A Romantic Spring Wedding at Cornhill Castle | Annie Rees Photography
- Anne Rees
- Apr 27
- 4 min read
There’s something incredibly timeless about a wedding at Cornhill Castle.
Grand sandstone architecture, sweeping grounds, elegant interiors and that unmistakable fairytale castle feel, it’s the kind of venue that feels both impressive and warm at the same time. In April 2026, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Mr & Mrs McKnight’s beautiful spring wedding here, and it was a day filled with meaningful moments, family connection and a few wonderfully unexpected touches too.
And yes… that included rabbits.
From traditional tartan details to emotional family hugs, this wedding was the perfect example of why I love photographing days that feel deeply personal to the couple.

Morning preparations at Cornhill Castle
One of the things I love about photographing weddings at Cornhill Castle is how much variety it offers throughout the day.
The morning began with both bridal and groom preparations inside the castle.
The groom and his groomsmen were getting ready in traditional Scottish attire, with striking red tartan kilts that looked incredible against the castle’s warm stone exterior. There was a lovely relaxed atmosphere during the morning, plenty of laughter, final touches and that mix of nerves and excitement that always builds before a ceremony.
We stepped outside for a few relaxed portraits before guests began arriving, making the most of the castle’s grand entrance and beautiful grounds.
Meanwhile upstairs, bridal preparations were filled with softer, quieter moments.
One of my favourite parts of the morning was photographing the bride as she got ready by the window light. Her dress was absolutely stunning, and the soft natural light in the bridal suite created some really timeless portraits. These quieter moments before the ceremony often become some of the most treasured photographs from the day.
A beautiful ceremony surrounded by family and friends
The ceremony space at Cornhill Castle feels incredibly elegant.
With beautiful floral styling, emotional reactions from guests and a lovely intimate atmosphere, the ceremony had such a genuine warmth to it.
One of my favourite moments was seeing the groom’s reaction as he saw his bride walk down the aisle, those real expressions are always far more meaningful than anything staged.
Throughout the ceremony there was a lovely balance of emotion and laughter, which always makes for the most natural storytelling photographs.
The most unexpected wedding guests… pet rabbits
And now for one of the most unique parts of this wedding day.
The couple included their pet rabbits in their wedding portraits.
As a photographer, these are the details I absolutely love because they make a wedding completely personal to the couple.
Their rabbits were calm, adorable and very much part of the celebration. It created some incredibly memorable photographs and definitely gave guests something to smile about.
These are often the moments couples remember most because they reflect who they truly are.
Confetti outside the castle
After the ceremony, guests gathered outside for confetti on the castle grounds.
April weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, but we were lucky enough to enjoy dry weather and beautiful light for this part of the day.
The castle created an incredible backdrop as guests lined the walkway and celebrated the newlyweds.
These moments always feel wonderfully chaotic in the best possible way, laughter, movement and completely genuine reactions.
Relaxed couple portraits around Cornhill Castle
One of the biggest advantages of Cornhill Castle is how many beautiful portrait locations are available without needing to travel anywhere else.
We spent a short amount of time exploring the grounds and creating relaxed portraits that felt natural and unforced.
The architecture of the castle creates an incredible backdrop, while the surrounding gardens and open spaces allow for a softer, more romantic feel.
I always aim to keep couple portraits relaxed and enjoyable rather than turning them into a lengthy photoshoot. Most couples tell me they want natural photographs that still allow them to spend time with their guests, and that’s exactly how I approach this part of the day.
Emotional family moments
One of the most emotional parts of the day came later during the celebrations, when the couple shared some incredibly meaningful moments with close family.
There were hugs, happy tears and those quiet interactions that often become some of the most important photographs over time.
Weddings move quickly, but these emotional family moments often become the images people treasure most years later.
Why Cornhill Castle is such a beautiful Scottish wedding venue
Cornhill Castle offers so much variety for couples planning a Scottish wedding:
grand castle architecture
elegant ceremony spaces
beautiful grounds for portraits
stunning bridal preparation rooms
plenty of indoor options for unpredictable Scottish weather
a romantic countryside setting
It’s ideal for couples wanting a venue that feels both luxurious and welcoming.
Looking for a Cornhill Castle wedding photographer?
If you’re planning your own wedding at Cornhill Castle and you’re looking for natural, relaxed photography that captures real moments without awkward posing, I’d love to hear more about your plans.
You can view more real weddings and get in touch via
Because the best wedding photographs aren’t about perfection, they’re about remembering how it all felt.



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