Lesley & Ben | Bachilton Barn

                                                   A Beautiful Outdoor Wedding at Bachilton Barn in Perthshire

Lesley & Ben’s wedding at Bachilton Barn was everything we love about photographing weddings – relaxed, full of laughter and centred around family, friends and the moments that matter most. As one of our local venues, we’ve photographed many weddings here over the years, and every celebration brings something completely unique. Lesley and Ben’s day was no exception.

As a husband and wife photography team, we love telling the complete story of a wedding day. Working together allows us to capture moments from different perspectives, ensuring that nothing is missed and giving our couples memories they’ll treasure for years to come.

The morning began in the beautiful Dovecot Cottage on the estate, where Lesley was getting ready alongside her mum, Ben’s mum and her Maid of Honour. There was such a calm, happy atmosphere as everyone enjoyed those final moments together before the ceremony. The cottage offers wonderful natural light, making it the perfect setting for those relaxed preparation photographs and all the little details that help tell the story of the day.

While Paula spent the morning with Lesley, capturing all the excitement, laughter and those emotional moments as she got ready, I was with Ben in the yurt as he prepared with his closest family and friends. It meant we could document both sides of the morning as they unfolded naturally, allowing each of them to see moments they would otherwise have missed.

I spent the morning capturing the relaxed atmosphere with Ben, photographing the final preparations, natural moments with his family and friends, and the personal details that help tell the story of the day. Meanwhile, Paula was documenting the finishing touches with Lesley, from the final preparations to all those genuine interactions with her family and bridal party.

Of course, one very special member of the wedding party stole plenty of attention – Winston, the couple’s beloved dog. Although Winston is getting on in years, he certainly didn’t let that slow him down and was full of character throughout the day. With the two of us working together, one photographer could focus on the planned moments while the other kept an eye on Winston’s adventures, making sure his personality featured throughout the gallery.

The outdoor ceremony at Bachilton Barn couldn’t have been more perfect. Surrounded by the beautiful Perthshire countryside, Lesley and Ben exchanged heartfelt vows before taking part in both a candle lighting ceremony and a traditional handfasting ceremony, adding even more meaning to an already emotional occasion.

This is one of the biggest advantages of having two photographers. As Lesley walked down the aisle, I stayed with her to capture those precious moments from her perspective, while Paula focused on Ben’s reaction as he saw his bride for the very first time. It’s one of those fleeting moments that lasts only a few seconds, but often becomes one of the most treasured photographs from the entire day.

Throughout the ceremony, we were able to capture every important moment from different angles. While one of us focused on the exchange of vows, the other photographed the emotions of family and friends, wider views of the ceremony and the intimate moments during the handfasting and candle lighting. Having two photographers means the whole story is preserved, not just the obvious moments.

One of our favourite moments came as they made their way back down the aisle, stopping for another kiss while their guests cheered them on. With one photographer shooting from the front and the other from behind the couple, we captured both their expressions and the incredible reaction from all of their guests.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered outside the barn for a joyful confetti throw. While I focused on Lesley and Ben walking through the confetti, Paula captured all the excitement from their family and friends. The result is a much fuller story of one of the happiest moments of the day.

The drinks reception gave everyone the chance to relax, catch up and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while we photographed lots of natural, candid moments. This is where having two photographers is invaluable. While I stayed with Lesley and Ben for a short portrait session, Paula remained with their guests, capturing all the conversations, hugs, laughter and those natural moments that happen when everyone is enjoying themselves. Many couples tell us these candid photographs become some of their absolute favourites because they show everything they never had the chance to see themselves.

We then headed off for a relaxed walk around the grounds with Lesley and Ben for their couple portraits. Being one of our local venues, we know Bachilton Barn incredibly well and have discovered all of the best locations for photographs over the years. From the beautiful grounds to the charming rustic features around the barn, we were able to create a wonderful variety of natural portraits without keeping the couple away from their guests for too long.

One of the biggest advantages of working this way is that the story of the day never stops. While I was creating portraits with Lesley and Ben, Paula was still documenting the celebrations back at the barn, capturing guests mingling, children playing, family catching up and all those genuine moments that often happen while the couple are away. It means the final gallery tells the complete story of the day from beginning to end.

Family group photographs were taken in front of the pagoda, providing a beautiful backdrop for everyone. Having two photographers helps everything run more smoothly. While I photographed each group, Paula helped organise family members, checked everyone was looking their best, spotted closed eyes, straightened outfits and prepared the next group. It keeps the group photographs efficient so everyone can get back to enjoying the celebrations.

The celebrations continued inside with three heartfelt speeches that brought plenty of laughter, a few happy tears and lots of memorable moments before everyone enjoyed a fantastic wedding breakfast.

During the speeches, I concentrated on the person speaking while Paula photographed the reactions around the room—proud parents, friends laughing together, happy tears and knowing smiles. Those reactions often become some of the most meaningful images because they capture moments the couple simply wouldn’t have seen themselves.

As evening arrived, it was time for the cake cutting before Lesley and Ben took to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. A lovely father and daughter dance followed, creating another emotional highlight before the ceilidh band got everyone onto the dance floor.

The ceilidh was the perfect way to round off an incredible day, with family and friends filling the dance floor from start to finish. There was plenty of laughter, impressive dancing (and the occasional wrong step!), creating a fantastic atmosphere and bringing a wonderful end to a truly memorable wedding.

Lesley and Ben, thank you so much for allowing us to be part of your wedding day. It was a real privilege to capture your story, and we wish you both a lifetime filled with happiness, laughter and many more adventures together.

If you’re planning your own wedding at Bachilton Barn, we’d love to hear from you. Having two photographers means more moments captured, more genuine emotions preserved and a beautifully complete record of one of the most important days of your lives. It’s a privilege to tell each couple’s story in a relaxed and natural way, creating photographs that will be treasured for generations.