When a couple’s love story includes meeting in art school in Paris, you just know their wedding is going to be full of creativity, originality, and beauty.
We have to warn you: You’re not ready for these pics.
Judy + Sarah tied the knot in Judy’s home country of Scotland at the historic and hauntingly gorgeous Borthwick Castle built in 1420. Judy is a multidisciplinary artist working with ceramics, and Sarah’s an illustrator, animator, and tattoo artist. This super creative couple combined efforts with Scarlett and Bell to plan an edgy + romantic day full of thoughtful personal details and uniquely Scottish elements.
There was a bagpiper, there was a drag queen, and photographers The Kitcheners did an incredible job of capturing the moody and medieval whimsy of the day.
The whole thing was something out of your favorite fantasy novel, and we can’t wait to show you.
“I fell in love with my Galia Lahav gown from the moment I glanced at myself in the mirror,” Judy says. “I had never felt so beautiful in my life, and genuinely at every alterations appointment until the wedding day I got butterflies every time I was in my dress. It felt so amazing putting it on on the morning of my wedding.” The floral appliqués and full skirt combined with those open laced sides and deep plunging neckline!! We’re obsessed. Romance-meets-edge perfection.
“I also wore Alexander McQueen steel cap toe kitten heels,” says Judy. “I am a huge McQueen fan, and it meant so much to wear McQueen on my wedding day, bringing punk into bridal.”
“For the accessories, I wanted to make the look really my own,” Judy says of her wedding day jewelry which included statement earrings by Tessa Metcalfe and a layered necklace look. “I haven’t seen anyone style their dress in the way that I chose to, and I think my styling allowed the dress to feel more gothic and medieval inspired which suited my style and the style of the wedding.”
THIS PICTURE!! 😍 Have you ever seen anything more romantic?!
Also, how fab are Sarah’s two-tone Vivienne Westwood boots?
Sarah designed and made those pearl and gold earrings herself!! “She worked on them every night after dinner before the wedding,” Judy says, “and she created something totally unique.”
Heather Robertson was on duty styling Judy’s romantic red waves and Sarah’s effortless blonde shag, and Heather Snowie created the couple’s simple yet bold makeup looks.
We are very into these wedding day manicures. Sarah’s chrome flames and Judy’s red floral nail art look amazing with all of their mixed metal rings. Check out our list of 41 beautiful wedding nail designs for more bridal nail vibe inspo.
Judy + Sarah’s matching chokers by artist Laura Rikman had romantic AND historic significance. “We had asked her to hand paint our eyes for one another onto antique pendants as miniature “lovers eyes”, which was a popular thing to carry in the late 1700s and early 1800s,” says Judy. “I have always loved the concept of lovers eye miniatures, and it was so lovely to have our own painted for each other.”
That rosary necklace that Sarah paired with her killer “regency swirl” burgundy three-piece suit by Joshua Kane?? She made that as well! “The rosary was super important to her as it reminds her of her home in Texas, and her Hispanic catholic roots from mother’s side,” says Judy. “She had an absolute vision for how it was supposed to look, and I was really proud to see how gorgeous the outcome was. She’s never made jewelry before!”
Judy remembers the excitement of Sarah’s wedding suit fitting: “I came to her appointment and saw her try everything on, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I saw her entire face light up as soon as she put on the jacket. It was a really beautiful moment.”
The Ceremony
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding The most memorable moment of the day to us was the ceremony. It was so deeply emotional and beautiful, and we felt so grateful for every moment together. Sharing how much you love one another in front of everyone you love is something to be so thankful for.
Pyrus amped up the enchanted castle energy with this breathtaking ceremony arch and with the rest of the day’s wild and whimsical florals.
“The wedding was so incredibly us. From the entire “vibe” of the day to every last detail it was just our personalities and aesthetics,” the couple says. “Our inspiration was as if you stumbled across a ruined ancient castle and found an enchanted autumnal forest had taken over.”
Our Musical Choices Processional: "Song Bird" by Fleetwood Mac
Recessional: "You’re My Best Friend" by Queen
First Dance: "A Knights Tale" meets David Bowie's "Golden Years"
These black off-the-shoulder floral strap bridesmaid dresses by Grace Victoria London are giving us edgy, gothic lady-in-waiting vibes and we love it. Explore our collection of the 36 best black bridesmaid dresses if you’re thinking of finding something dark and moody for your bridal party like Judy + Sarah did.
The Reception
Look through our list of the 21 most romantic castle venues to get married at if you’re head over heels for this fantasy feast setup like we are.
SO obsessed with these wild + lush Dutch Masters-inspired floral centerpieces by Pyrus. So perfect with those mismatch vintage brass candleholders and candelabras and towering taper candles in different shades of rose.
The glowy candlelight! The crackling fireplace! The suits of armor!? This reception is pure medieval magic.
Judy + Sarah tapped into their artistic gifts and designed all of the wedding’s gorgeous paper goods (including these hand-drawn menus) themselves.
A bagpiper announced Judy + Sarah’s arrival at the reception!
Our Advice To Those Planning Now From Judy: "It really helps when you have a clear vision of how you want your wedding to be. Sarah and I were very decisive. We really knew exactly how we wanted our wedding to look and feel, even if we didn’t quite know how to do that yet! Maybe it helps that we are artists, but Pinterest is accessible to all and soo helpful for creating mood boards and inspiration for your wedding day. Knowing how we saw our day made the decision making on vendors so much more streamlined and less stressful! We were really on the same page which we were both grateful for, it made things all the more easy. Moodboard and have a vision for your wedding before you start booking in and then regretting decisions that have been signed and paid for! It’s also so incredible seeing the world you’ve been slowly building come to life on your wedding day, and having a vision of how the day should look will help create that world."
Vanity Von Glow got everyone ready to party while guests sipped after-dinner espresso martinis.
OF COURSE these two had to slice into their wedding cake with a literal sword!
A final word of advice from the couple: “For the wedding day itself (especially when you are getting ready in the morning & before the ceremony) when you start to feel overwhelmed by it all it’s really important to take a moment and have a deep breath and be thankful for everything you have. The day is for you and your partner to ENJOY. Everyone is there because they love and support you. So soak it all up because (as the cliche always says) it goes by SO FAST. When you can be present to what is happening right in front of you, you can appreciate it all so much more.”
Congratulations, Judy + Sarah!! Our minds are totally blown by your edgy + fantasy-filled wedding day in Scotland! GWS wishes you all the very best!
photographer: The Kitcheners | venue: Borthwick Castle | planning: Scarlett and Bell | florals: Pyrus | Judy’s dress + veil: Galia Lahav | Judy’s pearl earrings: Tessa Metcalfe | Judy and Sarahs matching lovers eyes chokers: Laura Rikman | Sarah’s rosary pearl necklace + earrings: made by Sarah | Sarah’s suit: Joshua Kane | Judy’s shoes: Alexander McQueen | Sarah’s shoes: Vivienne Westwood | bridesmaids dresses: custom made by Grace Victoria London | hair: Heather Robertson | makeup: Heather Snowie | celebrant: Hazel Jane | videographer: Kaco Films | drag queen: Vanity Von Glow | Scottish bagpiper: Louise The Piper
