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Doubletree North Queensferry | Autumn Wedding
Katie and Zaraās autumn wedding at DoubleTree North Queensferry gave me the chance to explore the village I love (and live in) to capture stunning views of the Firth of Forth, plus a special visit to the 18th-century sailorās graveyardāperfect for their Halloween celebration.
DoubleTree North Queensferry is a brilliant spot for a big hotel wedding by the sea with its cracking views over the Firth of Forth and the Queensferry Crossing ā which twinkles at night.
I live in North Queensferry, so Iām a bit biased about this location, but I also know the village inside out ā from the iconic spots to the hidden gems that most visitors never find.
I first met Katie years ago when I photographed her mum Gayeās wedding to Richard, so it felt extra special to now be capturing her wedding day. We had a lot of laughs during their pre-wedding shoot with their characterful dog, Lois, whoās also had his own doggy photoshoot, where we captured his cheeky character. Unfortunately, he was perhaps too cheeky to bring along to the wedding.
I love Katie and Zaraās outfits. Katie rocked a tailored burgundy suit, which added an extra autumnal pop of colour and perfectly complemented Zaraās sweetheart dress and red hair, which, in turn, perfectly complemented the red hues of the Forth Rail Bridge. I also love that they had matching hoodies to cosy up in later in the evening ā a playful and personal touch that was so very them!
Their wedding, held the day before Halloween, had loads of fun, seasonal details but stayed true to their personalitiesālaid-back and full of life. I loved the dried flowers, which looked lovely with the blue bridesmaid dresses.
If youāre looking for a big hotel wedding venue, DoubleTree North Queensferry is a fantastic choice. With its amazing view to enjoy, itās incredibly accessible tooājust a 15-minute walk from the train station or a minuteās walk from the bus stop on the bridge. But what makes it even more special is the way the village offers countless opportunities for unique photos, whether you want to stick to the classics or find something a little different.
Katie and Zaraās day was filled with laughter, love, and a lot of funāa perfect reflection of their relationship. It was such a privilege to be a part of it all and capture these memories for them. If youāre planning a wedding here, Iād love to show you all the best spots and help you create something truly unforgettable!
Gothic Wedding Magic in Edinburgh | Sarah and Leeās Non-Traditional Day
A gothic wedding celebration at Edinburghās Prestonfield House filled with dark elegance and unique personal touches. From handfasting ceremony and mead-drinking ritual to an axe-wielding cake-cutting, Sarah & Leeās wedding defied tradition in the most memorable way. Prestonfield black cat even appear to compliment Prestonfieldās moody dĆ©cor and add the final bit of Gothic flair.
Sarah and Lee's Gothic Wedding at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh was a celebration steeped in Halloween inspiration and personal touches. First meeting working in the food industry, they bonded over their shared love of food, music, tattoos, and a creative, alternative lifestyle. After nearly a decade together, Sarah decided to take the lead and proposed to Lee on a holiday in New Yorkāan unexpected yet perfect reflection of their unique connection.
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From the beginning, they envisioned a wedding with gothic charm, delicious food, and a relaxed yet deeply meaningful atmosphere. They found their ideal setting at Prestonfield House, with its delicious food, rich history, dramatic interiors, and gothic style. For their intimate gathering, Prestonfield provided them with small beautiful spaces which perfectly blended elegance and moody autumnal vibes.
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Sarah walked down the aisle in a dress that beautifully balanced traditional elegance with personal flair. Though she initially planned to wear black, she fell in love with the first gown she tried on, a glittering tulle-layered design with a flattering deep v-neckline and the perfect back to showcase her āCorpse Brideā tattooāa subtle but fitting tribute to their shared love of the gothic. Completing her look was a custom headdress by Hysteria Machine, and her hand-painted leather jacket added a distinct edge.
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The ceremony itself was really tailored to them by the fabulous Tim Maguire, it blended pagan traditions such as a handfasting, drinking mead, and jumping over a broom. They walked down the aisle together as equals, they chose a soundtrack of music from Cradle of Filth, Ghost, and Type O Negative, reflecting their love of alternative styles. And Sarah and her mumās beloved dog, Olly the Springer Spaniel, carried the rings up the aisle to them which brought a sense of warmth and playfulness to their gothic ceremony.
What is a Gothic Wedding?
Sarah and Leeās wedding at Prestonfield House was a beautiful example of a Gothic wedding. So, what exactly makes a wedding āGothicā? For Sarah and Lee, it meant embracing the moody elegance of autumn and the dark interiors of Prestonfield House along with personalised elements like a dramatic black wedding cake, and a custom handfasting ceremony. With deep colours, gothic decor, pumpkins and even a black cat, the day felt like something from a dark fairy tale.
What to Wear for a Gothic Wedding
Sarahās wedding look showcased Gothic style with her custom crown, Corpse Bride tattoo, and a unique, traditional dress with a modern twist. She originally planned to wear black but fell in love with a dress that allowed her to express her love for Gothic elements, without giving up the classic feel of a wedding gown.
