A groom in a brown suit kisses his smiling bride, who holds a pink bouquet and wears a lace dress and veil, as he dips her on a wooden jetty by a lake under an overcast sky. Trees and greenery are visible in the background at The Vu near Bathgate.

The Vu Wedding Photographer | Venue Guide & Photos

ByJonathon Fowler Updated

The Vu is a waterfront wedding venue in the Bathgate Hills of West Lothian, built around Ballencrieff Reservoir and surrounded by open countryside.

Having photographed 25 weddings at The Vu, we know the venue from the photographer’s side of the day too — from ceremonies in the Water Lily and celebrations in the Oasis to newlywed photographs around the reservoir, jetty and surrounding grounds.

One thing we particularly like about photographing weddings here is how much of the setting becomes part of the day. The Water Lily sits out over the reservoir, while the open views, water and surrounding hills give us plenty of variety for photographs without having to leave the venue.

We’ve photographed The Vu in very different conditions too, including strong winds out on the jetty, so we know how to adapt the photography to the weather rather than relying on everything going exactly to plan.

This The Vu wedding photographer guide brings together what we’ve learned from 25 real weddings at the venue with current information, practical advice and photographs to help you see what getting married here can actually be like.

25 Weddings

Photographed at The Vu

20 Years

Photographing weddings since 2006

Jonathon & Claire

Husband-and-wife photography team

The Vu Wedding Venue at a Glance

  • Location: Ballencrieff Reservoir, near Linlithgow and Bathgate in West Lothian
  • Main wedding spaces: Water Lily and Oasis
  • Water Lily: Purpose-built wedding venue on an island in the reservoir, accommodating up to 160 guests
  • Oasis: Larger contemporary reception space for up to 200 guests, with higher numbers possible by special arrangement
  • Ceremonies: The Water Lily is the venue’s main ceremony space, with floor-to-ceiling windows and views across the reservoir
  • Receptions: Wedding receptions can take place in either the Water Lily or Oasis
  • Photography: The reservoir, jetty, boardwalk, surrounding hills and venue grounds are all available without travelling elsewhere
  • Accommodation: On-site options include Canadian log cabins, Snugs, The Hoose and The Cottage
  • Our experience: We’ve photographed 25 weddings at The Vu

The official The Vu website describes the Water Lily as its purpose-built wedding island, sitting in Ballencrieff Reservoir with 270-degree views across the surrounding countryside.

For us as photographers, one of the biggest advantages is having the ceremony, reception and outdoor photography locations so close together. We can move from the Water Lily to the reservoir, jetty, and surrounding grounds without taking you away from your guests for long.

A bride in a white dress walks outdoors on a rainy day, smiling and holding a bouquet, flanked by two bridesmaids in red dresses; another person holds white umbrellas over them, with green hills and a glass fence in the background.

Weddings in the Water Lily at The Vu

The Water Lily is The Vu’s best-known wedding space and the room we most closely associate with ceremonies at the venue. It sits out over Ballencrieff Reservoir, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking across the water and surrounding countryside.

After photographing 25 weddings at The Vu, we’ve seen the Water Lily in very different light and weather conditions. On bright days, the windows bring plenty of natural light into the room, while on darker or wetter days the reservoir and sky can still create a dramatic backdrop behind the ceremony.

From a photography point of view, the room’s shape gives us great opportunities to capture the ceremony from several angles without constantly moving around in front of guests. We can photograph the couple, reactions from family and friends, wider views of the room and the reservoir beyond.

Once the ceremony is over, guests can move into the drinks reception while we photograph congratulations, family groups and candid moments before taking the newlyweds outside for a short portrait session around the reservoir and grounds.

One thing we’ve learned from photographing so many weddings here is that the weather can completely change the feel of the Water Lily. Rather than seeing that as a problem, we work with whatever conditions the day gives us — whether that means bright reflections across the reservoir, moody skies or keeping more of the photography indoors until conditions improve.

