Gosford House Wedding Photography | Katie & Zak
Katie got ready at Greencraig Cottage with her bridesmaids, soft morning light, champagne, the works. She wore a Chosen by Kyha gown that looked stunning. Zak and the groomsmen were over at The Bonnie Badger, which is one of those places in East Lothian that’s just effortlessly lovely. The contrast between these cosy morning settings and what was waiting at Gosford House made for a great build-up.
Gosford House is one of those venues that only takes a handful of weddings a year, and it shows — you get the whole estate to yourselves. Katie and Zak’s ceremony was in the Marble Hall, which is this incredible double-height space with tall windows and natural stone. Bagpipes greeted guests outside, Finn Barnaby played piano as Katie walked in, and Birch & Bloom had done the florals — enough colour and warmth to complement the room without competing with it. The acoustics in there meant every word of the vows carried.
Afterwards we borrowed a golf cart and spent a good chunk of the afternoon exploring the grounds for portraits. The estate is huge, and there’s so much variety — woodland, open lawns, and these beautiful lakes with the house sitting in the background. We timed the portraits for golden hour by the water, and Katie and Zak just walked and talked and laughed. Those are always my favourite shots — not posed, just two people enjoying being married.
Cocktails in the Marble Hall, then dinner in the Dining Room, which had a completely different feel — more intimate, warmer light. The highlight of the speeches was Katie’s dad pulling out a ukulele for a surprise performance. His friend joined in, then half the room was singing. Genuinely one of the funniest and most touching speech moments I’ve seen.
The party moved to the Saloon for the evening — it’s this atmospheric, slightly rougher-edged room that works brilliantly as a late-night space. The dance floor was packed from the first song to the last.
Gosford House is a special venue. Grand without being stuffy, and the estate gives you so much room to breathe. Katie and Zak used every bit of it.
Where is Gosford House?
Gosford House is in East Lothian, about 15 miles east of Edinburgh on the A198 near Longniddry. It’s roughly a 30–35 minute drive from the city centre, which makes it incredibly convenient for couples who want a grand, rural-feeling estate wedding without asking their guests to travel far. The estate sits on around 5,000 acres of parkland and coast on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, with views across to Edinburgh and Fife.
How many guests can Gosford House hold?
The main Dining Room seats up to 100 guests, and if you also use the adjoining Octagon Room, you can seat around 140. For drinks receptions, the house can comfortably hold 300+ people flowing through the Marble Hall, gallery, and out onto the balconies. If you need more space for a larger celebration, a marquee can be set up on the rear lawn. There’s no minimum guest requirement either, so it works for intimate weddings too.
Where do ceremonies take place?
Ceremonies are held outdoors in the grounds rather than inside the house — which, honestly, is no hardship. The gardens are gorgeous, and there are several options including the lawns and the area by the ponds. For couples having a Humanist ceremony (which are legally recognised outdoors in Scotland), this is a real advantage. If the weather turns, there are contingency options, but I’d encourage you to embrace the outdoors — even overcast Scottish light looks beautiful against that backdrop.
What are the main spaces inside the house?
The Marble Hall is the showstopper — a huge two-tier space with a grand staircase, marble columns, a fireplace, and one of the largest private art collections in northern Europe. It’s where drinks receptions usually happen, and it’s absolutely stunning. Dinner is typically served upstairs in the Dining Room, which has a completely different feel — more intimate, beautiful evening light through the windows. Then for dancing, you move to the Saloon, which is the most rustic space in the house — exposed character, great atmosphere, and it just works as a late-night party room. The contrast between the three spaces is one of the best things about the venue.
Is Gosford House exclusive use?
Yes. When you book a wedding at Gosford House, you get the whole place to yourselves. They only host a handful of weddings a year, so each one gets proper attention. An estate representative is on-site throughout the day, but it very much feels like it’s your house for the day.
What about food and drink?
Catering is provided by the venue and the food is excellent. The standard wedding package includes fizz on arrival, wine with the meal, and a glass for toasts. If you’d rather supply your own wine for dinner, they offer a discount per head. The bar is run by the house. One quirk worth knowing: no red wine in the Marble Hall (understandably — marble and red wine don’t mix), and they don’t serve certain drinks like Jägerbombs or tequila slammers. Your uncle might need advance warning.
Is there accommodation on-site?
Not at the house itself, but the estate’s Craigielaw golf club has 25-bedroom lodge accommodation just nearby, and arrangements can be made for wedding guests to stay there. Beyond that, East Lothian has plenty of options — The Bonnie Badger in Gullane is a favourite (and a great spot for groomsmen to get ready), and there are B&Bs, holiday cottages, and hotels scattered throughout the area. North Berwick and Longniddry both have good options within a short drive.
What’s it like to photograph a wedding at Gosford House?
Honestly, it’s one of my favourite venues to work at. The variety is incredible — you’ve got the grandeur of the Marble Hall for dramatic interior shots, the grounds are massive with lakes, woodland, and open lawns for portraits, and the light through those big windows changes beautifully throughout the day. The estate is big enough that you can find quiet, private spots for couple portraits without wandering far from the action. I’d always recommend building in time for a golden hour session by the lakes — the house in the background with evening light on the water is something else. One practical bonus: the estate has golf carts for getting around, which saves time and is genuinely good fun.
Has Gosford House been used for filming?
Yes — most famously as a location in Outlander, where it doubled as the stables at Versailles in season 2 and the Helwater and Ellesmere estates in season 3. It’s also been used in The House of Mirth and various other productions. Chanel and Ralph Lauren have shot there too. If your guests are Outlander fans, expect some excited whispers.
What should I know before booking Gosford House?
A few practical things: the house isn’t wheelchair accessible (it’s a Robert Adam mansion from the 1790s, so there are stairs throughout). Confetti isn’t allowed. And engagement or pre-wedding photography on the estate is exclusively for couples who are holding their wedding there — so you can’t just book a shoot on the grounds. Beyond that, it’s a genuinely special place. It feels like a family home that happens to be incredibly grand, which gives it a warmth that a lot of stately venues lack. Most couples book 6–12 months ahead.