Some weddings just sick in your memory, and Fiona and Neill’s Fingal Hotel wedding in Edinburgh was absolutely one of them. From biblical weather to a floating 5-star hotel, heartfelt family moments and a mad dash for sunshine at the Victoria Swing Bridge – this day had it all.
As a Dundee based Scottish wedding photographer, Fingal Hotel is always worth the drive… even when that drive includes torrential rain, thunder, skies that look like the end of days and gripping the steering wheel down the M90 with no radio on because you need to hear your thoughts. I’ll be honest – I was wondering how creative we’d need to get with indoor backdrops. Turns out, very creative… and I loved it.
Bridal prep took place onboard Fingal itself. Fiona was getting ready with her mum, while Neill’s daughter was there too getting her hair and makeup done – a really lovely, relaxed start to the day with all the important people close by. Downstairs, Neill was waiting with his son, who was doubling up as junior best man (which he executed perfectly, by the way). The atmosphere was calm, excited and full of anticipation – despite the rain still battering the docks outside.
Fiona arrived for the ceremony with her dad, and the entrance walking down the stairs is spectacular. Their ceremony was a humanist affair, which always means it’s personal, relaxed and full of genuine emotion. There was loads of laughter, plenty of smiles and a few emotional moments too – the perfect balance. Fingal’s ceremony space works so well for intimate weddings, especially when the weather outside is doing its own dramatic thing.
After the ceremony, everyone piled in with hugs, congratulations and happy chaos. We grabbed some group photos on Fingal’s iconic staircase and around the ceremony space before letting guests head off for drinks.
The rain didn’t let up for whole afternoon, but honestly, Fingal Hotel is perfect for bad weather days. Instead of stressing, we leaned right into it. For the couple shoot, we used the engine room, beautiful interior spaces throughout the ship and Fiona and Neill’s incredible suite. Fun side note: this is the suite Princess Anne stays in when she’s in Edinburgh. If it is good enough for royalty, it is good enough for photos. The interiors suited an editorial-style approach perfectly, so I mixed in some more magazine-style, direct flash shots alongside relaxed, natural moments. It felt modern, stylish and totally fitting for the setting. This is where having an experienced Scottish wedding photographer really pays off – knowing how to adapt, find the light and still create something special no matter what Scotland throws at you weather-wise.
The drinks reception took place upstairs on the top deck of the ship, where guests enjoyed a few games, plenty of laughs and a chance to relax before heading downstairs for speeches and dinner. Fingal’s layout works brilliantly for keeping the day flowing without anyone feeling rushed. While guests tucked into dinner, I nipped outside… and for the first time all day, the rain had stopped.
Game on.
Fiona and Neill were keen to get photos at the Victoria Swing Bridge, just a short walk away, and also wanted a proper confetti moment with their guests. So we moved fast. We managed to capture confetti shots outside Fingal, get couple portraits with the swing bridge, the exterior of the ship and Leith docks all just in time before evening guests started arriving. Timing perfection. These moments are exactly why I love Scottish wedding photography – one minute it’s thunder and rain, the next you’re chasing golden light through industrial docks.
The evening kicked off upstairs with more drinks and the cake cutting before everyone hit the dancefloor. By this point the party was flowing and the day ended on a proper high.
Fiona and Neil’s wedding was relaxed, stylish, full of heart and proof that even the worst weather can lead to something brilliant if you embrace it. Fingal Hotel is such a unique venue for Edinburgh wedding photography, and photographing a wedding aboard a floating 5-star hotel will never get old.
If you’re planning a Fingal Hotel wedding and looking for a Scottish wedding photographer who’s not afraid of rain, thunder or thinking outside the box – I’d love to hear from you.
Congratulations Neill and Fiona, thanks for going the flow, having fun and trusting my random ideas!
