A relaxed day filled with ease, laughter, classic Scottish rain.
Some wedding days feel effortlessly calm from the very first moment, and X & B's celebration at The Free Company, just outside Edinburgh, was exactly that.
They wanted photography to reflect that vibe. Relaxed, unposed, heartfelt photographs, and filled with the kind of candid moments that make documentary wedding photography such a joy.
As an Edinburgh wedding photographer who specialises in natural, unobtrusive storytelling, this day was everything I love: honest emotion, easy laughter, meaningful connection, and a setting that already feels timeless. Photographing their day using a mix of digital and analogue 35mm film added even more depth to their story.
X & B - The Free COmpany Edinburgh Wedding - SEPT 2025
A morning of unhurried preparations and mimosas.
The day began in Cockburn House, a property just 5 minutes from the Free Company, with an unhurried morning of getting ready. The house was filled with soft light, quiet music, and the kind of small details that lend themselves beautifully to documentary photography - half-finished mimosas, gifts for bridesmaids, and gentle conversations drifting from room to room. Shooting a mixture of digital and warm 35mm film allowed me to capture both the calm atmosphere and the intimacy of the morning.
After the morning preparations, everyone travelled to The Free Company, which is a rustic farm venue nestled just outside the city known for its simplistic style and incredible food. It’s a venue that suits documentary wedding photography beautifully - open fields, soft natural light, wooden beams, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
X + B chose to have a personal, symbolic ceremony here, led by a close friend. It was heartfelt, emotional, and full of laughter - exactly the kind of moment that makes candid photography shine. Guests gathered in the barn, fairy lights twinkling overhead, as stories and memories were shared. I worked mostly digitally to capture the fast-changing expressions in the low light, switching to film with flash in moments where laughter drowned out the noise of the shutter.
Candid Moments, Communal Feasting & Rain.
One of the charms of a Free Company wedding is the food: farm-grown ingredients, long communal tables, and a relaxed, feast-style meal that naturally encourages conversation. As a documentary wedding photographer, this is where I thrive - capturing genuine connection, laughter between friends, and small table moments that often go unnoticed.
I made an effort to balance the warmth and nostalgia of film in the low light with the clarity of digital as I photographed everyone sheltering from the rain and breaking bread together. The rain eased somewhat and before sunset, X+B and I wandered into the fields for a short portrait session (umbrellas in hand). They wanted images that felt natural and unposed, simply the two of them taking a moment alone. The flat light was perfect for film - soft, nostalgic, and beautifully flattering.
Fire Pits, Jazz Music & a Dance Filled Evening
As evening settled over the farm, fire pits were lit outside and a jazz band played under cover from the rain. Instead of a structured reception, the night unfolded in a casual and natural manner, with the couple cutting their cake on the bar, guests dancing without their shoes, people swapping stories around the fire, and quiet moments tucked away under strings of warm lights.
These unscripted moments are the heart of documentary style wedding photography. I photographed the dancing digitally to capture the motion and energy, then stepped outside to create atmospheric film images of sparks rising into the night sky and groups gathered around the flames.
The last photos of the evening were some of my favourites; X + B sweatily dancing in Scottish ceilidh madness, there's not much better a way to end a wedding day.
Why This Wedding Felt So Meaningful
Some weddings are visually stunning and others are emotionally rich. This day was both.
The blend of minimalistic style with the warm and rustic nature of the buildings at The Free Company created a wedding atmosphere that was relaxed, genuine, and deeply personal. Photographing the day using both digital and analogue 35mm film gave their gallery a beautiful mix of modern clarity and timeless texture - perfect for a couple who valued authenticity over perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of creating magic in the rain, in darker spaces, and through film photography.
All round, this is one of my favourite barn wedding venues in Edinburgh. It's gorgeous, has great food, and who doesn't love a fire pit? I'm so grateful X & B asked me to capture their day and I cannot wait to be back.
Kate x