For guests attending a Gothic wedding, choosing attire in deep, jewel tones or even black can harmonize with the theme without overshadowing the coupleās look.
Finding a Gothic Wedding Venue in Edinburgh
When searching for a Gothic wedding venue, itās all about finding a space with rich history and atmosphere. Sarah and Lee chose Prestonfield House in Edinburgh because it offered exactly that. The historic venue provided the perfect backdrop, with its dark, elegant rooms, dark jewel fabrics, gold features, chandeliers and antique charm.
For other couples considering a Gothic venue, Edinburgh has several optionsāfrom castles to grand estatesāthat capture the essence of Gothic romance.
Final Touches: Personal Details & Unique Traditions
With a ceremony complete with drinking mead, a handfasting, and even their dog delivering the rings, Sarah and Leeās wedding went beyond convention. Leeās daughter stood as his best person, adding a modern family twist to the traditional roles. These details made their Gothic wedding feel as unique and authentic as the couple themselves.
The Super Team
Photography: Ali Jay Photography
Celebrant: Tim Maguire of Celebrate People
Brideās dress: Sophia Tolli at Hoops a Daisy
Brideās headdress: Hysteria Machine
Brideās shoes: Kurt Geiger, Michael Kors
Bridesmaid dress: JJās House
Cake: Liggyās Cakes
Florist: Liberty Blooms
Groomās trousers: Moss Bros
Exploring The Scottish Wilderness
When the sun shines, we grab the chance for an adventure into the Scottish wilderness. Pictures of Scotland's watery landscapes & a few fun wildlife stories from my canoe expeditions.
When the sun shines, we grab the chance for an adventure into the Scottish wilderness, to be refreshed by nature. We look for wildlife (my ultimate happy place), talking around the campfire, making up stories for the kids. In the morning we wake to geese flying up the loch and sometime have a little swim before we pack up & disappear without trace.
For years, I avoided bringing a camera on these trips, worried it might take me out of the moment. But after a seal hilariously photobombed a rare canoe selfie, I realised it was worth capturing the beauty of Scotland. So if you love Scotland & the wild, Iāve gathered together my favourite pictures & a few stories, enjoy!
Loch Sunart
Puffing Porpoise
As I retell this story, part of me wishes Iād had my camera, but Iām also glad I was fully in the moment. Back in 2012, while canoeing on Loch Sunnart, along the wild and ancient Ardnamurchan Peninsula, we heard four soft puffs, then a pause. Moments later, more puffs, and thatās when we realised we were canoeing alongside a little porpoise family. It was magical!
When we finally made it back to shore, we apologised to our friends for leaving them for so long and explained why. As it turned out, they didnāt mindātheyād been quietly watching an otter that had come up onto the shore right beside them.
Loch Baa
Boulders Ahoy!
Loch Baa is such a strange and captivating landscape, with giant boulders scattered everywhere. As we paddled along, I felt like I was on the Titanic, watching for massive boulders hidden just below the surface like icebergs. The loch lies on Rannoch Moor, a treeless expanse of bogland just below Glen Coe. But on the islands, we found trees growing around these massive boulders. The whole landscape is reminiscent of a Lord of The Rings type world.
Loch Ard
The River Forth
Sleeping Seals & Puffins
Have you ever seen a seal asleep in the sea? It lifts its nose into the air and just floats there, eyes shut. While kayaking off North Berwick, we paddled out to the little islands and found ourselves surrounded by tiny puffins and sleeping seals. The beauty of a kayak or canoe is in their stealthy silence, letting you feel so close to the water and the wildlife around you.
Loch Katrine
We Are Sailing
Loch Katrine was the first loch we ever explored, just us and our friends. We paddled up the loch and camped overnight. Knowing it would likely be windy the next day, we set off in the morning, paddling with the wind for a while. Then, we pulled up on the shore, tied our canoes together, rigged up a sail and a pirate flag, and sailed our way back. We waved to the visitors aboard the Sir Walter Scott Steamship as we passed by.
15 Of The Best Photo Spots Edinburgh
Where are the best photo spots in Edinburgh for your city centre wedding? This handy little photo location guide to the top 15 photo spots in Edinburgh is here to help with photographs from real weddings as inspiration for your city centre adventure.
Where are the best photo spots in Edinburgh for your city centre wedding?
This handy little photo location guide is here to help with photographs from real weddings and a handy little map of city centre highlights. They are all close to the city centre & perfect to easily explore on your wedding day
Please let me know if you have a favourite place that you think should be added.