A bright, modern wedding venue with rows of cream chairs facing a small table. Large windows overlook a green landscape. White flower arrangements line the aisle, and red carpets create two curved pathways down the centre of the wooden floor.

Wedding Receptions in the Oasis at The Vu

The Oasis is The Vu’s larger reception space, designed for the wedding breakfast, speeches, and evening celebrations.

At weddings we’ve photographed here, it has worked well as the main reception space after a ceremony in the Water Lily, giving guests somewhere to settle in for the meal before the room transitions into the evening party.

From a photography point of view, the Oasis gives us plenty of opportunities for candid photographs during the meal and speeches, as well as the more energetic moments later on once the dancing starts.

Because we’ve photographed so many weddings at The Vu, we’re used to how the day flows between the Water Lily, Oasis and outdoor areas. That means we can move between each part of the venue efficiently without constantly interrupting what’s happening.

The Oasis currently accommodates up to 200 guests, with larger numbers possible by special arrangement, so it can work well for couples planning a bigger celebration.

A bright banqueting hall with large windows and round tables set for an event. Each table is covered with a white cloth and set with glassware and cutlery. Chairs have white covers and red sashes tied in bows. Pink lighting accents the ceiling.

The Vu Wedding Photographer: Our Favourite Photo Locations

One of the biggest advantages of photographing a wedding at The Vu is the variety of locations available without leaving the venue.

A bride and groom smiling, seated closely together on a wooden pier overlooking water, with cloudy skies above.

The reservoir and jetty are the obvious highlights. They give us open views across the water and surrounding hills, and we’ve photographed couples there in everything from calm conditions to very strong winds.

A large group of people dressed formally stand on a long bridge over a pond, posing for a photo. The background has a modern building, houses, grassy hills, and cloudy sky. Trees and reeds border the water, with a paved path in the foreground.

The boardwalk and Water Lily are also useful because they give the photographs a strong sense of place. We can use the architecture of the ceremony space, the water and the surrounding landscape together rather than relying on one generic outdoor backdrop.

The Vu wedding photos image of a bride in a white dress and veil holds a bouquet of red flowers and walks hand in hand with a groom in a dark suit, top hat, and red buttonhole on a garden path beside a lake, both smiling at each other.

Around the grounds, quieter areas work well for more relaxed portraits and walking photographs. Which locations we use depends on the weather, light and how much time you want to spend away from your guests.

After 25 weddings at The Vu, we know there is no need to drag couples around every possible photo spot. A short, well-timed portrait session is usually enough to create plenty of variety before getting you back to the celebrations.

Weather and Wedding Photography at The Vu

The Vu’s position beside Ballencrieff Reservoir means the weather can feel quite exposed, particularly around the Water Lily, boardwalk and jetty.

We’ve photographed weddings here in a wide range of conditions, including days with strong winds around the reservoir. That doesn’t mean outdoor photographs are off the table — it simply affects where we photograph, how long we stay outside and which locations work best at that moment.

If the weather is changeable, we can usually work around it rather than committing to one fixed time for photographs. A short break in the rain or wind can be enough for us to head outside, create a varied set of newlywed portraits and get you back to your guests.

And if the weather really doesn’t cooperate, the large windows and views from the Water Lily still give us useful options indoors. After 25 weddings here, we’re used to adapting the photography around the conditions rather than letting the forecast dictate the day.

The Vu wedding photographer portrait of a bride and groom on the jetty at Ballencrieff Reservoir at dusk, their figures illuminated against a twilight sky.

Two Weddings on the Same Day at The Vu: What to Know

One practical point couples should know is that The Vu can host more than one wedding on the same day. We’ve photographed several weddings where this has happened, and it can affect when and where you can use the grounds for photographs.

The venue understandably tries to keep the two weddings separate. In our experience, this can mean allocated time slots for locations such as the reservoir, boardwalk and jetty, particularly for the earlier wedding.

This is worth understanding before the day. If, for example, your allocated time on the jetty has passed, you may not be able to return later simply because there is a beautiful sunset. The other wedding may then have priority over that part of the grounds.

