A newlywed couple shares a quiet embrace under a stone archway in a dimly lit church interior, with candles illuminating the space around them, at Dunglass Estate, East Lothian.

Dunglass Estate Wedding Photographer

30+ Weddings at Dunglass Estate — and Counting

Looking for an experienced Dunglass Estate wedding photographer with genuine first-hand knowledge of the venue? We’ve photographed more than 30 weddings at Dunglass Estate, giving us extensive experience of how the church, Pavilion, gardens and accommodation work throughout a wedding day.

We’re also one of Dunglass Estate’s recommended photography suppliers. The venue currently features Jonathon Fowler Photography on its official recommended-suppliers list and notes that we’ve created many of the photographs used across the Dunglass website.

Dunglass is an exclusive-use wedding venue in East Lothian, combining the atmospheric 15th-century Collegiate Church with the Pavilion, gardens, courtyard and on-site accommodation in a secluded estate close to the coast.

After photographing so many weddings here, we know how to make the most of the church, Walled Garden, grounds and changing coastal light without taking you away from your guests for long.

Our approach is relaxed and unobtrusive, combining genuine documentary moments with natural portraits that use Dunglass Estate’s character while keeping photography part of the day, not the focus.

30+ Weddings

Photographed at Dunglass Estate

20 Years

Photographing weddings since 2006

Recommended Supplier

Dunglass Estate

Jonathon & Claire

husband-and-wife wedding photography team

Dunglass Estate Wedding Photos

Here are some of our favourite photographs from the 30+ weddings we’ve photographed at Dunglass Estate, including ceremonies in the Collegiate Church, newlywed portraits around the gardens and grounds, candid moments with family and guests, and evening celebrations in the Pavilion.

Why Dunglass Estate Works So Well for Weddings

Dunglass gives couples something particularly useful for a wedding: a historic ceremony space, modern reception venue, extensive private grounds and accommodation all within the same exclusive-use estate.

The 15th-century Dunglass Collegiate Church is the venue’s most distinctive feature. Its partially ruined Gothic architecture creates a historic, atmospheric ceremony setting while still allowing plenty of natural light.

Just a short walk away, the Pavilion provides a completely different setting for the wedding breakfast and evening celebrations. Having the church, reception space and grounds so close together means the day can move naturally from one part of the estate to another without guests needing to travel between venues.

From a photography point of view, that variety is one of Dunglass’s biggest strengths. We can move between historic stonework, gardens, mature trees, open lawns and wider views across the estate, giving the photographs noticeably different looks without taking you away from your guests for long.

The on-site accommodation also means preparations, the ceremony, the reception, and the overnight stay can all happen in one place, creating a much more relaxed flow to the wedding day. Current Dunglass packages include accommodation for up to 28 guests across five properties.

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Spaces at Dunglass Estate

Dunglass has three main spaces that shape the wedding day: the historic Collegiate Church, the Stable Yard and the Pavilion. Because they sit close together within the estate, couples can move from ceremony to drinks reception and dinner without guests needing to travel anywhere.

A bride and groom walk together outside an old stone church, Dunglass Church, with grass and trees in the background.

Dunglass Collegiate Church

The 15th-century Dunglass Collegiate Church is the venue’s most distinctive ceremony space.

Its partially ruined Gothic architecture, warm grey stone and open sections allow natural light into the building while retaining the atmosphere of a historic church.

Dunglass currently lists the church for up to 150 guests when the ceremony is arranged centrally, or up to 120 guests with the ceremony positioned at the top of the church.

Having photographed many ceremonies here, we particularly like the balance between atmosphere and natural light. The stonework creates a dramatic setting, but the building’s open nature means it doesn’t photograph like a dark traditional church.

Outdoor social event with adults mingling in Dunglass Stableyard adorned with string lights and trees, some seated under an awning.

The Stable Yard

The Stable Yard provides an indoor alternative ceremony space and is also commonly used for the drinks reception.

It has a completely different feel from the Collegiate Church, with softer furnishings and a more relaxed interior setting. Dunglass also uses it as an alternative when weather or wedding plans make an indoor option more practical.

