STATELY HOMES

Karol M ak ul a Ph ot o gra phy

Lifetime Ph ot o gr a p hy

This award-winner will tick all your boxes Think Balbirnie House and the word “luxury” instantly springs to mind. This stunning Grade A listed Georgian mansion has been voted Hotel of the Year at the Scottish Hotel Awards 14 times in 16 years and Haute Grandeur Best Wedding Hotel on a global level, bearing testimony to the all-out grandeur you can expect here. Built in 1777 and nestled within 400 acres of beautiful parkland near the village of Markinch, Balbirnie is ideally situated between Edinburgh and St Andrews and believe us, you can be guaranteed the wow factor for a wedding in opulent surroundings.

This flexible venue can accommodate up to 216 guests for a wedding banquet and an impressive 250 for an evening reception. You’ll love the options to say “I do” how and where you want. The Millennium Ballroom is the perfect setting for larger ceremonies. Beautiful lunette windows on three sides bathe the room in natural light and this is also where most of the hotel’s wedding breakfasts are held. If you want to soak up the true history of this stately home though, The Long Gallery is the stunning main ‘central’ room of the original house and comes complete with Georgian lunette windows, arched ceilings, and trompes d’oeuil painted into the ceiling coves. We love The Orangery’s mirrored tinted glass ceiling and floor to ceiling windows that take full advantage of views over the parkland. But if the weather holds up, why not head out onto the beautifully manicured lawns for your ceremony?

What luxurious setting would be complete without beautiful bedrooms to retreat to at the end of the night? You’ll find 31 individually designed bedrooms at Balbirnie, combining period features and modern amenities. What more could you wish for? balbirnie.co.uk

Live it up in your own private estate Tucked away within 1,500 acres of private parkland, Elsick House is something of a hidden gem. Home to the late Duke of Fife and his forebears the Bannermans, this stately home is ideally situated just eight miles south of Aberdeen, yet you’ll feel totally secluded in your own private estate for your wedding. Couples who say “I do” here get the run of this exceptionally beautiful mansion house and its grounds for the whole weekend. While the oldest part of the house dates back to the 13th-century, newly refurbished interiors blend the old and new seamlessly and you’ll love the light and airy reception rooms that have capacity for up to 35 dinner guests. The 11 individually decorated bedrooms, including the elegant bridal suite, mean you and up to 20 guests can call Elsick your home throughout your wedding. Larger celebrations are accommodated in the marquee which is located within the south facing walled gardens and you’ll have plenty of room for up to 200 guests. But if the weather is on your side, an outdoors ceremony is a must here. The beautifully manicured gardens are a huge draw. You can exchange vows on the lawn or in the secret garden with your guests looking on from beneath the stunning rose arch. elsick.co.uk

Mike Cook Photography

Relax in stunning surroundings Voted Best Scottish Aberdeenshire Wedding Venue, it’s easy to see why couples are drawn to Logie Country House for their big day. Situated just 16 miles west of Aberdeen, the distinctive private country house, which was originally built as a fortified castle in 1680, is set in 130 acres of beautiful grounds, with estate lands which date back to 1492.

There’s no doubt the setting is luxurious but there’s nothing pretentious about Logie Country House and you’ll be welcomed warmly for your wedding. The house is available on an exclusive-use basis for two days, and nights mid-week or three days and nights over a long weekend, giving you the perfect excuse to draw out your wedding celebrations, enjoying the indoor swimming pool, cinema room, hot tubs and there’s even a private island.

When it comes to the main event, Logie is ideally set-up for weddings. Completely renovated in 2006, there’s a cosy atmosphere to the house, regardless of the grandeur. The newly-built ballroom is a perfect setting for your wedding, accommodating up to 150 day guests. Or smaller weddings of up to 50 can be held in the dining room. And remember, there’s plenty of space for 50 guests to stay over for a proper weekend-long celebration. logiecountryhouse.co.uk

Live it up in style with everything you could dream of If you’re looking for the last word in grandeur, make sure you pop Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort on your shortlist. Situated in a 240-acre ancient woodland estate just 10 minutes from Glasgow Airport, this five-star mansion dates back to 1828, and believe us when we say it’s jaw-droppingly beautiful.

You’ll have a choice of luxurious banqueting rooms here, all of which enjoy stunning views of the River Clyde. Intimate weddings of up to 40 guests are held in the oakpanelled Kilpatrick Suite. The floor to ceiling Edwardian arched windows frame the view of the rolling Kilpatrick hills perfectly, providing a romantic backdrop for your day. For larger weddings of up to 150 for your ceremony the Burgundy Suite is charming. Situated just off the hotel’s impressive Grand Hall, it oozes charm and FYI, your photographer will love a shot of you framed by the huge windows. The elegant Morton Hall Ballroom which sits within the hotel’s grounds is guaranteed to impress up to 150 of your nearest and dearest with its stunning crystal chandeliers. And then there’s the beautiful Garden Pavilion (capacity 300). The light and airy space comes complete with a heated decking area, meaning you can take your celebrations outdoors and drink in those views or, perhaps, a fireworks display. marhall.com

Nicholas Frost Photograph y

Unique industrial wedding venue in the heart of Dundee. The spacious and naturally lit venue, for up to 200 guests, has separate areas for the ceremony and reception with more intimate spaces for drinks, socialising and entertainment, making it a truly flexible venue. Exposed brick walls, festoon lighting on wooden beams create the charm of a barn style wedding but in an easily accessed city location making this the perfect setting for your wedding day. CONTACT US

Old Glamis Factory, Old Glamis Road, Dundee, DD3 8JB

info@theweavingshedstudios.com www.theweavingshedstudios.com

Comrie Croft – Simons Studio Bachilton Barn – Tony Marsh Photography