FAQs

Question

👶🏻 Can I bring my kids to the wedding?

Answer

We adore your little ones—and trust us, no one loves a Hepburn baby more than Erika. (Hepburns can't help being so sexy and fertile, and we LOVE that about this family). That said, our wedding weekend will be an adults-only celebration. Due to the limited capacity and historic nature of the venue—not to mention our desire to help everyone kick back, relax, and enjoy a glass (or three)—we kindly ask that children not attend the welcome dinner, ceremony, or reception. For those traveling as a family, we’ve got you! Borthwick Castle has recommended trusted local childcare services with five-star reviews. To the extended Hepburn clan: if you're bringing your full crew, we suggest teaming up on a sitter at your hotel or Airbnb (because let’s be honest—half of y'all have like five kids each). 🍼😄 We can’t wait to see all of you at our casual Sunday pub gathering, where kids and extra travel buddies are more than welcome. Recommended Sitters: Topnotch Event Nanny Fiona Barker 📞 +44 07427 442555 📧 topnotcheventnanny@yahoo.com 🌐 www.topnotcheventnanny.com Super Mums 📞 +44 0131 225 1744 📧 enquiries@supermums.co.uk 🌐 www.supermums.co.uk

Question

🏰 Can I stay at Borthwick Castle overnight?

Answer

Unfortunately, only a small number of overnight guests can be accommodated at the castle due to limited rooms. If you received an invitation to stay on-site, you’ll already know (lucky you!). All other guests are invited to book accommodations nearby in Edinburgh or Gorebridge—we’ll provide hotel block info and transportation details on the Travel page.

Question

👗 What's the dress code?

Answer

For the wedding itself, think: castle chic. Formal attire encouraged (kilts welcome!), with an emphasis on style, drama, and weather-appropriate layers. The welcome dinner will be more casual, and the post-wedding pub meetup is come-as-you-are. We’ll provide suggestions for each event on the Schedule page!

Question

➕ Are plus-ones invited?

Answer

Invitations were sent out with specific names listed. If you received a plus-one, you'll see that noted on your invitation and RSVP form. If not, we hope you’ll still come solo and have an absolutely fabulous time—you definitely won’t be the only one! While it is a castle (cue the fairytale music), the actual event spaces are surprisingly intimate—and we’ve had to make some incredibly difficult decisions about plus-ones and kiddos in order to stay within the venue’s capacity. Please know that every invitation was sent with so much thought and love, and we’re truly grateful you’re joining us to celebrate this moment.

Question

🌾 Will there be special meals to accommodate allergies?

Answer

Yes--mostly! We’re offering two meal options for the wedding dinner: a pescatarian main and an allergy-friendly option that is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Due to venue and catering restrictions, we’re unable to accommodate any other meal variations. Please see the RSVP section for more info.

Question

♿ Is the castle accessible for guests with mobility issues?

Answer

Borthwick Castle is a historic venue with some uneven terrain, narrow staircases, and limited elevator access. If you have specific accessibility needs, please reach out to us directly and we’ll do everything we can to support you.

Question

✈️ Do I need a passport to travel to Scotland?

Answer

Yes—you’ll need a valid passport to enter the United Kingdom, including Scotland. Make sure your passport is not set to expire within six months of the wedding date (March 2027), as some airlines and border authorities may deny boarding or entry otherwise. If you don’t yet have a passport (or need to renew), we recommend beginning that process at least six months in advance of your travel dates to avoid any last-minute stress.

Question

☁️ What’s the weather like in Scotland in March?

Answer

In a word? Moody. March in Scotland tends to be cool and unpredictable—expect temperatures in the 40s–50s °F (5–10°C), with a high chance of clouds, light rain, and winds that feel like they’re whispering ancient secrets across the hills. Pack layers, water-resistant shoes, and a good coat. And remember: some of the best photos happen under gray skies and rain on wedding day = good luck. :)

Question

🚌 How do I get to and from the castle?

Answer

We’ll be arranging limited shuttle service for both the welcome dinner and the wedding day to make things easy for our guests. Shuttles will run to and from the castle and will pick up and drop off only at our designated hotel block in Edinburgh (TBD). We’ll update this page once the hotel is confirmed, and more detailed shuttle times will be provided closer to the event. If you're staying elsewhere, you'll need to arrange your own transportation to the pickup location.

Question

🎁 Should I bring a gift?

Answer

Your presence at our wedding—especially given the travel involved—truly means the world to us. We do not expect gifts, particularly not physical ones. That said, if you're feeling generous and in the gifting spirit, we’d be incredibly grateful for contributions toward our honeymoon, wedding fund, or future family adventures. We'll include those details on our registry page soon. Thank you for being part of our lives and this magical weekend!

Question

🍷 Can I bring my own alcohol to the castle grounds?

Answer

In short: nope! Borthwick Castle operates under a strict liquor license, which means guests are not allowed to bring any alcohol onto the property—this includes the castle, its grounds, and even gifts of alcohol. If outside alcohol is found, the venue reserves the right to confiscate it and withhold our security deposit (yikes!). But don’t worry—the castle bar is fully stocked with beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks, and it will be open from the start of the festivities until 12:30am each night (and even later for overnight guests). If there's a specific drink you can't live without, let us know—we may be able to request it in advance through the castle. The castle bar is CARD ONLY. No cash. TL;DR: Come thirsty, but leave your BYOB at home. 🥂

Question

🚬 Is there a smoking area?

Answer

Guests can smoke outside at the bottom of the main staircase. Please note that this area is not covered.

Question

🍷 Are all food and beverages provided throughout the weekend?

Answer

The bride and groom will be covering the cost of all food on Friday and Saturday. Some drinks will be paid for on both nights (a few glasses of wine/champagne). After that, you are always welcome to pay by card and purchase drinks from the bar. Soft drinks are priced from £2.00, spirits are from £4.50. Wine is from £7.50 per glass, prosecco from £8.00 per glass and champagne from £13.00 per glass.

Question

🚗 Can I park a rental car at Borthwick Castle?

Answer

Yes! Borthwick Castle has ample parking for guests who choose to drive. There’s space for approximately 30 cars in the main car park and an additional 10 spaces within the castle walls. That said, we expect many guests will take advantage of the shuttle service from our Edinburgh hotel block, so there should be plenty of room for those who opt to rent a car.

Question

🥂 Oops. I got drunk. Can I leave my car overnight at the castle?

Answer

Absolutely—you can leave your car overnight in the castle’s car park if you end up indulging a bit too much (which we fully support, by the way). 🍷✨ Just one important note: sleeping in your car, campervan, or Hogwarts Express-style carriage is not allowed, so please make sure you’ve arranged proper accommodations elsewhere for the night. We highly recommend utilizing the shuttle service if you are even considering indulging. Laws regarding drinking and driving in the UK are far stricter than in the U.S. Be smart, fam.