Scotland’s global reputation as a romantic backdrop for tying the knot has inspired an Aberdeen wedding planner to launch a business targeting couples overseas.
Emma Douglas, whose existing Timeless White venture looks after every aspect of weddings in a variety of locations around the country, aims to tap into strong international demand.
Her new online business, Destination Weddings Scotland (DWS), promotes “perfect Scottish” ceremonies in or by historic castles and other popular venues such as Fasque House Estate, Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Haddo House, Leith Hall and Marr Lodge.
The lure of Scotland as an ideal location for couples to celebrate their nuptials has been boosted in recent times by TV series Outlander and films such as Skyfall and Brave, as well as the country’s high profile during an event-filled 2014.
Miss Douglas, who ploughed her life savings into launching Timeless White five years ago, said: “I know one of the biggest struggles international couples have when planning their Scottish nuptials is finding the perfect wedding venue.
“If they want a castle, the internet throws up hundreds of options and they simply do not know where to start.
“Couples who choose to get married here rather than in the country where they live contribute a significant sum to the Scottish economy each year.
“But not everyone who wants to elope needs or desires the full services of a wedding planner and that is why I set up Destination Weddings Scotland.”
“By working with the likes of ICMI (luxury hotel group Inverlochy Castle Management International) … the site highlights the best Scottish venues under one roof – making it quicker and easier to select and book the venue of their dreams when they are thousands of miles away.”
Miss Douglas, 26, has thrown herself into the weddings business full-time since being made redundant from a job as a market analyst at Subsea 7 earlier this year.
She has had help from Business Gateway – both for Timeless White and DWS – through encouragement, advice and free courses.
The idea for the new website arose after she noted a year-on-year increase in customers jetting into Scotland to tie the knot.
Last year, 70% of the weddings she planned involved Americans, Canadians, Germans and Russians.
“I’m increasingly dealing with international couples,” she said, adding: “That has provided me with a cushion since the economic downturn hit the north-east.”
Business Gateway adviser Gillian Macdonald said: “Emma is a successful wedding planner who spotted a gap in the market for a new enterprise that will allow brides and grooms to choose their dream wedding venue at a touch of a button.
“By making the process so easy she will undoubtedly bring more couples to our shores to get married.”