Aikwood Tower | Scottish Borders Wedding | Scotland Wedding Photographer
Aikwood Tower Wedding | Scotland Wedding Photographer
Bexx + Ben, I just love these two together. I’m so glad they asked me to shoot their wedding in the Scottish Borders! We first met when they came to Edinburgh for me to capture their engagement session. We spent most our time together after that session at a local pub drinking milkshakes and just truly having the best time chatting! I was already looking forward to their wedding day just because of how fun their personalities were, but I had no idea that all of their friends and family were going to be so lovely as well. And I was not expecting, from what I had seen online, to see the beauty that was Aikwood Tower. Their venue was located in the remote countryside of the Scottish Borders and is a newly restored 16th century tower house. The day was just so full of so many Scottish traditions, her ‘mum’ was the officiant, there were loads of family styled food dishes (all Christmas Dinner themed) catered by The Pantry, and nonstop dancing into the night with a full-on group karaoke of Disco music. I couldn’t have thought of pairing all of these favorite things of mine in one wedding if I tried. The fact that Bexx and I are just so similar just made me adore this day that much more! In the end, this wedding, full of the beauty of Scotland as well as their unique and quirky taste, made this a gem of a wedding, and I’m just so glad I was able to celebrate with these two into the ‘wee’ small hours of the morning!
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Venue - Aikwood Tower | Planner + Florist - Get Knotted | Dress - Rory Andrew | Hair + Makeup - City Brides Edinburgh | Jewelry - Katie Lee’s Fine Jewelry | Cocktail Hour, Reception, Late Night Snacks, Desserts, Tuk Tuk Truck - The Pantry Edinburgh | Cake - Big Bear Bakery | Humanist Celebrant - Sandra Mclaren | DJ - Oliver Melling | Wedding Filmmaker - Shoot It Yourself |
Aikwood Tower is such a beautiful wedding venue in Scotland. Aikwood Tower is a scottish owned and operated historical wedding venue tucked away in the Scottish Borders. The great thing about a Scottish borders wedding venue, is that they will be close enough for your guests to stay the night in larger cities, such as Edinburgh or Glasgow. There are also so many beautiful, quaint little towns nearby Aikwood Tower, such as Selkirk, Melrose and St. Boswells. Aikwood Tower has a rich history as well. With this wedding venue starting out as part of the Scott family clan dating back to 1517. On their website they have a more detailed history, but one of my favorite stories was one that is a tale that Aikwood Tower was used during the Jacobite rebellion as an escape from the government after the Battle of Culloden. And the main reason I’m intrigued by this, is because I just recently started watching Outlander, and the Jacobite Rebellion and the Battle of Culloden are both very essential players in the storyline of this intriguing historical drama series. Either way, this venue has since been restored and has won many architecture awards for how lovely they have restored this historical farm and tower. When you rent this Scottish wedding venue, you are not only renting Aikwood tower for the day, but you will have the entire weekend for lodging of five bedrooms to spend time with your family visiting from out of town. Aikwood Tower is perfect for intimate weddings in Scotland. Not only is Aikwood tower a beautiful wedding venue, but it’s also very historic. A historical wedding venue is one that most couples traveling to Scotland to elope will be looking for. You have lodging on site, you have scottish history all around you, and you have the lovely team at Aikwood Tower to assist you with anything you may possibly need. I absolutely loved working with the Aikwood Tower wedding team. Aikwood tower has not only the beautiful garden surround the wedding venue, but also the scottish charm that you want in a wedding venue when you’re in Scotland. There is something to be said about new and modern wedding venues, but when you are searching for a historic Scotland wedding venue, Aikwood Tower is one of the best wedding venues in Scotland. I already can’t wait to capture another Aikwood Tower wedding! If you are still searching for a romantic and intimate wedding venue in Scoltland, Aikwood Tower is your place. I can’t say enough nice things about Aikwood Tower and the magic of Scotland that you feel when you’re on the grounds.
Dunnottar Castle at Dusk | Raw Love
Dunnottar Castle Wedding | Scotland Wedding Photographer
These two are precious humans, whom I adore.
Their love is raw and their sweet joy can be felt by anyone who is in their presence.
