Loraine Ross Photography

2023 top nine wedding photography posts (although 2 of them are actually from 2022 so I’ll share 10 and 11 on my stories!).

Hope everyone is having an amazing start to 2024!! I’m currently full of my second cold in the last month so will be back at my desk on Monday. Picking up emails still in the meantime ✨

My new website is coming next week so proper round up blog post coming then!!! I’ll share some not previously featured on Instagram faves.

Want your face here for my 2024 top 9? I would love to hear from you. Drop me a DM or email to [email protected]

Scotland wedding photographer | Scotland elopement photographer

Wishing everyone an amazing Christmas!!!!! That’s me logging off till 4th January but I will be checking in on emails for an hour or so except on 25th December & 1st Jan.

These photos took of me after my wedding make up trial with seemed perfect to share for a Christmas post. So sad it’s the end of my bride era… can I do it all again please? I’m still so obsessed with the blazer, plus the feather dress I added even more feathers to from my hen do (both were via )

🌟 What’s next for me? 🌟

Huuuge and exciting things happening in 2024. I’m currently working on a rebrand to push my analogue film photography more! I will be launching my new website and branding early next year. Sooo buzzing about that!!!

I’ve got so many amazing weddings to look forward to in 2024, so grateful for each couple who has booked me! I still have some space in my calendar, so please get in touch (especially if you are looking to have analogue film photography as I would LOVE to photograph a wedding fully on film next year).

Non photography wise… I’ve just been confirmed for something exciting with me infront of the camera. I sadly won’t be able to talk about it for a LONG time, so I’ll leave you hanging there 😂 ✨

Chris and I are heading off to honeymoon in Mexico in the spring! Cannot wait!!!

A big shout out to for hosting the . It’s been amazing to go back through my portfolio and given me loads of ideas of content for blogs. Im often pretty inconsistent with instagram and it was a challenge posting every day!

Big love to you all - let’s get festivized!! 🎄

DAY 23: Thank You!!

A massive thank you to everyone who has supported by business, I love you all!!!

The past few years since the pandemic has been an absolute rollercoaster and I feel so blessed that you all have stuck around for the ride.

I’ve photographed 21 weddings, 7 family photoshoots, 3 proposals and 3 couple shoots this year. It’s been much needed to recharge and focus on my own wedding.

I photographed 49 weddings in 2021 and 52 in 2022 due to all of the covid postponements. My usual number is around 25-30 per year! I was so burnt out coming into this year and my health and mental health was in a pretty bad way.

I’ll be sticking to around 20-25 weddings and a few other photoshoots moving forwards. I feel this year I’ve had the right balance of being busy plus also having the energy and creativity for all of my couples and clients.

I thought I would use this post to share a few testimonials from this year ✨

I appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to review me. It’s honestly the best thing I could ask for seeing your lovely feedback.

DAY 22: Quiet ✨

Rachel and Jason had a relaxed winter city centre wedding at and we got the most epic photos without leaving the hotel. Edinburgh can be so busy and it was so perfect to have some quiet amongst the hustle and bustle of the city.

I still can’t get over Rachel’s stunning dress, the sun beaming through the windows for their ceremony and getting to go into the JK Rowling Suite for their couple shots. Aaaaaaa!!

WEDDING TEAM

Rachel
Dress - Sassi Holford from Rachel Scott Couture

Shoes - Harriet Wilde
Hair/Make-up - Blushes and Bows
Jason
Suit - Walker Slater
Florist -
Cake - Liggy's Cake Company
Music - Sam MacAdam Harpist

Day 20: It’s like rain 🍾

As much as the Alanis Morissette gives me mega nostalgia for my childhood I had to share this champagne pop shot rather than a rainy photo!

Kirsty & Alan got married on one of the sunniest days of the year back in June. This champagne spray couldn’t have gone more perfect with the golden hour light and how crazy the champagne sprayed.

My tips for champagne/ Prosecco spray shots:
1: Shake the bottle a LOT!
2: Remove the cork and put your thumb over the bottle
3: Shake the bottle some more
4: keep your thumb slightly over the bottle and let it spray out 🍾

DREAM TEAM
Venue:
Catering / Bars:
Bride’s dress:
Bridesmaids: .x
Groom & best men:
Hair:
Makeup:
Humanist:
Bouquets:
Cake – Bridesmaid Lindsey!

Day 19: Intimate

There’s no secret that I absolutely love an elopement and intimate wedding ✨ We are so lucky in Scotland with the incredible backdrops of historic buildings, ruins and the scenic mountains.

One of my first weddings I photographed was on a beach in
Arisaig in the Scottish highlands over 10 years ago. I’ve always had a strong sense of adventure and followed in my footsteps of my grandparents climbing Munros.