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City Centre Map
1. St. Giles Cathedral
2. Edinburgh City Chambers
3. The Royal Mile
4. The Edinburgh Festival
5. Writerās Museum
6. Riddles Court
7. John Knoxās House
8. Edinburgh Castle
9. Victoria Street
10. The Vennel
11. The Mound
12. Princeās Street Gardens
13. Carlton Hill
14. Holyrood Park
15. St. Anthonyās Chapel
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Letās start at the heartā¦
St. Giles Cathedral
St. Giles is literally in the heart of Edinburgh, the Heart of Midlothian is a mosaic on the ground outside St. Giles. Although this sounds like a romantic place to stand, beware, it is thought to be good luck to spit on it (apologies for spoiling the romance with a rather yucky start to this guide).
Letās skip past that partā¦ St. Giles is one of Edinburghās most iconic buildings with itās crown top a prominent part of Edinburghās skyline. I love exploring the pretty steps & doorways and I use it as a screen to take you away from the Royal Mile crowds into some of the quieter spaces behind.
2. Edinburgh City Chambers
Edinburghās City Chambers is a fantastically placed Registry Office, placed right outside St. Giles the chambers building is beautiful with its courtyard and sheltered arches (which have sheltered many weddings from Scotlandās weather over the years).
3. The Royal Mile
Talking about weather, around the city centre there are plenty more sheltered spots to explore around the royal mile, if the weather isnāt optimal. I have photographed in rain and fog around the city and it often just adds to the beauty.
When it rains the sandstone on the buildings darkens and the cobbled streets glisten and colours pop.
In the fog, everything looks old world-y and the diffuse light is beautifully flattering for portraits.
The Royal Mile links Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and has the majority of the best photo spots in Edinburgh, especially as there are many popular wedding venues on the mile or within walking distance.
St. Giles and the Chambers are on the high street part of the mile which is the most photographed part but boogle down some of the Closeās and youāll find hidden gemās such as Advocateās Close with itās brilliant views of the Scottās Monument or Riddles Courtās with is beautiful courtyard.
4. The Edinburgh Festival
In the festival Edinburgh fills up and the Royal Mile is packed with crowds, buskers & entertainers. The atmosphere is electric. Walking down the Royal Mile in a wedding dress will always get cheers of friendly congratulations but in the festival, you will be hidden amongst the many crazy outfits of the performers vying for your attention.
Jemma and Alasdair got married during the busiest week of the festival and loved getting amongst the crowds for their photos.
5. The Writerās Museum
Continuing up the Royal Mile from the High Street you reach the Lawnmarket which leads up the final stretch to the castle.
Just off the Lawnmarket you find Lady Stairās House. The 17th century Lady Stairās House is home to the writerās museum, I love exploring the peaceful courtyard and the cute lamposts.
6. Riddles Court
Riddles Court is one of my favourite Edinburgh buildings. I love the orange faƧade & pentice stair. I can imagine the king holding his banquetās there in the 16th century. Itās tucked away off the lawn market. Itās so hidden, few touristās find it so itās the perfect place for some quiet photos with some stunning unique architecture.
7. John Knoxās House
Further down the High Street, just before you enter the Cannongate part of the Royal Mile you get to John Knoxās House. Parts of the building date back to the 15th century building and it now houses the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Itās a little off route and on a busy part of road on the Royal Mile but it is one the oldest buildings in Edinburgh and very picturesque.
8. Edinburgh Castle
The temptation is to go the castle for wedding photos but unfortunately if you have a wedding dress on, they wonāt let you onto the castle esplanade (unless you are getting married there) but really the best spots are a wee walk away, venture to the Vennel or the Ross Fountain for the perfect castle pic.
9. Victoria Street
Victoria Street is famous as the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. This cute little street has some brilliant little shops and links the Royal Mile to the historic Grassmarket where you can get a brilliant view of Edinburgh Castle.
10. The Vennel
Just off the Grassmarket you can climb up the Vennel Steps and get one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle. If youāre really lucky you might get a congratulations from the author Ian Rankin who was passing by during Maria & Rhysās wedding, weāre waiting to see if they appear as characters in a Rebus novel.
11. The Mound
If you walk down from the Lawnmarket you will get to the Mound and enter into Edinburghās New Town.
The architecture completely changes as you enter the straight streets and Georgian architecture of the New Town and see the statement pillars of the galleries.
Youāll be surrounded by the hustle and bustle of shoppers on Princesā Street. From here you can also explore Princeās Street gardens and get some great views of Edinburgh Castle.
12. Princeās Street Gardens & Rossās Fountain
Princeās Street gardens run along the whole length of Princeās Street and have some amazing views of the city & the castle. At the east end of the gardenās, youāll find the Ross Fountain area which is a great place for a pic with Edinburgh Castle.
13. Carlton Hill
Carlton Hill is the best place in Edinburgh to get panoramic views across the city or to enjoy sunrise or sunset. Itās a bit further away from the Old Town so you will need transport to get to there. If you chose to walk, itās about a 15 minute walk (with a some steep hills) from the High Street on the Royal Mile.