The first time I met these newlyweds was literally in the Highlands of Scotland for a shoot when my friends were visiting from LA, Sheri and Nicole, and invited me to join them for a day trip! My main contribution was to suggest that we go to Dunnottar at dusk because of the cliffside views and the skies tones are some of my favorites in the country. It couldn’t have been a better setting to end a day in Scotland with friends visiting and to witness all of them seeing Dunnottar for the first time, under such beautiful dusk light. I honestly couldn’t have even told you their names before I captured these images of them on this day (I’m also just bad with names, it takes me a while, ha). Matt and Tamar are also a talented husband & wife photo/video duo I came to find out later! But there is something so lovely about simply meeting someone in person first before seeing their online presence or scrolling through their life before meeting them. I really love meeting with people in person, in passing. Face to face will always be the truest form of connection and authenticity, and these two’s love for each other was just that, deep and genuine. It was so apparent from the first day I met their bubbly selves cuddling on the mountainside. I just love their perseverance, their joy, their hope and their sweet and kind spirits. I’m so grateful to have met them in the Highlands on this day and for all of our hangouts since! So cheers to meeting people in person, developing genuine friendships and to couples endlessly in love and pursuing their dreams together!
Are you looking for an epic place to elope in Scotland? The outdoors in the Highlands of Scotland is the best Wedding Venue. Dunnottar Castle is the perfect backdrop for a wedding of elopement in Scotland. Dunnottar Castle is perfectly placed on the coast of Scotland and is perfect for couples traveling into Scotland to have an elopement in the Highlands of Scotland. If you are searching for a beautiful outdoor location for your elopement or wedding day in Scotland, Dunnottar Castle is lovely! I remember the first time I went to Dunnottar Castle. It was just to explore the beautiful Scottish coastline and was on a personal road trip to photograph this beautiful country. Dunnottar Castle stood beautifully in the distance as we pulled into the parking lot and I instantly fell in love with its majestic and stoic stance perfectly settled into the cliffside of the Scottish coast. I always love exploring new places in Scotland and those end up being the backdrop for many sessions in the future. Dunnottar Castle, I instantly knew would be a beautiful and romantic setting in Scotland for an engagement session or couples portrait session. I’ve seen many weddings and elopements captured at Dunnottar Castle and they are all so whimsical and lovely. If you are ever wanting any opinions on places to elope or have a wedding in Scotland, just let me know! I have so many outdoor wedding venue ideas in the highlands of Scotland that I stumbled upon, if you want a unique and remote Scottish wedding day or elopement. All in all, Dunnottar Castle will continue to be a beautiful location for an elopement or engagement, and if you need a photographer for your special day, please feel free to reach out. I would be honored to make something beautiful with you and your loved one in Scotland!
Scotland Elopement | Lamb's Pavilion | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
The Pavilion at Lamb’s House | Leith | Scotland Elopement | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
We were together.
I forget the rest.
-Walt Whitman
The beautiful wedding vendors involved in this day are listed at the bottom and I personally believe they offer some of the best options for eloping in Scotland. I’m also so thankful for Tamar + Matt’s genuine love for each other, that always comes through every time they are captured. If anyone is eloping or getting married in Scotland, I would love to help plan the day if you are unfamiliar with the area. I hope everyone enjoys these images and would like to thank the Lamb’s Pavilion, Narcissus Flowers, and Those were the Days Vintage Bridal for being a part of this simply elegant + naturally textured elopement shoot!
Getting Ready + Lodging The Lamb’s Pavilion | Vintage Wedding Dress Those Were the Days Bridal | Wedding Bouquet + Florals Narcissus | Groom’s Jacket + Vintage Burberry Coat Those Were the Days Vintage | Portrait Locations Private Historic Home + Holyrood Park, Edinburgh | Lovely Couple Tamar + Matt
Eloping in Edinburgh, Scotland is something I always encourage! If you are wanting something more intimate and looking for a beautiful country and city to spend those precious memories together, this is the place! I would love to help you plan your elopement in Edinburgh or anywhere else in Scotland! There is nothing I love more than to make your wedding day all about you both and any recommendations or suggestions that you may need, I’m here for you! I also can refer Edinburgh wedding planners, florists and wedding dress shops and designers. Just know that eloping doesn’t mean you are on your own and need to feel overwhelmed! Even the smallest Scottish elopement deserves all of the attention to detail as a wedding day does! I assume if you are reading this that you are contemplating eloping to Scotland, so again I just have to say, do it! You won’t regret spending the start of your life with your best friend in the stunning countryside of Scotland.