From a photography point of view, having this space so close to the church and Pavilion is particularly useful because the wedding can continue flowing naturally even when the weather changes.

Spacious event hall, Dunglass Estate Pavilion, with wooden flooring, set with rows of wooden tables and chairs. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and floral decorations adorn the tables. Large windows are on one side.

The Pavilion

The Pavilion is the main space for the wedding breakfast and evening celebrations.

Dunglass currently seats up to 150 guests using long banqueting tables, or up to 120 guests using square tables. The venue’s current maximum wedding capacity is 150 guests.

Photographically, the Pavilion gives the second half of the day a noticeably different look from the historic church. It works well for speeches, candid dinner photographs, cake cutting and evening dancing, while the surrounding grounds remain close enough for us to step outside briefly if the evening light becomes particularly good.

What a Wedding Day at Dunglass Estate Can Look Like

After photographing more than 30 weddings at Dunglass Estate, we’ve seen how well the different parts of the venue can work together over the course of a full wedding day.

Preparations can take place in Seaview House and the Courtyard Cottages, keeping both sides of the wedding party close to the ceremony without everyone having to get ready in the same space.

Most couples we’ve photographed at Dunglass choose to hold their ceremony in the Dunglass Collegiate Church, which is the venue’s main feature and one of the things that makes getting married here so distinctive.

Immediately after the ceremony is also when we usually recommend doing the confetti photograph. We can hand out confetti to guests as they leave the church while we quickly organise everyone outside. Once the couple is ready, we set up the shot and guide guests on when and how to throw the confetti so we can create a great photograph without holding up the celebrations for long.

Afterwards, there is usually plenty of time for congratulations and photographs around the church before guests make the short walk towards the Stable Yard for the drinks reception.

This is often a good point to photograph a small number of family groups, then take the couple away briefly for portraits. Because the church, gardens, courtyard and grounds are all close together, we can normally do this in short bursts rather than disappearing for a long photoshoot.

The Pavilion then becomes the focus for the wedding breakfast, speeches and evening celebrations. If the weather or light changes later in the day, the gardens and grounds are still close enough for us to step outside for a few minutes without disrupting the celebrations.

One thing we’ve learned from photographing so many weddings here is that Dunglass doesn’t need a complicated photography schedule. The venue works particularly well when the day is allowed to flow naturally, and we use the different locations when the light, weather and timing suit them best.

A bride and groom stand smiling surrounded by guests throwing confetti outside Dunglass Collegiate Church right after their wedding ceremony.

Best Wedding Photo Locations at Dunglass Estate

After photographing 30+ weddings at Dunglass Estate, we’ve learned that one of the venue’s biggest strengths is the amount of photographic variety available within a relatively compact area.

A newlywed couple shares a quiet embrace under a stone archway in a dimly lit church interior, with candles illuminating the space around them, at Dunglass Estate, East Lothian.

Dunglass Collegiate Church

The Collegiate Church is one of the estate’s most distinctive locations, both during the ceremony and afterwards.

Its stonework, arches and partially ruined structure create strong portraits that immediately feel connected to Dunglass.

wedding at Dunglass Estate - A bride and groom stand kissing under a stone archway, with greenery in the background. The bride is wearing a white gown and veil, holding a bouquet of sunflowers, while the groom wears a kilt.

The Walled Garden

The Walled Garden is one of our favourite locations for newlywed portraits.

The enclosed setting, mature planting and changing seasonal colour give it a softer feel than the church and Pavilion, so it works particularly well when we want a different look without walking far across the estate.

wedding photographers at Dunglass Estate: Bride and groom standing together in a grassy field, with the groom wearing a tartan shawl. Sunlight filters through trees in the background.

The Lawns and Mature Trees

The open lawns and mature trees around Dunglass give us plenty of options year-round.

Rather than following the same route at every wedding, we choose locations based on the season, weather, and available light on the day.

A bride and groom walk in front of a large stone building with white-framed windows and potted plants. The groom is in a suit, and the bride is in a white wedding dress.

