Rhona & Ciaran · The Barras · 3 April 2026

BAaD Glasgow Wedding Photographer

A relaxed city wedding at Barras Art and Design, known as BAaD, in Glasgow’s East End — with colourful streets, lovely people and a proper party.

I had seen Rhona and Ciaran as guests at so many weddings that photographing their own felt like catching up with friends. They chose BAaD Glasgow for a small, personal ceremony, a relaxed meal with their closest people and a much bigger party later. Add their dog as ring bearer, portraits around the Barras and an unforgettable best man’s speech, and you have some day.

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Words and photographs by John Clark

Rhona and Ciaran beneath her flowing veil outside the McIver's building in the Barras.

Rhona’s wedding morning

Rhona looked incredible. Her dress from Odd Muse London, the draped back, the veil and those bright flowers from Hey Bud suited her perfectly. Erin Mooney and Laura’s Glasgow were on the morning team, with I Do Content Creations capturing the day too.

There were cards to read, plenty of laughs and lovely hugs when her family saw her ready. I always want these photographs to feel like the morning itself, with time for the little reactions between the bigger moments.

Rhona's engagement ring resting on a wedding morning card.
Rhona reading a card during her wedding morning preparations.
Rhona laughing with her make-up artist while getting ready.
Rhona checking her lipstick in a mirror.
Rhona coming downstairs in her wedding dress for a first look.
Rhona sharing a hug with her dad before the ceremony.
Rhona embracing her mum on her wedding morning.

A ceremony with their favourite people

A bit of Glasgow rain greeted the arrival, but inside BAaD Glasgow it was all warmth and smiles. Their friend Clare led a lovely ceremony with personal vows that really sounded like them.

The dog had an important job as ring bearer and, judging by the greeting in the aisle, was a very welcome part of the wedding party. With just their closest people around them, the ceremony felt relaxed and full of affection. Rings, a quaich, a kiss and plenty of laughter: a lovely way to become husband and wife.

Rhona arriving at BAaD beneath an umbrella.
The couple's dog wearing a bow tie for the wedding.
Rhona kneeling to greet the dog in the wedding aisle.
Rhona and Ciaran listening during their ceremony at BAaD.
A guest smiling during the wedding ceremony.
Rhona and Ciaran exchanging rings at BAaD.
The couple laughing during the quaich ceremony.
Rhona and Ciaran sharing their first kiss.
The newlyweds with their dog after the ceremony.

A small wedding with a big heart

Afterwards, it was champagne, hugs and a few photographs with everyone together. An intimate guest list gives you time to enjoy the people who are there, and Rhona and Ciaran made the most of it.

The glass roof brings beautiful natural light into BAaD Glasgow, while the mezzanine and open interior give us different views of the celebrations. Jess and the team looked after the day brilliantly, keeping the relaxed atmosphere without anything feeling overlooked.

Rhona and Ciaran raising a champagne toast.
Rhona greeting a guest with a hug after the ceremony.
Ciaran sharing a handshake with a friend.
The couple celebrating with their intimate wedding party inside BAaD.
Rhona and Ciaran kissing as confetti falls around them.
Rhona with her bridesmaids in pink dresses.

Wedding portraits in the Barras

This is such a good part of Glasgow for wedding photographs. We had the character of BAaD Glasgow itself, the Barras arch, painted shutters, street art and the familiar McIver’s frontage all close by. There is colour and texture everywhere.

Rhona and Ciaran were up for a laugh, which made the portraits feel completely like them. We wandered, found a reflection in a puddle, brought out the sunglasses and let the veil catch the air. A city wedding gives you room to do something a little different, and these two made it their own.

Rhona and Ciaran beneath the glass roof and mezzanine at BAaD Glasgow.
The couple reflected in a puddle outside McIver's in the Barras.
Rhona and Ciaran walking past the colourful Square Yard frontage.
The newlyweds walking past street art near BAaD.
Ciaran lifting Rhona in front of colourful graffiti.
Rhona raising her arms during relaxed portraits in the Barras.
A wide view of Rhona and Ciaran beneath the Barras arch.
The couple together beside a photobooth at BAaD.
The draped back of Rhona's wedding dress.

Speeches worth waiting for

They saved the speeches until later, once more of their friends had joined the celebrations. Aiden absolutely delivered with his best man’s speech. You can see the result in the photographs: heads thrown back, hands over faces and people trying to recover from the last joke.

These are some of my favourite moments to photograph. You know something has landed when the laughter spreads across the whole room. There were emotional moments too, and a crowd of familiar faces making it all feel very personal.

Ciaran speaking to the guests at the wedding reception.
A guest laughing heartily during the wedding speeches.
Rhona and Ciaran laughing together during the speeches.
Guests laughing together around a reception table.
A guest in a sage dress reacting to the speeches.
A bridesmaid laughing during the wedding reception.
A bridesmaid wiping away a happy tear.
Guests in colourful outfits enjoying the wedding reception.
A guest raising a glass to toast the newlyweds.
A guest laughing during the evening celebrations.

From the first dance to the Barrowland lights

The Trueloves brought the music, and the evening quickly turned into the party Rhona and Ciaran had planned. It was lovely seeing the smaller daytime celebration grow into a room full of friends.

Later, Rhona changed into her evening outfit and we slipped outside for a few photographs beneath the Barrowland lights. Glasgow after dark gave us a completely different finish to the story. What a day, you two. Thank you for having me there.

Rhona and Ciaran's first dance beneath BAaD's glass atrium.
An elevated view of the first dance with the band on stage.
Friends dancing in a circle during the wedding party.
A guest dancing and pointing towards the camera.
Guests laughing with flowers tucked behind their ears.
Rhona and Ciaran kissing beneath the glowing Barrowland sign.
The couple walking through Glasgow at night in their evening outfits.
Rhona and Ciaran looking at one another on their evening walk.

Planning your photographs at BAaD Glasgow

If you want a wedding with personality, BAaD Glasgow is a brilliant choice. The natural light, flexible spaces and location in the heart of the Barras work beautifully for a relaxed celebration, whether your plans start small or go straight into a big party.

My approach is to photograph the people, the atmosphere and the moments as they happen, with a little time for portraits that feel like you. Tell me about your plans and we can work out how to make the most of your day.

The Barras streets and shutters are part of the character here, so I would build in a short wander for portraits rather than a long journey across Glasgow. We can choose our route around the weather, available light and what is happening in the streets that day.

For an autumn or winter wedding, it is worth talking through the ceremony time and sunset before setting the schedule. Daylight portraits and photographs under the Barrowland lights have very different moods, and the gallery shows how both can fit into the same celebration.

The wedding team