If using particular areas of The Vu for your photographs is important to you, we recommend discussing this directly with the venue before your wedding and asking for their current guidance. If specific access or timings matter to you, it is also sensible to have any agreed permissions or restrictions confirmed in writing.

We’ll always work quickly and make the most of whatever time and locations are available. But it is important to be realistic about what can be achieved if access to parts of the grounds is restricted.

Timing matters too. If your ceremony runs significantly late, you may lose some or all of an allocated photography slot because the other wedding still needs access afterwards. Arriving 30 minutes late does not necessarily mean the rest of the venue timetable moves back by 30 minutes.

So our simplest advice is: don’t be late. If photographs around the reservoir and jetty are important to you, keeping to the agreed timings gives us the best chance of making full use of them.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a kilt stand hand-in-hand on a jetty, smiling back at the camera. The sky is overcast, and greenery is visible in the distance. Ropes line both sides of the jetty.

Parking, Transport and Accommodation at The Vu

The Vu is in the Bathgate Hills between Linlithgow and Bathgate, so most couples and guests will arrive by car, taxi or private transport rather than walking from a town centre.

The venue currently provides parking for up to 50 cars. If you expect more guests to drive, check the current parking arrangements with The Vu when planning your day.

The venue also offers a useful range of on-site accommodation, including two Canadian log cabins, ten Snugs, The Hoose and The Cottage. This can be particularly convenient for the couple and close family who would rather stay at the venue before or after the wedding.

The venue is accessible from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, with Linlithgow and Bathgate nearby. If guests are travelling by train, we would recommend organising onward transport to the venue in advance rather than assuming they will easily find a taxi on arrival.

For weddings with guests arriving from different parts of Scotland, adding the venue address, parking information, and transport arrangements to your invitations or wedding website can save you many questions closer to the day.

Things to Know Before Booking The Vu

A few practical details are worth checking with The Vu before you book:

  • Exclusive use is available. The Vu currently offers packages that guarantee your wedding will be the only one taking place that day. If unrestricted access to the grounds and more flexibility with photography timings are particularly important to you, discuss this with the venue.
  • The venue is wheelchair accessible. The Vu currently states that its wedding spaces are fully accessible for wheelchair users.
  • Pets can be included. The venue allows pets on site and in the ceremony room, so couples who want a dog or another pet to be part of the ceremony can discuss the arrangements with the team.
  • Fireworks and Chinese lanterns aren’t permitted. The venue says this is because of the local wildlife.
  • A wedding coordinator is provided. The Vu currently assigns couples a coordinator during the planning process and on the wedding day itself.
  • Accommodation is available before the wedding. The Hoose and Cottage can currently be used by couples and family members the night before, subject to availability.

The most important point for us would still be access to the grounds and photography timings. The Vu’s current packages vary, and some include exclusive use while others may involve another wedding taking place on the same day.

If having complete flexibility around the reservoir, boardwalk and jetty matters to you, ask specifically what access your chosen package provides rather than assuming every wedding has the same arrangements.

A bride in a strapless white gown with a veil and tiara embraces a groom in a dark suit. They stand close, looking at the camera, against a softly blurred blue background. The bride has a visible tattoo on her shoulder and elegant bridal jewellery.

Real The Vu Wedding Photos: Andrew & Nicola

The photographs below are from Andrew and Nicola’s wedding at The Vu, which included a Humanist ceremony in the Water Lily followed by their reception and evening celebrations in the Oasis.

Their wedding also gave us a good example of how conditions around the reservoir can affect photography. It was particularly windy when we took them onto the jetty, but we still made good use of the location and created a varied set of photographs without keeping them away from their guests for long.

The gallery includes photographs from throughout their day, from the ceremony and candid moments with family and friends to newlywed portraits around The Vu and the evening celebrations.

