An Owl, a Castle, and a Love Story – Serena & Alex’s Wedding at Auchen Castle
- Debbie Allan
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 17
An American Love Story in a Scottish Fairytale Setting
When Serena & Alex travelled from the US to marry in the Scottish Borders, they wanted their wedding to feel like it belonged in a storybook. Auchen Castle — with its turrets, grand interiors, and romantic woodland grounds — captured their hearts instantly. The venue’s enchanting character became the perfect backdrop for a celebration filled with personal touches, soft romance, and just the right amount of magic.
The Vision – An Owl, a Castle, and a Sky of Their Own
One of the most enchanting details of the day was the owl — not only featured in their stationery design, but also playing a starring role in the ceremony by delivering their wedding rings. The owl became a symbol of guidance, wisdom, and wonder, setting the tone for the celebration.
Their colour palette of soft pink and blue inspired the illustrated sky, which swept across each piece of stationery and tied the whole collection together. This sky arched over Auchen Castle in the artwork, adding a cinematic quality that blended perfectly with the couple’s romantic vision.
One of the most enchanting details of the day was the owl — not only featured in their stationery design, but also playing a starring role in the ceremony by delivering their wedding rings. The owl became a symbol of guidance, wisdom, and wonder, setting the tone for the celebration.
Their colour palette of soft pink and blue inspired the illustrated sky, which swept across each piece of stationery and tied the whole collection together. This sky arched over Auchen Castle in the artwork, adding a cinematic quality that blended perfectly with the couple’s romantic vision.
The Invitation Suite
We created the invitations in our signature wraparound illustration style, which unfolded to reveal the full scene:
Front Panels – A continuous artwork of the castle’s serene lily pond and wooden dock, framed by the lush greenery of the grounds and the owl in mid-flight overhead.
Wax Seal – A golden Scottish thistle seal kept the gatefold closed, offering guests a tactile moment of anticipation before opening.
Inside Reveal – The wedding details set against the soft pink-and-blue sky, with the owl drawing the eye into the heart of the design.
Envelope Liner – A special night-time scene of Auchen Castle under a starlit sky, a secret moment of magic for guests to discover when opening their invitation.
Every element was carefully considered to capture both the romance of the setting and the couple’s personal story.
On-the-Day Stationery
The theme continued seamlessly into the wedding day. The welcome sign featured the owl soaring over Auchen Castle at sunset, surrounded by beautiful floral arrangements and candlelight a breathtaking first glimpse of the celebration. The warm sunset hues and woodland backdrop tied the illustrated details perfectly to the real-life setting.
Inside the dining room, we carried this storytelling into every table detail. Bespoke personalised menus were created for each guest, featuring their name elegantly printed at the top so the menu doubled as a keepsake. The table names celebrated the couple’s love of whisky, with each one named after a distillery they had visited together during their travels in Scotland. These thoughtful touches made the dining experience feel even more personal, sparking conversations and adding a layer of meaning that guests adored.
Are you ready to create some Magic...
If you dream of wedding stationery that blends personal storytelling with a touch of magic, let’s create something unforgettable together.
Book a consultation here or explore more of my bespoke designs.
Comments