I recently had the pleasure of photographing Katharine and Allan’s wedding at Kilmardinny House & Art Centre in Milngavie. Despite the rain, the day was packed with emotion, laughter and unforgettable moments from start to finish.
Kilmardinny House is a stunning Georgian mansion surrounded by landscaped gardens. It perfectly blends historic charm with modern touches, from the sweeping staircase and elegant glass dome to the bright Garden Pavilion with panoramic views. The staff were brilliant too, friendly, flexible and so helpful throughout the day.
I arrived early and met the coordinator, who kindly adjusted the lighting in the ceremony room for me. That level of attention makes all the difference. As the rain set in, the ceremony had to move indoors, but it didn’t dampen the atmosphere one bit.
Bridal preparations were calm but full of emotion. Katharine’s reaction when she put on her dress was a truly beautiful moment, her mum and bridesmaids were right there with her, and I loved capturing the emotion as it unfolded naturally.
From the balcony inside Kilmardinny, I managed to get what might just be my favourite wedding dress shot ever. I carefully hung the dress over the balcony and it paid off. The result is one of those photos that will stay in my portfolio for years.
The ceremony itself was filled with laughter and love. The couple had arranged for two alpacas to make a guest appearance, which went down a treat. Guests loved taking photos with them, and Katharine and Allan even grabbed a quick selfie.
We braved the weather for a few quick shots outside and then made the most of the grand staircase indoors. The architecture and light made for stunning portraits, the perfect setting for this lovely couple.
Speeches were heartfelt and funny, with plenty of laughter and a few tears. Katharine’s dad gave a touching speech about his daughter, and the emotion in the room was something special. Dinner was a world street food buffet inspired by the couple’s travels, and dessert was a showstopper — guests had each brought their own home-baked cakes, adding such a personal and thoughtful touch.
Their first dance was brilliant to photograph. Katharine and Allan kicked it off with a fun, spontaneous routine they had come up with just minutes before, and of course, everyone joined in soon after. The DJ kept the energy high with great tunes all night.
Even with the rain pouring down, my Nikon kit handled it like a champ, so I didn’t have to worry about missing a thing.
Katherine looked absolutely radiant, and her bridesmaids and mum were kind, supportive and a joy to be around. The day was full of warmth, humour and love — everything a wedding should be.
Katherine and Allan, thank you for trusting me to capture your incredible day. It was an absolute pleasure.
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