A Stylish and Alternative Wedding at Lochardil House, Inverness

A black wedding dress, beautiful dark greens, bright pink flowers and a whole lot of personality. Natasha and Owen’s wedding at Lochardil House in Inverness was a wonderful reminder that the best weddings are the ones that feel completely, unapologetically you.

Discovering Lochardil House, Inverness

If you’re looking for a wedding venue in Inverness with character, history and a little Victorian charm, Lochardil House is well worth discovering.

Set in its own grounds on the outskirts of Inverness, Lochardil House is a historic Victorian mansion surrounded by mature trees and peaceful gardens. Originally built in the late 19th century, the house has a lovely sense of history, with distinctive interiors that give it plenty of personality.

It’s a venue that combines the convenience of being close to Inverness with a quieter, more secluded setting. That makes it a lovely option for couples who want to bring their friends and family together for a celebration in the Scottish Highlands without travelling too far from the city.

One of the most unusual features is the Tapestry Room, with its remarkable painted wall panels depicting the Story of Esther. These historic paintings give the room a wonderfully atmospheric feel, making it a particularly interesting space for photographs.

And that’s something I love about photographing weddings in places like Lochardil House: the character is already there. You have interesting rooms, beautiful details and little corners that can become the perfect backdrop for photographs that are a bit different from the usual wedding portraits.

Natasha and Owen: A wedding with its own personality

When I photographed Natasha and Owen’s wedding at Lochardil House, I knew this was going to be a day with a little something different about it.

First of all, let’s talk about the dress.

Natasha wore a beautiful black wedding dress, and I absolutely loved it. There’s something so striking about a bride choosing something that feels completely right for her rather than following the traditional rules. It was stylish, alternative and full of personality.

Paired with beautiful dark greens and flashes of bright pink in the flowers, the whole day had a really cool feel to it. It was romantic without being overly traditional, elegant without feeling too formal, and full of those little details that made it unmistakably Natasha and Owen’s wedding.

I love photographing couples who aren't afraid to do things a little differently. Your wedding doesn't have to look like everyone else's. You can keep the meaningful traditions, throw out the ones that don't feel like you, wear whatever makes you feel incredible and create a day that reflects the two of you.

And from a photography point of view, those personal choices make such a difference. They give your photographs character, atmosphere and a story that belongs entirely to you.

The Tapestry Room: a little bit of Morticia magic

One of my favourite things about Lochardil House is its wonderfully distinctive Tapestry Room.

With its painted historical scenes covering the walls, it's not your usual wedding backdrop. There’s something a little dramatic about it, and with Natasha's black dress, it felt like the perfect setting for some creative portraits.

A little bit Morticia, a splash of beautiful dark greens, and a whole lot of style!

This is exactly the sort of setting I love to explore as a photographer. Rather than simply finding the nearest pretty wall and asking everyone to stand in front of it, I like to look at the light, the colours, the shapes and the atmosphere of a space.

Sometimes that means creating something romantic and soft. Other times, it means leaning into the drama and making something a little more artistic.

For Natasha and Owen, the Tapestry Room was a wonderful opportunity to create photographs that felt a little different. The combination of the historic surroundings and Natasha's alternative bridal style gave the images their own distinctive look.

It's a reminder that you don't need a huge landscape or a dramatic mountain backdrop to create interesting wedding photographs. Sometimes, all you need is a characterful room, beautiful light and a couple who are happy to have a little fun.

Flowers, personal touches and the details that matter

The flowers were another lovely part of Natasha and Owen's day.

The bright pink arrangements were made by Owen's auntie, adding something personal and meaningful to the celebration. I always think there's something special about including friends and family in your wedding in this way. These aren't just beautiful details; they're part of your story.

The contrast between the flowers, the darker colours and Natasha's black dress worked beautifully together. It was a reminder that wedding colours don't have to follow a particular formula to look incredible.

And that's one of the things I hope couples take away from looking at weddings like this one. You can create a day that feels stylish and considered while still being relaxed, personal and full of the people and things you love.

There were also delicious cookies from Makes by Megs, helping to add another lovely touch to the day.

From the flowers to the little details, everything came together to create a celebration that felt thoughtful without feeling overly styled.

Natural moments, laughter and a proper celebration

Of course, a wedding isn't just about the dress, the flowers or the venue. It's about what happens between all those beautiful details.

It's the laughter, the little interactions, the moments when people forget about the camera and simply enjoy being together.

Natasha and Owen's wedding had that lovely balance of style and fun. There was time for some creative couple portraits, but there was also plenty happening around them, from the photo booth to the evening ceilidh.

And that's the sort of wedding photography I love most.

I want to give you those beautiful photographs you'll want to frame and hang on your walls, but I also want to capture the things you might not even notice happening on the day. Your friends laughing together, your family getting swept up in the celebrations, the fleeting glances and the wonderfully unexpected moments that make your wedding yours.

My approach is relaxed and natural. I'll give you a little direction when we need it, especially for portraits, but I don't want you to spend your wedding day feeling as though you're constantly performing for the camera.

You should be able to enjoy your wedding, spend time with your favourite people and get properly stuck into the celebrations.

The photographs should bring all those memories back, including the ones you didn't realise were happening at the time.

Wedding photography at Lochardil House

Lochardil House is a lovely example of why I enjoy photographing weddings in and around Inverness.

Here, you have the history and atmosphere of a Victorian house, interesting interiors and gardens that offer another setting for photographs. It's a venue that can work beautifully for couples who love a little elegance but don't necessarily want their wedding to feel too traditional.

And if you're planning a wedding at Lochardil House, my advice is simple: make the most of its character.

If you love the Tapestry Room, let's use it. If you've chosen a bold outfit, unusual flowers or details that mean something to you, let's make them part of the story. If you're happiest laughing with your friends rather than posing for hours, that's absolutely fine too.

Your wedding photographs don't have to fit into one particular style. They can be romantic, creative, documentary, artistic and a little bit alternative, all within the same gallery.

That's what I love about natural storytelling photography. It gives us room to capture both the atmosphere of the day and the little moments that make it personal.

Planning your own Inverness wedding?

If you're getting married at Lochardil House or somewhere else in the Scottish Highlands, I'd love to hear what you're planning.

Whether you're dreaming of a classic Highland celebration, an intimate wedding with your closest people, or something a little more alternative, I'm all about creating photographs that feel like you.

I'm Sarah, the photographer behind High & Wild Weddings, based in the Scottish Highlands. My style blends natural storytelling with creative, artistic portraits, capturing the real moments alongside the photographs you'll treasure for years to come.

I love couples who want to do things their own way, who care more about having an incredible day than ticking every traditional box, and who want photographs with feeling, personality and a little bit of magic.

If that sounds like you, I'd love to hear all about your plans.

Planning a wedding at Lochardil House or looking for a wedding photographer in Inverness?

Get in touch with High & Wild Weddings and let's chat about your day.

Let's make something beautiful, a little bit wild, and completely yours.