Scottish Borders Castle Wedding

It was a beautiful sunny day on the East Coast of Scotland. I set off from the wee village of West Barns where I live by the sea. I drove through beautiful countryside with my shades on and tunes blasting - album of choice on this day was Jungle, Volcano, well worth a listen! As I arrived at the gates of this magnificent castle I parked up outside ( as I always do at venues) to take a few photographs of the welcome into the the wedding space but also to do some deep breathes ahead of an exciting day.

Exterior view of a historic stone church building with Gothic architectural features and arched windows.

Beautiful bride and her closest people

Britt has always dreamed of a castle wedding, Duns Castle is very special as it is still a lived in Castle with all the original features and grandeur. After taking a walk around the grounds I went to meet Britt where she was getting ready with her sister in law, her mum, her best friend and her daughter.

Silhouetted figures prepare for a wedding against bright window light.
White wedding dresses hanging in sequence create an elegant pattern.
Black and white candid moments of wedding day preparations.
Dramatic dark interior hallway with sunlight streaming through ornate windows.
Gothic arched windows in a stone corridor frame a pastoral countryside landscape view.
Row of traditional rectangular windows in a dark interior space overlooking rural scenery.
Historic interior room with ornate gold-framed portraits hanging on stone walls.
White wedding dress displayed in an elegant room with curved ceiling and blue curtains.
Overhead view of vintage-style makeup and beauty products arranged on a wooden surface.
Bridal preparation scene in an elegant room with floral wallpaper and vintage furniture.
Elegant room with floral wallpaper and oriental rug featuring vintage-style furniture.
Close-up of white bridal shoes on an ornate blue and red oriental carpet.
A candid black and white photo showing joyful laughter during wedding preparations.
A wedding dress hangs elegantly in a room with natural light streaming through windows.
A series of getting ready moments captured in a bright room with a wedding dress visible.
Wedding shoes cast dramatic shadows in moody black and white lighting.

Groom and his family

Ian got ready along the ( very long ) corridor, as I walked through the castle I chatting to other members of the family, all excitedly getting ready and helping Britt and Ian with wee tasks to make everything run smoothly. Ian was with his mum, dad and his brother.

Groomsmen helping with final wedding day preparations in formal attire.
Wedding morning preparations in a cozy home setting with natural light.
Intimate black and white portraits captured during wedding preparations.
Gothic arched stained glass windows in a dark church interior create dramatic lighting and atmosphere.
Dramatic shadows cast through church windows create moody lighting in an interior space.
Traditional Scottish kilt and formal attire worn in an elegantly decorated room with holiday garland.
Close-up detail of a traditional Scottish sporran and tartan kilt pattern.
Two people helping with formal attire preparations and adjustments.
Getting ready scene with formal attire and preparations.
Two people examining details of traditional Scottish formal wear.
Hand holding a wooden comb with decorative engraving in natural light.
Traditional Scottish sporran accessory hanging against a tartan kilt in sunlight.

Bridal Portraits

Whilst Ian headed out to the glorious sunshine to greet their guests, I popped back to Britt to take some gorgeous portraits ahead of the ceremony.

Black and white photo of a wedding dress in an elegant room with floral wallpaper.
Elegant white wedding gown photographed in black and white against vintage wallpaper.
Black and white image of wedding dress preparations in a vintage-styled room.
Black and white photo of bridal bouquet details with elegant lace dress.
Black and white wedding photos showing a bride in an elegant white gown with a flowing train in an ornate interior.
Close-up details of a bride's white wedding dress and bouquet in dramatic black and white photography.
Candid black and white photos of a bride in a ballgown with someone in a dark suit.
Series of black and white portraits showing someone in a formal dark suit and tie.
Black and white wedding preparation photos showing reflections in mirrors and getting ready moments.
A bride holds a lush bouquet while wearing a lace-detailed wedding dress in black and white photography.
Silhouettes of a bride in a cathedral-length gown against sunlit arched windows in a bright corridor.

Stunning outdoor ceremony

Britt and Ian's ceremony was beautiful, personal and emotional. Britt's brother officiated the wedding, Ian's sister played the guitar and sang and their wonderful daughter was the flower girl. Their mums helped with the Scottish tradition of hand fasting. They had both tartan and orange cloth to represent both countries as Britt and her family are from Holland.