Erin and John came over to Scotland from Texas and went for an intimate wedding in Glencoe. They had no guests and committed to each other in the most intimate and special way with a humanist ceremony. They drank from a quaich and were handfasted before exchanging rings and their personal vows.

The weather was not on our side with torrential showers, but eloping allowed us to be flexible on their timeline working around the weather. The dark stormy clouds making for drama in their photos.

DREAM TEAM
Planner:
Celebrant:
Flowers:
Hair & Makeup:
Accommodation:

All images taken on 35mm film ✨

DAY 17: You’re So Golden ✨

It’s very rere in Scotland that the weather gives us the golden sunset joy. Throwing it back to the most epic of sunsets for the sweetest couple at & Rick’s beautiful Edinburgh wedding at

The gorgeous weather meant we were able to go up to Calton Hill for their couple photos as the sun was setting. They had shared their first date there and was a super emotional moment capturing them on the bench where they had sat together.

DREAM TEAM
Photographer: (me!)
Venue:
Celebrant: Margery Bambrick
Caterer:
Flowers: Dried Flowers from
Dress: Joy
Bridal Hair and Makeup:
Groom’s Suit:
Band:

DAY 16: Juicy Details 🍑

A lil bit of appreciation for Steph & Lewis’ beaut of a day back in May. I loved the explosion of beautiful colour from Steph’s green dress to the stunning peach tones in the flowers to the lime classic car ✨

SUPPLIER SHOUT OUT

Preparations venue:
Ceremony & Reception Venue:

Steph’s dress: The Vampires Wife
Steph’s shoes:
Steph’s hair bow:
Steph’s earrings:
Lewis, best man and dad’s suits:
Engagement and wedding rings:
Hair and make up:
Floristry:
Stationary: Hannah Tomlinson (friend)
Ceremony – registrar Julie Scott

Day 15: Shout Out!

This prompt obviously has to go to my handsome husband ✨

Thank you for always supporting me and being the most amazing human I could ask to be married to.

Having a wife who is self employed and has a job where I work a lot of weekends is never the easiest of things.

Thank you for always making me feel like I can be myself and loving me for it. Being there during the hard times and the best times. For dealing with my crazy neurodivergent brain and balancing it out with your calm sense of reason.

Forever grateful that I have you in my life ✨

Wedding photos by and second shooter
Glencoe engagement photos by
Christmas photo by
Some photos taken by me or others on a phone.

DAY 14: HELL YES (the ceremony!)

Carson and Ali’s ceremony had everything that makes my heart sing with a wedding ceremony.

✨ An awesome venue with lots of light
✨ A celebrant who lit up the room and kept the guests laughing
✨ Heartfelt readings
✨ Unique take on traditions (I’m here for margaritas from the quaich rather than whiskey)
✨ Lots of emotion

The thing I love about humanist and celebrant lead ceremonies being legal in Scotland is how much scope you have to really make your ceremony your own.

There is no legally prescribed form of words to be used in relation to 'marriage vows' in Scotland. All you need to say to make your marriage legal is “I NAME accept you NAME in marriage”. The rest of the words and the form of your ceremony is completely up to you as a couple. You can define your relationship and marriage in the way that you feel is right for you. I am absolutely here for it!

Venue: 
Wedding dress 
Tux 
Videographer 
Makeup & Hair 
Celebrant Paul Browett 
Stationary 
Catering/Stylist/Flowers 
Cake 
Band Wildcard (managed by Entertainment Nation)
Ceremony Music 
Photobooth 

DAY 12: CANDID MOMENTS

I like to look for a softness in moments rather than those classic documentary moments. Those little in between moments, a touch, a hug, the interactions with your loved ones to tell your story.

Sometimes those pure documentary moments also happen too, like the runner in the bright pink jacket at Roshni & Aleks engagement shoot. Or when Ailsa and Sam’s neighbour popped her head over the wall when we were taking photos in their garden after their elopement 😂

Documentary or natural moments, I’m here for all the candid magic ✨

DAY 10: Cry, cry baby ✨

Oh my gosh, I am an emotional wreck looking back at all of these moments over again.

I’m here to capture all those emotions and moments on your wedding day ✨

Day 8: SPEECHES 🎤

Following on from my post on brand values yesterday about inclusivity… let’s chat about making wedding speeches be more inclusive.

Can 2024 be the year we all pick the best people to do speeches rather than the traditional speakers? It was an absolute challenging narrowing down photos for this post, my couples are all absolutely nailing this brief!

