In the world of wedding traditions, where every element is strictly regulated, a couple from Scotland decided to go their own way. Caitlin and Kyle Petrie didn’t just say “I do” to each other – they did it under the buzz of a tattoo artist’s needle. Their wedding became not just a celebration of love, but also a festival of tattoo culture, where every guest could become part of the story through ink.
How It All Began: From Bus to Altar
Their love story began with an unexpected moment. Caitlin, a stay-at-home mom, and Kyle, a tattoo artist from Portlan, first met on a bus. He overheard her conversation, and she found him rude. But fate brought them together again a few weeks later when she accidentally took the wrong bus and ended up at his house. “I don’t believe in fate, but this meeting felt destined,” Caitlin admits. They were together for 19 years, went through all the difficulties, and never gave up.
The Proposal and the Long Road to the Wedding
The proposal happened in 2012 in Banchory Park. They were sitting in the sun, and everything was simple. “We were too young to be engaged, so we waited so long,” Caitlin recalls. But this wait became a blessing, as their wedding reflects who they are today, not the teenagers they were back then.
Wedding at Schivas Steading: Where Dreams Come True
They chose Schivas Steading near Ellon in Aberdeenshire. Caitlin immediately knew it was the perfect place. “I knew I wanted to get married here as soon as I saw it,” she says. Kyle agreed if she was happy. Danielle Leslie became the photographer, helping them capture the day exactly as they envisioned.
Tattoos as Part of the Celebration
One of the most memorable moments of the wedding was inviting a tattoo artist who gave tattoos to guests. Kyle, who works at Downtown Tattoo Co in Aberdeen, tattooed “amore” on his bride’s hand. “I wanted everyone to feel like they were part of our day,” he explains. It wasn’t just entertainment, but a way to unite everyone around their love.
The Dress That Became a Symbol
Caitlin chose a pink dress from Etiquette Bridal. She knew she wanted to get married in pink, and when she saw this dress, she knew it was meant for her. “I felt comfortable immediately,” she recalls. She even added sleeves to make the dress even more unique. This decision was supported by her mother and sister, who initially didn’t expect pink but then said it was perfect.
The Music That United Everyone
Caitlin walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance. It was her favorite song, and she knew it would be her wedding song. They had their first dance to “Dreams” by Gabrielle, which has always been their song.
Where They Saved and Where They Splurged
They splurged on food, the venue, entertainment, and the photographer/videographer because these were the most important to them. They didn’t cut corners on these things, but were happy to hire Blair Morris as a wedding planner and Amy from Cymbeline for decor. With Kyle, who is a tattoo artist, they saved on guest tattoos, as a friend did them. They also saved on flowers by ordering them from Etsy and didn’t have a wedding cake, opting for a dessert table instead.
Advice for Future Newlyweds
“Don’t get too caught up in Pinterest. Those aren’t realistic weddings, but high-budget ones that seem normal because of social media,” advises Caitlin. She also recommends staying true to your principles and not worrying about the little things, because in the end, they won’t matter.
Best Moments of the Day
For Caitlin, the best moment was leaving immediately after the ceremony at House of Schivas to exchange personal vows and take photos. “It was such a calm time amidst the wedding day hustle,” she says. For Kyle, the best moment was seeing Caitlin in her pink dress at the bottom of the aisle and realizing it was perfect for her. He also enjoyed that they exchanged vows just for each other.
Why They Decided to Get Married
They decided to get married because Caitlin wanted everyone to have the same last name, especially now that they have children. She also wanted an excuse to bring everyone together and have a fun day.
A Wedding to Remember Forever
Their wedding became not just a celebration, but a festival of love, friendship, and tattoo culture. They chose the venue, music, dress, and even tattoos to make this day unique. Their story shows that a wedding can be not only traditional but also personal, reflecting their personalities and interests.