A Midsummer Wedding at Jupiter Artland, West Lothian
Lynne and Mark’s wedding at Jupiter Artland was not just beautiful and joyful, but also the sort of wedding which remains with you long after you’ve driven back home, still buzzing, still smiling, a little sad that it’s over.
I had the honour of being the first photographer to capture a wedding in Jupiter Artland’s brand new Glasshouse on a wonderful summer’s day in June 2026. With 68 of their nearest and dearest gathered around them, Lynne and Mark made history as the first couple to get married there too. And I’ve been on a high ever since.
Lynne & Mark – A Couple Who Know What They Love
Lynne and Mark are season ticket holders at Jupiter Artland. They know every corner of the park and return to it again and again. So when they heard about the new Glasshouse, they decided almost instantly that this was where they wanted to get married.
And that connection showed in every part of the day. Their day was fun, relaxed, and joyful from start to finish, and exactly the day they’d imagined.
Their son Noah, six years old and absolutely full of personality, was very much part of the celebrations too. He muscled in on the first kiss, delivered a speech just before dinner that brought the house down, and made sure he was front and centre for the cake cutting and the first dance. He got the biggest cheers of the day, and rightly so.
It was a wedding that brought together people of all ages and was full of warmth and togetherness. The kind of day where you look around and think – everyone here really loves these two people.
The Morning – Getting Ready at the Artist’s House
The night before, Lynne and her party stayed at Jupiter Artland’s Artist’s House – a great idea that allowed for a calm and easy start to the wedding day. When I arrived, the atmosphere was relaxed and joyful, with the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride holding glasses of bubbles and dressed in matching silk dressing gowns, and Lynne in a white silk robe.
And then there was the dress. I don’t want to give too much away before you scroll to the photo, but Lynne’s gown was a real showstopper. A fit-to-flare boho dress by Rish Bridal in ivory with an ornate lace overlay and the most fabulous flared sleeves. A true statement dress, and one which seemed completely and utterly her.
Mark, meanwhile, got ready at home before making his way to Jupiter Artland, and looked dapper in a classic grey and black tartan kilt.
The Ceremony in The Glasshouse
The ceremony was due to begin at 3pm in the brand new Glasshouse, and what a setting it is!
Light floods in from every angle. Beneath your feet, Florence Peake’s colourful, joyful floor mural ‘To Love and Cherish’ covers the entire floor – vivid, unexpected, and utterly breathtaking. The flowers, created by The Daisy Chain in Pencaitland, echoed every colour in the mural perfectly, from the bouquets to the statement arrangements throughout the room. The whole space felt considered and cohesive without feeling overdone.
As guests took their seats, The Edinburgh String Quartet played, and the choice of entrance music couldn’t have been more perfect. Mark and son Noah walked in to Madness’s Must Be Love. Then came Lynne, to Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill. The room absolutely loved it.
Their Celebrant, Margaret Gibson, was brilliant – warm and humorous – and the ceremony she prepared was full of personal stories and anecdotes about Lynne and Mark. Margaret had the whole room laughing and crying, and really held the audience, which in a room of 68 people, is no small thing.
The Afternoon – Exploring the Grounds
After the ceremony, while the Glasshouse was transformed for the wedding breakfast, guests spilled outside to enjoy drinks and canapés in the sunshine. Just outside the Glasshouse there’s a lovely stretch of green space which is perfect for this.
After that came the couple photos and group photos. This is when having a second photographer proved absolutely invaluable. While I stayed with Lynne and Mark for couple portraits in the Ballroom and Ballroom Garden – a beautiful, intimate space full of gorgeous detail – my second photographer, Lizzie, accompanied guests on the walk to ‘The Cells of Life’ for group photos. At a venue as large as Jupiter Artland, a second photographer isn’t simply a nice-to-have; it’s something I’d genuinely recommend.
‘The Cells of Life’ are extraordinary. As a photography backdrop, they are genuinely unlike anything else, with those spectacular terraced hills and lakes that seem to appear out of nowhere. But they are a good 10-15 minutes’ walk from the Glasshouse, along woodland paths that are uneven underfoot, so getting 68 guests there and back again took considerable time.
For future couples, it’s absolutely worth thinking about whether group photos at ‘The Cells of Life’ are the right choice for your day, or whether the Ballroom Garden, which is stunning, beautifully sheltered, and just a short walk from the Glasshouse, might work better. That said, if you want a dramatic, one-of-a-kind group shot that your guests will never forget, ‘The Cells of Life’ delivers exactly that.
The Glasshouse Transformed for Dinner
By the time guests returned, the Glasshouse had been turned into a beautiful dining space with flickering candlelight, festoon lights glowing from above, and the same stunning flowers and mural creating the most incredible atmosphere.
Jupiter Artland’s private chef catered the wedding breakfast, and the whole room settled into that wonderful post-ceremony warmth – the relief, the joy, the laughter of a group of people who’ve just witnessed something really special.