Ya know the person that’s going to tell those heartfelt stories and also the silly embarrassing ones. Those memories that are going to make your guests tear up and belly laugh. I feel so blessed that my couples wholeheartedly embrace this and there was plenty of amazing photos to pick for this post.

I also absolutely love a speech more than anything as they give me insight into my couples and who they really are! I’m often equal parts laughing and crying behind my camera during this part of the day.

My top tip for planning your speeches is to choose the people that are going to give the best speech rather than sticking to tradition. Pick one person each to do a speech then do a couples one or you both do one.

At my own wedding my husband Chris had his best friend Karen give a speech and I also did a speech (although it was totally winged as with all the crazy last bits of planning I actually forgot to write one!!).

Traditionally at weddings it’s men giving the speeches. Let’s get more brides, couple speeches, best women, best people, mums, grans and others giving speeches in 2024! You got this ✨

(And one more thing whilst I’m on my soapbox… let’s get those speeches off phones and onto paper! It’s much easier to read and looks so much better in your photographs!).

Day 7 ✨ BRAND VALUES

This is one that I have so much passion for, my brand values are at the core of WHY I am a wedding photographer.

✨ TIMELESS PHOTOGRAPHY
My photography is inspired by my love of nostalgia and vintage. I use both digital and analogue film in my work. I love looking back at old family photos we have, some dating back to the 1890s. I aim to create timeless photos, with true to life colours that you can look back on in years to come and FEEL the memories all over again.

✨ INCLUSIVE TO ALL
I aim to create a safe and open space for all working with me. All love is very welcome and celebrated here. I’m always trying to be more inclusive in what I do and am open to learn. This is something super important to me both in life and in business, especially as I am neurodivergent and have a chronic health condition.

✨ LAID BACK, JOYFUL & AUTHENTIC
I encourage all my couples to plan a wedding that feels like and reflects you as a couple. On your wedding day be “in the moment” and have fun. I want my photography to feel full of joy and authentic to each couple.

✨ SUSTAINABILITY
I fully encourage all my couples to plan their weddings sustainably and think about the impact of their day on the environment. I am a leave no trace photographer (especially with elopements) and believe nature should be left as you find it.

I’m always trying to be a better human and work so hard to deliver the best for all of my couples ✨

Whenever I connect with people who love my work it honestly makes my heart sing. I’m so blessed to be able to do photography as a job and grateful for everyone who has booked me to photograph their day ✨

DAY 4: Big Laughs ✨

Like a lot of photographers, I tend to lean to sharing the beautiful and epic couple shots on my Instagram and portfolio.

Going through these images from .mckinney and .mckinney ‘s wedding makes me realise I need to share more candid moments and laughter.

Taylor and Luke absolutely nailed the black tie but laid back and fun day. Equal parts elegant but fun is absolutely my kind of vibes.

S U P P L I E R S H O U T O U T
Venue:
Florist - Paula
Hair and make up DJ - Mark Paterson
Cake -
Dress Prescott Bridal - Oklahoma, USA
Rings -
Shoes

Day 4 ✨ BREAK THE MOULD


I absolutely love when couples break the mould and go for a unique wedding day that is personal to them. Going with your heart and running away to elope in a way that resonates with you as a couple is always a good idea.

Alison and Michael had a heartfelt Isle of Skye elopement. It has to be one of my fave elopements to date ✨

They came over from Australia for their wedding on the Isle of Skye to embrace their sense of adventure. I loved Alison’s unique handmade embroidered dress it really stood out amongst the rugged landscapes of the Isle of Skye.

They stayed at the amazing in one of their camping pods which made the perfect base for exploring Skye and had a campervan for the rest of their Scottish road trip.

Hitting the worst front of weather with torrential rain and wind we found some gaps in the weather to head up Old Man of Storr and to Fairy Glen where we found a beautiful spot by a waterfall for their personal vows.

They chose to do their legal ceremony in the registry office in Portree meaning we could be flexible with what the weather there at us over the trip.

Hair and make up:

DAY 3 ✨CONFETTI ✨

Confetti has to be one of my absolute fave wedding moments and the joy is always unreal 🎉

Here’s my ultimate tips for amazing confetti moments:

🌟The more the better (especially if you want that more confetti that humans vibe!). You need about 40g for a handful per person.

🌟 Add in some cannons for extra wow. Chucking confetti from behind me also looks awesome for those just in front of the lens close up bits.

🌟Go for paper confetti or medium petals (a lot of advice says paper is better but we had petals at our wedding and it looked just as epic!)

🌟 Make sure it’s biodegradable confetti if you are using paper stuff.

