Branxholm Park Wedding in Scotland

This Branxholm Park wedding was an absolute dream to photograph, especially with its full fantasy theme. As a Baldur’s Gate and Dungeons & Dragons player, this day felt like a real pinch-me moment. From the moment I arrived, it was clear this wedding was going to be something truly special!

I was so excited to travel up to Scotland for this celebration. I often get asked if I travel for weddings, and days like this are exactly why the answer is always yes! Being able to document such a unique and personal wedding, in such an atmospheric setting, is one of my favourite parts of the job.

A Whimsical Branxholm Park Wedding Venue

Branxholm Park is one of the most whimsical wedding venues I’ve ever photographed. Tucked away in the Scottish countryside, it feels like stepping straight into a fairytale. With its imaginative details, hidden corners, and storybook architecture, it was the perfect setting for a fantasy-themed wedding.

Every part of the venue added to the magic of the day and suited Salo & Eli’s vision beautifully. A Branxholm Park wedding is ideal for couples who want something a little bit different.

A Personal Branxholm Park Wedding Ceremony

The ceremony was led by celebrant Gerri and was one of the most personal and heartfelt ceremonies I’ve witnessed. It felt deeply meaningful, full of warmth and intention, and perfectly reflected Salo & Eli as a couple.

Surrounded by loved ones who had travelled from all over to be there, including Salo’s family who came over from Spain, the ceremony felt intimate and incredibly special.

A Magical Glasshouse Wedding Reception

After the ceremony, the celebrations continued in the most incredible glasshouse at Branxholm Park. Filled with light, greenery, and flowers, it felt magical and almost otherworldly as a reception space.

As the light shifted throughout the day, the glasshouse only became more atmospheric. It was a beautiful place for guests to relax, celebrate, and enjoy the rest of the wedding day.

Personal Details at a Branxholm Park Wedding

Salo & Eli had so many thoughtful personal details woven throughout their wedding. Their invitations were illustrated by Eli, which made them even more meaningful. I absolutely loved creating their flat lay and photographing those details, knowing how much care and creativity had gone into them.

Their outfits were also perfect and felt completely true to who they are. Every choice they made reflected their personalities, their relationship, and the world they had created for their wedding day.

A Few Words from Salo & Eli

How did you two meet?

We met through Tumblr! At the time, we both liked the same video games, Fallen London and Sunless Sea. We started by making lore posts and, before long, we were writing fanfiction and drawing fan art for each other.

At first, we joked about dating. Eventually, though, I messaged Eli to ask whether we were actually joking or if we could really be together. That’s when we officially started dating.

We met in person for the first time in Madrid on June 9th, 2017, and from that moment, we knew we wanted to be together forever. We stayed long-distance until just after Christmas 2017, when I moved to Newcastle. We’ve been living together ever since.

Describe the proposal!

We’d been talking about getting married since we first met (very stereotypically gay, we know!), so we always knew marriage was on the cards. Because of that, we both decided we wanted to propose to each other.

We chose to do it during a Disneyland trip. In the end, we both proposed at Snow White’s Well at sunset on May 10th, 2022. Only later did we realise we’d accidentally wandered into an area that was closed to the public, which explained why it was completely empty. A very kind cast member waited until we’d stopped crying and laughing before letting us know.

We actually got legally married on September 20th, 2024. However, we haven’t told anyone apart from our witnesses, so everyone will be finding out at our wedding ceremony 🤭

What is special about your venue?

From the moment we saw it, Branxholm Park felt like something straight out of a fairytale. Tucked away in the countryside, it looks like a fantasy mansion and is decorated in a beautifully whimsical, imaginative way. A Branxholm Park wedding feels completely immersive, with so many magical spaces to explore.

Our wedding meal will be held in a glasshouse that’s completely filled with flowers and greenery. There’s also a hedge tunnel decorated with fairy lights that leads into the ceremony chapel. The chapel itself is covered in plants and flowers across the ceiling and is softly lit by candlelight.

Outside, there’s a firepit swing circle and a loggia — a covered outdoor social space with stone benches and statuary. The venue is surrounded by woods and countryside, which adds to the storybook atmosphere.

Inside, there’s a wooden staircase with stained glass windows and a wall-to-ceiling dollhouse featuring felted mice getting ready for a wedding (and, uh, hosting a slightly unexpected BDSM party in the attic). There’s also a small farm on site, so mini goats and geese might be around on the day, along with a Labrador and a three-legged cat.

Any details of note about your big day?

We’ve been telling friends that our wedding theme is basically “what if the Met Gala theme was fantasy or fairytale?” They’ve completely run with it, and we’re so excited to see everyone’s outfits.

We’re planning an outfit change while guests finish their meals. Eli will change into trousers, and I’ll change into a gown before we reappear for our first dance.

Our cake toppers are Sylvanian Families figures that we’ve modified to look like us, along with Sylvanian babies styled to resemble our cats. I’ll also be wearing a locket with photos of our cats inside.

We don’t have a traditional wedding party. Instead, four friends from Spain will open the bridal procession, each holding a lantern. Eli’s dad will be wearing elven-style leather armour, at least for the ceremony.

We also have a sword that we’ll be using to cut the cake, which will double as a photo prop. Sadly, Eli’s mum passed away a few years ago and can’t be with us. However, we’ll be honouring her with a small memorial in the chapel at our Branxholm Park wedding.

Venue: https://www.branxholmpark.co.uk/

Salo outfit details: https://www.instagram.com/_leflaconboutique

Eli outfit details: https://www.instagram.com/vintageprimrose_shop/

Hair & Makeup: https://www.tonisearlemua.com/

Flowers: https://www.instagram.com/undertheivyflowers/

Celebrant: https://www.celebratepeople.co.uk/our-celebrants/gerrie-douglas-scott/

If you’re planning a Branxholm Park wedding or dreaming up a celebration that leans into storytelling, fantasy, or something a little different, I’d absolutely love to hear about it! Travelling for weddings like this is always a joy, and capturing days that feel this personal is exactly why I do what I do.

The post Branxholm Park Wedding appeared first on Maddie Farris Photography.

Victoria Baths Wedding

A Victoria Baths wedding in Manchester is always something special. This iconic historic venue is full of character, beautiful light, and unique backdrops. Even better, it’s only around ten minutes from me, which always feels like a bonus when a venue this good is so close to home.

Victoria Baths is a truly quirky and unforgettable wedding venue. With its vintage tiles, soaring ceilings, and distinctive architecture, it’s a dream setting for creative wedding photography.

A Wedding Ceremony at Victoria Baths

Sophie & Chris chose to hold their wedding ceremony at Victoria Baths in one of the old swimming pools. It’s an iconic space and gave the whole day serious Wes Anderson vibes. The venue’s heritage charm and bold design meant there were endless opportunities for fun, colourful, and creative photographs.

After their heartfelt ceremony, we took some relaxed portraits around the building. The interiors are so striking that you don’t need to go far to find beautiful backdrops.

A Relaxed and Music-Filled Celebration

Their wedding day was laid-back and full of personality. Instead of a formal sit-down meal, Sophie & Chris opted for Mexican street food, which perfectly suited the relaxed feel of the day.

In the evening, things really came alive when Chris and his old band took to the stage. Seeing guests dancing in such a unique space was the perfect way to end the celebration.

If you’re looking for a Victoria Baths wedding photographer in Manchester, this venue offers a truly unforgettable setting for a creative and non-traditional wedding.

Wedding Ceremony at Victoria Baths Manchester

A few words from Sophie & Chris:

How did you two meet?

We met online on OkCupid in December 2014. We went on our first date in January 2015 and have been together ever since.

Describe the proposal!

We were on a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords. While standing on the balcony and taking in the scenery, Chris got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Even though we’d been together for nine years, it was still a complete surprise!

What is special about your venue?

Victoria Baths is a gorgeous heritage building. The history of the venue is really interesting. Our wedding coordinator explained that when it was built, authorities wanted to show how much they cared about residents, so beautiful buildings like Victoria Baths were created.

Some of Chris’s family learned to swim there, which makes it even more meaningful for us to get married in a place that holds memories beyond our own.

Any details of note about your big day?

There will be lots of children at our wedding, including our 18-month-old, so we wanted the day to feel very family-friendly. One of the pools will have garden games and huge rolls of paper for the kids to draw on.

Music is also a big part of our relationship. All the table names will be Manchester gig venues, along with the first band we saw there. Chris and his band will be playing at 6pm, which we can’t wait for.

Venue:  https://victoriabaths.org.uk/

Person #1 outfit details: Monsoon

Person #2 outfit details: Moss Bros

Hair : @/rlj.hair.nails

Makeup : @makeupbylaurenpoole

Flowers: https://www.diddiboxflowers.co.uk/

Band/DJ: https://weddingjam.co.uk/

A few kind words from Sophie & Chris:

“Maddie took our wedding photos at Victoria Baths in Manchester and we couldn’t be happier with the photos and the contribution she made to our day as a whole.

From first speaking with Maddie I got a great vibe and knew she’d be the perfect fit for our day. We had a prep call before the wedding and she was on hand to answer any questions we had. She gave us some great bits of advice (having literally done hundreds of weddings before!) and made us feel at ease.

On the day she was super organised and helped the day flow more smoothly. She was able to direct people and help us get the pictures we wanted, this was so invaluable and the pictures we have we will cherish forever. Thank you so so much, Maddie. You captured the day better than we could have even imagined and we’re so lucky to have found you!”

The post Victoria Baths Wedding Manchester appeared first on Maddie Farris Photography.

This Hodsock Priory wedding was everything I love about an autumn celebration. Caitlin & Kelsea’s day was incredibly cosy and full of warmth, from the roaring fire in the hall to the late-autumn leaves in the perfect shade of orange. The vibes all day were wholesome, relaxed, and beautifully calm.

Everything from morning prep to the ceremony and evening reception took place at Hodsock Priory, which made the whole day feel stress-free and unhurried. The bedrooms at the Priory are full of character, with huge windows that flood the space with natural light, even on a dark autumn day.

Although there was rain after the ceremony, it didn’t stop Caitlin & Kelsea from grabbing a brolly and heading out for a short walk around the grounds. The moody weather actually added to the atmosphere, making for some wonderfully romantic portraits around the estate.

A Cosy Autumn Hodsock Priory Wedding

Hodsock Priory is such a perfect setting for an autumn wedding. Between the historic interiors, the panelled rooms, and the surrounding grounds, it offers endless opportunities for relaxed, atmospheric photography. A Hodsock Priory wedding is ideal for couples who want a countryside feel with plenty of character and charm.

A few words from Caitlin & Kelsea:

How did you two meet?

On a dating app… so unfortunately no romantic meet-cute!

Describe the proposal!

We were on holiday in Whitby with family. We both love Whitby and have visited many times over our relationship, usually for chips and curry sauce in the harbour or fossil hunting at Saltwick Bay. It’s a really special place for us.

Kelsea took me (Caitlin) on a picnic on the clifftop overlooking Saltwick Bay. It was windy and overcast — not quite what Kelsea had imagined! After we finished the hummus and sausage rolls, Kelsea pretended she wanted to take a photo with the tripod she’d brought. She said she had a surprise, and when I turned around, she was on one knee with a ring.

What is special about your venue, Hodsock Priory?

Hodsock Priory is in Nottinghamshire, very close to Kelsea’s childhood home. When we visited, Caitlin fell in love with the Panelled Hall ceremony room. The historical feel, big fireplace, and bookshelves made it an easy decision.

Any details of note about your big day?

Our theme is autumnal with a touch of “Halloween chic”. Think pumpkins and rich autumn colours everywhere. Caitlin designed the save-the-dates and invitations, while Kelsea designed the table stationery.

We also wanted to make the day as eco-friendly as possible. We sourced local vendors, used collected glass bottles, vases, and brass candlesticks, and made sure nothing went to waste. Guests can even take a pumpkin home as a wedding favour to carve or cook with later.

Venue: Hodsock Priory

Person #1 outfit details: Caitlin – Needle & Thread

Person #2 outfit details: Kelsea – Carl Stuart Bespoke Tailors custom made suit

Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Outfits: Caitlin’s bridesmaids – custom dresses by Elizabeth Reuben @elizabeth_reuben_

Hair : Lydia Hopkins @lydiahopkinshair

Makeup : Sali Jones – Ms Moo Makeup

Cake: That Old Chestnut

Flowers: BLOSM

A few kind words from Caitlin & Kelsea:

“Maddie is truly amazing at what she does & I feel like words cannot do justice to how fabulous she was at our wedding. From the moment she arrived she was in full wedding mode – dashing from room to room to capture the getting ready/reveal shots for me & my wife. Although I felt bit nervous/camera shy at first, Maddie quickly made me feel very comfortable & at ease. And when it started to rain, she quickly cracked out her waterproof coat and carried on! She is a trooper!

The photos we have received are more beautiful than I could have even imagined. If you are looking for a photographer for your wedding, you don’t need to look any further than Maddie!”

The post Hodsock Priory Wedding appeared first on Maddie Farris Photography.