Set within open East Lothian countryside, John Muir Tipis offers a wedding experience that is relaxed, creative, and deeply connected to the outdoors. Rather than a fixed building, it provides a flexible canvas where couples can shape the day around their own ideas, rhythms, and priorities. The result is a wedding that feels informal yet intentional, with nature playing an active role rather than serving as a distant backdrop.

The tipis themselves create a striking focal point. Tall wooden poles, sweeping canvas, and a central fire give the space warmth and character, while remaining adaptable to different styles of celebration. From a photographic perspective, this combination works beautifully. Natural light filters softly through the canvas during the day, while evenings are defined by firelight, festoon lighting, and a gentle glow that creates images full of atmosphere and intimacy. The space encourages movement and gathering rather than fixed seating and rigid structure.

One of the great strengths of John Muir Tipis is the sense of freedom it allows. Ceremonies can take place outdoors, surrounded by open skies and landscape, before flowing naturally into dining, conversation, and dancing within the tipis. This fluidity removes the usual boundaries between parts of the day, helping moments unfold organically. Weddings here tend to feel unhurried, with guests settling into the environment rather than watching the clock.

The surrounding setting is integral to the experience. Open fields and big skies provide room to breathe, both visually and emotionally. Portraits often feel reflective and grounded, shaped by walking, pausing, and conversation rather than formal posing. Even brief moments away from the main gathering can produce images that feel expansive and calm, offering contrast to the warmth and energy inside the tipis.



Having photographed weddings at John Muir Tipis, I understand how to work with changing light, weather, and pace. Outdoor weddings demand flexibility and attentiveness, and this venue rewards a photographer who observes rather than directs. My approach as Lee Live: Wedding Photographer is to let the day find its own rhythm, capturing the connections, movement, and quiet moments that make these celebrations feel personal, expressive, and genuinely alive.