You can see from the River Forth to Arthurās Seat to Edinburgh Castle. Itās an amazing place to go when the sun is low but it is a good hike to get up to it. Olivia and Tom got a car up the hill and enjoyed the golden evening light at the top of the hill.
14. Holyrood Park
At the bottom of the Royal Mile youāll find Holyrood Palace which is the Kingās home when he visits Edinburgh.
The palace is next to Holyrood Park, if you want a real adventure with an amazing view you can walk up Arthurs Seat and get some photographs at St. Anthonyās Chapel
15. St. Anthonyās Chapel
St. Anthonyās Chapel is a ruined chapel on the hillside with stunning views over the city.
It takes about 20mins to get up to it and it is rough ground so you need good footwear but it is stunning.
Shauna and Frazer went here to exchange their vows after their wedding in the City Chambers.
Taxi Adventure
Edinburgh is compact but if you have high heels on a vehicle to get your around is a plan.
You can hire an Edinburgh cab to take you around some of the sights. Itās also a cute vehicle to have in your photos.
Red Bus Tours
If you want your guestās to enjoy the city while you have a more intimate adventure you can hire a Red Bus to take your guests around the city. Companies such as the Red Bus Bistro will do a tour with afternoon tea for your guests.
Are you planning an Edinburgh wedding?
If youād like to chat about your plans, check availability or pricing, please get in touch :-)
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Wedding At The Den, Culross
Jessica and Danās wedding at The Den in Culross was a beautiful celebration of two people from different parts of the world coming together.
Jessica and Danās wedding at The Den, Culross was a beautiful celebration of two people from different parts of the world coming together.
Dan is from Canada and travelled over just before the wedding. We met up the night before the wedding in the 17th century town of Culross for a few fun coupley photographs. The townās cute streets and colourful palace are famous across the world thanks to Outlander.
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On the wedding day, we arrived at The Den which is a delightfully converted barn set amongst fields with views on the hills behind. Audrey, the owner has a brilliant eye for decor and I love how she has furnished the spaces in the Denās multiple barns.
The sun was shining brightly as we headed in for the ceremony. Jessica and Danās friend conducted the ceremony for them which added a beautiful intimacy.
The speeches were proper tear jerkers, especially when Jessicaās proud granddad set everyoneās emotions going as he said how the wedding was bittersweet as the wedding would see her move to Canada and after living so close to her for so long he would miss her terribly.
After their meal, everyone cosied around the firepits with sāmores and then waved goodbye to Jessica and Dan as they walked through a wall of sparklers and then drove off into the sunset.
The Wedding Team
Caterers: Bespoke Caterers
Florist: Scottish Cut Flowers
Cake: Heather's cakes
Hair: Cheryl Doig
Makeup (Cruelty Free): Top Drawer Make up
Candlelit Ghillie Dhu Wedding
The dramatic candlelit hall in the Ghillie Dhu looked beautifully romantic and the perfect place for Sarina & Liamās wedding
Itās lovely that two teachers who travel the world teaching and exploring so many placeās chose Edinburgh for their beautiful wedding. Liam is Scottish and Sarina is from Germany and they love the city.
The dramatic candlelit hall in the Ghillie Dhu looked beautifully romantic and the perfect place for their ceremony. The Ghillie Dhu has super thick curtains which they use to close off the ceremony space within the hall, it creates a moody gothic space which is just lit by the Ghillie Dhuās ornate chandeliers and candlelit mantlepiece. It really focussed everyoneās attention on the aisle for Sarina to make a dramatic entrance.
The Ghilie Dhu has access to the private gardens in Rutland Square so the whole wedding party headed along for a drinks reception. The summer rain arrived in good Scottish style but their hardy guests happily stayed out in the gardens rather than returning to the cosy bar in the Ghilie Dhu, until it go very heavy and they conceded that heading inside would be a good idea.
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The Ghillie Dhuās chefās create wonderful Scottish cuisine with a modern twist which was the perfect Scottish experience for their many German guests. When the guests returned for their meal the venue felt completely transformed with the curtains pulled back, the light spilled in through the stained glass windows. When the sun got low in the sky and the rain stopped I popped out with Liam & Sarina to get some pictures in Princesā Street Gardens and then they finished off the night by introducing their friends and family to the lively fun of a ceilidh.
The Wedding Team:
Venue: Ghillie Dhu
Caterer: Ghillie Dhu
Band: The Big Shoogle
Cake: Nice Times Bakery
Florist: Pretty Little Petals
Hair & Make-Up: Julie McGuire
Ceremony Officiant: Neil Johnston
Dress: opus61_brautmode
Stylist for bride and bridal party: Julie McGuire
Bride Preparations Venue: Waldorf Astoria Caledonian Edinburgh
Enchanting Megginch Castle Wedding
Megginch Castle is a superb new elegant wedding venue with a famous past. Nadia & Steven loved the beautiful courtyard and expansive grounds.
