Stemster House Wedding in Caithness | Bekki and Ashley

Bekki and Ashley’s wedding at Stemster House was one of those days that felt special long before the wedding itself arrived.

The booking first came in back in May 2023, when Bekki’s chief bridesmaid, Zuza, messaged to say she was helping organise the day and loved my work. At the time, I was halfway up Ben Braggie above Golspie on a break with my wife, which seems to be exactly when wedding enquiries like to appear. I may need to take more breaks.

Not long after that, Bekki got in touch herself, and after a few emails, everything was booked in. As a Caithness photographer, the chance to photograph a wedding in the county meant a lot, and the fact that it was at Stemster House made it even more special.

We had not met in person at that point, so in March 2024, we arranged a pre-wedding meeting with Bekki and Ashley when back up visiting family. We got on straight away, which always makes a difference. By the time their August wedding arrived, it already felt like a day I was properly looking forward to photographing.

I travelled up to Caithness on the Friday evening and headed along to the rehearsal at Stemster House, where I met more of the people involved and got a feel for how the day would unfold.

On the morning of the wedding, I headed to Geise Little for bridal preparations while my second photographer, Colin Campbell, covered Ashley and the groomsmen.

The morning had a lovely atmosphere from the start. Natasha from Bridal Hair by Natasha was busy with hair, while Tieoni from The Brow Room worked away on makeup, and everything felt calm, relaxed and full of quiet anticipation. Jordan from Satellite Films joined us there, too, to capture the video side of the day.

Bridal preparations are always one of my favourite parts to photograph. There is a natural energy to that part of the day, with plenty happening but still enough space for people to settle into the moment before everything begins.

Once Bekki and her bridesmaids were ready, we moved into the reveal moments. First her dad, Kevin, then her stepdad, Colin, and finally her bridesmaids. Afterwards, we stepped out into the garden for a few portraits before heading over to Stemster House for the ceremony.

I arrived at Stemster House ahead of the bridal party and caught up with Colin, who had been with Ashley and the groomsmen. Guests were beginning to gather, and there was that familiar mix of excitement and nerves in the air as everyone waited for the cars to arrive.

Once Bekki and her bridesmaids reached the venue, Jacqueline helped keep everything calm and on track while the seating under the garden marquee was adjusted with the weather looking slightly uncertain.

The ceremony began with the celebrant, Angus, welcoming everyone. The bridal party made their way out of Stemster House, led by Bekki and Ashley’s children, before Bekki followed with both her dad and stepdad by her side. Angus struck the perfect balance throughout, sharing the story of how the couple met before leading them through a ceremony that felt warm, personal, and full of character.

Before long, Bekki and Ashley were married.

After the ceremony, everyone relaxed into the drinks reception, with champagne flowing and guests gathering outside to celebrate. Colin and I spent that part of the day capturing candid moments as people chatted, laughed and properly settled into it all.

We then moved into confetti on the front lawn before bringing everyone together for the full group photograph. For that one, I climbed up into one of the front windows of Stemster House to get the angle I wanted, then afterwards we worked through the family group photos.

Later, I took Bekki and Ashley away for some portraits around the grounds. Stemster House is a brilliant setting for wedding photography, with plenty of character and enough space to create something elegant without forcing anything.

After that, it was time for speeches, which brought plenty of laughter, a few emotional moments, and a marquee full of people enjoying every second before the meal was served.

As the light softened later in the day, I headed off to find a few good spots for evening portraits. Once I had something in mind, I took Bekki and Ashley back out for a short walk and a few quieter photographs together before the evening celebrations properly got going again.

Back inside, the cake cutting and first dance got the night underway, and from there, the dance floor quickly filled. I stayed on for a few more songs to capture the atmosphere before saying my goodbyes.

It was a real pleasure to photograph such a relaxed, lively and genuinely lovely wedding in Caithness. Stemster House is a fantastic place to get married, and Bekki and Ashley’s day was a brilliant one to be part of.

Planning a Stemster House Wedding in Caithness?

If you are planning your own wedding at Stemster House and are looking for a Caithness wedding photographer, I would love to hear more about your plans.

My wedding photography coverage is built around relaxed documentary moments, natural portraits and a calm approach that lets you enjoy the day without feeling pulled out of it.

I offer three main wedding photography packages.

The Digital package includes full-day coverage and your photographs delivered in a private online gallery.

The Classic package includes the same coverage and a handmade Italian wedding album.

The Premium package includes a pre-wedding session, a second photographer, an Italian handmade wedding album, and two matching parent albums.

You can get in touch here to check availability for your date, or view my wedding photography packages here.

Planning a wedding at Stemster House? Here are a few common questions couples often have about photography, timing, and making the most of the day.

FAQs

Is Stemster House a good venue for wedding photography?

Yes. Stemster House is a brilliant venue for wedding photography, with plenty of character, beautiful grounds and lots of space for natural group photos and relaxed couple portraits. It gives you variety without forcing anything, which suits a calm, documentary-led approach really well.

How much time should we allow for couple portraits at Stemster House?

Usually, not as much as people think. Around 15 to 20 minutes at a time is often enough, especially if portraits are split across the day. That keeps things feeling relaxed and means you still spend most of your time with your guests.

What happens if the weather changes on the wedding day?

That is part of getting married in the north of Scotland. I always work with the conditions on the day, using the best available light, shelter and surroundings to keep things easy and stress-free. Even if the weather shifts quickly, there is still plenty of scope for beautiful photographs.

Do you offer full-day wedding photography at Stemster House?

Yes. Most couples book full-day coverage, which usually starts in the morning with preparations and runs through the first dance and some of the evening dancing. It allows the story of the day to be documented properly, rather than only covering part of it.

How do we book you for our Stemster House wedding?

The easiest way is to get in touch through my contact page with your wedding date, venue and a few details about your plans. I can then confirm availability and send over everything you need to have a proper look.

My Approach to Wedding Photography
Caithness Wedding Photographer.
Getting Married in the Highlands: What Couples Always Underestimate (And How to Nail It).
The Craft Behind the Camera: Light, Intent, and Consistency