Loch Lomond Wedding | Stuckgowan Estate | Scotland Wedding Photographer
Loch Lomond Wedding Venue | Stuckgowan Estate | Scotland Wedding Photographer
I love how every couple is so uniquely them. Whether they have a large party with endless amounts of friends, family members and acquaintances or a small intimate wedding, both represent who the couple is and it's such a lovely thing.
Katie and Oliver originally were planning a large wedding in downtown Glasgow and as the weeks went on they realized they really just wanted an intimate day with just 20 of their closest family and friends from near where they both grew up on Loch Lomond.
The day was as serene as the landscape that surrounded us on Loch Lomond. The beautiful mountains lining the horizon, the calming still water served as the backdrop of the day. Scotland truly is one of the loveliest countries to get married outside amongst the raw natural beauty.
I always learn so much about myself and others after becoming a part of their family for a few days. It's always such a humbling experience and these precious moments make me so grateful for my life's work. I truly love what I do, photographing memories being made and stories unfolding.
So cheers to you, Katie + Oliver!
May your days be filled with lots
of explorations in nature, lots of
delicious donuts, lots of reality
tv shows and most importantly
lots of love!
Dress Seni Dey // Florals Adelaide's Secret Garden // Shoes & Other Stories // Suit Moss Bros // Venue Stuckgowan Estate // Vintage Tables Virginia's Vintage Hire // Floral Boxes Bailey's Fine Furniture // 2nd Shooter Ross Dickie // Caterer Raegan Hallatt Catering //
Loch Lomond is such a beautiful place for an intimate wedding or elopement. Stuckgowan Estate is one of the best wedding venues in Scotland. It's an estate wedding venue overlooking Loch Lomond. If you are looking for a scotland wedding venue for your elopement or intimate wedding, Stuckgowan Estate would be the perfect wedding venue in Scotland. You can even stay the night at Stuckgowan Estate. Ross and I stayed nearby, but we spent the night before hanging out with the family as they had a rehearsal dinner bbq there the night before their wedding day. Then the night of the wedding, the bridal party piled into the beautiful movie theater room in Stuckgowan Estate, to watch Love Island together. This was my first time I ever head of Love Island, and I have to say, I absolutely got hooked. It’s the perfect amount of wild entertainment in my life, since I’m usually an introvert, and just hang out with my fiancé and a small handful of my closest friends. Anyways, back to Stuckgowan Estate, this scotland wedding venue is so close to Loch Lomond, that during the ceremony and reception, the bride and groom and myself walked right across the road to take their bridal portraits on the beautiful waterfront of Loch Lomond. It’s amazing that such a beautiful body of water is just across the street from Stuckgowan Estate. This wedding venue is perfect for have your ceremony overlook Loch Lomond in the background. You can easily see Loch Lomond from the front yard of Stuckgowan Estate, where Katie, and most brides, would have their wedding ceremony take place. It’s such a stunning view of Scotland. If you’re searching for a wedding venue near Loch Lomond, than Stuckgowan Estate would be the perfect intimate Scotland wedding venue for you and the love of your life.
Isle of Skye | Ruth + Mark
Isle of Skye Road Trip | Isle of Skye Engagement Photos | Scotland Wedding Photographer
Ever since being introduced to Ruth (thanks Ian!) I knew she would become a close friend of mine. I appreciate her kindness, hospitality and just overall genuine personality. She is a gem and a firecracker at the same time. I was so grateful to spend this past weekend capturing Ruth and Mark's engagement photos on the Isle of Skye, where Ruth grew up. She had plenty of hikes lined up and plenty of food and drink to satisfy an army. Ruth's grandma also contributed with delicious homemade food multiple times, so I now know where she gets it from!