Megginch Castle may be a superb new elegant wedding venue but once upon a time, a long long time ago (well actually in the 90ās) the castleās historic courtyard hosted movie stars, including Liam Neeson, for the filming of the 1995 movie Rob Roy.
The Wedding Ceremony
Nadia & Steven chose Megginch Castle for their wedding after COVID meant they re-evaluated their original plan to elope to Spain. They loved the beautiful courtyard and chose the light conservatory for their ceremony but they could have chose the chapel or the gardens.
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Places to Explore
The castle is a hidden gem, I love little adventures and Megginch had lots of great places to explore. The conservatory links the courtyard via the grand ballroom to the gardens with itās 1000yr old yew trees, fun topiary, fountain and expansive lawns. There are also horses to go say hello to and a tiny chapel in the groups which can be used for religious ceremonies.
Surprise, Surprise!
Nadia and Stevenās guests were entertained with croquet and the big surprise of the night was when the waiter fell over and then got up and started singing. Nadia had told us that it would be happening so we were waiting in anticipation for him to fall. As a guest ran to help the poor fallen waiter, he jumped up and started singing and caused a lot of hilarity. Everyone loved the impromptu performance, guests were standing on the chairs, dancing, swinging their napkins around their heads. Danielle and I ran around the room having far too much fun capturing it on camera to make sure the fun was bottled up for Nadia & Steven to look back on and laugh.
The Magical wedding Team
Venue ā Megginch Castle
Event Management: Jan Deegan Next Step Events
Officiant ā Margery Bambrick
Photographer ā Ali Jay Photography
Videographer - Danielle Watt
Hair stylist ā Hair Ups
Make-up artist ā Christina Grace
Nadiaās outfit ā Pronovias - San Patrick
Cake ā Celebration Stations
Are you Planning a wedding at Megginch Castle?
Get in touch today, Iād love to be part of your amazing wedding team.
The Pawfect Wedding At Balmule House
The heartwarming ātailā of Andrew & Emmaās āpawfectā wedding at Balmule House with their 5 month old retirever pup, Koda.
Iāve got to get this in here, this is a heartwarming tail of the pawfect wedding, sorry, cheesetastic!
Andrew and Emma embarked on a heartfelt journey to tie the knot in the enchanting landscapes of Scotland, and they didn't do it aloneāKoda, their beloved 5-month-old retriever puppy, played a significant role in their joyous celebration. Like Gavin and Stacey, they had met on holiday and then had a long distance relationship between Wales and Essex.
Choosing the pretty Balmule House, set in the countryside just outside Dunfermline, as the backdrop for their intimate ceremony, Andrew and Emma opted for an elopement surrounded by their closest family members and their furry companion, Koda.
Dressed in a fetching tartan bow tie, Koda was by Andrew's side, lending a paw in the preparations and eagerly observing the ceremony with genuine canine curiosity.
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But Koda's involvement didn't stop there. Thanks to Andrew's dedication to training, Koda had mastered a charming trick called 'middle,' where he skillfully maneuvered between Andrew's legs. This endearing trick became an unexpected highlight, adding a touch of whimsy and playfulness to their group photographs and is a definite training tip for anyone planning a wedding with their pup!
Koda proudly joined in the group photographs, effortlessly becoming a cherished member of the wedding party.
Puppies get tired and after all the excitement of the group photos, Koda crashed on the sofa during the drinks reception. We left Koda to nap and headed out for some golden wedding portraits around the lovely grounds at Balmule House. After a while, the groomsmen brought Koda out to join Andrew and Emma so they could enjoy some pictures with him. Koda's lively spirit added an extra layer of joy and warmth to moment.
"Dog-friendly" weddings are becoming more common, and for good reason. Our furry friends bring so much joy, love, and happiness into our lives, so why not include them in one of the most important days of our lives? Not only do they add an element of cuteness and fun, but they also serve as a reminder of the love that we have for our pets.
Here's to Andrew and Emma, their beautiful love story, and their pawfect wedding. May their marriage be filled with many more cherished moments with Koda by their side. And to all the pet lovers out there planning their own wedding, consider making it a dog-friendly affair. Trust me, it will be a day you'll never forget.
The PAwfect Team:
Venue: Franc and his wonderful team at Balmule House
Celebrant: John Tonner from Fuze Ceremonies
Modern Pipes: by Dean Saunders
Are you Planning a wedding at Balmule House?
Get in touch today, Iād love to be part of your amazing wedding team.
Dovecot Studios Wedding - Lynsey & Mike
Lynsey and Mikeās colourful wedding at Dovecot Studios in the heart of Edinburgh
Lynsey & Mike love colour and music, they wanted a vibrant fun venue which was a bit different. They settled on the beautiful Dovecot galleries, a contemporary art hub and tapestry studio, originally built as a grand Victorian swimming bath where Lynseyās mum used to swim.
