Hayley & Alex
Hayley and Alex’s wedding took place at Mount Stuart, bringing family and close friends from the United States to the Isle of Bute for a New Year’s Eve celebration. Planned during the uncertainty of lockdown, the weekend was ambitious in both scale and logistics, and shaped by Hayley’s determination to make it happen.
The planning was led by LITU (Leave It To Us), headed by Kimmie, with whom Dom has worked for many years. Although the guest numbers were relatively small, the celebration itself was expansive in feel, carefully considered from start to finish and tailored to the setting.
The New Year’s Eve celebrations began in the late afternoon, with light fading quickly across the house and grounds. Photographing the evening required careful preparation, working with additional lighting in a way that allowed events to move without pause. Mount Stuart’s distinctive interiors and eccentric character meant each part of the house offered something different, and photography adapted to those spaces rather than imposing a single approach.
Florals were by Planet Flowers, with hair and make-up by Sesh, and Dom worked alongside Joe Carter of Edinburgh Wedding Videos throughout the weekend.
Kind words from the Father of the Bride Jimmy Hodson
‘We are astonished. What an extraordinary job Dom Ibbotson did on our daughter’s wedding photos at glorious Mount Stuart. Simply incredible! We’ve been crying with delight over Dom’s brilliant eye, composition, lighting, how hard he worked, how comprehensive his coverage was, and how splendidly he captured everything. Simply the best wedding photos ever. And I must say that irrespective of anyone’s photographic talent and skill, the photographer is such an integral part of the wedding day that it behooves a family to have a friendly photographer in the mix. Dom was certainly that and a delight to have around the whole wedding weekend.
Massive kudos and thanks to Dom. I give the highest possible recommendation and can’t imagine anyone doing a better job before, during, and after our wedding.’
The Mount Stuart Experience
An Island Estate
Set on the Isle of Bute, Mount Stuart brings a strong sense of arrival, with the house and grounds shaping how the day unfolds. Time was spent understanding the estate in advance, allowing photography to respond to its scale, layout and distinctive character from the outset.
Light After Dark
With New Year’s Eve celebrations beginning at 4pm, light faded quickly and every part of the day required additional lighting. This was planned in advance, allowing photography to move continuously without pausing proceedings or drawing attention to set-ups.
Careful Coordination
Island travel and on-site movement were planned well in advance, allowing the day to progress without interruption. Dom worked closely with the couple and other suppliers to ensure photography fitted comfortably around the schedule.
Weddings at island estates often require a considered approach to planning and timing. Working across remote and coastal locations allows photography to be prepared with clarity, accounting for travel, light and changing conditions.
If you’re planning a wedding at Mount Stuart, or elsewhere on Scotland’s west coast or islands, please get in touch to discuss details and availability.
