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Georgia & Julian’s St. Andrews University Wedding at The Old Course Hotel

Check out Georgia & Julian's beautiful and relaxed wedding at St. Andrews University, held at the stunning Old Course Hotel. It was such a privilege to capture their special day.


Bride & Groom St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

St. Andrews University’s 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 Salvator’s Chapel followed by a fun filled reception at the Old Course Hotel.

The Old Course Hotel by Ali Jay Photography
 
Wedding Dress at Old Course Hotel at St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
 
Bridesmaid at St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride at Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride getting ready at Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

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. 

Groom and Groomsmen outside St. Salvators at St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
St. Salvators church at St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bridesmaid outside St Salvators for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride outside St. Salvators for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride outside St. Salvators for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

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Black & white photograph of bride outside St. Salvators for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Black & white bridal portrait outside St. Salvators for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

It’s 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.  

Bride & groom outside St. Salvators for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom outside St. Salvators for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom outside St. Salvators for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom portrait in the quad outside St. Salvators for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bridesmaid throwing up golf ball  at the Old Course in St. Andrews during Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

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 they’d 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.

Bride & groom at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Relaxed group photos at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Wedding guests at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Relaxed group photos at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

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!

Bride & groom on Swilcan bridge at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom on Swilcan bridge at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom on Swilcan bridge at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom on Swilcan bridge at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom on Swilcan bridge at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom on the Old Course at St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & groom first dance at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Fun ceilidh photos at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Fun dancing at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Fun ceilidh dancing photographs at the Old Course Hotel for St. Andrews University Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

Are you Planning a wedding at the Old Course Hotel?


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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.


Balmule House Dunfermline House & Grounds

Balmule House

Balmule House is a 500yr old mansion house which is now a country boutique hotel. It is tucked away in the beautiful countryside just 3 miles north of Dunfermline. It’s small size makes it perfect to book out for an exclusive wedding.

They offer an option to put a marquee in the garden for larger weddings (up to 500 guests) but having an intimate wedding in the house makes the most of the beautiful characterful spaces.

Country House Wedding

The house sits up on a hill surrounded by 30 acres of woodland and looks down over the countryside.

It has pretty spaces outside including a lawn, a long tree lined driveway, a walled garden and woodshed.

These spaces were brilliant to explore for photos but the inside spaces are equally as beautiful which would make it a brilliant venue for an autumn or winter wedding.

Relaxed Venue

Matt & Hannah hired the entire house for their wedding and everyone seemed so relaxed and really enjoyed just having fun all day.

It’s beautifully renovated with lots of period features which make the space feel homely.

I imagine in the winter it is super cosy as each room has a nice fireplace.

Balmule House Ceremony Room

Beautiful Light Rooms

Matt & Hannah used 3 spaces within the house for their wedding.

The main reception room can accommodate up to 40 people for a wedding ceremony.

The dining room also accommodates 40 guests for a meal and the space hosts larger number for the evening reception.

For larger weddings there is the marquee option which can take up to 500 guests.

Balmule House Dining Room

Dining Room

The south facing dining room overlooks the walled garden to the west and the fields to the south.

The bay window is a beautiful feature and brings in lots lovely light which is great for your photographs.

Normally this space is furnished with lovely sofas but it is very versatile and the management just seamlessly change the spaces to suit the required function.

I used this space for a family shoot a few years back so if you’d like to see it as a cosy seated area, click the button below.

Balmule House Wedding Bedrooms

Boutique Hotel

The house has 8 bedrooms which all have their own unique character which was a really fun feature of the hotel.

Hannah had this massive bridal suite to get ready in which was a fabulous space and had a vast impressive bathroom to match.

Pretty Spaces

I love the staircase in the house, it was a great place to capture some pictures of Hannah on her way to the ceremony.

Well Looked After!

What makes a brilliant wedding venue? It’s not just the location, space and the pretty features of the venue but the management.

Franc, the owner, seems to sincerely want the couples who choose Balmule to have an amazing time which is my main aim to.

The exclusive use means the management are just looking after you on the day and bride and grooms love this.

I’ve heard great things about how well they are treated and how lovely an experience it was.

I have seen plenty couples stressed on their wedding day because they are not so well looked after and I truly believe being able to trust your suppliers is essential. I always want my couples to feel completely comfortable and trust that I know exactly what they want and Balmule seem to be the same.

Main Hall

When you first enter the house you enter via an arched entrance porch which is a lovely place to have a welcome sign for the wedding party.

You then enter an entrance hallway which leads into the main hall. The comfy seating in the hall was a great waiting area for guests who arrived early for the ceremony, it then became a good place for mingling during the drinks reception and then Matt & Hannah used the area for their cake cutting and then dancing.

I really loved how versatile the spaces all were.

Walled Garden

The walled garden is full of cute pathways lined by box hedging. It’s a lovely place to go for a walk and enjoy a bit of time together and get some photos taken.

It’s also a nice space for your guests to enjoy or for some family photos.

The main car park sits behind the walled garden so guests can walk through the garden when they arrive which is a nice welcoming approach.

Golden Light

Matt & Hannah were married in May when the evenings are long and we went out during the golden hour to explore the grounds and get some photos as the sun was going down.

Whatever the time of year it is nice to get out the hour before sunset to catch some of the golden light.

In the winter the daylight hours are so short but when it is sunny you get low light much of the day and it is beautiful for photos.

 

Planning a wedding in Dunfermline?

I live in North Queensferry which is perfectly located for weddings in Fife & Edinburgh and it’s only 10 minutes from Dunfermline (I also cover weddings further afield).

If you’d like to know more, check out my weddings page and get in touch, I’m happy to answer any questions and help you with your wedding.

Find out more:-

- Wedding Information (to find out more)

- Pricing Brochure (if you’d like to get an idea of cost)

- Edinburgh Wedding Blog (for more wedding inspiration)

Read More?

I have some other guides for venues nearby, click the name if you’d like to read more:-

- Pratis Barns, Cupar

- The Old Course Hotel, St. Andrews

- Dunfermline Weddings & Photo Shoots

- South Queesferry Weddings

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