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The Artistic Team
Venue: Dovecot Studios, coordinated by Caitlin
Dress: Gwenne's, Edinburgh
Kilt: Groomās Own
Officiant: Kathleen Hood
Floristy: Save The Date Collective
Hair & Make Up: The Beauty Works
Band: Hot Date
Are you Planning a wedding at Dovecot Studios?
Get in touch today, Iād love to be part of your amazing wedding team.
Romantic Getaway To Edinburgh
To celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, Amy & Andrew booked a romantic getaway to Edinburgh and booked in for a photoshoot to help them make the most of their adventure.
āWe absolutely LOVE these photos! Thank you for taking the time to create these memories for us to have forever.ā
Amy & Andrew
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St. Andrews Wedding
Check out Georgia & Julian's beautiful and relaxed at St. Andrews wedding. It was such a privilege to capture their special day.
St. Andrews Universityās most famous couple may be William and Kate but Georgia and Julian also met at the university and not being royals they could have a super fun wedding with all their mates. They had their ceremony at the exclusive St Salvatorās Chapel followed by a fun filled reception at the Old Course Hotel.
To get married at St. Salvators you have to be affiliated to the university so as alumni Georgia and Julian got to use the chapel and the adjacent quad area for their photos.
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Itās a short distance to the Old Course Hotel which is one of my favourite venues with a brilliantly attentive team, stunning views, multiple beaches and a famous mini bridge to explore for photographs.
They loved their time in St. Andrews so when it came to choosing where to get married, they wanted to bring everyone back to the town to celebrate. For many of their friends, who theyād met at University it was also a chance to have a bit of a reunion and The Old Course Hotel was the perfect setting for a very good party and bouncing ceilidh.
St. Andrews has many famous landmarks but the little cute stone Swilcan Bridge is possibly the most famous so Georgia and Julian wanted to head there for photographs, especially as they could also get their university halls and the hotel in the background. The hotel organised a car to take us along but you can easily walk there if you fancy a wander. Georgia and Julian got a lift along to the bridge and they chose the pretty hotel garden and the university quad for pictures but I would also highly recommend a trip along to the beach if you have the time!
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The Fantastic Team
Venue: The Old Course Hotel
Chapel: St. Salvatorās, St. Andrews University
Floristy: Stucio and Waow
Dress: La Novia
Hair: Sophie Butler
Make Up: Vintage Beauty Box
Ceilidh Band: Skyrie
Are you Planning a wedding at the Old Course Hotel?
Barnbougle Castle - A Unique Castle Wedding By The Sea
Barnbougle Castle is a beautiful picturesque exclusive use wedding venue near Edinburgh with panoramic views over the River Forth and an exclusive beach. Check out Louisa & Jonnyās wedding at the castle.
Are you planning a wedding at Barnbougle Castle?
Get in touch today, Iād love to be part of your amazing wedding team.
Ellie & Dom - Wedderlie House Wedding Photos
Living in the land of Oz, but with Ellie's family residing near the vibrant city of Edinburgh, Ellie and Dom were on a quest to find the perfect location that could bring their entire family together. Enter Wedderlie House, a place that not only offered ample on-site accommodation but also a plethora of exciting activities. And the cherry on top? It was just a stone's throw away from the lively streets of Edinburgh!
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With a squad of sport-loving friends that could rival a whole hockey team, Ellie and Dom's guests were in for a treat. From the thrilling tennis court battles to the laughter-filled games room adventures, there was no shortage of amusement. And to kick off the wedding festivities, the guys even embarked on an exhilarating clay pigeon shooting adventure.
I first crossed paths with Ellie and Dom at Ellie's twin sister's wedding back in 2019. It was an absolute delight to reunite with her wonderful family and collaborate with familiar faces once again. Trust me when I say, this dream team is one you'd definitely want by your side on your special day.
Wedderlie, being a new venue, introduced me to the dynamic team of Jamie, Kamile & Chantel. The highlight for me was the quirky and charming 'Un-Stable' bar, nestled within the old stable block. And let's not forget the mischievous peacocks, strutting around, competing to be the best-dressed guests with their majestic feathery ensembles. Talk about a true spectacle!
Blessed with sunny weather, the wedding day was simply stunning. As the evening approached, I sneaked Ellie and Dom away to explore the enchanting woodland, where they could bask in each other's company. The melodies of Luke Combs filled the air as they took a moment to contemplate their first dance. And to end the night on a high note, we all got caught up in the infectious energy of an epic ceilidh dance. I must admit, I couldn't resist joining in on the fun!
So, if you're looking to create unforgettable memories on your big day, Wedderlie House and its incredible team are ready to make your wedding dreams come true. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!
Riddles Court Wedding - Duncan & Bex's Micro Wedding
Bex & Duncan's micro wedding at Riddles Court, a hidden gem of a wedding venue, right beside the castle. A wedding full of family moments.
Duncan & Bex had the sweetest micro wedding at Riddles Court surrounded by family. When I arrived, their house was full, with cats, dogs, kids & relatives. It was magically bustling and full of smiles :-)
When everyone was ready we all jumped in taxiās and headed to Riddles Court.