The Courtyard and Stable Yard

The Courtyard and Stable Yard are great for architectural photos and candid moments as guests move between different parts of the venue.

They’re also close to the main wedding spaces, so we can create a few portraits here without taking you away from the celebrations for long.

A bride and groom stand on grass, holding hands and looking at each other, with trees and water in the background at Dunglass Estate, East Lothian.

The Wider Estate and Coastal Views

On clear days, parts of the estate offer wider views of the surrounding countryside and coast.

We treat these as an added bonus rather than something every wedding needs. If the light and weather are working well, we can use them for a few wider portraits; if not, plenty of strong locations are already close to the main wedding spaces.

What We’ve Learned From Photographing 30+ Weddings at Dunglass Estate

After photographing more than 30 weddings at Dunglass Estate, we’ve learned a few practical things that make the photography feel easier and more relaxed on the day.

Bride and groom standing outdoors, holding hands and smiling at each other, captured by their Dunglass Estate wedding photographer. Groom wears a kilt and tartan attire; bride wears a white gown. Dunglass Church and trees in the background.

The Church and Pavilion Give You Two Very Different Looks

The Collegiate Church has a much more historic, atmospheric feel, while the Pavilion is brighter and more contemporary.

We use that contrast deliberately so the photographs naturally change in character as the wedding day moves from ceremony to reception.

Summer wedding at Dunglass Estate: A couple dressed in wedding attire embrace in a garden, surrounded by blooming flowers. The woman is smiling while looking at the man.

The Walled Garden Is Best Used When the Light Is Right

The Walled Garden is one of our favourite portrait locations, but it doesn’t need to be used at the same point in every wedding.

Depending on the season and weather, it can look better later in the day, so we prefer to follow the light rather than force a fixed portrait schedule.

Bride in a white gown and groom in a kilt hold hands, walking on grass in front of a stone building.

The Estate Works Well in Short Bursts

There’s enough variety around Dunglass that we don’t need to take couples away for one long photoshoot.

We usually create portraits in a few short bursts, returning you to your guests in between so the photography never dominates the day.

A bride in a white wedding dress and veil holds a bouquet outdoors, standing near water with greenery and trees in the background.

The Weather Can Change Quickly

Dunglass is close to the East Lothian coast, so conditions can change noticeably during the day.

Rather than committing to one outdoor plan, we stay flexible and use the church, Stable Yard, courtyard and Pavilion as alternatives when the weather isn’t helping.

A man and woman embrace outdoors near a building with a green door, while others, including a person in a wheelchair, are visible in the background.

Let the Congratulations Happen First

After the ceremony, there’s often a natural rush of hugs, congratulations and conversation as everyone leaves the church.

We prefer to let those moments happen before organising family photographs or newlywed portraits, rather than pulling you away immediately.

Accommodation and Wedding-Day Flow at Dunglass Estate

One of Dunglass Estate’s practical strengths is that couples can keep much of the wedding weekend in one place.

Current Dunglass wedding packages include two nights of accommodation for up to 28 guests across five properties: three Courtyard Cottages, Seaview House and the honeymoon Treehouse.

Seaview House, a two-story stone house with a chimney, front porch, and surrounding grassy yard; overcast sky in the background.

Morning Preparations

On-site accommodation makes the morning much easier to photograph.

Seaview House and the Courtyard Cottages give different parts of the wedding party space to get ready while keeping everyone close to the ceremony and reception areas.

Treehouse external view sunset

Staying On Site

The three Courtyard Cottages each sleep up to six guests, Seaview House sleeps up to eight, and the Treehouse sleeps two. The accommodation is self-catering and is included for the night before and the night of the wedding in the current wedding package.

Keeping the Day in One Place

From a photography point of view, having preparations, the ceremony, the drinks reception, dinner, and evening celebrations all within the same estate makes the day flow naturally.

We spend less time travelling between locations and more time photographing what is actually happening.

What Dunglass Estate and Our Couples Say

After photographing 30+ weddings at Dunglass Estate, we’ve been fortunate to receive lovely feedback both from couples we’ve photographed here and from the Dunglass Estate team themselves.

