Hopetoun House, in West Lothian, is an elegant and luxurious wedding venue on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It made the perfect setting for Olivia and Austin’s wedding, which I photographed using a mix of 35mm analogue film and digital photography. Olivia and Austin are both huge fans of analogue wedding photography, and we had a great chat about what they were drawn to about the format.


Austin and Olivia said that Hopetoun House was the first venue they visited, and they fell in love with it instantly. I asked them why they loved Hopetoun House. Olivia and Austin told me that they loved how grand Hopetoun is from the start of the drive up to the house, that they lvoed the staircase to the main entrance. They fell in love with the colonnades, the tapestry room and ballroom, and the grandeur of Hopetoun House . They also loved how secluded and peaceful it was, away from the bustle of the city.

Bridal Prep in Edinburgh

We started the day at Olivia’s parents’ home. I love photographing this part of the day at people’s homes. It gives you a real insight to the family, to the dynamic. And for whoever is getting ready there, it means having everything you need on hand. You have access to multiple spaces, ideal for lots of people getting ready, and for hair and make-up artists to find a space to work. The dining room was the perfect space for them – lots of light, space, and a big table. I loved that this was Olivia’s home, and that she felt so comfortable in this space.

Wedding Ceremony at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh

Olivia and Austin opted for a religious ceremony at the stunning St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh. It was easy enough to park here as there’s plenty of on-street parking. The grounds are spacious, ensuring we had plenty of space for photos and a confetti photo. They’d also hired a red bus to carry their wedding guests to Hopetoun House estate. This is a beautiful part of Edinburgh’s New Town, in the centre of the city, making it accessible for people to reach by train or bus.

The interior of the cathedral is stunning and grand, and as a wedding photographer, it was light enough to work with my cameras without requiring flash. Using my analogue cameras, I captured the wedding indoors with fast 35mm film.

Confetti at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh

Austin and Olivia used dried flower petals for confetti at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh. To the left of the cathedral, there is a path which worked perfectly for a confetti tunnel. Afterwards, the guests boarded a classic Red Bus which took them directly to Hopetoun House for the wedding reception.

Analogue Wedding Photography

They also had a few requests regarding their analogue photos, as they love creating their own images with film. They were after a very authentic documentary feel to their photos; they loved the consumer look of film rather than a polished, perfect look. We talked about different film stock. While I photograph a lot with Portra, for formal, polished photos, I also have a collection of other film types that I like to occasionally experiment with, such as Kodak Ultramax 400 for a punchy, colourful look; Cinestill 800T for indoor photographs with its lovely red glow halation on lighting, Kodak Gold for warm tones, and Kodak Pro Image 100, which I’ve always loved for its soft skin tones.

Olivia and Austin said that they loved film because it captures a memory as it was, as you remember it. They loved the warmth of film, the colour, the tones, and the grain.

Candid Wedding Photos at Hopetoun House

I also took the opportunity to use it as an excuse to buy a new piece of equipment for this wedding at Hopetoun House. I invested in a small, compact 35mm analogue camera, the Olympus Mju II. This little camera has built up a bit of a cult following in recent years. Where it once languished in charity shops for a few pounds, it’s now really popular with analogue photographers. It’s a point-and-shoot that you can keep in your pocket and just shoot from the hip for a really candid feel to the photos. I loved being able to work with this little camera in a really discreet way, fitting in among the guests and catching some wonderful, natural analogue wedding photos at Hopetoun House.

I wanted a camera that I could hold in my hand and move around the guests, almost like I was one of them. It really let me shoot from the hip, which I felt added to the emotional layer of the day. I think about people I’ve known over the years, with their point-and-shoot cameras before phone cameras became popular. I think of the feel of those photos, when it was really about an emotional connection with a moment. It wasn’t deep and overly thought out… it was just liking the moment, catching it, and that was it. I used my two beloved Canon analogue cameras too, with some rolls of 35mm film for this beautiful wedding at Hopetoun House. The combination of my film cameras and also digital for the safe shots gave us a beautiful gallery of images.

Wedding Vibes at Hopetoun House

I asked Olivia and Austin about the vibe for their wedding at Hopetoun House. They said, “From arrival to cocktail hour and dinner, we are aiming for a more elegant experience, but when the band and dancing begins, we are hoping it will be a lively celebration”.

Olivia and Austin were very excited to have so many of their friends and family attending their wedding. Having had a long-distance relationship, they told me that what was important to them was that they were finally able to have all the people they loved most in the same place at the same time. They said that this may be one of the only times that they would have everyone together, so they were looking forward to all the candid photos of their guests interacting.

Hopetoun House Wedding Photographer Analogue and Digital

Hopetoun House is a wedding venue that works beautifully with both analogue and digital photography. I loved using 35mm film at this Hopetoun House wedding. I think the colour tones of film work perfectly with the soft peach walls by the colonnades and really brought out the rich tones in the tapestry room. It’s a stunning venue to work with using film; I think that it adds a lovely tonal depth and connection to the day. I would love to return to Hopetoun House for more weddings, so if this is somewhere you’re planning for your day, please get in touch with me.

Hopetoun House Wedding – FAQ

Hopetoun House is a stately home at South Queensferry, near Edinburgh, with a 6,500-acre estate. It is available for hire for weddings. As a wedding venue, it feels luxurious, elegant and so peaceful – you really do feel like you’re in a little bubble of history.

Edinburgh Wedding Suppliers

If you’re looking for a wedding supplier for your Hopetoun House wedding, these are the suppliers that Olivia and Austin used.

• Photography package: Senja, full day coverage
• Ceremony: St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral
• Reception: Hopetoun House
• Guest transport: The Red Bus
• Hair and Make-up: Rachel Spence HMUA
• Florists: Garland Florists
• Band and Saxophone: The Woohoo Band
• Piper: Glyn Morris
• Cake: Liggy’s Cakes