A painterly, story-led approach to weddings in Scotland’s heritage settings.
Penicuik House, near Edinburgh, Scotland, holds a particular kind of presence. There is scale, certainly — but more than that, a quietness to the way it is experienced.
History lives alongside timeless modern styling. Spaces feel inviting rather than imposing. It is a place that invites a slower, more considered way of being within it.
INSPIRED begins here.
INSPIRED
One word kept returning as this series took shape — painterly.
Not in a purely aesthetic sense, but in the way something is felt as much as it is seen. Soft, layered, intuitive. A way of working with light, space and people that is instinctive rather than constructed.
For a long time, I described my work as fine art. There is a delicacy to the images, yes — but also something more grounded, more human. A sensitivity to people, to atmosphere, to what is actually unfolding in front of me.
This is where story-led began to feel more accurate. Not in a narrative sense alone, but in the way a wedding is experienced — the emotional undercurrent of a day, the quiet moments between the more visible ones, the feeling of being there rather than simply observing it.
For most of my career, I chose to work exclusively with real weddings. That was important to me. The work needed to be honest — something that holds people as they are, rather than something they feel they need to step into.
Story, Atmosphere, and What Holds
INSPIRED came from a desire to explore that same honesty in a different way.
It is not separate from my work, but an extension of it — shaped by years of experience, instinct, and a way of seeing that has always been there. The difference here is simply the space to draw it out more fully, within environments that invite it.
There is design, and it is thoughtful — the work of incredibly talented artists whose instinct is to add depth and feeling. It never feels separate from the setting, but sits within it, in conversation with the space, the light, and the atmosphere already present. And the couple within this first chapter were a real engaged couple.
This is not about producing content, or creating something to be consumed quickly and moved past.
It is slower. More considered. Something to be experienced, rather than simply observed.
Rooted in relationships — with the spaces themselves, with the artists involved, and with the couples whose weddings will unfold within them.
Where Setting and Experience Become One
What is created here is not an idea of a wedding, but something that holds weight. Something that reflects how these places are lived in, how they feel, and what they allow.
Scotland lends itself naturally to this. There is a warmth here, a depth, a sense of history that is lived-in rather than displayed. The spaces themselves hold atmosphere — a presence that invites careful, considered design that reflects the couple, whilst honouring the story of the setting.
This series is a way of spending time within those spaces. Of working alongside people whose work I genuinely admire, and of offering something to couples — not as instruction, but as a feeling.
Not what a wedding should look like, but what it can feel like.
Penicuik House
Set just outside Edinburgh, Penicuik Estate has quickly become one of the most sought-after private estate wedding venues in Scotland.
Following extensive restoration, with interior design by Kate French, the house offers a rare balance of architectural scale and quiet refinement — expansive in its proportions, yet calm and considered in how it is experienced. The interiors are filled with natural light, with each room holding its own sense of character while remaining cohesive as a whole.
For couples planning a destination wedding in Scotland, its location offers both ease and immersion. Close enough to Edinburgh for accessibility, yet entirely removed once you arrive, the estate provides a sense of privacy that allows a wedding to unfold without interruption — held within landscape, history and space.
It is also a venue that moves beautifully through the seasons. From soft, light-filled spring and summer gatherings to the depth and intimacy of autumn and winter celebrations, the house adapts naturally — offering both expansive outdoor settings and richly atmospheric interiors. The recent addition of the glasshouse orangery within the former rose garden adds another dimension to how the space can be experienced.
This chapter of INSPIRED was captured in January, allowing space for a quieter, more intimate atmosphere — one shaped by winter light, early dusk, and the warmth of candlelit interiors.
All images © Jill Cherry Porter 2026
An Ongoing Series Across Scotland’s Storied Spaces
INSPIRED will continue to unfold across a number of Scotland’s most storied settings, each one offering its own interpretation of atmosphere, light and place.
It is a body of work I’m looking forward to witnessing unfold over time — returning to these spaces not only to create, but to experience how they are lived in through real celebrations.
Penicuik House marks the beginning of that process, and a place I look forward to returning to with couples in the seasons ahead.
This chapter was recently featured on leading US wedding platform, Loverly, in a piece titled “Where History Whispers: A Refined Vision at Penicuik House.”
The Creative Team
Planning & Creative Direction: Jill Cherry Porter
Photography: Jill Cherry Porter
Planning Support: Emma Matthews, Timeless White Wedding Planning
Floral Concept & Design: Jill Alexander of The Little Flower Atelier
Bespoke Bridal Couture: Emma Beaumont Bespoke Bridalwear
Hair & Makeup: Melanie Herriot
Cake Design: Denise Lai, YiShi Cake
Stationery: Fiona, Ruby & Bloom Paper Company
Film: Olive & Thistle Wedding Films
Linens: Château Noir Event Hire Luxury Linen & Tableware Hire UK
Tableware: Splendid Hire Luxury Linen & Tableware Hire Edinburgh Scotland
Evening Chairs: Virginia’s Furniture Hire Scotland
If you are planning a wedding at Penicuik House, I would love to hear more about your plans.
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