I was absolutely delighted when Catherine and Adam asked me to be their Dumfries House wedding photographer. This was the first wedding I had photographed at Dumfries House. I was very excited at the prospect of working there. The venue has been described as one of the most significant places throughout Scottish heritage.
Architectural Gem
The architecture and interiors of the building are stunning with its original 18th-century Chippendale furniture. It provides a truly stunning environment for a wedding photographer to work. Although I hadn’t photographed a wedding at Dumfries House before, I had been there in 2015. I was commissioned to photograph Prince Charles when he opened the Education Centre. Therefore, I knew about the history of the place and the extent of its treasures!
DUMFRIES HOUSE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Catherine got ready in one of the upstairs rooms with her mum and bridesmaid. The sun streamed in through the sash windows creating a wonderful scene. The room was adorned with fabulous original oil paintings and dn antique four-poster bed for the girls to relax on. Adam and his best man were in one of the apartments in the lodge 5 minutes walk down the drive. As the taxis began to arrive with the guests, everyone gathered in the sunshine at the front of the house.
Watching Friends and Guests Arriving
How great to look down on the excited guests from where the girls were in the final stages of preparation. It certainly heightened the mood for them, pointing out their friends and relations. After a wonderful ceremony in the Tapestry Room we headed outside into the sunshine for confetti. Then a few formal family photos with the gorgeous backdrop of Dumfries House. The drinks reception flew by, then it was downstairs to the pavilion for the evening celebrations.
A WILD CEILIDH
Highly entertaining speeches, a gorgeous meal and before I knew it, the party was in full swing. Everyone says it, and it has never been truer than for Catherine and Adam’s day… time flies at a wedding, and that goes for this Dumfries House wedding photographer too! The dance floor was packed after the couple’s first dance and then the ceilidh dancing created some really memorable photos. I love to get in close to the dancers with a 24mm lens as they’re spinning around or trying to remember their steps because it really gets the viewer into the action. It’s a great way to capture the mood of the moment and the atmosphere of all the fun and celebration that embodied Catherine and Adam’s Dumfries House wedding. (Have a look at the pictures towards the bottom of the page, see if you agree!)
A QUIET MOMENT TAKING THE NIGHT AIR
And if the opportunity presents itself, I love to ask the couple if they’d like to take a moment away from the noise and heat of the party for a quiet moment together. It’s often the first time that they’ve been alone since the previous day and it’s a great opportunity to take a pause and see how each other are feeling. I had popped out into the garden at the front of the house to set up a couple of lights beforehand for these wedding portraits and I was thrilled when the couple agreed to take a few minutes away from the action because I knew the results would be stunning!
KIND WORDS FROM CATHERINE & ADAM
Ashley,
It’s taken me ages to reply because I can’t stop staring at the photos! They are utterly stunning. I honestly can’t even articulate how happy I am with them!
I’ve spent all week just going through the gallery over and over again. You have absolutely captured the day and managed to make us look lovely too!
Multiple people have said to us that they are the best wedding photos that they have ever seen.
The photography was really important to me and I knew from your work that I would love the photos, but honestly I’ve been completely blown away by them and the result is just so much better than I could have imagined.
Fabulous memories that we will treasure forever. Can’t wait to start ordering some and picking album favourites!
Thank you!
CatherineDumfries House. 4 March 2019
SOME OF MY FAVOURITE PHOTOS FROM THE DAY
So what did you think of my photos as Catherine & Adam’s Dumfries House wedding photographer?
Maybe you’re looking for your own Dumfries House wedding photographer? If so please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss your wedding photography requirements.
THE HISTORY OF DUMFRIES HOUSE
The recent history of Dumfries House contains some of it’s most uncertain years. The house and furniture were faced with being split up and auctioned. However, they were saved for the nation in 2007 by the Prince’s Foundation. The Palladian country house near Cumnock in Ayrshire was built in the 1750’s for William Dalrymple, 5th Earl of Dumfries. The architects were the famous John and Robert Adam. Also the house is noted for being one of the last places to retain so much of its original furniture. This includes some unique pieces by Thomas Chippendale.
Up for Sale for £45 Million
The previous owner, the 7th Marquess of Bute had put Dumfries House up for sale. The price was £45 million due to the cost of upkeep. The consortium who became the new owners was headed by Prince Charles. They planned to renovate the estate to become self-sufficient for it’s preservation and to regenerate the local economy. The house reopened in 2008 and continues to open new areas including its perfect role as a wedding venue.
SO MANY PERFECT LOCATIONS FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
The house is a category A listed building, described as “an exceptionally fine and unspoilt Adam mansion by Historic Environment Scotland and the grounds are mentioned in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Scotland. This is a dream location for a wedding photographer with the exquisite interiors, Palladian exterior and the grounds of the estate offering so many wonderful photo opportunities. There is the Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden, the Chinese Bridge, the Adam Bridge, an arboretum, a maze and natural woodland walks, to name just a few of the possibilities. In fact, the difficulty for a photographer is deciding where to go for pictures.
Perfect Spot Waiting to be Picked
However, whatever the time of day, the angle of the light, direction of wind or adventurousness of the couple, there will be a perfect spot waiting to be picked because there are so many great options to choose from. The wedding planner has an estate vehicle to hand (beautifully hoovered and spotlessly clean to preserve the dress in pristine condition) to take you to the farthest corners of the grounds.