Anyways, enjoy these images of our weekend...and always remember..."a couple that lunges together, stays together!" (see second to last image)
If you'd like me to come with you for an engagement or elopement weekend in the Isle of Skye or anywhere in the Highlands of Scotland, please reach out! I would love to document you both and create something beautiful together! Contact me at the link below and I’m looking forward to speaking with you soon!
I loved shooting this couple's engagement photos in the Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye is located in the Highlands of Scotland, and the landscape is gorgeous. I love shooting couples in the Isle of Skye. From the Old Man of Storr, to the Quiraing, to the Fairy Pools, to Neist Point, the Isle of Skye has so many beautiful landscapes to photograph couples in epic landscapes and beautiful nature. There are so many lovely walks on the Isle of Skye. If you’re a couple who wants to go on long walk or just pull right up to a stunning landscape, I have a ton of experience doing both on the Isle of Skye. Isle of Skye engagement sessions are a great way for us to spend time together and get to know each other. And if you are visiting the Isle of Skye and Scotland in general from another country, it’s one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland to explore. You will love it! The Isle of Skye road trip also has us passing along Glencoe and Glen Etive on the drive up, which are also two beautiful Scotland spots for an engagement session. Or if you just want to get out, have a coffee, walk around and take some photos, there will be plenty of places to do that along the way! I just love Scotland and the Isle of Skye, and am always grateful for weekends away there, whether with my fiancé or with a couple, it’s always such a beautiful time. The lighting is always different for every trip that I visit the Isle of Skye, so you never know what you’re going to get, and that is part of the fun of it. We were rained out at the Fairy Pools, but we were able to do a very long walk near the Quiraing because it happened to be clear skies that day. But both were equally enjoyable! If you are prepared for rain, wind, cold and all of the elements then you’ll be ready for your engagement session or elopement on the Isle of Skye!
Edinburgh City Chambers Wedding | Scotland, UK
Edinburgh Wedding Photographer | Scotland Wedding Photographer | City Chambers Elopement
This wedding day was filled with so much beauty and stillness.
Victoria and Theo have a beautiful history of love that started when they met in Canada many years ago, then they both eventually ventured down to London to reconnect later in life and are now settled in Edinburgh, Scotland with their incredibly adorable children. I love sweet stories like these. Mainly because no two stories are the same. Every couple inspires me and I am so grateful to be able to not only capture wedding days but to genuinely celebrate their love alongside their family and friends (and maybe, quite possibly, sing and bop around a good bit during the dancing).
And when I mentioned stillness, I meant that, with "The Fringe" happening in Edinburgh, Scotland during the entire month of August, The Royal Mile is completely packed with tourists. But we found the most lovely nooks and alleyways for portraits around St. Giles Cathedral, The Royal Mile and Advocate’s Close, for plenty of quiet spots amongst the noise. It was so fun feeling like we were hidden away when there are thousands of people on the other side of the building. If anyone was concerned about getting married during festival season in Edinburgh because of the tourists, don't be. It was perfect! Their ceremony was also tucked away in the gorgeous hall inside of Edinburgh City Chambers right off of the The Royal Mile.
Victoria and Theo, thank you so much for choosing me to capture your wedding day! It was such an honor to photograph your wedding in the beautifully historic old town of Edinburgh. Wishing you many blessings on the many years ahead of you!
I am officially in love with kids in kilts.
Every dinner table was named after their most memory giving pubs in London.
I'm definitely a fan of men in kilts as well. Especially dancing! Way more entertaining.
Edinburgh Wedding Photographer - Melody Joy Co. | Dress - Charlotte Balbier | Dress Boutique - Kudos Couture Bridal | Shoes - The White Ribbon | Hair - Ceri Sutherland | Makeup - Victoria Watson, Toto Makeup | Groom Kilt & Sporran - Kinloch Anderson | Jackets - Davison Kilt Hire | Shoes - Loake Inverness Brogues | Cufflinks & Tie - Gieves & Hawkes | Ceremony - City Chambers, Edinburgh | Reception - Osteria del Tempo Perso, Edinburgh | Champagne - Alfred Gratien | Flowers - Narcissus Edinburgh