A Scottish Wedding at Ardgowan Estate

A west of Scotland
Stately Home Hideaway

I can count on one hand venues across Scotland that truly deliver from a wedding photography point of view. Ardgowan Estate doesn’t disappoint and is included in that list and should definitely make your shortlist of venues when you come to planning your own wedding.

Below is the kind of thing that I will create for a wedding at Ardgowan Estate. I’ll let the images speak for themselves, but if you’re interested, scroll to the bottom where I’ve selected a few images and explained what I’m looking for and/or how I created the shot.

Some background behind the images

The library

I always try to avoid using flash if I can help it. I moved a big old arm chair to face the huge window here to make the most of the huge amount of natural light. I also switched a lamp on in the background to retain some ambient light. The result is some lovely skin tones.

The stairs

Most photographers have done the big wide shot of the main staircase and why not, it’s spectacular. I wanted to focus on the colours - the stairs, the walls, the bannisters and the light bouncing off the dress, flowers and brides face.

Tree Swing

Who doesn’t love a tree swing?! Located in the beautiful private gardens of the house, this swing was erected by the BBC for the filming of their Agatha Christie drama Ordeal By Innocence. Nice of them to leave it up.

Main Staircase

Probably the shot I’m most proud of. The light in this image travels from three floors up from the sky light dome, illuminating only half of this sofa. It’s all I needed and I was later told by the owner that no other photographer had used that spot.

The walkway

The history of Ardgowan House is so interesting. This was an old covered private walkway for the family to get to their chapel, now in ruins. The windows used to be internal windows! I can’t help but get lost in my thoughts imagining the people who used to walk here.

The bench

A small bench within a cutaway hedge, the perfect place to get lost and have a break from the main wedding, yet only 30 seconds from the main house. The light in this space is so nice too.

So there you go, some insight into the amazing spaces around Ardgowan Estate and I’ve only touched the surface. There are so many places to explore in and around the main house. Fancy joining me for an adventure and immersing yourself in some Scottish history for your wedding day?

It’s worth pointing out that the images you see above where all created by myself with a fantastic small team of people. I wanted to showcase the lovely spaces in and around Ardgowan House that were the complete opposite to the classic look of a stately home. Here’s the team who were part of it.

Venue - Ardgowan Estate

Wedding Blog - Braw Brides

Flowers - Briar Rose Flowers

Wedding Planner - Fin Flükra

Wedding Dress - Flossy & Dossy

Hair/Makeup - Kim Boyd

Grooms Outfit - models own

Jewellery - Fire White Jewellery

Models - Real life couple Jen and Jack, who aren’t even models but did a fantastic job here.

THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED!

Scotland Wedding: Lochside House Hotel, Ayrshire

I was very excited when Claire and Mick suggested we meet at their wedding venue for their engagement session. Lochside House Hotel didn't disappoint as we looked round the old and the new and explored its shapes and lush green gardens.

It's hard to believe that the morning of Claire and Mick's wedding included heavy relentless rain, a sight that must fill any couple with dread as they look out their window! But in my experience, it's never worth worrying about the weather as in Scotland, it can change so quickly. And change it most definitely did. The afternoon dried up and then into the evening we were blessed with the most idyllic of sunsets at the back of the hotel. Perfect.

Lochside House has an amazing ceremony room with a huge window at one end that overlooks the loch. The light coming in that window is perfect for a ceremony, lighting up everyones faces on the front row. And as far as candids of everybody enjoying themselves, there are so many open spaces for guests to relax and have a drink, both inside and out. And what with the weather drying up, everybody were out on the patio area.

Always a decision made towards the end of a wedding day is whether or not it's worth venturing out for another shoot. With the help of a handy app, I knew exactly where and when the sun would be setting. So I had a quick scout about and worked out a tiny spot where it would be ideal to take Claire and Mick. I had about a 15 minute window of it being that lovely golden light and then the sun disappearing behind the horizon. A quick word with Claire and Mick and I soon had them outside and exactly where I wanted them. What happened next was the most amazing of sunsets. And not only that, a murmaration of starlings was taking place as I willed them to fly over Claire and Mick, they didn't disappoint! And finally, once the sun had disappeared, we were presented with a perfect blue/orange sky with the moon making an appearance. Wow wow wow!

Here's a small selection from Claire and Mick's beautiful wedding day.