🌟Don’t bother with packets or cones. They are a bad idea environmentally as they often get thrown in the ground. Shove it all in a basket or tub and everyone can grab a handful. It also looks the best chucked from hands

🌟 I love a confetti aisle but you can also get your guests to gather round you and chuck it all in one go. If you are doing an aisle doing it as an exit from a door always works well.

🌟 I always tell your guests to throw it up not at. That way it floats better and also you don’t end up eating it all 😂

🌟 If you are doing a confetti aisle walk SLOWLY (maybe stop for a kiss half way down!), try to look forward rather than down.

🌟 Just have fun!! It was one of my fave moments at my wedding (and the amping that was down my dress when I took it off was unreal haha!!)

Any other tips feel free to pop them below 👇🏻

Day 2 ✨ SHOW YO FACE

I got married in July so I obviously had to share some of my own wedding photos by - you can view more of my wedding over on

My top tip for planning your own wedding is to plan a day that reflects you as a couple. I did feel a lot of pressure working in the wedding industry for my day to look a certain way. I’m so glad we planned a day that was very “us”.

✨ GET TO KNOW ME ✨
⚡️ I love vintage clothes particularly 1920s - 70s
🖼️ I went to art college and my favourite artists are Tamara De Lenpicka, Edward Hopper, Jenny Saville and the Connor Brothers.
👾 I have a degree in Web Design & Development
🎸 I love music and you’ll find me tuned into in my office
🔨 I love old buildings and architecture. I live in a 1890s brick cottage which I’m renovating with my husband Chris
🐶 We have a beagle called Alfred
🗻 I have a sense of adventure and got into climbing munros inspired by my grandparents
💃🏼 I was a semi- professional dancer for 14 years and have performed in front of thousands of people on stage
🎥 I’m that rare photographer that likes being both sides of the camera. I do a lot of film and TV extra work, my fave job ever being on Outlander (there’s lots of closeups of me!)
🎞️ I started photography as a teenager on analogue film (I’ve started using 35mm and medium format film again this year!)
📷 I photographed my first wedding in 2009 and have photographed over 300 weddings. I still love every moment of it!

I also mega need to get some new branding photos done in 2024!!

So buzzing to take part in this years run by the amazing What a perfect way to look back at all the amazing weddings I’ve photographed! is COLOURFUL!!

There’s no secret that I absolutely love colour, and my own wedding was an absolute colour fest!

I’m absolutely here for all my couples who embrace the non-traditional and go for colour on their day. There’s nothing more joyful than an explosion of colour.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate all the amazing colourful wedding dresses I’ve photographed ✨

My absolute faves being Green dress & ‘s dress embellished by with jacket by

Heres’s to more colour in 2024!

Just booked into a darkroom refresher course starting in January at !! I’ll soon be able to develop my own film again yay! I last developed film when I was in art college so it’s been a loooong time. So excited to get back into the darkroom. Shooting film as a teenager started my passion for photography and I always loved developing my own film. I really need to get my negatives out of the loft and scan them.

Going back to it this year has really helped me be more intentional and think about what, why and how I’m taking images. With film you are limited to 36 images per roll with 35mm, I’ve been using 2-3 rolls per wedding and almost every photo has been pure magic.

Here’s a few film shots from Kristi & Nick’s beautiful day back in September ✨

&
Dev & Scan by

DREAM TEAM
Venue:
Photographer:
Second shooter:
Dress: Your Wedding Place .wedding.place
Groom Suit: Huey Lam
Bridesmaids: Baltic Born
H&MU: The Made Up Team
Flowers: Pixie Rose
Stationary: Minted
DJ: Lee Live Lee Live: Wedding DJ

Erin & John - Glencoe Digital & 35mm film

First off, I want to say a massive thank you to all my couples who nominated me for Best Photographer . I put my heart and soul into every wedding or elopement I work with and I’m so blessed to get to work with the best couples who are my absolute cheerleaders.

Whilst I didn’t win I’m still absolutely blown away to be nominated. I had the best night with some amazing people in the wedding industry. Being a self employed solo biz, it really made me realise how important a sense of community is and how amazing the people I get to work with at weddings are. I love you all!!

I’m almost finished my new website which will be launching in the next few weeks. I’m so excited to share it with you all!!

I just finished editing all the digitals from Erin and John’s beautiful Glencoe elopement today. Thought I would share a few more belters from that ✨

DREAM TEAM
Planner:
Celebrant:
Flowers:
Hair & Makeup:
Accommodation:

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Weekend off from photographing for me. Instead it’s the for me on Sunday! I’m nominated for Best Photographer and still over the moon and buzzing about it. Got a sequin dress ready to go and my wedding shoes may get another outing.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend ✨⚡️

Happy anniversary@cawilliams1991 & !!! How has it been a year since this pair of legends tied the knot at my absolute fave wedding venue.

