What does this Journal cover?

Real wedding stories from Edinburgh, across Scotland, the UK and Europe, alongside notes on venues, seasonal light and digital and analogue photography.

Why write about film photography in detail?

Because most couples have never hired a film photographer and reasonably want to know what changes. Explaining the process is more useful than asking anybody to take it on trust.

Can I see a full wedding gallery rather than a highlights set?

Yes. Ask when you enquire and a complete gallery can be shared, which shows consistency across a whole day.

Where do I go if I want to book?

The enquiry page. Send your date and venue, and expect a reply within 24 to 48 hours.

Pratis Barns Film Wedding Photography

Claire and Alex’s wedding at Pratis Barns began with a sign pointing everyone towards “wedding stuff”. It was a good introduction to the day. A ceremony in the old stables, confetti in the courtyard and drinks out on the grass, with plenty of time to enjoy it all.

I photographed their Fife wedding on digital, 35mm and medium format film, from the morning at Pratis House to the dancing that evening. The stone barns and late sunshine gave us plenty to work with, but the best photographs came from simply keeping up with what was happening.

Wedding direction sign against a stone wall at Pratis Barns

Pratis House and stone barns surrounded by trees in Fife

Blue tartan tie and cream buttonhole on a glass table

Dried floral arrangement inside the wedding ceremony barn

Claire having her hair styled during morning preparations

Dried wedding bouquet beside a silver sporran detail

Close detail of a lace veil in soft window light

Alex fastening his waistcoat before the ceremony

Groom reading a card in a bright room at Pratis House

Alex and his best man in kilts outside a stone barn

Two wedding guests in tartan kilts at Pratis Barns

Claire reflected in a mirror while getting ready

Hands holding a small keepsake during bridal preparations

Bride putting on an earring beside the window

Claire’s hands resting on her white wedding dress

Claire smiling during her wedding morning preparations

Bride in an off-the-shoulder dress at Pratis House

Wedding guest smiling as Claire shows her dress

Black and white portrait of Claire standing by the window

A guest reacting to Claire in her wedding dress

Dried flowers and a candle beside the stone ceremony wall

Candles on wooden barrels inside The Stables

Alex and his best man waiting for the wedding ceremony

Claire walking into the ceremony at Pratis Barns

Claire and Alex facing each other during their vows

Ronit Quayle leading Claire and Alex’s humanist ceremony

Bride smiling at the groom during the ceremony

Wide view of the ceremony in The Stables at Pratis Barns

Claire and Alex kissing at the end of their ceremony

Newlyweds smiling together after exchanging vows

Young guest wearing a sunhat during the wedding ceremony

Claire and Alex walking back through their wedding guests

Courtyard confetti around Claire and Alex at Pratis Barns

Wedding guest throwing confetti outside the ceremony barn

Newlyweds walking through a shower of confetti in Fife

Claire and Alex walking across the barn courtyard

Portrait of Claire holding her dried flower bouquet

Wedding reception tables set beneath lights in the barn

Table stationery and drinks at the wedding reception

Black and white portrait of the couple outside Pratis House

Claire and Alex walking on the lawn in late sunshine

Black and white photograph of the newlyweds laughing together

Claire and Alex standing beneath trees in the grounds

Sunlight shining between Claire and Alex as they kiss

Newlyweds kissing beneath leafy trees at Pratis Barns

Claire smiling up at Alex during their wedding portraits

Couple walking beside a stone wall in the Fife countryside

Claire and Alex smiling together in the evening light

Close portrait of Claire and Alex embracing outdoors

Bride and groom beneath trees in the Pratis Barns garden

Claire and Alex looking at each other beneath the trees

Claire walking along a gravel path in her wedding dress

Wedding guests playing a lawn game at Pratis Barns

Guests enjoying drinks on the lawn outside the barns

Two guests chatting with drinks in the late sunshine

Wedding guests smiling outside the reception barn

Alex talking with a guest on the lawn at Pratis Barns

Guests laughing together in the evening sunshine

Wedding guests chatting over drinks outdoors

Groom talking with guests during the drinks reception

Two wedding guests posing beside a stone wall

Guests gathered with drinks inside the reception barn

Claire and Alex embracing during their first dance

Guest smiling on the dance floor at Pratis Barns

Claire and Alex dancing beneath the barn lights

Backlit photograph of the couple dancing together

A ceremony in The Stables

The morning started at Pratis House, with Claire getting ready in the bright rooms upstairs and Alex putting on his kilt. The preparations were easy to photograph without having to organise every moment.

Ronit Quayle led the humanist ceremony in The Stables. Dried flowers framed the space, with candles against the stone walls and strings of lights overhead. It’s a lovely room to photograph a ceremony in, especially when you can see the reactions of the guests as well as the couple.

Afterwards, everyone gathered in the courtyard for confetti. Claire and Alex came out smiling, and we stayed outside as guests made their way onto the grass for drinks.

Late sunshine at Pratis Barns

Alex made the stationery himself, including the welcome sign, place cards, table numbers and seating chart. Those small touches gave the day its own personality. The dried flowers carried through from the ceremony into the reception, sitting among the glasses and bottles on the tables.

Later, we stepped away for a few photographs around the grounds. The sun was low enough to come through the trees, so we made the most of it with a short walk and a few quieter portraits. I like keeping this part of a wedding straightforward. A little guidance when it helps, then space for the couple to be themselves.

Back inside, the evening moved into dancing, with Jim Jam Ceilidh Band providing the music. I stayed with the action on the dance floor, including Claire and Alex’s first dance beneath the lights.

35mm and medium format wedding photography

I used digital, 35mm and medium format film throughout Claire and Alex’s wedding. Digital let me keep pace with the ceremony and confetti, while the film photographs brought a different texture to the same day. The late light in the grounds was particularly good for portraits on film.

The approach stayed the same whichever camera I had in my hands: watch what’s happening, pay attention to the light and keep the day moving. If you’re interested in the film side of my work, you can read more about my analogue wedding photography.

The wedding team

Venue: Pratis Barns
Celebrant: Ronit Quayle
Flowers: DRIED
Hair: Chloe Macfarlane
Makeup: Jay McLoughlan
Nails: By Anna
Music: Jim Jam Ceilidh Band
Videography: Afterglow Weddings
Stationery: Alex

Planning a wedding in Fife?

If you’re getting married at Pratis Barns or elsewhere in Fife and would like a mix of film and digital wedding photography, get in touch with your date and plans. I’d love to hear what you have in mind.