It was my first time at Riddles Court but Iāve admired it for a while. I love the stunning 16th Century architecture and the colourful orange facade.
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The Wedding Team
Photography: Ali Jay Photography
Ceremony Officiant: Evelyn May Cowie
Dress: Nancy Mac
Suit: Grooms Own
Wedding Coordinator: Erin, Riddles Court
Venue: Riddles Court Weddings
Pratis Barns the Alternative Barn Wedding Venue
My 2024 wedding venue guide to Pratis Barns, near Cupar, Fife. What's it like? Where can you all stay? What might it look like on your wedding day?? Check out what past couples have done to make their wedding day magical at this amazing Fife wedding venue, guide by Ali Jay Photography.
Get In Touch
Pratis Barns: Nicola, Patrick & Louise are fantastic, contact them at https://pratisbarns.com/weddings/
Duntarvie Castle Wedding - Crazy Fun Wedding
If you want a wedding full of fun, check out Laura and Johnās crazy fun wedding at Duntarvie Castle, a venue with acres of space for bouncy assault courses, pinataās in the trees, casinos and your dog :-)
Laura and John are fun & full of mischief. John is always cheekily winding Laura up and they are full of fun so their wedding had to reflect them and it had to allow them to bring along their cute pup, Wilson the spaniel.
Duntarvie Castle is a ruined castle and wedding venue near Winchburgh in West Lothian, a short distance from South Queensferry and few more miles from Edinburgh. Duntarvie was the perfect location to bring everyone together, with space for crazy bouncy castle antics, a casino extravaganza, firepits and of course Wilson.
Geoffrey Nicholsby, the current owner of Duntarvie has a famous kiltmaking business making alternative kilts which is a favourite with celebrities. They bought the castle over thirty years ago and have been working hard to restore it since. Itās been a slow job with a lot of conditions to meet and the eventās they hold at Duntarvie help fund the rebuild project.
Guardswell Farm ā Scottish Barn Wedding
Guardswell farm near Perth is a beautiful barn wedding venue sitting up on the hills with views of the River Tay.
Hannah & Rory chose Guardswell Farm for their wedding as they loved the country views and versatility of the space. It was the perfect place for them to get all their friends and family together for a massive wedding feast extravaganza.
Guardswell Farm Weddings
Guardswell Farm is set in the Angus hills, near the village of Kinnaird between Perth and Dundee and includes 150 acres of stunning countryside, four Nordic eco-cabins, a farmhouse, a farm cottage, and the main byre building. This award winning agritecture development retains the character of the old byre but has created a stunning modern event space.
The building comprises of a tall church like room called the Granary, which connects into the large open Cattle Court party space. Set away from the main party area, there is a cosy snug with sofas and a log burner. Massive doors perfectly link the Cattle Court onto the large lawn area via a covered outdoor area where there are firepits and a festoon lit woodland walk.
The accommodation at Guardswell was fantastic for Hannah and Rory who had a big bridal party team to accommodate and who wanted to just have an amazing time with all their friends eating amazing food.
Hannahās team took over the farmhouse and the Roryās the cottage. Their humanist ceremony, held in the Granary Room was full of personal touches with their friendās beautiful singing filling vaulted church like room with beautiful sound.
Fun And Games
When I met Rory and Hannah they told me about all the games they had planned and their wedding didnāt disappoint. They had Hammerschlagen, giant jenga and Kubb. The Hammerschlagen was definitely the favourite and the block of wood was constantly surrounded with people laughing and whacking a hammer trying to hit a nail. I had a little try but I was not a natural Hammerschlagen player. If you fancy trying it yourself, read on for instructions on how to play.
how to play Hammerschlagen
Get a big log of wood, a hammer, nails, a good drink and a load of friends.
The object of Hammerschlagen is to be the first person to get you nail flush with the wood surface.
Assign a nail to each player.
The player must rest the end of the hammer on the log next to their nail and then they take turns to have a single swing at their nail.
The player can only use one hand and the hammer must be swung in one continuous motion.
If the player bends their nail and canāt hit it any further into the wood then they can use their turn to try to hit it from the side to attempt to straighten the nail.
The Food
Food was very important to Hannah and Roryās plans, they chose mezze style platters for their guests to enjoy during the speeches and later they had an foodies dream grazing table with fruit, cheeses and delicious dessert options.
Bahookie
To add to the fun they had a bouncy castle and the fantastic Bahookie who got everyone on the dance floor having an amazing time as they mixed ceilidh music with chart classics like āSweet Dreams Are Made Of Thisā
The Wedding Team
Photography: Ali Jay Photography
Band: Bahookie
Caterers: Bespoke Catering
Flowers: Wild Rose Flowers, Kilmacolm
Dress: Grace Loves Lace
Accessories: Britten Weddings
Wedding Venue: Guardswell Farm
Are you Planning a wedding at guardswell Farm?
