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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.
Pratis Barns
Pratis Barns is a stunning barn venue with breathtaking views, it’s just outside Cupar in Fife .
I first worked at Pratis in 2015 not long after starting my business and I’ve watched it develop over the years and it’s a favourite.
I hope my little guide will help you visualise what your own wedding may look like in this amazing space.
Scroll down to read about all the spaces including the accommodation (on & off site), the dance floor & the fire-pits.
They have 6-barns over 30 acres so there is a so much space to make your own.
Since Nicola and Patrick took it over they have been making lots of improvements including the addition of accommodation at Pratis House, stunning vintage dancefloor lights and Patrick also brought his award winning catering on site so it’s far more inclusive than other barn venues.
The Ceremony Barn
The church-like ceremony barn is full of rustic charm and with the atmospheric lighting it has all the reminiscent feels of ’Ross & Emily’s’ iconic twinkly candle lit wedding in F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
The ceremony barn has been beautifully left as it would have looked when it was a working barn. The exposed beams & stonework and little storage spaces add lots of interest. It can also be heated which is a bonus!
Other barn venues such as the equally lovely but smaller ceremony barn at Guardwell Farm in Angus have a more cleaned up appearance with white walls.
The Layout
With 3 barns used for events, there is lots of space, so rooms don’t need to be re-dressed throughout the day.
The ceremony barn is across a courtyard from the two reception barns and it has two pretty barn doors into it, one at either end.
The back one is usually used for the bride to enter and the couple to leave together but the door at the front, when open, provides some beautiful natural light highlighting the bride & groom during the ceremony.
Low Light Wedding Photography
When you’re shooting in a dark space you could whack on an obtrusive flash and use it in every shot but I love the challenge of using the natural light at Pratis.
With the limited light, you have to plan the light in every shot to perfectly capture the atmosphere but the result is beautiful!
Exploring Together
Pratis has so many beautiful spots to explore, you can get away for a moment together, you can chat about your day and I’ll capture the moments.
The ceremony barn is a beautiful place to go back to for some photos, I also love using all the stone walls and barn doors as pretty backdrops.
Ross & Rachel had this sweet little moment enjoying a drink together at the barn. It’s completely them and that’s what I love about it!
Bride & Groom Photographs
As you leave the ceremony barn the texture of the stone, the red roofs, the pale green woodwork and the surrounding countryside provide a multitude of places to have photographs taken.
As you stand and look south you get panoramic views over the Forth Estuary over towards Edinburgh and if the weather is typically Scottish there are plenty places to shelter for photographs in the dry.
The field at the front of the building has both amazing views over the Forth or a nice back drop of the barn.
With 30 acres of land and Nicola & Patrick’s enthusiasm, I’m sure there are going to be more and more areas to explore as they develop the business.
The Day Barn
The day barn at Pratis looks out over the surrounding countryside and the river.
It boosts informal elegance with lovely rustic details and lots of areas for you to add personal touches.
Outside the entrance area there is seating and a fire pit to enjoy on a nice day.
Claire & Ross hired a campervan for their wedding and had a moment together to enjoy some wedding treats.
They said this was one of their favourite parts of the day.
Kids
I love kids at weddings and specialise in wedding photography for families, Pratis is a great venue for children.
Kids always seem happy at Pratis, they run around on the grass, climb hay bales or explore indoor play spaces.
They can have a lot of freedom compared to other venues. There is so much space, it really suits a family wedding.
DIY Wedding Props
Pratis has a ‘Wonder Room’ of items for you to use for your wedding. A treasure trove of props and accessories to make your wedding look fabulous!
If you love to create then this type of venue is magic. One bride, Lynsay really got creative, she even made her own jewellery and each bridesmaid had their own personalised denim jacket.
There are so many amazing ideas on Pinterest to inspire you to create a beautiful DIY wedding.
The Party Barn
The party barn and day barn link together. The day barn section is light and airy and perfect as a breakout space for when the dancing is on.
The party barn section to the back is dark and lit with up-lighters to highlight the beams on the ceiling.
This large space is used for the meal and the dancing.
The party barn is huge, an amazing celidh space.
For Claire & Sam’s first dance they used the space to the max with a massive Strip The Willow down the barn, with their entire wedding party.
IT WAS EPIC!
Also, it was an amazing way to get all your guests on the dancefloor and really start the party in style!
Scroll down and see how much fun they had!
I love all the little touches that have been created such as the bar in the larger room which is clad with old wine crates and the old pallets used to create signs and flower decorations.
Whether it’s dark or light outside the party barn has that night time atmosphere but for guests that don’t want to be in the noisy dancing area, they can chill in the quieter day barn or outside at the firepit area.
Pratis House
Pratis Barns now has Pratis house a stunning house, right next to the barn which accommodates 15 people across 7 rooms.
It’s full of beautiful modern features which compliment beautifully with the traditional features, like the stunning stairwell which allows a sneaky view out to the ceremony barn.
