Shannen & Ross's Wedding at Carlowrie Castle
We had the pleasure of capturing Shannen & Ross’s wedding a the stunning Carlowrie Castle in Kirkliston. The ivy-clad castle in autumnal shades offered expansive grounds perfect for the celebration and ample photo opportunities.
Shannen and Ross invited us to the castle the day before their wedding to discuss the finer details of their big day. We explored several rooms of the property, with them having hired exclusive access to the Castle on their wedding day.
The day commenced with Shannen, her bridesmaids, her mother and mother-in-law and daughter in the Carlowrie Gate Lodge. They had their hair and makeup expertly done by Danielle, Leah and Leanne. Shannen’s daughter was delighted to be playing with a new Elsa toy, gifted that morning. During the morning we were joined by videographer Matt from Next Scene Films.
Meanwhile, Ross and his groomsmen arrived at the castle to don their kilts from Mitchell Scott and have their initial photographs taken. Best Man Rhys took charge of the wedding rings, purchased from Finnies, with Shannen’s engagement ring having been melded onto her wedding ring.
As the bridal preparations transitioned to the Marshall Suite, Shannen’s father had his first emotional glimpse of his daughter, all dressed and ready for the ceremony. Shannen had adorned herself with jewellery from Beaverbrooks to complete the look.
The humanist ceremony unfolded in the beautiful Orangery, where family and friends gathered to celebrate the couple’s union. The room was adorned with a heart-shaped arch, or ‘hearch’, courtesy of Ambience Venue Styling Edinburgh. The ceremony featured harpist Margaret Knight playing while Shannen and her bridal party entered. Unique love notes written by Shannen and Ross had been placed under guests chairs, for the guests themselves to read out during the ceremony. This heartfelt element was a big hit. Once the marriage certificate was signed, Shannen and Ross shared a dramatic kiss while walking down the aisle – a move known as “the dip”.
Following the ceremony, guests greeted the newlyweds with a whimsical bubble send-off. We then captured the all-guest group shot in front of the castle along with the formal family photos.
The wedding breakfast was held back in the Orangery, which had been transformed by the hotel staff into an elegant dining space with beautiful table decorations. Pre-meal speeches by Shannen's father Gavin, Ross, and Best Man Rhys added touching moments to the event.
In the evening, we had the opportunity to photograph some intimate portraits of the couple, both inside and outside the castle, as evening guests began to arrive.
The celebration continued in the stylish Marquee, where Paddy Gordon DJ provided the entertainment. The festivities kicked off with Shannen & Ross’s cake cutting then into their first dance, followed by a double Daddy-Daughter dance with both Gavin dancing with daughter Shannen and Ross dancing with his daughter.
The dance floor remained lively throughout the evening. Guests also had fun at the magic-mirror, taking selfies at the hearch, and taking advantage of the snack bar provided. A late-night supper of burgers and pizzas was much appreciated by all.
We would like to extend our thanks to Shannen and Ross for allowing us the privilege of photographing their magical wedding day. We wish them a lifetime of happiness together with their family.
