Real Wedding – Caitlin & Christopher Sweeten – 5th July 2025
Caitlin & Christopher tied the knot in town and then headed up to Kinkell for the reception! Kinkell was a place that had long been Caitlin’s dream venue and one that immediately felt like home for them both. After 13 years together, from meeting in secondary school to a proposal on East Sands Beach, their wedding day was the perfect reflection of them both!
Read a little more about their journey below…
Firstly a little bit about you..
How did you two meet?
We went to secondary school together. We started going out at the beginning of S6 and have spent the last 13 years together. Surprisingly, I now work in the school we met!
Where did you get engaged?
We got engaged on the East Sands beach in St Andrews. Christopher had arranged for all of my family and closest friends to surprise me on the beach. They had set up a marquee with balloons and decorations. I noticed as I was walking down the hill from the caravan site. He was waiting at the front of the water with a balloon that said, “Will you marry me?” I couldn’t have imagined a better proposal. We spent the rest of the day celebrating and having a BBQ on the beach. It was truly magical!
Finding your venue and planning the wedding
What was it that first attracted you to Kinkell? Was there something that stood out when you knew it would be the perfect place for your special day?
I have followed the Kinkell Byre socials for years now. It genuinely was my dream venue. St Andrews is my favourite place and is so special to me and my family. Christopher felt the same when we came to visit it. We were drawn in by the incredible size of the venue and the beautiful lights. We loved the freedom that the venue allowed in terms of making it totally our own, and the location is absolutely stunning. This was solidified when we met the wonderful staff here – we knew this was going to be the ideal place to celebrate our lives together.
Tell us a little bit about planning your wedding. Where did you start?
The venue was definitely my top priority because I couldn’t imagine us getting married anywhere else. We started preparations around 2 years in advance by speaking to the church to ensure our dates matched with the venue. Thereafter we started with the main things such as catering, entertainment, flowers and wedding cars. I have to say I found this process very enjoyable. It’s easy to let things get on top of you, but if you just remember why you’re doing it, and give yourself enough time, it really is a great experience.
How did you decide on a colour theme or style?
Green is our favourite colour so that was an easy place to start. I had an idea for my bridesmaid dresses and wanted to tie in with our green theme. I love the rustic look and wanted to keep things looking as natural as possible. Because we got married in July, we wanted to add a pop of brightness through the wedding flowers which tied everything together.
Where did you find your suppliers?
We started with Kinkell Byre’s recommended suppliers and went from there. For our band, we attended a Coast Entertainment event where we heard different wedding bands play. I also sought help from bridal pages on Facebook such as ‘Wedding Suppliers Scotland’, ‘Scottish Wedding Marketplace’ and ‘Blushing Brides Scotland’.
Is there anything you wish someone had told you about before about planning a barn wedding?
A few things became more obvious as we progressed, but there are some that you don’t consider at the very start of the planning journey. For example, we found hiring a van very helpful to move all of our décor to the venue and back. We also did all our own décor and dressing of the venue, which is manageable, as long as you have a team of helpers, and a clear vision and plan for how to set up the day before. This allowed us to achieve our dream setup, but there was a lot of time and effort involved. In terms of costs, just remember that there’ll be a few costs added on towards the end for catering and things. For example: hiring cutlery, table linen, glassware and napkins.
Was there anything that was really important to you both to have?
Our aim for the day was for everyone to just have a really good time! The dance floor space was important to us as we love to dance and so did our guests! The layout of the Byre is perfect for that. We also wanted to celebrate our relationship and family/friends so made sure we had pictures and canvases dotted around the venue.
The Big Day!
Tell us about your wedding day, what are your highlights and favourite memories?
The day was perfect from start to finish. We can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for us. It sounds cliché, but you really helped us make our dream come true. One of our favourite moments was the drive up to Kinkell Byre – it was so important to have a short period of time where it was just the two of us and we got to take in the breathtaking scenery. The moment we drove in and seen the Byre was just magical (not to mention the surprise Margarita Truck!) Paul piped us in through the entrance room where our guests threw confetti. I’d highly recommend this as we’ll never forget that moment. After that, being piped into the wedding dinner and having our wedding party lead the way was incredible. We danced the night away with our favourite people and can’t fault a single thing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Have you any advice for other couples that are planning their wedding?
Enjoy every minute! There were a few times during the planning that we could have become overwhelmed or stressed, but just remember what you’re doing it for at the end of the day. It’s about celebrating your love for one another, but also your love for everyone else involved. All the small details will come together!
How is married life treating you?
We are loving it! We have thoroughly enjoyed the past few months and went on a beautiful honeymoon to Bali. We’ve really enjoyed relaxing over the last few weeks and looking back at what an incredible day it was. We’re excited for everything that comes next, but Kinkell Byre will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Supplier shout outs:
Photographer – Graeme McInnes Photography
Ceremony: St James’ Catholic Chuch
Catering: Regis
Videography: Media Images
Band: The Revues (Borrowed Blues)
Music: Jazz Trio
Pipes: St Andrews Piper (Paul Webster)
Flowers: The Flower RangerCars: My Wedding Cars
Accommodation: Morton of Pitmilly
Makeup: Nicole Cannon and Leonna Radcliffe
Hair: Soif de Lox
Entertainment: Go2Events
Dress: Bijoux
Kilts: McCalls
Bridesmaids: Bridesmaids by JB
Décor: family and friends set up
Drinks: The Little Margarita Truck – a wonderful surprise!
