Kate O'Connor & David Lindesay-Bethune's Scotland Wedding
Considering how big a part Scotland has played in their love story, there really was no question as to where Kate O'Connor and David Lindesay-Bethune would tie the knot. First, there is the fact that David is Scottish and grew up in the Highlands (his father James is the 16th Earl of Lindsay). But this is also where the couple, who now live in London, first met—at a mutual friend's wedding five years ago—and where they found refuge during the pandemic. And it's where they got engaged.
"It was only fitting to get married in Scotland," says Kate, who grew up in the states. Plus, it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce elements of the culture—mixed in with American traditions—to guests coming in from abroad. That translated to a weekend of celebrations that had bagpipers, men in kilts, and Scottish dance tutorials, plus quintessentially American things like a Taylor Swift soundtrack for getting ready and a Civil War-era classic ("Battle Hymn of the Republic") sung during the church ceremony. Even the weather seemed to have gotten the memo. After a week of rain, the sun came out just in time for the wedding. See below for all the details.
The Welcome
Friends and family came from the UK, America, and as far as Australia to celebrate the couple over a September weekend. The celebrations kicked off with a cocktail welcome at Forgan's in St. Andrews, where guests got an introduction to Scottish culture via a Ceilidh band teaching them how to do a traditional reel dance.
The Details
The bride's engagement ring, a Lindesay-Bethune family heirloom, served as her "something old." Her David Yurman diamond and pearl earrings were new, her diamond bracelet borrowed from her grandmother, and the "K+D" monogrammed on the bottom of her Jimmy Choo shoes were done in blue.
The Dress
Kate worked with London-based designer Philippa Lepley on her bespoke wedding gown, which was made of duchess satin overlaid with Chantilly lace. (She later shed the lace for the reception.)
The Kilts
The men opted for traditional Highland dress for the festivities. David wore his great-grandfather's kilt, featuring the family tartan, while his ushers wore their own kilts bearing their respective family tartans.
The Traditions
In true Scottish fashion, bagpipers were a fixture throughout the day. They accompanied the bride and groom at the church for the ceremony, and were also there when the couple made their entrance at the reception at David's family home (to which the newlyweds arrived in a horse-drawn carriage that has been in the groom's family for more than 100 years).
The Cake
Per British custom, the cake—which had alternating layers of vanilla and red velvet—was cut during the champagne reception before dinner. And not with any old cake knife but with a Scottish dirk, a ceremonial dagger worn by Highland officers.
The Reception
Independent wedding planner Peter Laird orchestrated the whole weekend, while Edinburgh's Planet Flowers tended to the foliage and the caterers at Wilde Thyme cooked up a menu of local cuisine.
The First Dance
"We wanted something upbeat and lively," Kate says of their first dance, which they did to Natalie Cole's "This Will Be." The song's iconic association with The Parent Trap also tied in nicely with the American/British themes of the weekend.
The Last Dance
The bride changed into a Rosario minidress for the afterparty, which went late into the night. The next afternoon, guests reconvened for a hearty farewell brunch of pasta, salads, rosé, and leftover wedding cake.
The Honeymoon
The newlyweds jetted off to Tanzania for a week on safari in Ruaha National Park, which was followed by a week of sun and sea on Pemba Island, off Zanzibar.
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