Venues
Gleneagles Wedding Photographer
Crieff Photography – 21 December, 2025
Jade & Dave’s Intimate Christmas Wedding at Gleneagles Hotel
There is something particularly special about a winter wedding at Gleneagles Hotel, especially at Christmas when the hotel is filled with festive decorations, roaring fires, and a wonderfully cosy atmosphere. Jade and Dave chose the perfect time of year for their wedding, combining a quiet and intimate ceremony with a glamorous evening celebration surrounded by family and friends.
Their day was a lovely reminder that weddings do not need to follow tradition to feel meaningful, emotional, and unforgettable.
A Relaxed Morning at Gleneagles
Jade and Dave wanted their ceremony to remain incredibly intimate, with only their parents attending. The idea was to keep the ceremony calm, quiet, and personal before welcoming all of their guests later in the evening for a larger celebration inside the hotel.
The day began downstairs in the bar at Gleneagles where I met Dave and his parents ahead of the ceremony. The atmosphere was relaxed and understated, with everyone enjoying the slower pace that often comes with smaller weddings.
After spending some time with Dave, I headed upstairs to follow Jade and her father from her getting ready room as they made their way through the hotel towards the ceremony.
The warm interiors and Christmas decorations throughout Gleneagles created the perfect backdrop for these quieter moments before the ceremony began.
A Quiet & Meaningful Ceremony
With only their parents present, the ceremony felt incredibly personal and emotional. Without the distraction of a large audience, the focus remained entirely on Jade and Dave and the commitment they were making together.
Following the ceremony, the couple celebrated with a champagne drinks reception alongside their parents before signing the register together.
These quieter moments after the ceremony always make for some of the most natural photographs of the day, especially at intimate weddings where everyone can simply relax and enjoy the occasion.
Couple Portraits Inside the American Bar
As with many Scottish winter weddings around Christmas time, the weather outside was extremely cold and wet, with darkness arriving early in the afternoon. Although Gleneagles has beautiful grounds, it simply made more sense to stay indoors for portraits.
Thankfully, Gleneagles Hotel offers some of the best indoor wedding photography locations in Scotland.
One of the highlights was having exclusive use of the stunning American Bar for couple portraits. The rich wood interiors, soft lighting, and elegant atmosphere worked perfectly for relaxed winter wedding photography.
We also captured a few portraits around the iconic main entrance of the hotel before retreating back inside from the freezing December weather.
A Glamorous Ballroom Reception
While the ceremony itself was intentionally private, Jade and Dave had organised a much larger drinks reception for all of their guests in the prestigious Gleneagles Ballroom.
The contrast between the intimate ceremony and lively evening celebration worked perfectly.
As guests gathered inside the ballroom, Jade and Dave were formally announced into the room before starting the celebrations with an impressive champagne glass fountain.
It was such a brilliant way to begin the evening and immediately created a real party atmosphere.
Speeches Full of Laughter & Emotion
The speeches during the evening struck the perfect balance between emotional and hilarious. There were heartfelt stories, plenty of laughter, and even a surprise appearance from the couple’s dog via a video message shown on the big screen.
It completely caught everyone off guard and quickly became one of the standout moments of the evening.
These personal touches always make weddings feel unique and memorable, and this wedding had so many moments that genuinely reflected Jade and Dave as a couple.
Outstanding Food & Dancing Into the Night
Guests were then treated to an exceptional meal prepared by the renowned Gleneagles chefs before everyone returned to the ballroom for the first dance.
Once the live band started, the dancefloor quickly filled and stayed busy for the rest of the evening. The energy from the guests was incredible, with everyone fully embracing the festive atmosphere and celebrating late into the night.
A Perfect Christmas Wedding at Gleneagles Hotel
Jade and Dave’s wedding beautifully combined intimacy with celebration. From their quiet ceremony with only their parents to a lively ballroom reception packed with family and friends, their day felt relaxed, emotional, and full of personality from beginning to end.
Combined with the warmth and atmosphere of Gleneagles at Christmas, it made for an unforgettable winter wedding in Scotland.
Planning your own Gleneagles Hotel wedding?
If you’re looking for relaxed, natural wedding photography that captures genuine moments throughout your day, we’d love to hear more about your plans.
