Hannah and Iain's Hopetoun House Wedding

Hannah and Iain got married at Hopetoun House, the big stately home in South Queensferry on the western edge of Edinburgh, on a day that gave us a full downpour, bubble confetti under the pillars, a surprise pipe band and a ceilidh that went on well into the night. A grand venue and a big guest list, and about as relaxed as a wedding on that scale gets.

Getting ready at Hannah’s family home in Edinburgh

The day started at Hannah’s family home in Edinburgh. Dad was outside proudly washing the car that would take his daughter to her wedding, bridesmaids were chatting in the kitchen while hair and makeup went on, and her brothers drifted in and out of rooms in that casual, familiar way that only happens at home.

We did a first look with Hannah and her dad out on the lawn. A quiet moment before the celebrations began, and the one I’d always make time for.

The billiards room and the drive up to Hopetoun House

From there I headed to Hopetoun House to meet Iain and the groomsmen, getting ready in the billiards room, which is full of rich wood and dark corners. You don’t need to set anything up in a room like that. You just let the lads get on with it.

The driveway winds through the estate and then the house appears at the end in all its grandeur. Tall stone, endless symmetry, and a sweeping semicircle of buildings that pull you into the middle of it. It’s one of the most impressive wedding venues in Scotland, and it somehow still feels laid back once you’re inside.

The ceremony, and bubble confetti in a Scottish downpour

The ceremony took place in one of Hopetoun House’s bright, plain but epic rooms. The light in those spaces is brilliant, and it makes a real difference to how the ceremony photos look.

Right after the ceremony Scotland delivered a full downpour, so we huddled under cover of those sweeping pillars. All their guests gathered with bubble guns and wands and made a cloud of bubbles for Hannah and Iain to walk through. Honestly one of my favourite moments of the day.

We stayed under the pillars for the group photos, which kept everyone dry, and the curve of the colonnade frames the house behind you even when the weather is wild. Then Iain’s mum surprised him with a performance from his old school pipe band.

Portraits inside Hopetoun House

When the rain eased we wandered into some of the rooms inside the house. Tall windows, historic paintings, carved wood, soft pockets of light.

Normally most of my portrait sessions happen outdoors, in forests or mountains or by the sea, but these portraits of Hannah and Iain are some of my favourites ever. They suit the venue and they suit the two of them.

Speeches in the Ballroom and a run across the front lawn

Dinner and speeches took place in the Ballroom. Their family and friends spoke with so much honesty that you could tell Hannah and Iain are the kind of people who have strong, loyal friendships and make everyone around them feel welcome.

Just before dinner I stole them away for ten minutes at the front of Hopetoun House. The light was soft and we had the entire front of the building to ourselves. Then, completely unprompted, Hannah turned and ran back towards the house with Iain chasing behind her. Nothing I’d have thought to ask for, and one of the best frames of the day.

Ceilidh and a full band on the dance floor

Once the band started the dance floor erupted. Ceilidh dancing, a full band, and a crowd who absolutely knew how to move. I always stay late into the evening, because the dancing photos are often the most honest part of a wedding day. This one was no exception.

Why Hopetoun House works for a big wedding near Edinburgh

Hopetoun House sits in South Queensferry, right on the edge of the city, which makes it easy for guests from Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. The ceremony rooms are big and bright, the Ballroom takes dinner and dancing, the grounds are made for summer weddings with a drink in hand, and the pillars at the front keep the whole guest list dry when the weather turns. It is grand without being stiff, which is a rarer combination than it should be.

Hannah and Iain wanted a day that felt relaxed, natural and fun, and this is the place to have one on a big scale. If you’re planning a Hopetoun House wedding, I’d love to chat.