How to Plan a Wedding Weekend in Scotland: Make the Most of Your Big Day
Imagine this. You wake up on your wedding morning, sipping a coffee while sitting outside a cosy country house with your closest friends and family. The sun is peeking through the trees, and instead of rushing around like a headless chicken, you are laughing, chatting, and soaking in every second.
That is the magic of a wedding weekend.
More and more couples are turning their wedding day into a full-on weekend celebration, and honestly, I get it. When you have spent so much time planning and dreaming about the day, why squeeze it all into a few hours when you can stretch out the fun for a whole weekend? And here in Scotland, we have some of the best venues for it. So, if you are thinking about going big with a wedding weekend, here is how to make it work, without the stress.
1. Find the Perfect Wedding Weekend Venue
Not every venue can handle a full wedding weekend, so start by finding a place that offers on-site accommodation or the option to book the space for more than just one day.
Look for venues that have multiple spaces to spread out across the weekend. For example, Errol Park is absolutely perfect for a weekend wedding. You have the grand house for your pre-wedding gathering, a firepit-lit courtyard for the post-wedding party, and those epic grounds for a relaxed day-after wander. Plus, there are enough bedrooms to keep the core crew together all weekend.
If you are more into the outdoorsy vibe, Glen Dye Cabins is a dream. It is set in the middle of Aberdeenshire forest, with cosy cabins, wood-fired hot tubs, and a private pub just for you and your guests. I have photographed weddings there where the next morning involves axe-throwing, wild swimming, and sitting around a bonfire with leftover wedding cake.
Things to look for:
On-site accommodation so no one has to dash off early.
Multiple spaces for different parts of the weekend.
Good outdoor areas for a relaxed BBQ, lawn games, or just soaking in the views.
2. Plan a Fun Pre-Wedding Get-Together
The night before the wedding is your chance to relax and have some fun before the big day. It does not have to be anything fancy—think of it as a warm-up party where everyone can get to know each other.
I have seen couples host everything from a axe throwing, to simple pizza night with beers to a ceilidh practice session so the English guests know what they are getting themselves into the next day.
Pre-wedding ideas:
BBQ and beers: Keep it informal and fun.
Pub quiz night: Personalise it with questions about you as a couple.
Ceilidh practice: Turn the dancefloor into a fun, ice-breaking activity.
3. Make the Wedding Day as Relaxed as Possible
The wedding day is, of course, the main event, but the beauty of a weekend wedding is that you can make the day itself feel more relaxed. You do not need to pack in everything. If you had speeches at the rehearsal dinner or games the day before, you can keep the day itself focused on the ceremony, food, drinks, and dancing.
Tips for a relaxed wedding day:
Start slow: Have a lazy breakfast with your family.
Build in breathing room: Give yourself extra time so you are never rushing.
Keep the formal bits or make them personal and informal short: Guests love a heartfelt ceremony, but no one enjoys a two-hour monologue.
From a photography point of view, a wedding weekend gives us so much freedom. We do not have to cram every photo into a quick half-hour gap. We can capture some shots the day before or the day after, which means you can spend more time with your guests on the day itself.
4. Plan Something Fun for the Day After
The wedding day might be over, but the fun does not have to be. The day after is the perfect time to relive the best bits of the day, laugh about Uncle John’s ceilidh moves, and enjoy some chilled-out time with your guests before everyone heads home.
This can be as simple as a laid-back brunch with bacon rolls and strong coffee or something a bit more adventurous if you are up for it. I have seen couples organise wild swims, whisky tastings, or even mini Highland Games on the lawn. It is a great way to extend the celebration and make even more memories without the pressure of the big day.
Day-after ideas:
Brunch with bacon rolls: Easy and delicious.
A walk or hike nearby: Scotland has endless scenic spots.
Lawn games and leftover cake: Because why not?
Wild Swim: Great for a hangover!
5. Keep It Simple and Personal
The best wedding weekends are the ones that feel like you. Forget what you think a “wedding weekend” should look like and just plan something that makes you both happy. If you love cosy nights with friends, make it a chilled-out weekend with bonfires and blankets. If you are more into wild nights, go for a ceilidh, a DJ, and a late-night party that stretches into the early hours.
I once photographed a couple who spent the Sunday morning after their wedding kayaking on Loch Lomond while their guests chilled out with hot drinks on the shore. Another couple hired a fish and chip van to rock up to their venue the night before the wedding because they just wanted a proper Scottish chippy tea with their family. Both weddings were totally different but equally brilliant because they reflected who the couple really was.
Ideas to make it yours:
Favourite foods: Pizza oven, fish and chips, or a burger van.
Music that matters: A band that plays your go-to songs.
Personal touches: Lawn games, craft stations, or even a karaoke machine.
Why a Wedding Weekend in Scotland is Worth It
Scotland is the perfect place for a wedding weekend. We have got cosy castles, quirky barns, forest hideaways, and coastal escapes, all within a short drive from cities like Edinburgh or Glasgow. Plus, the weather adds to the adventure. One weekend it is sunshine and ceilidhs on the lawn, the next it is guests huddled around a firepit with mulled wine. Either way, it makes for an unforgettable weekend.
And if you are wondering whether the extra effort of planning a full weekend is worth it, trust me, it is. I have seen so many couples at the end of their wedding day say, “I wish we had more time.” A wedding weekend gives you exactly that. More time to connect with your guests, more time to soak in the magic, and more time to relax and enjoy every moment.
Make the Most of Every Moment
Your wedding weekend does not have to be fancy or perfectly planned to be unforgettable. Keep it simple, make it fun, and create a weekend that feels like one big celebration with the people you love most. And if you need some ideas for venues or suppliers, I am always happy to help.
And if you want those relaxed, unposed photos that capture all the best bits, laughs, tears, dodgy dance moves…then get in touch. I would love to be part of your wedding weekend adventure.