  • Low-angle view of a modern glass building labeled "water-villa" by a water body, with a clear sky above and surrounded by glass railings.
  • Blue cursive text "water lily" on a light wooden panel background.
  • Interior of a wedding venue with red carpet aisle, white chairs adorned with purple ribbons, and floral decorations under soft lighting.
  • A purple flower and ribbon adorn a gray chair in a room with soft lighting, indicating a decorative or celebratory setting.
  • Embossed text "the vu" on a textured white background.
  • Gray upholstered couch in a room with large windows overlooking a lake, with "water lily" written on the glass in white letters.
  • A rectangular table covered with a white tablecloth, decorated with symmetrically placed purple orchids and green plants in white pots, in a room with large glass windows.
  • Interior of a wedding venue with white chairs, a red carpet aisle, and floral decorations under a modern ceiling with hanging chandelier.
  • A man in a dark blue suit and tie with a boutonniere, standing upright against a wooden slat background.
  • A man in a dark suit with a boutonniere, looking to the side thoughtfully, standing in front of a wooden slat background.
  • Two men in navy suits smiling at each other, standing against a wooden slat wall, with one man wearing a boutonniere.
  • Three people laughing joyously at an event; a younger man in a suit on the left, a middle-aged woman in a blue dress and fascinator in the middle, and an older man in a suit on the right.
  • Eight people dressed in formal attire standing in front of a wooden wall, smiling for a group photo.
  • Group of people dressed in formal attire walking along a pathway at an outdoor event, with smiles and enjoying sunny weather.
  • Three elderly women walking joyfully along a pathway beside a pond on a sunny day, one using a walking stick.
  • A man in a black suit and a woman in a teal dress walk together at an event, smiling, with other guests in various attire in the background.
  • A white chrysler 300 parked on a tarmac driveway, with green hills and a building in the background.
  • People and a chauffeur standing beside a white stretch limousine at a countryside event, with hills in the background.
  • A groom in a blue suit kisses a bride in a white dress inside a spacious car, both holding bouquets.
  • Two women in purple dresses holding bouquets walk along a paved path near a water feature, with a building in the background.
  • A bride and groom walking along a glass barrier-enclosed pathway with a pond and rural buildings in the background.
  • A groom smiling while walking down the aisle at a modern wedding venue, with seated guests looking on and floral decorations lining the path.
  • A groom standing in a ceremony hall with seated guests, conversing with an older man, with large windows showing a green landscape outside.
  • Two men smiling at each other in a bright room during a formal event, one older and one younger, both wearing dark suits and boutonnieres.
  • A wedding ceremony in an elegant indoor venue with guests standing and a couple walking down the aisle, led by a woman in a purple hat.
  • A woman in a purple dress speaks at a wedding ceremony inside a modern venue with guests standing and sitting around her.
  • A bride and groom walking down the aisle after their wedding ceremony, surrounded by guests in a modern room with a curved ceiling.
  • Newlyweds kissing at their wedding ceremony, surrounded by smiling guests in a festively decorated room with a vaulted ceiling.
  • Bride in elegant white lace gown facing a groom and preacher during a wedding ceremony indoors, with guests seated in the background.
  • A bride and groom stand facing each other during a wedding ceremony, with an officiant reading from a book in a room overlooking a large body of water.
  • A wedding ceremony in a modern venue with guests seated, a couple standing at the altar, and red carpet aisle, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows.
  • Guests at a formal event, seated in rows, clapping and holding programs, with a venue featuring large windows and a view.
  • A bride in a white gown holding a bouquet, standing by large windows in a bright room.
  • A bride and groom standing face to face at their wedding ceremony, with an officiant reading from a paper, inside a room decorated with white flowers.
  • A wedding ceremony inside a room with large windows; a bride and groom facing each other, with an officiant reading from a note.
  • A bride and groom holding hands during a wedding ceremony in a modern room with guests seated around them and a red carpet aisle.
  • Bride and groom holding hands during wedding ceremony, with an officiant standing between them, inside a bright venue with large windows.
  • A bride and groom kissing in a room with large windows, while a photographer captures the moment and a woman watches smiling.
  • Groom smiling joyously, framed between guests at a wedding ceremony.
  • A bride and groom kissing at their wedding reception table, dressed in formal attire, with a bright window backlighting them.
  • A bride and groom hold hands while walking down the aisle during their wedding ceremony, surrounded by seated guests in a venue with large windows.
  • Wedding ceremony in Waterlily at The Vu, with guests facing a couple exchanging vows at the end of a red carpet, surrounded by floral decorations.
  • A bride and groom walk down the aisle smiling, surrounded by guests in a modern venue with large windows and purple lighting.
  • A bride and groom holding hands, smiling as they walk down the aisle in a room with guests standing around them.
  • A bride and groom walk hand in hand, smiling as they enter a wedding reception. guests in formal attire are visible in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress toasts with champagne, flanked by bridesmaids in purple, with a photographer capturing the moment.
  • Group of people toasting with champagne glasses at a celebratory event, with a photographer in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress gives a ribbon to a small child at a wedding, with guests looking on in an elegantly decorated room.