Just before dinner, Noah took to the mic and delivered his speech. I will say no more, except that the cheers were the loudest of the day.
The Evening – Gates Close and the Magic Begins
At 5:30pm, the park gates closed to the public and the mood shifted.
Jupiter Artland, all 120 acres of it, was theirs.
After dinner, I took Lynne and Mark over to the Rose Walk for more couple portraits. With white roses in full bloom, those extraordinary ten-metre Gothic and Chinoiserie porticos, and the most beautiful soft evening light, it really was dreamy!
Meanwhile, back at the Glasshouse, the room was turned around one last time, to make way for dancing. Outside, the fire pit was lit, and evening guests arrived from 7:30pm in anticipation of a fun evening ahead.
The first dance, to The Smiths’ There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, was at 9:15pm, which, if I’m honest, seemed a bit late. But it did give guests plenty of time to relax, mingle, and enjoy the atmosphere. And when it finally happened, it was worth it.
One thing I will say about the Glasshouse in the late June evening is that the light is just extraordinary. Even well into the evening, that beautiful natural and ambient light meant flash was barely needed. It was a dream venue to photograph in and I could have stayed all night!
A Photographer’s Reflections – What I’d Tell Future Couples
Having now photographed the first wedding in Jupiter Artland’s new Glasshouse, here’s what I’d pass on to any couple planning their day there:
Plan for the heat in summer. The Glasshouse gets very warm on a sunny day. Welcome drinks outside before guests are seated, a bottle of water on every chair, or personalised paper fans would be a great idea to help keep everyone cool and hydrated.
Think carefully about your group photo location. While ‘The Cells of Life’ are unique, the walk takes time, especially with a large group of guests. The Ballroom Garden is a beautiful, sheltered, and much more accessible alternative that photographs wonderfully. Carefully consider your guests’ ages and mobility, and what will work best with your timeline.
Wear/bring comfy shoes. Many of the paths in the grounds are a little uneven – mostly woodland paths with some stones and exposed tree roots – so if you’d like to make the most of the park’s many stunning features and backdrops, then wear or bring some suitable shoes. And the same goes for your guests too!
Have a wet weather plan. Jupiter Artland is largely an outdoor experience, and while the Glasshouse and Ballroom provide beautiful indoor options, it’s worth having a clear plan for a rainy day, particularly for drinks receptions and group photos, especially if one space needs to be turned around for different functions.
Book a second photographer. At 120 acres, with guests and a couple potentially at opposite ends of the park at the same time, a second photographer is genuinely invaluable here. You’ll get to see what your guests were up to while you’re away for portraits, and at a venue as unique as this, those in-between moments will add a lovely dimension to your gallery.
Make the most of the day after 5:30pm. Once the gates close and the park is entirely yours, the light softens, the atmosphere shifts, and Jupiter Artland feels even more magical. Build your evening timeline around this – it’s when some of the most beautiful photos happen.
Allow time. Jupiter Artland rewards a generous timeline. The more breathing space you give yourself and your guests, the more of this incredible place you and your guests will experience.
Thinking About Getting Married at Jupiter Artland?
See It For Yourself
If you’ve been inspired by Lynne and Mark’s day and want to see Jupiter Artland for yourself, you’re in luck. Jupiter Artland are hosting a Wedding Open Evening on Thursday 24th September 2026, from 5–8pm and it sounds like a wonderful evening.
You’ll be welcomed with fizz and canapés in the Glasshouse, sourdough pizza in the Woodland Dining area, and sweet treats by the Gateway Pool. There are guided wedding tours at 5:30pm, 6:30pm and 7:30pm, with the venue’s wedding planners on hand to answer questions and help you start imagining your own day there.
Book your free tickets here →
Are You Planning a Wedding at Jupiter Artland?
I am absolutely thrilled to be a recommended wedding photographer at Jupiter Artland, and having photographed the first ever wedding in the new Glasshouse, I know this venue and its possibilities intimately.
If you’re planning your wedding there and would love to work with a photographer who knows the light, the spaces, the hidden corners, and the logistics, I would absolutely love to hear from you. Get in touch →
You might also like to read my full photographer’s guide to Jupiter Artland as a wedding venue: What Makes Jupiter Artland a Unique Edinburgh Wedding Venue →
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A BIG thank you to every supplier who made this day so special:
Venue: Jupiter Artland | Assistant Photographer: Lizzie Thurgood Photography | Celebrant: Margaret Gibson | Hair: Danie Carey | Makeup: Nicci Weston | Flowers – The Daisy Chain, Pencaitland | Caterers: Jupiter Artland (Private Chef) | Bride’s Dress: Rish Bridal | Seamstress: Just Sew | Groom’s Kilt: R&I West Donald Kit Hire | Rings: Jewellery by design Linlithgow and The Ouze Jewellers | Stationery: We Are Seven Three | DJ: Edinburgh DJ Hire | Other Music: The Edinburgh String Quartet
