On a balmy summer day, Stu from Scotland and Caitlin from Melbourne hosted their Melbourne garden wedding at one of our favourite places, The Terrace, within the Royal Botanical Gardens. Lots of food, flowing drinks, and a welcoming vibe all featured on the couple’s wishlist but, most importantly, Caitlin and Stu say the occasion was “about bringing everyone from all corners of the world into the same room to celebrate our life and relationship with our friends and family”.
Among other delightful details, guests are still raving about the day’s Scottish customs, the menu, and Caitlin’s stunning, statement blue skirt (which the bride paired with Black Finch wedding rings).
Get inspired by this beautiful day below (Melbourne wedding photographer Amanda Alessi NAILED the photos, don’t you agree?) But first, the newlyweds take us BTS, sharing highlights and why they opted to have a ‘buddy-moon’ instead of a honeymoon.
THE BLOOMS & A TWIST ON TRADITIONAL PLACE CARDS
“I absolutely loved the flowers. Our Melbourne wedding florist Feld Flowers created what she called a ‘flower forest’ around the DJ table – it felt wild, textured, and full of life. The arrangements flowed beautifully from the gardens outside into the reception space, so it all felt connected and organic, like the garden had crept indoors. It completely transformed the space and brought so much warmth and colour to the room. Another favourite detail was the handwritten notes we placed at each guest’s seat. Instead of traditional place cards, we wrote small individual personalised messages for every guest. It was such a meaningful touch – a quiet way to thank everyone for being part of our lives and to make them feel seen and appreciated.”
The Bride Wore Blue – A Modern Take on Non-Traditional Bridal Style
“I wore a skirt and top from Boom Blush. I wasn’t after a traditional white wedding dress, an] came across their Ready or Not skirt online – a layered, voluminous tulle design in a soft, powdery blue. The skirt felt unique and playful, delicate yet statement-making. Deep down, I was probably living out my subconscious childhood Cinderella dream. The outfit felt modern, a little unexpected, and full of personality. It just looked like something I wanted to wear!”
A NOD TO SCOTTISH HERITAGE
“Being Scottish, I always wanted to get married in a traditional kilt. I really like the look and it is a nice nod to our heritage (Caitlin’s family has Scottish heritage too). It took me a while to decide on which tartan to get married in until I stumbled across a bespoke tartan called Highland Storm, a nice mix of soft muted blue, grey and white. Once I landed on the tartan, 8 or 9 months out from the wedding, I put the wheels in motion for Gilt Edged to begin creating the 8 yard kilt masterpiece outfit. I chose all the additional components of the outfit and finalised with the company. The process took a number of months to create the outfit and my parents kindly brought it out with them from Scotland.”
Celebrating With a Champagne Spray Moment
“I’d always said I wanted a proper champagne spray on the day and so I made it my mission to make that happen! After the sun had set, Stuart and I both grabbed a bottle and went for it, with two of our friends waving sparklers behind us. It was messy, hilarious, and honestly one of my favourite memories captured in our photo’s.
Why They Ditched the Honeymoon for a ‘Buddy-Moon’ Instead
“We put out an open invite for our guests to join us on Hamilton Island the week after the wedding, and it was a hit. Around 30 of us came and went throughout the week, a mix of friends and family. We wanted the chance to spend more time with our interstate and international guests and to really soak up the effort they made to come all the way to Australia.”
Fresh air, garden party vibes, and minutes from Melbourne’s CBD – if The Terrace is ticking all your boxes click here. You can find more local Melbourne wedding legends on the Hello May Directory, including Black Finch Jewellery. Head their way to start designing your dream wedding ring, or to learn more about their new Heirloom Transformation Service.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Amanda Alessi Florist Rita Feldmann Stationery Canva, Ella Smith and Janine Mitten (Friends/Family) Printer Officeworks Venue & Catering The Terrace, Royal Botanical Gardens Entertainment Rosa Serret, George Henderson Celebrant Celebrant Kate Rings Black Finch Jewellery, Uniform Black Transport 13cabs THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Boom Blush Shoes Mi Piaci Hair Haize Makeup Catherine Gilford (Friend) Fragrance Gucci Gifts FinerRings THE GROOM Kilt Outfit Gilt Edged Shoes Thistle Shoes Scotland Shirt Country Road Watch Raymond Weil Grooming Hampton Barbers