From the rooms you get amazing far reaching views out across the countryside, across the River Forth, all the way over to East Lothian.
They have built a lovely light sunroom on the front which is light and airy and perfect for hair & make-up.
Extra Accomodation
There is also Montrave House which is the closest place to Pratis Barns and sleeps 7 people in the house, plus they have 8 luxury 4 person wigwams, some with hot tubs ;-)
Montrave House was once a stables and has been converted to provide some beautiful characterful accommodation.
The large light rooms create a great setting for your bridal prep photography.
Although next door, both venues have long driveways so unfortunately it is not walking distance.
Dairsie Castle
Claire and her bridesmaids hired Dairsie Castle for their accommodation, 16 minutes drive from Pratis.
The 12th century castle was re-built in the 90’s and is full of character with carved totem pole style pillars mixed with the more traditional features in the castle.
The castle sleeps 14 people and has masses of space to explore & enjoy. You can even get married there.
Holiday cottages & hotels near Pratis
There are many other lovely places to stay including the Old Manor Hotel in Lundin Links, 10 minutes drive away or you could book a holiday cottage in one of the beautiful fishing villages on the East Neuk of Fife.
Get In Touch
Pratis Barns: Nicola, Patrick & Louise are fantastic, contact them at https://pratisbarns.com/weddings/
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
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.
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.
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.
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:-
- The Old Course Hotel, St. Andrews
- Dunfermline Weddings & Photo Shoots
- South Queesferry Weddings
Old Course Hotel Weddings - St. Andrews
A little guided tour of weddings at The Old Course Hotel. Wedding photography highlights from one of the most stunningly situated wedding venues in Fife, The Old Course Hotel in the heart St. Andrews.
Here’s my little guide to Old Course Hotel Weddings
The Old Course Hotel is a luxurious hotel full of amazing spaces, surrounded by amazing spaces and it has the only Kohler Waters Spa outside the USA so you can also be pampered during your stay, bliss!.
I hope this guide will give you a good view of the hotel and the places you can explore on your wedding day from the beach to pub to the golf course.
Please get in touch if you’re planning a wedding at the Old Course Hotel as I’d love help you make your day amazing.
Variety of Spaces
The Old Course Hotel has a great mix of spaces to explore and the extremely friendly team make the vast hotel feel like a lovely welcoming home.
One moment you are in the light airy conservatory with stunning views, the next you can be in the cosy historic pub with a pint and a fire or in the upstairs bar enjoying panoramic views and a whisky or cocktail.
Outside there is the famous golf course or you’re just a 2 minute drive from the stunning & vast West Sands Beach, used famously in the movie ‘Chariot’s Of Fire’.
They have space for every size of event from the little snug library to giant Hall of Champions.
The Suites
The suites at the Old Course Hotel are spacious with panoramic views over the golf course, St. Andrews and the beach.
As you’re getting ready you can watch golfers try to shoot their ball over the replica railway sheds which house the Hall Of Champions event space into the famous 17th hole.
The rooms have good natural light which is essential for your hair & make up team. There is also lots of space for bridesmaids, hair & make-up to work.
The rooms I’ve been in have all been split into two spaces giving you different spaces for different functions during your prep.
The Conservatory
The conservatory overlooks the Old Course and the St. Andrews skyline.
It’s a beautiful airy space with pretty details like the chandelier to add some grandness.
I love that it is a very neutral space so it can be dressed up or left super simple with just a few flowers.
The layout suits small intimate weddings & big weddings of up to 190 people.
There are no awkward pillars blocking the guests view like I’ve seen in other venues. No ugly signage or dark corners. It’s clean and it’s pretty!
The Ballroom
The ballroom is an internal room close next to the main reception which has an attached room with a bar.
It can sit up to 130 people.
For even bigger weddings there is also the Hall of Champions which sit’s up to a massive 450 people.
Beautiful Views
Lynne & Steven loved leaving their guests to go and explore the hotel, which they visit so often they know the majority of the staff.
Steven grabbed a bottle of champagne and headed out onto the golf course to pop the bubbles on the famous Swilken Bridge. They then went to the Jigger Inn and bought their registrar and drink and chatted to the other drinkers and staff.
After that they headed upstairs to the bar to catch up with all their guests.
The Jigger Inn
In 1850 there was a station where The Old Course Hotel now stands.
The snugly traditional Jigger Inn which was once the station master’s lodge stands as a reminder of the site’s history.
The Road Hole Bar
The Road Hole Bar is on the top floor of the hotel and has panoramic views of the sea, the golf course and St. Andrews along with a massive collection of 250 whiskys.
Sands
The Sands is a restaurant on the ground floor, right at the entrance. It’s a great size for a smaller meal like Lynne & Steven had.
Lynne & Steven decorated their table with gin bottle decorations and very tasty cupcake wedding favours.
