WELCOME TO

The Blog

Real Weddings, Wedding Venues Fife Alison Edward Real Weddings, Wedding Venues Fife Alison Edward

The Pawfect Wedding At Balmule House

The heartwarming ā€œtailā€ of Andrew & Emmaā€™s ā€œpawfectā€ wedding at Balmule House with their 5 month old retirever pup, Koda.


Dog on bed getting ready for Balmule House Wedding

Iā€™ve 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 aloneā€”Koda, 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.  

Groom with rings and his dog Balmule House Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

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.


Want to know more about my photography?


Bride descending stair at Balmule House Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
First kiss at Balmule House Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

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.

Group photos at Balmule House Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

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.

Wedding portrait with dog, Balmule House Wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Wedding portrait during golden hour atBalmule House Wedding by Ali Jay Photography

"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

Mother of pearl sky Ali Jay Photography 2023-12-21160815.jpg

Are you Planning a wedding at Balmule House?

Get in touch today, Iā€™d love to be part of your amazing wedding team.

Read More

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. Itā€™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.

Itā€™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 youā€™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? Itā€™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.

Iā€™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. Itā€™s a lovely place to go for a walk and enjoy a bit of time together and get some photos taken.

Itā€™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 itā€™s only 10 minutes from Dunfermline (I also cover weddings further afield).

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

Find out more:-

- Wedding Information (to find out more)

- Pricing Brochure (if youā€™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 youā€™d like to read more:-

- Pratis Barns, Cupar

- The Old Course Hotel, St. Andrews

- Dunfermline Weddings & Photo Shoots

- South Queesferry Weddings

Read More

AS FEATURED