A JOYFUL CELEBRATION AT THE GHILLIE DHU BY DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER EDINBURGH

creative shot of the bride and groom walking through confetti holding hands and smiling outside the ghillie ghu in edinburgh scotland by documentary wedding photographer edinburgh

Ghillie Dhu wedding photography - Jill + James

I always love a wedding where I feel like one of the gang. Jill and James’s - or was it James and Jill’s?! (more on that later!) - family and friends welcomed me with open arms. I already knew a lot of them from other weddings I’d shot and it was brilliant to catch up with previous couples and meet their new additions too.

The Ghillie Dhu is a great spot, a traditional Scottish bar in Edinburgh’s West End. Housed inside a former church and sitting right in the shadow of Edinburgh’s incredible castle the ceremony room boasts vaulted ceilings and huge chandeliers. I was blown away when I saw it. Who knew this Georgian building had such an amazing space?!

Documentary wedding photographer in Edinburgh

After a wee dram or two of whiskey James and his groomsmen walked over to the Ghillie Dhu, they looked proper dapper in their kilts and were greeted with cheers and cries of “Good luck!” along the way.

Jill wasn’t far behind, before long she was being piped through the streets of Edinburgh. She looked so beautiful and was all smiles as she strolled to the venue with her dad and bridesmaids.

Jill, James and their guests are loads of fun. I had such a great time. Straight after their ceremony I gathered everyone together to pelt the newly weds with confetti (SO much confetti!) and then I gave them time to mingle and catch up. There was a running joke throughout the day - was it Jill and James or James and Jill? The answer very much depended on which side of the family you were talking to at the time! It got a lot of laughs and good natured banter throughout the day.

Edinburgh wedding photography

We took a few relaxed family group photos in front of the Ghillie Dhu’s awesome doorway, the stone arches had been covered in flowers and it looked amazing, before making our way over to the gardens for some portraits. Jill and James were up for anything I threw at them. We ended up having a wander over to Haymarket and had a great time exploring. They even borrowed some sunglasses off a passerby. Anything for a cool shot eh!

Back at the Ghillie Dhu it was time for their joint speech. They’ve been together for years after meeting at their university rowing club. They’re a very sporty pair with a real love of the outdoors so they had lots of stories to tell about their adventures.

There were some ace shapes thrown on the dancefloor that evening and I couldn’t resist a few golden hour photos with Jill and James. The streets of Edinburgh make a great backdrop! What a wedding!