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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/
