A Scottish Destination Wedding at Archerfield House, East Lothian
Phil is British, Hayley is from Atlanta, and they chose Archerfield House in East Lothian for a wedding that brought their two worlds together in the best possible way.
The celebrations actually started the night before, with a welcome BBQ for their guests. Phil had secretly arranged a ceilidh band to turn up — watching a room full of Americans learn Strip the Willow was one of the funniest things I’ve seen at a wedding. They finished the evening with Eton Mess, which felt like a very Phil touch.
Saturday morning was crisp and clear. Phil and the groomsmen had breakfast at the golf clubhouse, then retreated to Archerfield’s snooker room for cigars. Phil’s one of those grooms who has strong opinions about everything — wine, flowers, the lot — and it made for a really well thought-out wedding. Mercedes from Scarlett & Bell coordinated the whole thing and not a single detail was missed. Meanwhile Hayley and her five bridesmaids were getting ready upstairs, with makeup by Suzanne Christie and hair by Babu Hair.
They did a first look down by the water’s edge on the estate grounds before the ceremony, just the two of them. Those quiet minutes before everything kicks off are always special, and Hayley — who works in non-profit — was just radiating happiness. Afterwards we wandered into the fairy woodland walk for portraits. Sunlight through the trees, the whole thing was gorgeous.
Bagpipes announced Hayley’s walk down the aisle, and even though they’d already seen each other, the emotion was completely there. They married in front of about 70 guests — family and close friends from both sides of the Atlantic. Confetti on the front steps, then out to the lawn where Adelaide’s Secret Garden had done incredible floral work.
Dinner in one of Archerfield’s grand dining rooms — high ceilings, draped windows, beautiful evening light. The cake by 101 Bakery was genuinely stunning. Then The Soul Establishment got going for the evening and the dance floor was packed for the rest of the night. The mix of American energy and British reserve lasted about one song before everyone was in it together.
Archerfield is a brilliant venue for this kind of wedding — a 17th-century estate with sweeping staircases and elegant rooms, but with enough warmth and character that it never feels stiff. It’s exclusive use, accommodates around 70 for a ceremony, and the grounds give you so much to work with for photos. Phil and Hayley used every bit of it.
Wedding Planner – Scarlett and Bell
Florist – Adelaide’s Secret Garden
Hair Stylist – Babu Hair
Make Up Artist – Suzanne Christie
Cake Maker – 101 Bakery
Caterer – Archerfield House
Live Music – The Soul Establishment
Where is Archerfield House?
Archerfield House is on the East Lothian coast, a few miles from North Berwick and about 30 minutes from Edinburgh. The estate covers around 550 acres of parkland and coastline on the shores of the Firth of Forth. It’s one of the sunniest parts of Scotland, and the combination of countryside, golf courses, woodland, and sandy beaches means there’s an absurd amount of variety for photos within walking distance.
What are the main wedding spaces?
Archerfield actually has two distinct venue options on the same estate. Archerfield House itself is a 17th-century mansion — sweeping staircases, palatial drawing rooms, draped windows, the works. It holds up to 70 guests for an intimate wedding, with ceremonies either inside the house or in the garden. Then there’s The Waterfront, a contemporary beachside venue with sea views across the Firth of Forth, which seats up to 200 for a wedding breakfast. You can also combine the two — ceremony and drinks in the house, then move everyone to The Waterfront for dinner and dancing. There’s also a Boathouse that works for really small weddings of around 20.
Is it exclusive use?
Yes. When you book Archerfield House for a wedding, you get the whole place to yourselves. Same with The Waterfront. The estate has a dedicated wedding coordinator who works with you throughout the planning process.
How many guests can stay on-site?
This is one of Archerfield’s real strengths. The main house has 15 individually styled double en-suite bedrooms, sleeping the couple plus 28 guests. Beyond that, there are Pavilion Suites, Lodges, a Marine Villa, a Boathouse, and a Cottage spread across the estate, bringing the total on-site accommodation to around 136 guests. Having almost everyone staying on-site changes the feel of a wedding completely — it turns it into a proper weekend rather than just a day.
Where can ceremonies take place?
Inside the house in the hall or dining room (up to 120 standing), outside in the gardens, or if you’re using The Waterfront, in a specially set up marquee there. You can also use one of East Lothian’s parish churches if you want a church ceremony. Humanist ceremonies outdoors are legally recognised in Scotland, which opens up the whole estate.
What about food and drink?
Catering is handled in-house, and the food is excellent. They’ll arrange a tasting session for two during the planning process so you can try the menu and wines before the day. The estate coordinator works with you on all the details.
Is there a spa?
Yes — Fletcher’s Cottage Spa is on the estate. It’s a really lovely space with a walled garden setting, log burner, the lot. A lot of couples book it for the morning of the wedding or the day after. You can take over the whole spa for exclusive use if you want a group experience for the wedding party.
What’s it like to photograph a wedding at Archerfield House?
It’s brilliant. The house interiors are dramatic — big staircases, tall windows, beautiful light throughout the day. Outside, you’ve got the estate grounds, a fairy woodland walk that’s perfect for portraits (the light filtering through the trees is gorgeous), the coastline and beach just minutes away, and the golf course greens as a backdrop if you want that manicured look. For couple portraits, I’d always recommend building in time for a first look or a golden hour session — the water’s edge on the estate is particularly special. The sheer variety means you never feel like you’re repeating yourself, even at a venue you’ve shot before.
Is Archerfield good for destination weddings?
It’s one of the best options in Scotland for it, honestly. The on-site accommodation means your guests don’t need to organise transport or find hotels. It’s close enough to Edinburgh that international guests can fly in easily, and the estate has enough going on (golf, spa, beaches, walks) that people can make a long weekend of it. East Lothian itself is worth exploring — North Berwick is just down the road and it’s a lovely seaside town.
What should I know before booking?
The estate is large and the venue options are flexible, so it’s worth visiting to understand the layout and decide which spaces work for your guest numbers. Archerfield House suits intimate weddings of up to 70; The Waterfront handles larger celebrations up to 200; and the paired option lets you use both. Most couples book well in advance. It’s not a budget venue, but the combination of accommodation, the house, the grounds, and the level of service is hard to match elsewhere in East Lothian.