  • A group of elegantly dressed guests mingling at an indoor event, with natural light streaming in from large windows.
  • A group of people gathered on a deck by a river outside the water-lily building on a sunny day.
  • Seven women, including a bride, pose together indoors in front of large windows overlooking a body of water. they are dressed in a mix of colorful formal attire and smiles.
  • A group of elegantly dressed guests posing with a bride and groom in a room with large windows overlooking a body of water.
  • Bride and groom walking on a stone path beside a lake with rolling hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
  • The Vu wedding photographer - newlyweds Nicola and Andrew during their photoshoot
  • A bride and groom embracing on a wooden pier, with a serene lake and cloudy sky in the background.
  • A bride and groom kissing on a wooden dock by a lake under a cloudy sky.
  • Bride and groom sitting on a wooden jetty by a lake, smiling at the camera, bride in a flowing white gown and groom in a dark suit.
  • A bride and groom kissing on a wooden dock by a lake, under a cloudy sky.
  • A bride and groom smiling, seated closely together on a wooden pier overlooking water, with cloudy skies above.
  • A bride and groom holding hands walk down a paved path, with a house and green hills in the background.
  • Candy station with various sweets in glass jars and striped paper bags, accompanied by serving utensils and instruction cards, on a dark table.
  • A guest book with "nicola & andrew" in purple text, a purple band and a faux diamond decoration, next to a bowl of wrapped candies.
  • Two place cards reading "andrew" and "nicola" with purple butterfly designs, set on a white linen tablecloth.
  • A close-up of a wedding program tied with a purple ribbon, featuring a section titled "thoughts on marriage.
  • Open wedding menu displaying courses on a table with a blurred glass in the background.
  • A tiered white wedding cake adorned with purple and blue flowers, displayed on a table with a violet uplighting.
  • A white multi-tiered wedding cake topped with a bouquet of purple orchids and green blooms, displayed at an indoor event.
  • A purple table card labeled "date 1" with details of a memorable date printed on it, stands on a metallic holder, set against a blurred background at an event.
  • Table setting with a "date 2" placard, candles, and wine glasses at a dimly lit event.
  • Elegant table centerpiece featuring floating candles in tall glasses, purple flowers submerged in water, and small votive candles, on a reflective mirror base at a formal event.
  • A newlywed couple walks hand in hand through a wedding venue, smiling as guests look on. the bride is in a white gown and the groom in a suit.
  • A bride and groom holding hands and walking through a modern venue, with guests in the background.
  • A wedding reception with a bride and groom standing at a decorated table, surrounded by guests in formal attire, smiles all around.
  • A man in a vest and tie delivers a speech with a microphone at a formal event, holding a paper, with seated guests listening attentively.
  • Two women in purple dresses smiling at a formal table setting with wine glasses and a white floral centerpiece, seated next to a woman in a blue hat.
  • A man gives a speech at a wedding reception, standing beside a bride and groom at a table, with guests listening attentively.
  • A man in a dark suit laughs among seated guests at a formal event, with a woman in a red jacket beside him, and another man smiling in the background.
  • A bride and groom laugh joyously at a wedding reception as an older man, holding a microphone, speaks to them and the guests.
  • A man laughing joyfully at a table during a vibrant indoor gathering with several guests engaged in conversations around him.
  • A young man gives a speech at a wedding reception, addressing attendees seated at decorated tables in an elegantly lit room.
  • A man standing and speaking into a microphone at a wedding reception, with a laughing couple and a woman listening at a table, in a room with large windows.
  • Three women in formal attire, two in purple dresses and one in a purple hat, sitting at a dining table during an event.
  • A bride in a lace wedding gown looks up smiling, seated at a table during a wedding reception, with a man standing beside her partially shown.
  • A wedding reception scene with guests seated at tables, focusing on a standing man giving a speech to a happy couple.
  • Bride and groom smiling and sitting at a wedding reception table, surrounded by guests. bright, well-lit room.
  • A bride and groom cutting a multi-tiered wedding cake in a banquet hall with purple lighting and a dj setup in the background.
  • A bride and groom smiling while cutting a multi-tiered wedding cake at a reception hall with purple lighting and a dj booth in the background.
  • Wedding guests applauding a bride and groom near a cake in a banquet hall.
  • A bride and groom holding hands and dancing at their wedding reception, surrounded by guests and colorful lighting.
  • A bride and groom share a dance in a dimly lit venue with pink lighting, surrounded by guests.
  • A newlywed couple sharing their first dance in a banquet hall, surrounded by seated guests, with soft lighting and a person capturing the moment.
  • A bride and groom share a dance in a dimly lit banquet hall, with pink uplighting and guests in the background.
  • A bride and groom share a dance in a banquet hall with guests seated in the background, under pink lighting.
  • Bride and groom sharing their first dance at a wedding reception with guests seated around the dance floor.
  • Women in formal attire dancing and conversing at an indoor celebration, with tables and party decorations visible in the background.
  • Two women in elegant purple dresses talking at a lively party with other guests in the background.
  • A group of people joyously dancing at a wedding reception, with one man playfully pointing at the camera.

