking back, what is a standout moment from your wedding?
Having all of our loved ones in the same room. With family and friends spread all over the world, it truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Any “must-do” tips for making the day smooth, stress-free, and magical?
The day before, we spent time just the two of us running errands, then had a lovely spa day followed by dinner at a gorgeous restaurant. Build breathing room into the schedule, let go of perfection, and focus on being present. We didn’t mentally over plan or build up expectations, so any small hiccups didn’t feel like they mattered. Also eat, drink plenty of water, and talk to others who’ve planned a similar wedding. That advice is invaluable.
Tell us about some of the little details you brought in to make the celebration feel completely your own.
We chose a colour palette early on, focusing on colours, textures, and finishes, and designed our own stationery to keep everything cohesive. Many details were little Easter eggs from our life together, like swizzle sticks featuring our beloved dog Manon, and star signs embroidered into my dress to honour loved ones who have passed. We chose pieces we could re-wear after the wedding and are repurposing others, like turning the natural pearls from my dress into jewellery.
Now talk to us about the all-important outfits. What did each of you wear?
Caitlin wore a custom Aston Bridal gown designed with Miranda and tailored by Saving Grace Bridal in Newcastle, Christian Louboutin shoes, Catbird jewellery including a something blue ring, a Heidi Gibson engagement ring, a Clio Peppiatt bag, and a Rachel Gilbert pink reception dress. Tim wore a pale blue Rundle Tailoring suit, paired with Loake shoes.
Why did you choose Rundle Tailoring, and how did you find the experience?
We tried ordering a few suits off the internet but could not get the sizing or colours right. Tim had previously bought suits from Rundle Tailoring as a guest at other weddings, so it just made sense to come back! Working with Andrew and the team we were able to customise and choose just the right colour and fit and it was exactly what we were looking for, and the entire process was easy from initial fit to final adjustments.
Caitlin and Tim’s vendor list for their intimate destination wedding in Edinburgh:
Dress: Aston Bridal
Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Loake
Rings: Heidi Gibson; Catbird
Bag: Clio Peppiatt
Suit: Rundle Tailoring
Venues: Custom House Leith; Montrose
Flowers: Fruit Salad
Photography: Claire Fleck
Violinist: Fiona Liddell
Stationery & letters: Caitlin and Tim
Other jewellery: Catbird; Laurie Fleming
Makeup: Abi Taylor Bride
Hair: Chris Laird at Laird & Co
Prewedding skincare: Skintifix
Wedding nails: The Nailist (@thenailist.au / Beth)
Prewedding hair prep: Hair by Ami & Loni at Volume20 (Caitlin); Atlas at Kinfolk Barbers (Tim)