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: 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
 

Anne & Dave's Engagement Session, Dalduff Farm, Ayrshire

I've been wanting to photograph a wedding at Dalduff Farm for a couple of years now, I love it's rustic look. So what better way to take a look around than to couple it up with an engagement session for Anne and Dave, who get married there in September. Dalduff Farm didn't disappoint; rustic - yes, nooks and crannies - oh yes, plenty of places to explore and get lost - hell yeah!

The kids and their gorgeous husky joined us too so we kicked off with some family photos too. Here's a sneak peek of what we got up to and if you reach the bottom, there's a slideshow of the entire shoot.

Dalduff Farm Engagement Session

Engagement shoot at Dalduff Farm.

Dalduff Farm couple

Engagement session at Dalduff Farm.

Dalduff Farm Barn Engagement

Engagement session at red barn at Dalduff Farm.

Inside barn at Dalduff Farm for Engagement Session

Barn at Dalduff Farm for engagement session.

Barn at Dalduff Farm Engagement Session

Engagement session inside red barn at Dalduff Farm.

The Slideshow - turn up the volume, sit back and relax!

Kirsten & Doug's Engagement Session: Sugar Sheds, Greenock

It's been a while since I did a shoot down at the Sugar Sheds, but my oh my, what a building. So many gorgeous colours and textures to shoot against, love it love it love it! And believe it or not, the weather was absolutely horrendous with heavy rain and wild winds sweeping through. Kirsten and Doug were freezing but braved the elements regardless.

Greenock Engagement Session

Engagement session at Sugar Sheds in Greenock.

Sugar Sheds Greenock Engagement Session

Couple at Sugar Sheds in Greenock for their engagement session.

Greenock Engagement Session at Sugar Sheds

Engagement session at Sugar Sheds in Greenock.

See a full slideshow from their engagement session below including lots more images.

Scotland Wedding, Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Christine and Ryan were one of my shyest couples this year but have proved just how important it was to have an engagement shoot prior to their wedding. They were absolutely adorable on their wedding day and very relaxed meaning they enjoyed the time we had together. And Glasgow Botanic Gardens didn't disappoint. In what was supposed to be a day full of heavy rain, somehow we managed a mostly dry day with amazing light. Lots of greens and oranges in this wedding with Christine and Ryan in and amongst it all.

Here is a lovely sneak peek from their wedding day for you all to enjoy.