Real Wedding at The Vu: Ashley & John

If you’d like to see what a complete wedding at The Vu can look like, have a look at Ashley and John’s spring wedding at The Vu.

Their wedding included a ceremony in the Water Lily, celebrations with family and friends and photographs around the venue and reservoir. It’s a useful companion to this guide because, rather than describing the venue, it shows how the different spaces and locations actually come together during a real wedding day.

Planning a Wedding at The Vu?

We’re Jonathon and Claire, wedding photographers with more than 700 weddings of experience since 2006, including 25 weddings at The Vu.

If you’re getting married at The Vu and like the relaxed, natural photography you’ve seen in this guide, we’d love to hear about your plans.

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.

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Edinburgh Wedding Photographer & Co-Founder of Jonathon Fowler Photography

About Jonathon Fowler

Jonathon Fowler is an experienced Edinburgh wedding photographer and co-founder of Jonathon Fowler Photography. Together with his wife Claire, he has photographed more than 700 weddings since 2006, including over 500 weddings in Edinburgh.

Jonathon's approach combines natural documentary photography with relaxed editorial portraits, creating vibrant, authentic images without turning your wedding day into a photoshoot. He's particularly experienced at helping couples who don't feel comfortable in front of the camera, offering just enough direction when it helps while keeping everything relaxed and natural.

After photographing hundreds of weddings, Jonathon brings extensive first-hand experience of wedding venues, changing light, unpredictable weather, busy timelines and the practical realities of photographing weddings across Edinburgh and throughout Scotland. From crowded city-centre streets to country estates, castles and intimate ceremonies, that experience helps couples spend less time worrying about photographs and more time enjoying their wedding.

Jonathon also creates many of the practical wedding and venue guides published on this website, sharing advice based on real weddings he and Claire have photographed rather than generic recommendations.

Meet Jonathon & Claire, Our Wedding Photography Team →