A Beautiful 1750s Country House, Dumfries House is also an Amazing Wedding Venue
I was lucky enough to second shoot for Fiona Watson Photography at a Dumfries House wedding and I was just amazed by the venue. The rich history really intrigued me, so here are some nuggets you might find as interesting as I did!
– Dumfries House is a Palladian country house in Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located within a large estate, around 2 miles west of Cumnock. Noted for being one of the few such houses with much of its original 18th-century furniture still present, including specially commissioned Thomas Chippendale pieces, the house and estate is now owned in charitable trust by The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust, which maintains it as a visitor attraction and hospitality and wedding venue. Both the house and the gardens are listed as significant aspects of Scottish heritage. [Source: Wikipedia]
– The very first wedding at Dumfries House took place in 1792 between Viscount Mount Stuart and Lady Elizabeth Penelope Crichton, from which the line of Marquesses of Bute have sprung ever since. [Source: Dumfries House Website]
– They do guided tours, and Historic Scotland members (like me! Yay!) get a discount on entry. I am definitely going back to do this – I can’t wait to find out more about the history of this beautiful house! Also, the cafe looks delicious – perks of going to historic places, there’s always a good cafe!!
As a wedding venue, Dumfries House really does deliver. You can stay onsite in the house itself to have a most decadent getting ready room on the morning of the wedding. Your partner can also stay the night before down at their luxury lodges, so you are all on site but still apart so there’s no seeing each other before the wedding (if you didn’t want to!).
Guests can stay over too in the Dumfries House Lodges, which are just gorgeously decorated.
The vast grounds offer an endless array of locations for photos. The spots below are right next to the Lodges so are ideal for pre-ceremony photo opportunities!
And it’s just a short 5 minute walk from the Lodges to the Main house.
The grand staircase and reception area is fab for guests mingling before the wedding, they really will be awed by your taste in venue, Dumfries House will do nothing but impress!
The ceremony room is warm and welcoming with just a touch (or two) of opulence and rich history. That fireplace is just asking to be lit!
The detail and attention given to the interior are just awe-inspiring. Restored in 2007-2008 with help from Prince Charles and his charitable trust, an ITV documentary – The Royal Restoration, was even made.
The front staircase is also perfect for our most favourite thing in the world….
CONFETTI!!!
There are so many places to go in the grounds for lovely portraits, you really are spoiled for choice. There are also a lot of covered and indoor options, should the weather not be on your side, so there’s really nothing to worry about if you’re getting married at Dumfries House!
Larger receptions can be held in the adjoining marquee at the back of the house. Big, light and bright and looking out over rolling fields, what more could you ask for?
After dinner, once again the grounds offer so many beautiful spots for quiet relaxation and just a hint of photography. Well, why not? We really can’t deny the beauty of the surroundings, it would be a shame not to capture some more portraits!
And then there’s nothing left to do but PARTY! The marquee has a great amount of space for both dining and dancing.
Amazing, isn’t it? Have you booked your Dumfries House wedding yet? if not, why not?
If you’d like us to capture it for you – we would love to! Contact us!