The amazing team behind Claire and Mick's Wedding:

Flowers: Murray's Florist
Dress: Anne Priscilla Bridal
Band: Revolution 7
Cake: Sugar and Spice
Event Decor: Cover the Big Day
Videographer: Showreel Media

Scotland Wedding: Lochgreen House Hotel, Ayrshire

When you have an absolutely amazing time with a couple on their engagement session, they're up for pretty much anything on their wedding day and it turns out to be one of the hottest days of the year, you know you're on to a winner!

Laura and Dave were married at St Patrick's Church in Greenock before travelling down to Lochgreen House Hotel in Troon. And it really couldn't have been a nicer day weather wise - pure blue skies, sunshine and temperatures to match.

Laura and Dave were incredibly relaxed, taking their wedding in their stride. The cool cats! Great atmosphere in the morning which carried through the entire day. 

I'm always keen to do something different at a venue so I decided to take them into the woods opposite the hotel building. Of course, I still used the band stand and the venue with its red roof as a back drop is a no brainer really. But it's always nice to try and create something a bit different and we were rewarded with some dappled light shining through the tree canopies, happy days.

Laura and Dave had the most incredible team of people who worked behind the scenes, see the bottom of this post for links and make sure you check them out! For now, here are a selection of images that will tell the story of their amazing day!

The amazing team behind Laura and Dave's wedding:

Second Photographer: Heather Johnston Photography
Band: Daytura
Flowers: Studio Flowers
Videographer: CF Productions
Wedding Dress: Vintage Bridal Couture
Makeup: Ana Inga
Hair: Lana at Cameo Bridal Styling
 

Scotland Wedding: The Cruin, Loch Lomond

We had the most spectacularly sunny day for Karen and Alan's wedding meaning an outdoor ceremony and a clear view up Loch Lomond over to Ben Lomond. Fabulous.

Once again, lots of my friends from Braw Brides worked tirelessly to make this wedding what it was (links at the bottom).

Karen has an amazing eye for details and she didn't disappoint from her cake to her geometric table centres. The room at The Cruin looked awesome.

I'll never forget the look on Karen's dads face as he walked into the room to see her in her wedding dress for the first time. There were also lots of tears during the ceremony with so many happy emotions, it was just lovely to watch.

Having Karen and Alan place their trust in what I could potentially create for them paid off. During dinner, together with the video guys, we hatched a plan to try and catch the sunset, but it would involve a 10 minute drive. Karen and Alan's response was priceless and went something like this: "Yes that sounds great, but can we just wait for dessert as it tastes amazing"! Well, we couldn't argue with that. Anyway, you'll see the results below, a trip that was very worthwhile.

I hope you enjoy looking through this handful of images and please check out all the awesome suppliers at the bottom.

Now, go and check out these awesome people who created their magic:

Second photographer: Heather Johnston Photography
Videographer: Chas & Gavin from Sole Productions
Flowers: Emma from Betty Bluebell
Cake: Claire Cameron Cakes
Make Up: Cat Robertson
Hair: Lana from Cameo Bridal Styling
Band: Earl Blue & The Sessions
Dress: Point Nouveau

Teaser Slideshow:

Scotland Wedding: The Barn at Dalduff Farm

This was one of the most delightful weddings to photograph as it combined rustic with pure and simple style! Plus I got to work with lots of my friends from Braw Brides (links at the bottom).

Spending the day with their closest friends and family was the most important thing for Anne and Dave. The sheer effort they went to as well to fill Dalduff with the most intricate details, from signage to things on the tables, they literally thought of everything.

Anne and Dave put their complete trust in me which meant I could be a little creative. I worked out where and when the sun was going to set. To make the most of it, we needed to delay the speeches by 25 minutes. A quick discussion with Anne, Dave and the venue resulted in a fantastic early evening shoot in a barley field. Love it when a plan comes together.

Here is a small selection of images that tell Anne and Dave's Dalduff wedding story! Enjoy.

Some awesome people involved in this wedding who you will want to check out!

Second Photographer: Sarah at Joy Story
Dress: Wendy at Flossy & Dossy
Flowers: Emma at Betty Bluebell
Stationary & leather jacket detailing: Claire at Daisy Bisley
Hair: Gillian at Pin Up Hair Glasgow
Make Up: Cat Robertson
Video: James at Strangeworx
Event Styling: Blue Parrot Company
Venue: Dalduff Farm
Humanist Celebrant: Sandy Geddes

Teaser Slideshow: