An intimate wedding ceremony at Lecropt Kirk in Bridge of Allan, Scotland | The Kirkstyle Inn Dunning Wedding Reception | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
Sophie and Jake had a beautiful wedding day at Lecropt Kirk in Bridge of Allan and The Kirkstyle INn in Dunning. They started their wedding day by having an intimate ceremony at the historic Lecropt Kirk in bridge of Allan, Scotland. Jake arrived early to greet their loved ones and then waited at the front of the aisle for Sophie’s Arrival. Sophie was absolutely stunning, in her vintage inspired reformation silk dress, along with her stunning makeup done by Claire Nisbet, and her beautiful bouquet by Stunning Flowers. the intimate ceremony involved singing their favorite hymns, an exchanging of rings, tunes on the trumpet by their talented friend Stephanie Kennedy and beautiful words by their pastor.
After the ceremony, the couple’s lined up for a confetti toss. Sophie and Jake hugged their loved and took a few family portraits before sending them on their way to The Kirkstyle Inn in Dunning, to enjoy drinks and canapes and await their arrival while they stayed behing for wedding portraits at Lecropt Kirk. The property is so still and quiet, that it was a nice chance for the couple to spend a little time together strolling around before going and joining all of their guests at The Kirkstyle. We even went into the Lecropt Kirk Chapel after everyone left for some intimate couple portraits in the quiet sanctuary. We then made our way through the countryside as we drove up to The Kirkstyle Inn.
I was able to arrive a little bit earlier, so the couple could have some alone time and I could scout out the best angles to capture the couple arriving at the Kirkstyle Inn and to let all of the guests know to line up outside for their arrival. They had a timeless scottish entrance with a bagpiper and drummer walking them up to their wedding reception. They were led down the streets of this tiny village in a mini parade of just the two of them as they walked up to their loved one with open arms as they all greeted the newlyweds!
The rest of the evening was in three parts at The Kirkstyle Inn. First, they all had drinks in the outdoor garden on the river, just outside of the main historic building, where both the bride and groom, along with their loved ones made speeches. Then everyone headed inside and upstairs to the private dining area, where a long table was decorated with beautiful florals, candles and white tablecloth. A beautiful juxtaposition to the walls, which were colorful and filled with historic knickknacks and trinkets from all over scotland. The menu was a mix of fine dining with an elevated pub dinner course, which is exactly what the couple wanted. This Pub is already a place I want to go back to and try more on the menu, because I can testify to how delicious the food was.
After the intimate candlelit dinner upstairs, they had a live band playing while everyone danced the night away back in the outdoor garden area. Overall, the Kirkstyle Inn was the loveliest place for this wedding day to be celebrated with their loved ones, over a delicious meal, lots of dancing and lots of love in this little scottish village of Dunning. What a beautiful and memorable scottish wedding day this was! x
“The Lecropt Kirk in Bridge of Allan was so lovely for an intimate wedding reception and the Kirkstyle inn in dunning was the perfect pub for an intimate wedding dinner.”
Chicago Cultural Center Wedding | Rachel and Joe | Downtown Chicago Wedding Photographer
Rachel and Joe had their wedding ceremony and wedding reception at the historic Chicago Cultural Center in Downtown Chicago. The couple met at The University of CHicago, so it only made sense that they were married in such a special place to them both. I absolutely loved documenting this wedding day on both 35mm film and digital formats.
The Chicago Cultural Center is truly such a beautiful historic landmark in the heart of downtown chicago. It was opened in the 1800’s and located just across the street from Millennium park and off of Michigan avenue. The Chicago Cultural center not only holds many exhibits, with free admission, but they also have many spaces that are perfect for wedding days. The two main spaces for wedding ceremonies or receptions there are in the G.A.R. Hall and Rotunda or the Preston Bradley Hall’s Tiffany dome. And of course, endless corridors and stairwells of beautiful tiling, stained glass windows and ornate details throughout the entire building, which are a perfect backrdrop for bridal or wedding portraits.
Rachel started her wedding day getting ready with friends and close family at The Pendry Hotel, which is just a few blocks north of The Chicago Cultural Center on Michigan avenue. Rachel’s wedding dress and veil were from the incredibly talented dress designer, Danielle Frankel. Her wedding shoes were vintage from American duchess and had a beautiful nod to the historic time period of the building they were married in. Rachel also had some of the best wedding Hair and wedding Makeup artists in Chicago do her hair and makeup, Shannon O’Brien and Megan Schnell. Joe also had a custom suit made from Bode, an incredible designer based in New York City.
They had a first look at the hotel and then joined all of their friends in the lobby of the hotel to walk down Michigan avenue towards the wedding venue. Once The couple arrived at The Chicago Cultural Center, I photographed the bridal party on the entrance staircase both outside and inside the lobby by the welcome center. After thee bridal party headed up to the bridal room, where everyone was tucked away before the ceremony began, I strolled through the Chicago Cultural Center with Rachel and Joe for their wedding portraits.
For the entire ceremony and reception decor setup, Cygnet Events and Design executed all of the wedding planning and design work, with the guidance of Rachel’s impeccable taste through her mood boards. The Cremony was draped with deep red cloths, vivid red roses and lots of candles and dark ribbons to create a romantic backdrop. Rachel actually came up with the theme that was called “Gloopy Bacchanal”, which focused on surrealism, whimsy and romance. Rachel, as she is an architect, was able to fully design the lace pattern of their custom chuppah that they were married under and said their vows under during their wedding ceremony. Rachel also had her rabbi from her childhood hometown, who her family is close to and she has known her whole life, travel up from Georgia to marry them in chicago.
After the ceremony, they had a stunning cocktail hour overlooking chicago. I love when all of the family and bridal portraits are taken before the cocktail hour, so the bride and groom can fully enjoy their guests and just let everyone hug them and congratulate them and be fully present with their wedding guests with a drink in hand. While the Cygnet Events team, The florists from bottles and Bouquets, along with the caterers at paramount events and the rentals team at arcana vintage rentals turned the grand upstairs hall into the wedding reception and dance floor space, the guests were slowly escorted back into the hall for dinner.
Rachel and Joe had their cake cutting in the middle of the dance floor, followed by their first dance and speeches while the dinner courses started coming to all of the tables. For their dessert table, They had an epic display of multiple wedding cakes of all shapes and sizes and different designs, that matched their romantic theme of ribbons, florals and vintage icing designs. All of the cakes were designed and baked by Sugar Fixe in CHicago. To end the wedding day, rachel and joe danced to the tunes of one of chicago’s best DJ’s, Matt ROan, with all of their closest friends and family members in the middle of one of the most beautiful historic buildings in all of downtown chicago. This wedding day was so beautiful and I’m so honored to have been able to photograph all of the lovely memories from their wedding day for these two lovely and creative soulmates.
“The Chicago Cultural Center, located in the heart of Downtown Chicago, is a beautiful wedding venue and event space to enjoy an epic party surrounded by historic architecture”