When they first contacted me about their wedding they described the vibe of their day as being like a “glam house party”.

They definitely hit the goals with their art deco inspired wedding in the stunning backdrop of

Carson’s beaded dress, Ali’s burgundy velvet tux, colourful confetti, margaritas for their quaich ceremony, espresso martinis, toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate by the fire pit and sparklers 🌟

Venue:
Wedding dress
Tux
Videographer
Makeup & Hair
Celebrant Paul Browett
Stationary
Catering/Stylist/Flowers
Cake
Band Wildcard (managed by Entertainment Nation)
Ceremony Music
Photobooth

A few faves from and Alan’s beautiful day at the stunning signet library back in September.

The Signet Library is a hidden gem is a venue just off the historical Royal Mile in Edinburgh. The stunning period decor and grand spaces make it perfect all year round plus the bonus of photos right on the heart of the Royal Mile capturing the spirit of Edinburgh old town.

They met by chance with bad weather and delayed flights meaning they matched on a dating site. It was soon true love with Scotsman Alan moving to London to be with Siobhan. They incorporated a blessing for Eabha into their ceremony which was such a beautiful and special touch. Siobhan’s dad also played music during the ceremony.

Photographed on digital & 35mm film 📷

DREAM TEAM
Venue:
Planner: .weddings
Wedding dress: from
Hair:
Makeup:
Videographer:
Florist:
Wedding ceremony music: Maria and Jason acoustic duo
Wedding Band: The North Rig
Ceremony: Gillian Robertson

Happy anniversary!! On Halloween last year I was photographing .shaw & .star.art incredible Edinburgh elopement. I still can’t get over the amazing light and colours we had.

They had their ceremony at with just their parents as witnesses. We then headed into Edinburgh city centre to Dean Village and Stockbridge to make the most of the stunning architecture. They then headed back to Prestonfield House for a gorgeous dinner with just the 2 of them in the Salon Prive.

Head over to my stories for a link to my blog with more photos 🌟✨

Celebrant: .celebrant
Flowers:
Dress:
Shoes:
Hair & Make up: .hairandbeauty
Grooms barbering:

Throwback to Laura & Allen’s stunning autumnal Edinburgh elopement. They came all the way from Vegas for their stunning Scottish day. They had their ceremony under the historic yew tree with a traditional Scottish hand fasting & drinking from the quaich. We headed into Edinburgh for photos and meal at The Witchery.

Thank you to Laura for the most wonderful testimonial
“Loraine is a wonderful photographer! She knows how to capture the most beautiful images and does it with kindness, style and a wealth of knowledge. We enjoyed spending our time being directed by her and sharing laughs together for our special day!”

SUPPLIER SHOUT OUT
Venue: .tower
Wedding planner: .weddings
Humanist celebrant: .ackroydscottishcelebrant
Hair and make up:
Flowers:
Videographer:

There’s a magic about film that you just cannot recreate with digital. I started my photography journey teenager photographing self portraits and live music photography on b&w film before moving to digital. I learnt to develop and print photos, and that knowledge is what grounded my photography skills and how I work with light.

I’ve loved going back to film over the last few months and absolutely won’t be going back. Wish I had made the jump sooner as it’s honestly ignited my creativity again.

Looking for a photographer for your wedding or elopement that can photograph film and digital? I’m your gal ✨

A few from Roshni & Aleks’ wedding at the amazing back in August. They met online during lockdown in 2020 and shared a in-person date as soon as Covid restrictions allowed! It was love at first sight and they instantly knew they were perfect person for each other. They got engaged in Paris, Roshni was going to surprise Aleks with the proposal but he found out and surprised her with a ring!

I loved the warm and relaxed feel they had to the wedding weekend. They took touches from Roshni’s Indian heritage in their decor, beautifully complimented with the flowers from

Photographed on digital & b&w film

DREAM TEAM
Venue:
Wedding Dress: Lane from Bridesmaid dresses: from
Suit: Casual Outfitters
Kilt: Armstrongs
Hair and Makeup:
Florist:
Flower garlands for ceremony purchased by Roshni's parents in India
Ceilidh band:
Catering:
Drinks Reception band: Helena Kay – jazz trio

A Glasgow love story - digital and 35mm film 💖✨ Exploring the west end with Megan & Art on their engagement shoot last month. Loved getting to know them (and their dog Luna) ahead of their wedding at next year!

Engagement shoots are always an amazing way to get comfortable in front of the camera ahead of your wedding day!

Can you spot which shots are 35mm film and which ones are digital?