Scotland Wedding: Lochside House Hotel, Ayrshire

I was very excited when Claire and Mick suggested we meet at their wedding venue for their engagement session. Lochside House Hotel didn't disappoint as we looked round the old and the new and explored its shapes and lush green gardens.

It's hard to believe that the morning of Claire and Mick's wedding included heavy relentless rain, a sight that must fill any couple with dread as they look out their window! But in my experience, it's never worth worrying about the weather as in Scotland, it can change so quickly. And change it most definitely did. The afternoon dried up and then into the evening we were blessed with the most idyllic of sunsets at the back of the hotel. Perfect.

Lochside House has an amazing ceremony room with a huge window at one end that overlooks the loch. The light coming in that window is perfect for a ceremony, lighting up everyones faces on the front row. And as far as candids of everybody enjoying themselves, there are so many open spaces for guests to relax and have a drink, both inside and out. And what with the weather drying up, everybody were out on the patio area.

Always a decision made towards the end of a wedding day is whether or not it's worth venturing out for another shoot. With the help of a handy app, I knew exactly where and when the sun would be setting. So I had a quick scout about and worked out a tiny spot where it would be ideal to take Claire and Mick. I had about a 15 minute window of it being that lovely golden light and then the sun disappearing behind the horizon. A quick word with Claire and Mick and I soon had them outside and exactly where I wanted them. What happened next was the most amazing of sunsets. And not only that, a murmaration of starlings was taking place as I willed them to fly over Claire and Mick, they didn't disappoint! And finally, once the sun had disappeared, we were presented with a perfect blue/orange sky with the moon making an appearance. Wow wow wow!

Here's a small selection from Claire and Mick's beautiful wedding day.

The amazing team behind Claire and Mick's Wedding:

Flowers: Murray's Florist
Dress: Anne Priscilla Bridal
Band: Revolution 7
Cake: Sugar and Spice
Event Decor: Cover the Big Day
Videographer: Showreel Media

Scotland Wedding: Lochgreen House Hotel, Ayrshire

When you have an absolutely amazing time with a couple on their engagement session, they're up for pretty much anything on their wedding day and it turns out to be one of the hottest days of the year, you know you're on to a winner!

Laura and Dave were married at St Patrick's Church in Greenock before travelling down to Lochgreen House Hotel in Troon. And it really couldn't have been a nicer day weather wise - pure blue skies, sunshine and temperatures to match.

Laura and Dave were incredibly relaxed, taking their wedding in their stride. The cool cats! Great atmosphere in the morning which carried through the entire day. 

I'm always keen to do something different at a venue so I decided to take them into the woods opposite the hotel building. Of course, I still used the band stand and the venue with its red roof as a back drop is a no brainer really. But it's always nice to try and create something a bit different and we were rewarded with some dappled light shining through the tree canopies, happy days.

Laura and Dave had the most incredible team of people who worked behind the scenes, see the bottom of this post for links and make sure you check them out! For now, here are a selection of images that will tell the story of their amazing day!

The amazing team behind Laura and Dave's wedding:

Second Photographer: Heather Johnston Photography
Band: Daytura
Flowers: Studio Flowers
Videographer: CF Productions
Wedding Dress: Vintage Bridal Couture
Makeup: Ana Inga
Hair: Lana at Cameo Bridal Styling
 

Scotland Wedding: The Barn at Dalduff Farm

This was one of the most delightful weddings to photograph as it combined rustic with pure and simple style! Plus I got to work with lots of my friends from Braw Brides (links at the bottom).

Spending the day with their closest friends and family was the most important thing for Anne and Dave. The sheer effort they went to as well to fill Dalduff with the most intricate details, from signage to things on the tables, they literally thought of everything.

Anne and Dave put their complete trust in me which meant I could be a little creative. I worked out where and when the sun was going to set. To make the most of it, we needed to delay the speeches by 25 minutes. A quick discussion with Anne, Dave and the venue resulted in a fantastic early evening shoot in a barley field. Love it when a plan comes together.

Here is a small selection of images that tell Anne and Dave's Dalduff wedding story! Enjoy.

Some awesome people involved in this wedding who you will want to check out!

Second Photographer: Sarah at Joy Story
Dress: Wendy at Flossy & Dossy
Flowers: Emma at Betty Bluebell
Stationary & leather jacket detailing: Claire at Daisy Bisley
Hair: Gillian at Pin Up Hair Glasgow
Make Up: Cat Robertson
Video: James at Strangeworx
Event Styling: Blue Parrot Company
Venue: Dalduff Farm
Humanist Celebrant: Sandy Geddes

Teaser Slideshow:

2016: A year of wedding photography in Scotland

2016 has, quite simply, been off the scale. I spent a good few hours today going through each and every wedding I've photographed this year and I became emotionally involved all over again. I witnessed so much love and laughter and oh so many friendships. I heard beautiful stories about the lives of people I barely knew. I laughed and I cried many times. My heart overwhelmed with emotion. And best of all, I get to stand there and capture those very moments. Because I'm not just a photographer, I'm a human being and it's impossible for your fabulous days not to affect me.

I have been incredibly lucky to have joined so many of you at some of the most beautiful places across Scotland including Kinkell Byre, Kirknewton Stables, Glenfinnan House Hotel, Killearn Village Hall, Ardoch, Aberdour Castle, Loch Lomond Arms Hotel, Pollokshields Burgh Hall, Solsgirth House, Doune Castle and many more.

Thank you so much to all my brides and grooms for letting me into your lives to capture your amazing days, for believing in me and for giving me so much to capture to enable me to tell your stories.

I give you a glimpse of what 2016 looked like from where I was standing.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Scotland Wedding, Kinkell Byre, St Andrews

A wedding sneak peek from a wonderful wedding full of joy and happiness in the most beautiful location, Kinkell Byre. Wow, wow and wow some more.

A huge thank you to Karen and Craig for being so utterly awesome and for having me along to capture their fabulous wedding day. And thank you to Kristin from Struve Photography for being my second shooter.