Nestled between stunning mountains, luscious landscapes and rolling hills, the village of Braemar, in Aberdeenshire, is a haven for walkers, adventurers and photographers. So, when planning a Scottish wedding, it was the perfect choice for Ali and Catie, who dreamed of a scenic backdrop for their big day. We were delighted to be the chosen photographers in Scotland for their special occasion.
Ali and Catie are such a rare, unique couple. Supportive, determined and with a comforting sense of humour, they were lovely to be around. The couple had planned a real dive-into-the-wilderness weekend for their wedding guests, who were arriving from all over the world.
The celebrations started the day before the wedding, with guests invited to a welcome dinner at one of the National Trust for Scotland properties the Mar Lodge Estate, the couple’s chosen venue for the wedding reception. The estate is just a few miles from Braemar, situated in Royal Deeside the heart of Cairngorms National Park. Home to four of the five highest mountains in Britain and a section of the River Dee, the grounds are utterly charming – the ideal spot for a highland wedding. Picture the estate’s aromatic pine forest, home to deer, red squirrels and even golden eagles soaring through the misty skies. The dedicated team at Mar Lodge Estate are continuing to restore the surrounding ecosystem, creating a unique place where people can reconnect with nature, escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
We arrived in Scotland on a dewy mid-October night, the day before the wedding. We would liken the two-hours car journey from the airport to Braemar as a forest adventure; there were no lights, no cars, and we had no idea of our surroundings! As we drove through the tiny village of Braemar, home to natural beauty, flora and fauna, we felt immersed in the secluded paradise and realised why Ali and Catie had fallen in love with the area.
Mar Lodge Estate is one of the most incredible Scottish Highlands venue for Fall weddings.
The wedding ceremony itself was held at St Margaret’s Church, also in Braemar. The church is a masterpiece of architecture surrounded by a stunning backdrop of misty pine trees, which contributed to the enchanting atmosphere of the day.
Ali and Catie are so passionate about the area that they planned a hike through the pretty landscape. A couple of days before the wedding, armed with backpacks and cameras to capture the stunning views, the couple and a few of their wedding guests completed a 50-mile walk to Mar Lodge Estate. Their walk encompassed peaceful valleys, winding paths and lots of discussions about memories of family and friends.
On the big day, after the wedding ceremony, the guests returned to the warm sanctuary of Mar Lodge Estate for the wedding reception. We think Mar Lodge Estate is the best Scottish wedding venue , especially during fall season, and we’re sure you’ll agree after seeing our photographs of the special day. The Stag Ballroom – one of our highlights of the venue – is absolutely remarkable and like no other room we’ve ever seen. Our other highlights of the wedding reception were the guests’ smiles and laughs during the speeches, the post-dinner fireworks, the traditional Scottish dancing, and the love we captured between the newly-married couple. What we didn’t know is that Scottish law allows couples to marry anywhere, and this made us love Scotland even more! So, if you fall in love with a wild place in the north-west highlands, you can actually marry there, too.
We were delighted with the range of photographs we took at this beautful highland wedding. We adored capturing the special moments throughout the day, and the stunning venue, backdrop and scenery all played a part in making the photographs unique. From vintage books and Victorian-style rooms at Mar Lodge Estate to traditional tartan kilts and the talented brother of the bride playing the bagpipes, every moment of Ali and Catie’s day was so special and personalised, all thanks to their wonderful guests and the spectacular location. It made us realise just how special wedding photography in Scotland can be and due to the fact we’re completely in love with this country we brought back home a piece of Scotland’s heart and here you can get inspired by this Scottish Wedding in Amalfi Coast .
Ali and Catie’s Scottish wedding was our first photography project in this charismatic part of the world. We didn’t hike any mountains, but we did attend one of the most incredible events, and we are itching to visit the area again for another wedding. We hope you enjoy looking at the photographs as much as we enjoyed capturing them.