Dramatic black and white photograph of people descending an ornate stone staircase.
Person in a flowing teal dress walks across a gravel courtyard at an outdoor event.
Group of formally dressed guests gather outdoors at a wedding ceremony.
Wedding guests mingle on the lawn outside a grand stone building.
Wedding party poses on an elegant stone staircase inside a historic building.
Sunlight streams through windows onto an ornate indoor staircase during a wedding.
Grand stone castle with towers and turrets serves as backdrop for outdoor wedding celebration.
Wedding celebration takes place on manicured lawn in front of historic castle architecture.
Majestic castle with Gothic architecture stands against blue sky during outdoor wedding event.
Wedding celebration on castle grounds with classic architecture in background.
Wedding guests gather on sunny lawn outside historic stone castle during celebration.
Wedding guests laugh and smile during an outdoor ceremony with bright red floral bouquets.
Joyful guests celebrate at an outdoor wedding ceremony with vibrant red flowers.
Elegant white wedding dress with flowing veil captured in artistic sunlit shots.
Wedding guests seated outdoors on a sunny day with decorative red flowers.
Wooden podium and microphone set up for outdoor wedding ceremony.

Fizz, Canapés and fun in the sun

We couldn't have asked for nicer day, the September sun was warm enough for everyone to enjoy the castle grounds. It was all super relaxed as people chatted in the sun and enjoyed some drinks.

A bride in a classic white ballgown poses with vibrant red and pink floral bouquet outdoors.
Black and white photo showing emotional embraces at a wedding celebration.
Wedding couple in traditional Scottish attire with kilt walking together on gravel path.
Sweet moments captured between a bride in white and someone in a navy suit on garden grounds.
Candid wedding party shots outdoors with guests celebrating in a sunny garden setting.
Wedding guests in navy and white attire celebrate with red bouquets during an outdoor reception.
Wedding party members in navy and white dresses gather outdoors with vibrant red floral bouquets.
Guests mingle and socialize during an elegant outdoor wedding reception.
Wedding guests enjoying conversation and drinks at an outdoor celebration.
Groomsmen in stylish blue suits and navy ties pose during outdoor wedding festivities.
Wedding guests in formal attire socialize during an outdoor cocktail reception.
Person in emerald green dress giving a speech outdoors with a laptop and microphone setup.
Wedding guests in floral and pink dresses mingle during an outdoor garden party.
Wooden serving boards with elegant canapés and pink flower garnishes at a wedding reception.
Guests enjoying passed hors d'oeuvres garnished with fresh flowers at an outdoor reception.

Couples photos in the gorgeous grounds

The grounds of Dun's Castle are beautiful and huge. I think it is so important to enjoy as much time with your guests as possible on your wedding day so I make sure we have a plan ahead of the wedding day so we can create beautiful photographs without you missing out on all the social fun.

Artistic black and white silhouettes of wedding preparations through elegant window frames.
Black and white view of people descending an elegant curved staircase.
Wedding dress train flows gracefully across grass with castle walls in background.
Close up portrait of a bride wearing a delicate lace wedding dress with sweetheart neckline.
Elegant bride in flowing white gown poses in front of a majestic stone castle.
Bride in classic white wedding dress stands on castle grounds with historic architecture in background.
Ethereal bridal veil flowing in the wind against dark background.
Close-up detail shot of delicate white wedding dress fabric.
Abstract close-up of flowing white fabric with soft curves and shadows.
Bride in flowing white dress twirling on green lawn with fabric in motion.
Dramatic black and white photo of bride in ballgown against castle walls.
Wedding couple in traditional Scottish attire photographed in black and white on castle grounds.
Newlyweds hold hands while walking, groom wearing traditional Scottish kilt and navy jacket.
A romantic wedding moment captured against a stone backdrop with a bride in white and groom in navy and plaid.
A wedding couple poses together on a gravel path in front of a historic stone building.

Delicious food, speeches and dancing

Jo's Kitchen provided delicious food all day and into the evening. The dining room is a truly amazing space to enjoy some wonderful speeches and relax into the evening. After food everyone made their way downstairs to the party room to dance the night away.

Elegant dining room with long table set for wedding reception featuring blue chairs and Gothic windows.
Wedding place setting with menu card, silverware and wine glasses on dark wood table.
Beautiful floral centerpiece with red rose and mixed flowers in glass vase.
Formal table setting with crystal glasses, silverware and printed menu cards.
Grand dining room with candelabras and formal place settings for wedding reception.
Elegant silver candelabra with lit white candles on formal dining table.
Candlelit wedding reception scene with guests sharing joyful moment at dinner table.
Wedding reception dinner scene with guests seated at elegant candlelit table.
Elegant dinner party guests enjoying conversation at a formal event with candlelit tables.
Formal dining room with guests seated at long tables decorated with white candles and flowers.
Ornate dining hall with carved wood details and elegant table settings for a special occasion.
Black and white candid shots of guests mingling at an upscale dinner event.
Artistic black and white composition of diners through window reflections.
Guests engaged in lively conversation during an elegant dinner service.
Staff and guests interacting during a formal dinner service in an ornate dining room.

Thank you to the wonderful suppliers

Venue - Duns Castle

Dress - Kooning's

Flowers - Camilla Flowers

Hair and Make up - Nik Hair Scotland

Catering - Jo's Kitchen

Band - The Avenue