Get in touch today, Iād love to be part of your amazing wedding team.
Stunning Indian Wedding - In Edinburgh's City Centre
Shra and Neilās Scottish Indian wedding was an epic celebration. They had a board game cake, took the whole wedding party out for a curry, they created a new clan and had an epic ceilidh to finish the day.
Like two Carcassonne meeples, Shra & Neilās Scottish Indian Wedding brought them together in a magical medieval city where they built something new, a new clan, the clan Senpatrick!
They mixed their Scottish and Indian cultures together with their love of gaming and ceilidh dancing to create a truly unique day. Shra merged her name āSenā, Neilās, āFitzpatrickā to create a new clan name they could share.
Wearing their gamer colours (Shra always plays red, Neil always plays green) they married in the City Chambers and then took their entire wedding party out for a curry and then back to the City Chambers for an epic ceilidh. For their first dance they did a Gay Gordons with everyone.
As super fun gamer geeks they had a cake fit for the Kingā¦of Tokyo. The cake made by the phenomenal Sweet Unique Cake Boutique is the most impressive cake Iāve ever seen, you had to look very closely to see that it wasnāt actually a stack of games.
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It was important to Shra and Neil that the wedding was low waste so they didnāt have flowers and table arrangements and their favours were a cute meeple photo holder created by their fabulously talented friend Renae from the Yellow Door Studio.
Shra switched from her traditional red wedding sari in the evening and chose a floaty vintage white dress perfect for whirling around on the dance floor with her amazing group of friends who were all fantastic ceilidh dancers.
The Wedding Team
Venue ā Edinburgh City Chambers
Officiant ā Carol Swan
Photographer ā Ali Jay Photography
Hair stylist ā Natasha Dalziel
Make-up artist ā Renu Singh
Shraās outfit ā Vintage wedding dress from Those Were The Days
Neilās outfit ā Kilt outfit from Kinloch Anderson
Cake ā Sweet Unique Cake Boutique
Musicians ā Mark Neal, Fruin Ceilidh Band (previously Heeliegoleerie ceilidh band)
Meeple Photo Holders: Yellow Door Studio
Are You Planning Your Own Amazing Wedding?
Get in touch today, Iād love to be part of your amazing wedding team.
Balmule House - Country House Wedding Venue Fife
A wedding venue guide to Balmule House, the beautiful exclusive use country house boutique hotel wedding venue just outside Dunfermline.
Wedding Venues Edinburgh - The City Chambers
Wedding photography highlights from one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Edinburgh, The City Chambers. A venue on the Royal Mile at the heart of the Edinburgh Old Town.
Wedding Venues Edinburgh - The City Chambers
Built in 1761 the city chambers sits in an amazing location, right next to St. Giles Cathedral, on the Royal Mile in the heart of Edinburghās Old Town. The Castle is a 5 minute walk away and the area is full of beautiful backdrops and atmosphere.
What I love about the city chambers is that one minute you can be in the midst of the Edinburgh crowds capturing some atmospheric shots surrounded by people but then a moment later I can take you to a quiet area where you can have some more intimate photographs taken and you can enjoy some precious moments alone together. If you have guests who are not from Edinburgh you can even plan for them to go out for a half hour explore of the city as part of the day.
Our famously unpredictable weather can be frustrating on your wedding day but the city chamber has lots of lovely areas to explore under the cover of arches or closes or inside the beautiful chambers. Shra & Neilās beautiful Indian-Scottish wedding definitely had more of the Scottish weather than the Indian but we still got out to explore the city.
The Modern or Historic Ceremony Rooms
The majority of weddings at the city chambers are held by the registry office in the suite on the bottom floor but you can also choose to hire out the grand European Room for a larger ceremonyās.
Attentive Staff - Registry Office Weddings
The city chambers is quite different from most wedding venues as it is a working council office during the week and the security is high especially if the provost is around. When Iāve photographed weddings in the registry office suite their is a lovely lady, dressed impeccably in a tuxedo who attentively welcomes your guests and takes them to a special welcome room. You get married in the suite and then you can have formal photos in the courtyard area after the ceremony.
The Historic Rooms - Large Weddings
For larger weddings you can hire the rooms upstairs, these rooms are full of history and the views are phenomenal. The weddings I have photographed at the city chambers have used the council chambers from the meal and the dancing. The European Room has been used for the ceremony or drinks reception and buffet and there are a number of other beautiful rooms which people use for various parts of the day. All the rooms are linked together by pretty corridors filled with stained glass windows and artifacts from the chambersā history.
The city chambers is only 4 storeys tall on the Royal Mile side but from the Cockburn Street side it is 12 storeyās high. Underneath the chambers lies the labyrinth of Mary Queens Close, a close closed off when they built the chambers and now open to tourists who want to re-visit 17th century Edinburgh.