A Schivas Steading Wedding Full of Love, Dogs and One Incredible Party | Nicole & Zara

Wedding date: 27 June 2026

Venue: Schivas Steading, Ellon, Aberdeenshire

Couple: Nicole & Zara

Photography: Annie Rees Photography

Second photographer: Rhian Wood from Babes in the Wood Media

Videographer: Nial Gibbon from Wee Wedding Films

Nicole and Zara’s wedding at Schivas Steading was an absolute joy from start to finish.

This was one of those weddings where the photographs tell you exactly what the day felt like: emotional, loud, funny, stylish, chaotic in the best possible way, and full of people who were completely ready to celebrate. There were dogs, confetti, singing waiters, packed dancefloor moments, gorgeous details, and yes, Fireball is still stuck in my head.

Schivas Steading was the perfect venue for it. The building has that beautiful mix of rustic stone, modern glass and open countryside views, which gives the whole day a relaxed but polished feel. It is spacious, light and full of texture, but it still feels warm and personal once the room is full of guests.

For this wedding, I had Rhian Wood from Babes in the Wood Media working alongside me again, with Nial Gibbon from Wee Wedding Films on video. We seem to have become a really strong team, and this was exactly the kind of wedding where that mattered, so much was happening, and having different angles meant more of the story could be captured as it unfolded.

Nicole and Zara both looked incredible. Their dresses worked beautifully together, with lace detail, soft movement and that lovely contrast of delicate bridal styling with tattoos and personality. Some of my favourite quieter images from the day are the close-up photographs of them holding hands, the bouquet portraits, and those little moments where the emotion is there without needing to be staged.

And then there were the dogs. Any wedding with dogs instantly has my heart, and Schivas being dog-friendly made that part of the day feel completely natural. The photographs of the dogs tucked beneath the dresses are exactly the sort of images that become favourites. funny, personal, and completely specific to the couple.

The ceremony had such a lovely atmosphere. The glass, the countryside behind them, the styling, the flowers, and the way the room filled with laughter and emotion all worked so well together. After the ceremony, everyone gathered outside for confetti, and it was brilliant. Big, joyful, slightly chaotic and full of movement, exactly how a confetti shot should be.

The wedding party photographs had so much energy too. The pink bridesmaid dresses, bouquets in the air, dogs at their feet, and the stone and glass of Schivas behind them gave the gallery a really strong visual identity. It felt modern, bright and full of life.

Then the party properly started.

The singing waiters were a huge part of the atmosphere, and the room absolutely came alive. Guests were up, singing, cheering, waving flags and fully throwing themselves into it. It was one of those moments where you stop trying to make things neat and just follow the energy of the room. Those photographs are some of the best kind, real reactions, real laughter, and everyone completely in the moment.

Nicole and Zara’s wedding had everything I love about documentary wedding photography. It was beautiful, but not stiff. Emotional, but not overly formal. Wild, but still full of tenderness. It had the polished setting, the personal details, the dogs, the confetti, the music, and a room full of people who were clearly having the best day.

This was not just a wedding at Schivas Steading. It was a proper celebration.

Planning a Schivas Steading wedding?

Schivas Steading is a brilliant choice for couples who want a relaxed Aberdeenshire wedding venue with countryside views, rustic details, modern glass, space for guests and a dog-friendly feel. It works especially well for documentary wedding photography because the day can move naturally from ceremony to confetti, group photos, dinner, speeches and a full party atmosphere.

If you are planning a Schivas Steading wedding and want natural, story-led photography that captures the real energy of your day, I’d love to hear what you have planned.