  • A bride and groom walk together outside an old stone church, Dunglass Church, with grass and trees in the background.

    A husband and wife dream team — Jonathon and Claire are pros when it comes to weddings, especially at Dunglass

    A husband and wife dream team, Jonathon and Claire are pros when it comes to weddings, especially at Dunglass. Regulars to the estate, Jonathon and Claire have definitely become part of the team. Knowing Dunglass like the back of their hands helps to ensure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to photo opportunities. With creative attention to detail and the ability to capture love in a single moment, there are no two safer hands to be in when it comes to wedding photography and videography.
    The Team at Dunglass Estate, East Lothian
    (This review was written when we also offered wedding videography. We now specialise exclusively in wedding photography.)
  • wedding photographers at Dunglass Estate: Bride and groom standing together in a grassy field, with the groom wearing a tartan shawl. Sunlight filters through trees in the background.

    Super professional and took lovely candid photos.

    So glad we chose Jonathon for our wedding photography. Super professional and took lovely candid photos of guests and party. Viewing the photos brought back the love and happiness we felt on the day.
    Alicia and James
  • Dunglass Estate wedding photos A bride in a white dress and a groom in a kilt posing under a large tree near a stone building with illuminated windows.

    We’re genuinely blown away with the quality of the album, the work you put into the photos and the composition.

    We’re genuinely blown away with the quality of the album, the work you put into the photos and the composition. You put us at ease, we felt you listened to us and were attentive to exactly the style we were looking for. You really went the extra mile on the day. We’re very grateful.
    Katie and Tom

Dunglass Estate Wedding Photographer FAQs

Can we have our whole wedding at Dunglass Estate?

Yes. Dunglass can host the full wedding day within the estate, including preparations, ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast and evening celebrations.
The Collegiate Church, Stable Yard, Pavilion and accommodation are all close together, so guests don’t need to travel between venues during the day.

How many guests can Dunglass Estate accommodate?

Dunglass currently has a maximum wedding capacity of 150 guests.
The Collegiate Church can accommodate up to 150 guests depending on the ceremony layout, while the Pavilion seats up to 150 on long banqueting tables or around 120 using square tables.

Where are the best places for wedding photos at Dunglass Estate?

Some of our favourites are the Collegiate Church, Walled Garden, lawns, mature trees, courtyard and Stable Yard.
After photographing more than 30 weddings here, we usually choose locations based on the light, weather, and season rather than following the same route at every wedding.

What happens if it rains at our Dunglass Estate wedding?

Rain doesn’t mean the photography has to stop.
The church, Stable Yard, courtyard and Pavilion give us useful alternatives, and because everything is close together we can adapt quickly if the weather changes.

Can guests stay at Dunglass Estate?

Yes. Current wedding packages include accommodation for up to 28 guests across five properties, including Seaview House, three Courtyard Cottages and the Treehouse.

Do we need to leave Dunglass Estate for our wedding photographs?

No. There’s already plenty of photographic variety within the estate.
We normally create portraits in short bursts around Dunglass so you spend more time enjoying your wedding and less time disappearing for photographs.

Planning Your Wedding at Dunglass Estate?

Having photographed 30+ weddings at Dunglass Estate and being one of the venue’s recommended photography suppliers, we know the estate, its main wedding spaces and how to make the most of the church, gardens and grounds without turning your wedding into a lengthy photoshoot.

Tell us a little about what you’re planning, and we’ll check our availability, answer any questions and help you work out what suits you best.There’s no pressure or obligation, and we usually reply within 24 hours.

Sometimes our reply gets shy and hides in your junk folder. Leave your number, and we’ll text to let you know we’ve replied—no calls, unless you request one!
Include your venue or location if you know it, anything you’ve planned so far, and any questions you’d like us to answer.

Dunglass Estate Wedding Enquiries

For current wedding availability, packages, guest capacities and venue information, contact the Dunglass Estate team directly.

Dunglass Estate
Cockburnspath
TD13 5XF

Telephone: +44 (0)1368 830 868
Email: [email protected]

Make a Dunglass Estate wedding enquiry

Visit the official Dunglass Estate weddings page

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