"We could not recommend Stephanie enough! She was such a wonderful photographer and brought the best vibes and created an amazing gallery for us to look at and remember our special day! Stephanie took time to get to know us and ensured that we were comfortable with the plan and shots we wanted... When you book Steph, you certainly get a 5 star experience!"

- Rachel & David, Dundas Castle, Edinburgh

Your wedding day, with me

You’ve found the venue. Maybe it’s a castle by a loch, maybe a country house at the end of a long tree-lined drive. You’ve thought about the flowers, the tablescapes and the band, and whether the table names should be Scottish islands or Star Wars planets.

What you probably haven’t thought about is what it actually feels like to be the couple on the day, because unless you’ve done this before, nobody tells you.

I’ve been there for a lot of these days, so let me walk you through one. This page covers a typical wedding day with me, so you know exactly what to expect and how much of it you’ll never have to think about.

A beautiful setting can still feel relaxed and fun. This is your wedding day, not a photoshoot.

Before the day: the bit you don’t see

Most of my work happens weeks before your wedding. We’ll have planning calls to go through your timeline, your venue and, most importantly, your people. I want to know who’s who so that I know your family dynamic, who your best friends are and who to turn to for the in-jokes and the banter.

If I've never worked at your venue before, I'll visit ahead of your date to scout for the best spots for every kind of light and weather (this is Scotland, after all). We’ll put your group shot list together, so nothing is left to guesswork and we've got the essentials covered.

By the time I arrive, I know the plan inside out. So if it changes, and it often does, I adapt with it.

"Steph is an amazing photographer who we highly recommend. She is super organised and talented and always makes sure to visit your venue in advance to find the best photo spots. We are so delighted with our gorgeous photos."

- Rosie & John, The Signet Library, Edinburgh

Morning: getting ready

I start with the venue itself, photographing it while it’s still quiet. That means the ceremony space, the details you spent months choosing, and the room before your guests fill it. Then I head to whichever of you we’ve agreed on first, and flit between you both through the morning.

You’ll get a mix of shots. There are creative photos of your outfits, rings and details, candid moments of everyone getting ready (the laughter, the nerves, the fizz), and a few more polished portraits once you’re dressed. My one piece of advice is to be dressed about an hour before the ceremony. That gives you time to breathe, have a moment together with your people, and feel special before it all begins.

First looks. If you’re having one, with each other or with a parent, I’ll keep it simple and personal. I’ll prepare the space, talk everyone through what will happen, then step back. You get to be fully present, and I’ll worry about the photos.

"Steph made us feel instantly at ease and excited for our wedding from our first consultation through every update meeting right to the day itself.
She got right into the fun of the day, taking part in all the inside jokes and made an effort to know everyone in the wedding party personally."

- Ali & Lee, The SkyBar, Edinburgh

The ceremony

I let the space shape my plan. Outdoors, I can move around and capture the ceremony from every angle, including the two of you, your wedding party and your guests’ faces, especially your parents during the vows and ring exchange. Throughout, I keep my distance so the ceremony stays centre stage.

Indoors, I’m conscious of how much room there is. I’ll be at the front for the walk down the aisle, then out of everyone’s sightline as quickly as possible, working from the sides, the back, the aisle and sometimes above. Wherever you marry, the essentials are covered: the vows, readings, rings, first kiss and everyone’s reactions.

Straight after: confetti, then breathe

Right after the ceremony is the perfect moment for your confetti and a photo of all your guests together, while everyone is in one place and buzzing.

Then I step back. You’ve just got married, everyone you love wants to hug you, and that time with them comes first. The formal groups can wait about twenty minutes, which is the sweet spot. Everyone is still nearby, nobody has wandered off to explore the grounds yet, and the little ones have had time for the snack they were bribed with to stay quiet during the vows.

Group photos, done properly (and quickly)

Because we’ll have agreed your list weeks before, group photos run like clockwork. I order them so people who appear in several photos are grouped together, and grandparents always go first so they’re never left standing around. My record is twelve minutes for a full list, in the snow.

"Could not have chosen a better wedding photographer!
We loved our photos when we got them, she's managed to capture such intimate moments while still being unintrusive! The variety of shots, knowing how to use our venue to it's full advantage, showing us guidance when taking our couple portraits, herding our guests especially during the confetti and group photo shots..."

- Ann & Jamie, Arniston House, Gorebridge

Drinks reception

Afterwards, you’re free to mingle again. I’ll be catching candids around you, and I’ll slip into the dining room to photograph the room and the cake before anyone sits down, while everything looks exactly as you imagined.

Couple portraits, when you’re actually relaxed

I usually take you for portraits towards the end of the drinks reception, for a few reasons. The ceremony nerves have gone and the fizz has kicked in. You’ve spent proper time with your guests, so you won’t feel guilty stepping away or worry that you’re missing out. The reception also quietens naturally as guests head to the loos or the seating plan, and calling everyone in to dinner takes a while anyway (around fifteen minutes for every fifty guests).

For summer weddings, I like to split portraits in two, with around twenty minutes in the afternoon and then ten to fifteen in the evening light or at sunset. Twenty minutes is plenty. We’ll move around the venue to find the best light and settings, and I’ll guide you with prompts rather than poses, using positions that fit naturally and little invitations to interact in ways that are yours. Expect to laugh. The aim is photos that look like the two of you on a really good day.

Speeches

By the speeches, I know your family and friends. So when your sister mentions your best friend, I already know where to point the camera. Those reactions are often the photos couples treasure most.

Dinner: cameras down

During the meal, my cameras go down. You and your guests deserve to enjoy your food in peace, and nobody wants photos of themselves mid-mouthful or a table of empty plates. If the light turns spectacular during dinner, we’ll have agreed beforehand whether you’d like me to steal you away for five minutes.

Evening: the party

After dinner, everything loosens up and I’m back in candid mode. We can pop out for a few more portraits, indoors or outside, and then the dancing starts. This is where I’m happiest, right in the middle of it getting the action shots, and yes, diving into a strip the willow. To finish, we’ll head out for some creative twilight portraits and sparklers.

"We asked Steph to be the photographer for our wedding. Not only has she provided the most beautiful account of our day, she genuinely made the day itself better."

- Emily & Fergus, The DoubleTree Hilton, North Queensferry