The Beach
I love the beach beside the Old Course.
It’s a little walk but it’s another beautiful place for photos and if you want a little bit of time to yourselves, I’d definitely recommend walking through the dunes or exploring the beautiful rocks.
It’s a great place for engagement shoots. Kyle proposed to Rike at the Old Course and it’s was very fun to explore the beach to record the day.
St Salvator's Chapel
St Salvator's Chapel is part of St. Andrew’s University. The chapel was founded in 1450 and sit’s in the University’s quad and the entrance is from North Street.
It’s a 3 minute drive from the hotel. As University alumni it was the perfect place for Georgia & Julian’s ceremony before their reception at the hotel .
Get In Touch?
Are you looking at the Old Course hotel or another great venue? Please get in touch if you have any questions of would like to check your wedding date?
Dunfermline Photography
I grew up exploring Dunfermline and Edinburgh and I took them for granted. Dunfermline is so undervalaued, nowadays Pittencrieff Park is one of my top places for photo shoots so click here to see why.
Dunfermline
Dunfermline is such an under appreciated town, it was once the home of Kings.
I grew up with the story on King Malcolm III offering shipwrecked Margaret (Saint Margaret Of Scotland) shelter in Dunfermline. She created a new church which became Dunfermline Abbey which is where Robert The Bruce is buried and his name is round it’s spire.
I also loved the story of Andrew Carnegie sneaking into the gardens of Pittencrieff House to play and later returning as a rich tycoon to buy the house and grounds and gift them to the people of Dunfermline.
The colourful ancient buildings of Abbot House and Pittencrieff house are so fun for photos. Personally I wish every building was this colourful!
“The Glen” Pittencrieff Park
I love this park!
It’s my favourite place to photograph people enjoying themselves as there are so many brilliant places to explore.
Kids love to explore the paths, feed squirrels, follow the peacocks or play in the playparks.
It’s full of beautiful plants, historic buildings and a river which runs down the dark moody valley called Dunfermline Glen.
Dunfermline CITY CHambers Weddings
The Dunfermline City Chambers is the prettiest registry office I have photographed in. It’s a far cry from the boring office like rooms of many other registry offices.
The ceremony room has stunning vaulted ceilings, historic artworks a grand staircase to lead you up to it.
Outside the building has beautifully detailed turrets and an incredible clock tower with four faces which is prominent when you look at the Dunfermline skyline.
Dunfermline Abbey and the Dunfermline City Chambers are right next to the park.
There are also some other churches close by including St. Leonard’s Church and the Catholic St. Margaret’s Memorial Church.
The Glen Pavilion is within the park and is a popular place for Dunfermline Weddings. It has lots of different spaces you can book for an event.
If you want to find out more about my wedding photography, please click the button below.
Dunfermline Abbey
The abbey is the most prominent building on the Dunfermline skyline with it’s distinctive tower and spire.
It is one of Scotland’s most important cultural sites and in the grounds you can also see the ruins of Dunfermline Palace.
The abbey looks different depending on the angle you look at it from, so it is fun to capture in photographs from around Dunfermline
The abbey is Church of Scotland and maintained by Historic Scotland and you can find out more about getting married there by visiting their website.
Pittencrieff House
Pittencrieff House is bright orange and I love using it as a backdrop for photos especially in the autumn.
It has a massive lawn at the front perfect for babies to crawl on or for a picnic or for flying a kite.
Next to the house you’ll also find the hot houses, formal gardens and routes off to Dunfermline Glen.
Beautiful Paths To Explore
Pittencrieff park is always changing and the gardens around Pittencrieff house are full of seasonal planting which is brilliant to explore during shoots.
I think this is why I love it so much as with the house and the planting, I can guarantee to get some lovely colours in your photos, but I can also get some moody dark photos too if desired by exploring the more natural woodland areas.
Graduation Photographs Dunfermline
Rachel’s gran gifted Rachel a graduation shoot to celebrate her COVID affected graduation so we explored various parts of the park.
Rachel wanted photos to reflect her personality as-well as some more traditional photos.
Dogs Photo Shoots In Dunfermline
You can’t visit the park without seeing dogs and it’s a great place to explore for a dog photo shoot.
Often people ask if they can bring dogs along to family shoots and yes, you can, but you can also book a specific dog photo shoot if you really want some special dog photos.
Peacocks & Squirrels
When I was a child the park was filled with the distinctive noise of Peacocks and they are the symbol of the park with the Peacock Cafe named after them.
They have been absent for a long time but recently they have bred new birds and it’s lovely to see them parading around happily exploring the park.
The squirrels are also great fun and are very friendly and fun for kids to watch and feed.
The Moody Forest Maternity Photo Shoot
When Magda & Javier wanted a moody outdoor flamenco maternity photo shoot we chose the Glen and loved exploring the dark moody greens of the darker forest areas.
Visit my family page for more about maternity and baby photo shoots.
