Zainab & Kevin’s Intimate Carberry Tower Wedding | East Lothian Wedding Photography

Romance under the trees - Zainab & Kevin at the avenue of cedars.

Weddings at Carberry Tower always have a certain magic to them, but Zainab and Kevin's day felt particularly special. Maybe it was the sunshine—a rare guest at most Scottish weddings—or the quiet intimacy of their guest list, but the whole day had this relaxed, almost effortless quality to it.

Zainab and Kevin had travelled over from the United States to get married here, and as someone who grew up just across the road from Carberry Tower, it felt like a bit of a full-circle moment for me. There’s something surreal about photographing a wedding at a place you wandered past as a boy, now seeing it through the eyes of a couple experiencing it for the first time. Carberry has that effect—it draws you in with its old-world charm, and for a day, makes you feel like you’re in your own little storybook.

The day began in the library room, where Zainab got ready. If you've never seen it, picture floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and that quiet, dignified hush that only rooms filled with old books can have. It made a beautiful, calm backdrop to the start of the day. Zainab's dress was timeless—simple, elegant, and slightly regal. It suited both her and the venue perfectly.

The ceremony took place outside, beneath a flower arch, with the tower standing quietly in the background. The sun filtered through the trees, and with only about 30 guests, and Zainab's sister officiating, the whole thing felt beautifully personal. There were no distractions, just heartfelt vows and the kind of joy that doesn’t need to shout to be heard.

After the ceremony, we took a wander through the grounds for some couple portraits. Carberry Tower is tucked into this peaceful stretch of East Lothian countryside, and the avenue of cedar trees gave us the perfect mix of light, texture and atmosphere. If you’re looking for East Lothian wedding photography locations, this one’s hard to beat. Shooting under those trees felt almost cinematic, but without trying too hard. That’s one of the things I love most about Carberry—you don’t need to force anything. The setting does a lot of the heavy lifting, and the rest is just letting couples be themselves.

Dinner that evening was held indoors, by candlelight. It was warm, intimate, and full of laughter. There was a sense of ease in the room, like everyone could finally exhale and just enjoy being there. It reminded me of why I love photographing smaller weddings: you get to witness all the little moments that might get lost in the scale of a larger day.

One of the standout things for me, aside from how genuine and lovely Zainab and Kevin were, was how welcoming the Carberry Tower staff are. It still feels like a home, not just a venue. You step onto the grounds and the rest of the world fades out for a while. I might be biased, but as a wedding photographer in East Lothian, it’s one of those places I’ll always love coming back to.

Photographing this wedding wasn’t just about capturing a beautiful day—though it absolutely was that. It felt like capturing a kind of joy that thrives in quiet moments—the kind that doesn’t rely on a big audience to feel meaningful, and I feel the photos reflect that. Zainab and Kevin chose a venue that matched the tone of their relationship: calm, elegant, and full of warmth. I’m so glad I got to be a part of it.

If you're planning your own wedding in East Lothian or looking for Edinburgh wedding photography or even East Lothian wedding videography, Carberry Tower is well worth a look. And if you’re after relaxed, storytelling-style photography with a cinematic edge—well, you know where to find me.