Living in Scotland there’s no shortage of amazing wedding venues, but I’ve got to admit that The Den at Culross is a real favourite of mine. And not just because it’s only 15 minutes from my house! Think festoon lighting, amazing views and even a kennel so your dog can stay with you too. Perfection!
The Den at Culross feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rolling fields and beautiful countryside, and yet it’s less than 30 minutes from Stirling and under an hour from Edinburgh. Situated on a family run farm in Fife, the barns and outbuildings were carefully converted over a number of years. It was a real labour of love and they officially opened the venue in October 2019. It was a huge renovation project but so worth it. It may have only been open for a few years but The Den at Culross has really made a name for itself within the Scottish wedding industry already.
Couples can spend the entire wedding day at The Den at Culross, from morning preparations right through to the party. There’s accommodation onsite in the 4 star luxury farm cottage which sleeps up to 6 people. Locally there is no shortage of places to stay, from hotels to AirBnBs and self catering cottages.
I love wedding venues that couples can really make their own. The Den at Culross is a perfect example of “a blank canvas” and is available for three day hires for weddings. This includes a setup day – allowing couples and their suppliers plenty of time for decorating and to create their own unique space. Of course, the next day is the wedding day and the third and final day of hire is to allow couples and their guests time to tidy up (& nurse those hangovers)!
Morning preparations can take place either in the Farm Cottage which is lovely and spacious or in The Loft, a cosy space just above the Courtyard. There’s a choice of three spaces for your wedding ceremony – all different and all fab in their own way. When the weather plays ball (and we’re in Scotland so we always keep our fingers very firmly crossed that the weather will be on our side!) outdoor ceremonies can be held in The Courtyard, surrounded by the original farm steading features. There are also two indoor ceremony options – The Byre with its original features and sandstone walls or The Barn which is perfect for large weddings as it can hold up to 250 guests.
The Byre and The Courtyard are beautiful and great spaces to hold a drinks reception before the action moves into The Barn for dinner and the evening party. The Barn has a real rustic charm, with fairy lights and original features including old cattle troughs. I love the little chill out space for guests who aren’t busy tearing up the dancefloor!
I love photographing weddings at The Den at Culross and my relaxed, candid and very natural style of photography fits in perfectly with the rustic, chilled out vibes of the venue.
The outdoor space is perfect for guests to mingle and take in the views, and is ideal for capturing photos of everyone having a brilliant time. There are so many amazing options for portraits. The surrounding area is beautiful from the surrounding fields to nearby beaches and the quaint village of Culross which is less than a mile away. Now, Culross is a bit of a celebrity in its own right. Officially known as The Royal Burgh of Culross it belongs to National Trust Scotland and is the most complete example of a 17th and 18th century burgh. You’ll probably recognise Culross from its many appearances on TV, including lots of episodes of Outlander! With cobbled streets, winding lanes and pretty whitewashed houses it’s super romantic and I love taking couples there for portraits.
Finally – and, in my opinion most importantly – The Den at Culross is dog friendly. Yes, your faithful friend can join you on your wedding day. The farm cottage has a kennel so your pup can stay safe, happy and away from the chaos of a wedding day whilst still being able to join you for some photos. They really are one of the family so it wouldn’t be a wedding without them there would it!
If you’re getting married in Fife then I really recommend taking a look at The Den at Culross, especially if you’re looking for a wedding venue with rustic charm and a really homely feel.
If you’re planning a wedding at The Den at Culross, I’d love to chat to you about your wedding photography. Please get in touch and tell me all about your plans!