When Lauren Yakiwchuk met Justin Ceksters at work, the connection was immediate— but their love story truly took shape in the spaces beyond the office. Both video editors in the television industry at the time, the pair quickly bonded over a shared curiosity for the world. While dating, Lauren began documenting their travels on a blog—an idea born from an overstuffed journal and an ever-growing camera roll. What started as a digital scrapbook soon evolved into Justin Plus Lauren, one of the earliest vegan travel blogs, long before plant-based eating on the road became commonplace.
Over the years, their relationship unfolded across continents, with itineraries built around hidden gems, local flavors, and the challenge of finding vegan food in unexpected places. So when it came time to plan their wedding, choosing a destination was a natural, extension of their story.
Paul Budzinski
Edinburgh, Scotland—a city Lauren had long felt connected to through her half-Scottish heritage— became the perfect setting. With 28 of their closest friends and family, the couple transformed their wedding into a weeklong celebration, inviting guests to experience the city as they had come to love it. There were pub crawls across cobblestone streets, an underground tour of historic and fabled hidden alleyways, a visit to the beloved cat café Maison de Moggy, and even a night of cocktails and carnival games at an adults-only fairground. “We thought it would be fun to be able to have a little vacation with everyone,” Lauren said. “To be able to experience one of our favorite places in the world.”
The ceremony and reception were held at Ghillie Dhu, a former church-turned-bar-andrestaurant, where dramatic purple drapery, soaring ceilings, and the remains of the old church organ created a setting that felt both grand and intimate. The couple wove Scottish tradition into the ceremony, participating in handfasting (a ritual from which the term “tying the knot” came from), sharing a sip of whisky from a quaich (a Scottish two-handled drinking vessel) as a symbol of unity, and an oathing stone ceremony—where couples hold rocks to set their vows “in stone,” while guests imbued well wishes into pebbles that the couple would keep.
Paul Budzinski
Following the ceremony, the couple ventured through the city for portraits pulled straight from a storybook. From the charming curves of Circus Lane to the tranquil beauty of Dean Village, their wedding photos captured Edinburgh at its most romantic, later earning a feature in Britain’s daily national newspaper The Times. Dinner reflected the same thoughtfulness as the rest of the celebration, with Ghillie Dhu crafting an entirely vegan menu for the occasion.
The wedding was an opportunity for the couple to immerse their loved ones in an experience rooted in travel and shared discovery, one that defined their relationship from the start. Their honeymoon in Portugal followed much of the same rhythm: ocean views, idyllic hikes, and, of course, a continued search for the best vegan meals along the way.
Paul Budzinski
The personal touches
The day was filled with meaningful moments. The couple honored loved ones who couldn’t be there with a candle lighting and an empty front-row chair reserved in memory, an important and poignant moment for Lauren whose father passed away years before. Rather than a standard aisle walk, Lauren and Justin chose to walk together—a nod to a Swedish tradition symbolizing equality—meeting for a “first look” between the venue’s dramatic purple curtains before stepping forward.
Paul Budzinski
The style
Lauren wore an intricately embroidered gown tailored by a Bulgarian designer, paired with a handmade dried bouquet featuring thistles, Scotland’s national flower. Justin complemented her style in a striking blue suit the couple chose together.
Paul Budzinski
The cake
The couple cut into a classic chocolate cake layered with ganache and adorned with fresh flowers from a vegan bakery in Glasgow.
Paul Budzinski
Their advice
“Consider a destination wedding. The wedding coordinator at the venue was able to take care of most aspects of the wedding, which put us at ease. We didn’t have to plan too much from a faraway distance, as they took care of mostly everything,” Lauren said.
The menu
Hors D’oeuvres
Sticky ginger-glazed tofu and zucchini ribbon skewers
Vegan haggis dumplings with oatmeal crumb and vegan whisky cream
Appetizers
Roasted tomato soup with basil pesto and vegan cheese
Roasted garlic-chickpea pâté with Ras El Hanout crostini
Entrées
Potato gnocchi with a roasted pepper stew
Feuille de Brick strudel with butternut squash, kale, harissa, and vegan feta
Dessert
Dark chocolate tart with strawberries
Banana cake with brûléed banana and cherry sorbet
Evening Buffet
Coconut-sweet potato pakoras
Whisky barbecue-glazed cauliflower bites
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Aruka Sanchir (@ruukes) is a writer based in Los Angeles, CA.
