As of March 2022, travel to Scotland is allowed for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. For vaccinated travelers, you will just need to bring proof of your vaccination (i.e. your CDC card) and complete a Passenger Locator Form. If you are unvaccinated, you must: (1) take a COVID test before arrival, (2) complete a Passenger Locator Form, and (3) take a PCR COVID test on or before Day 2 of your trip; you do not need to self-isolate. We highly encourage all of our guests to get vaccinated (including a booster) to keep yourselves and everyone safe. We also will plan to take a COVID test before and after traveling to Edinburgh and encourage others to do the same.
After two years of delays, we're optimistic that COVID-19 rates will be under control in both the US and UK by the wedding. All of our vendors will follow local guidelines, which we will share closer to the wedding date to let you know what to expect. As of March 2022, there is no cap on the number of attendees for weddings, and all vendors and guests (except the couple and officiant) are required to wear a mask during the ceremony unless eating, drinking, or dancing.
We were charmed by Scotland when we first visited in December 2017. The country (both the architecture and nature) is beautiful, the people are incredibly friendly, and they have some delectable whiskies and gins. We’ve been wanting to go back to road trip through the northern Highlands and Islands, so thought it would be perfect for the wedding! Knowing we wanted to have our closest friends and families join us in our celebration, we also wanted to choose a location that was fairly easy for even the most novice travelers. The flight isn’t too long (about six hours from the East Coast), they speak English, it’s relatively affordable, and Edinburgh is a comparatively small, walkable city. Andrew also has Scottish heritage from his Grandmom (Sallie Robinson), who is descended from the Clan Cameron, and his Grandad (Cecil Robinson) spent some of his seminal years in Scotland. We hope you all love Scotland as much as we do!
We recommend arriving in Edinburgh on or before Saturday, May 28th and departing (either back home or to continue your trip elsewhere) on Monday, May 30th. This is Memorial Day weekend, so you should all hopefully have an extra paid holiday on Monday to maximize your trip. That said, feel free to come earlier or stay later based on your travel plans! Afterwards, we will be road tripping through northern Scotland, and others are planning to head to London and continental Europe. We recommend setting up a price alert on Google Flights to find the best fare. Generally, you should expect to pay between $700-$1,000 round trip. For hotels, we have some recommendations on the "Travel" page of this website. Generally, we recommend staying in the Old Town for easy access to the wedding venues and tourist sites. Feel free to send options you're considering to Lauren or Andrew to offer feedback!
Yes! We arrive in Edinburgh on the morning of Friday, May 27th and will be heading out for our honeymoon around Scotland on Monday, May 30th. For lodging, we’re staying at an Airbnb off the Royal Mile in Old Town.
Yes, you will need a passport that is valid for at least six months after the trip to enter the U.K. Beyond that, you won’t need a visa or other special paperwork. Since we are taking care of the legal paperwork in the U.S. (DC is one of the few states where you can self-officiate your marriage, and Andrew’s brother Arthur will officiate the ceremony in Edinburgh!), you should indicate that you are visiting for tourism with customs.
Since we have a small number of guests with varying travel preferences, we do not have a hotel block reserved. We’ve listed a few options of hotels (from luxury to budget) on the “Travel” section of this website for you to consider. We also recommend checking out Airbnb; the costs are often lower, include a kitchen to save on meal costs, and have a lot of charm (including Harry Potter themed apartments!). Regardless of how you book, we’d advise staying in the Old Town. Feel free to send any ideas you’re considering for us to look at!
As we mention in the “Travel” section of this website, the best way to get around Edinburgh is on foot. That said, the city is well-connected with the bus and tram systems, and both Uber and taxis are readily available.
Late May is regarded as one of the best times to visit Scotland. It's just at the start of the tourist season, and it's historically one of the least rainy months of the year. That said, it’s almost impossible to predict what the weather will be like. You should expect temperatures in the 40s to 60s with at least some chance of rain.
As the weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, we recommend packing clothing you can easily layer (jackets, sweaters, t-shirts, scarves). Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes (including for hiking if you’re up for it!) and an umbrella, as well. You should also bring an electric converter since the U.K. has different outlets.
The ceremony will be at Riddle’s Court, located off the Royal Mile and just a few minutes from the castle. Originally owned by wealthy merchants, the site was also philosopher David Hume’s apartment and then university residences. The venue is now a cultural and educational center. We’ll be in the Geddes and Seton rooms for the ceremony and cocktail reception. Afterwards, we’ll head to dinner nearby at Wedgwood, a contemporary Scottish restaurant known for local ingredients and wine pairings.
While ultimately we’d like you to wear whatever you’re most comfortable in, the dress code for the ceremony and reception will be cocktail attire. This could be a dress or skirt (of any length), pants and blouse, a jumpsuit, a coordinated suit, or slacks and a blazer; no need for a tux, and ties are up to you. If the weather holds up, there will be a short (less than 10-minute) walk from the ceremony venue to the dinner reception venue, and given that Edinburgh’s Old Town has some cobblestone streets, we’d advise against stilettos. Flats, boots, or block heels should work well!
No. We’re aiming to make the day as low-key (and fun!) as possible and will not be having a bridal party, maid of honor, or best man. After all, ALL of you are our favorite people!
Surprisingly, this might be the most common question we’ve gotten! While we’re still planning the ceremony, we can at least confirm that there will be bagpipes. But don’t expect to see Andrew in a kilt (sorry, Susi)!
To keep us all in the moment, and since we’ve hired a phenomenal professional photographer and videographer, we’re asking that all phones and cameras are put away for the ceremony. After we share our vows, however, feel free to snap away!
We do not have a registry. Joining us on this memorable weekend is the best gift we could ask for!