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Real Weddings, Wedding Photography Alison Edward Real Weddings, Wedding Photography Alison Edward

Enchanting Megginch Castle Wedding

Megginch Castle is a superb new elegant wedding venue with a famous past. Nadia & Steven loved the beautiful courtyard and expansive grounds.


Megginch Castle may be a superb new elegant wedding venue but once upon a time, a long long time ago (well actually in the 90’s) the castle’s historic courtyard hosted movie stars, including Liam Neeson, for the filming of the 1995 movie Rob Roy.

Wedding dress hanging up before Megginch Castle wedding
Bridal Prep at Megginch Castle

The Wedding Ceremony

Nadia & Steven chose Megginch Castle for their wedding after COVID meant they re-evaluated their original plan to elope to Spain. They loved the beautiful courtyard and chose the light conservatory for their ceremony but they could have chose the chapel or the gardens.

Bridal portrait, Black & White at Megginch Castle

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Ceremony photograph at Megginch Castle wedding by Ali Jay Photography
Black & White photograph of couple leaving ceremony, Megginch Castle wedding
Megginch castle wedding, black & white confetti photo

Places to Explore

The castle is a hidden gem, I love little adventures and Megginch had lots of great places to explore. The conservatory links the courtyard via the grand ballroom to the gardens with it’s 1000yr old yew trees, fun topiary, fountain and expansive lawns. There are also horses to go say hello to and a tiny chapel in the groups which can be used for religious ceremonies.   

Wedding photograph of bride & groom in courtyard at Megginch Castle
Bride & Groom in courtyard at Megginch Castle wedding
Black & white wedding photography of couple in the courtyard at their Megginch Castle wedding
Kissing under the trees at Megginch Castle
Dining rooms at Megginch Castle Wedding Photography by Ali Jay Photography
Wedding cake Megginch Castle Wedding Photography by Ali Jay Photography

Surprise, Surprise!

Nadia and Steven’s guests were entertained with croquet and the big surprise of the night was when the waiter fell over and then got up and started singing. Nadia had told us that it would be happening so we were waiting in anticipation for him to fall. As a guest ran to help the poor fallen waiter, he jumped up and started singing and caused a lot of hilarity. Everyone loved the impromptu performance, guests were standing on the chairs, dancing, swinging their napkins around their heads. Danielle and I ran around the room having far too much fun capturing it on camera to make sure the fun was bottled up for Nadia & Steven to look back on and laugh.

Singing butler falling over at Megginch Castle Wedding Photography by Ali Jay Photography
Bride & Groom at dinner Megginch Castle Wedding Photography by Ali Jay Photography
 

The Magical wedding Team

Venue – Megginch Castle

Event Management: Jan Deegan Next Step Events

Officiant – Margery Bambrick

Photographer – Ali Jay Photography

Videographer - Danielle Watt

Hair stylist – Hair Ups

Make-up artist – Christina Grace

Nadia’s outfit – Pronovias - San Patrick

Cake – Celebration Stations

Bride & Groom at firepit at Megginch Castle Wedding Photography by Ali Jay Photography

Are you Planning a wedding at Megginch Castle?

Get in touch today, I’d love to be part of your amazing wedding team.

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Barnbougle Castle - A Unique Castle Wedding By The Sea

Barnbougle Castle is a beautiful picturesque exclusive use wedding venue near Edinburgh with panoramic views over the River Forth and an exclusive beach. Check out Louisa & Jonny’s wedding at the castle.


Couple walking along the beach at Barnbougle Castle wedding

Barnbougle Castle

Louisa & Jonny chose the uniqueness of Barnbougle Castle for their wedding.

It is a relatively new venue which takes on a limited number of weddings each year.

You get exclusive use of the castle and it’s grounds which are tucked away within the beautiful Dalmeny Estate which sits on the Forth Estuary, just outside Edinburgh.

Photographs of Barnbougle Castle set up for a wedding

Castle With A View

There has been something on the Barnbougle site since the 13th century.

The current castle was reconstructed in the 19th century and refurbished very recently to become a new venue for Roseberry Venues.

It sits on a rocky terrace projecting it out slightly into the estuary.

Louisa and Jonny had a beautiful day for their wedding so chose to get married on the terrace.

The terrace wraps around the castle and has panoramic views over the river and the islands in the Forth.

Layout

The castle has such beautiful features including the grand stone spiral staircase which links the Scottish Library to the Banquetting Hall on the second floor and up to the third floor where there is a bedroom and access to the minstrel’s gallery above the hall.

The library at Barnbougle Castle wedding

The Scottish Library

If the weather is not so desirable you can hold your ceremony in the stunning Scottish Library on the bottom floor of the castle.

The library connects to the terraces and some smaller rooms which can be good if you need a quiet space.

Louisa and Jonny used this area for guests to enjoy drinks and to cut their cake.

Just along the corridor from the library there are some bookcases which hide the toilets and are a very fun feature.

Banqueting Hall

On the second floor the banqueting hall with it’s stunning barrel vaulted ceiling has to be one of the most fantastic reception space’s I have seen.

I noticed guests enjoying the view from the windows which looked out over the Forth River.

The Banquetting hall at Barnbougle Castle wedding

During the reception I was able to creep up into the Minstrels gallery on the third floor which gave me a brilliant view of the whole hall and all the guests enjoying the speeches.

You could even do a speech from the gallery if you wanted something a little different.

Getting Ready

On the top floor of the castle they have a beautiful room where you can get ready if you wish to.

Unfortunately you can’t stay there over night but it would be a lovely fun place to get ready and watch your guests below enjoying the terrace and views.

Bridal prep for a wedding at Barnbougle Castle

There are plenty hotels nearby such as Orocco Pier or Dakota. Louisa chose to get ready at her home.

Dakota is a beautiful hotel nearby with an excellent restaurant and cocktail bar but when I have photographed wedding prep there the bride has asked to use a lovely bar area near the entrance of the hotel for their hair and make up as the rooms are very very dark. This is always something worth thinking about as your hair and make up team will struggle in a dark environment.

Orocco Pier is located within the old village of South Queensferry and is a beautiful place to stay with fantastic staff, delicious food and great cocktails.

Wedding car arriving at at Barnbougle Castle wedding

Linda Keys

I have a some favourite suppliers who I recommend to clients and Linda is fabulous, she’s a beautiful gentle kind celebrant who brings so much heart and feeling to her ceremonies.

She had built such a beautiful relationship with Louisa and Jonny and the ceremony was so personal to them. You can find her over at Agnostic Scotland.

Ceremony at Barnbougle Castle wedding
Ceremony at at Barnbougle Castle wedding
Confetti at Barnbougle Castle wedding
Group photos at Barnbougle Castle wedding

Private Beach

There is a private beach a very short distance from the castle. We went down at sunset.

It was a beautiful private place for Louisa and Jonny to explore together and a great place to get some beautiful photos with the castle and the estuary behind.

Map of Barnbougle Castle

Location

Barnbougle sits just to the north of Edinburgh between Cramond and South Queensferry within the Dalmeny Estate which is a popular place for a nice walk.

Stairwell photos at Barnbougle Castle wedding
Stair photos at Barnbougle Castle wedding
Dancing at Barnbougle Castle wedding
First dance at Barnbougle Castle wedding
Wedding photos at Barnbougle Castle wedding

Are you planning a wedding at Barnbougle Castle?

Get in touch today, I’d love to be part of your amazing wedding team.

 
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