Laura & Alan's Wedding at Oran Mor
Laura came to me through a mutual friend; the best kind of referral. I was even more delighted when I met her and discovered that she was absolutely gorgeous! She told me she was getting married at Oran Mor where I waitressed there when I was still studying so I knew the venue well. The auditorium is a dream wedding venue with celestial ceiling mural by Alasdair Gray one of Scotland’s largest pieces of public art and grand stained glass windows as it once was a church and is now a venue containing restaurants, bars and nightclub.
I photographed their pre-wedding shoot at the university a few months back - you can see the results here...
I didn't know Laura but I soon came to know that she is highly organised! I was extremely impressed at her attention to detail - a good sign that a wedding is going to run smoothly - and it did. I met up with the bridal party at One Devonshire Gardens, one of my favourite hotels in Glasgow where the girls were getting ready and then headed onto the very intimate ceremony held up in the gallery in the uppermost point of Oran Mor, accompanied byApollo String Quartet. Afterwards we risked the rain and headed out to the botanic gardens but were hampered by a massive downpour and had to hid in the glass houses - along with the rest of the tourists.
Back at Oran Mor all the evening guests were arriving for the meal. There were some wonderful speeches, particularly from Rosaria, Laura's best friend and maid of honour who spoke so dearly of her friend. Laura is truly one of those people who is both beautiful on the outside and on the inside - her friends were testament to her kindness but so too were all the personal touches at the wedding; the thank you cards, the roses for the guests, the basket of useful things in the bathroom.
Towards the end of the evening we were treated to a line up of Laura's talented musical friends including Rosaria who belted out some awesome opera. It was all such a wonderful day - the type of wedding I left thinking I wouldn't have minded being a guest.
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Rosie and Brad's Somerset Wedding
Rosie and I have been friends from when we were about 13 and I arrived at her school in the middle of the second year. Everyone else had already found their friends and I was all gangly and shy and awkward. She took me under her wing and became my best friend. We both ended up going to university in York; she to study philosophy, politics and economics and me to study english and history of art. In the first year we lived together, partied together and rowed together - getting up at the crack of dawn to hit the river. We've always stayed in touch but our lives took very different directions as we got older. Whilst I headed for London for a somewhat frivolous career in marketing and events, travelling around the world putting on parties and encouraging people to drink more of my client's brands, she took a more serious direction into the RAF and our meetings became less.
But she has always been a true friend and it made me so happy to be able to photograph her wedding to Brad (whom she met in the RAF eight years ago) as they were married in Somerset at St Peter's Church, between their new home in Pylle and her family home in Barton. The sword party as they exited the church was pretty exciting - I've not photographed one before - the men were super handsome in their uniforms.
The reception was back at their home - a newly extended farm cottage with a field for her horse, and chickens in the garden. The marquee was beautifully decked out and the surprise show was Morris Dancers (very west country!) who entertained the guests who had to huddle in the marquee away from the rather extreme winds and then torrential rain than let loose after the ceremony.
I was rather lucky to have my partner Christian second shooting with me for part of the day - we've recently started doing more work together and it's really quite exciting to see how complementary our styles are....
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Flowers by Mundy's Florist
See the full link to the gallery here. Password is Brad's surname.
Kate + Alex's outdoor island wedding on Arran
Having holidayed on Arran for many years with her parents owning a holiday cottage there, getting married on the island was an obvious choice for Kate. Bravely they made the decision to do the ceremony outside and whilst England was enjoying the jubilee in torrential rain and wind, Arran awoke to calm seas (thankfully as I was on the first morning ferry - the ferry takes 30 minutes from Ardrossan) and sunshine breaking through. I was blown away when I saw the location for the ceremony - the walled garden sits at the foot of Brodick Castle which is perched on the hillside overlooking the sea. steeply sloped a pathway ran from the castle down through the garden to the foot of the hill where a stone circle with rambling roses surrounded a sundial.
Kate arrived and was led by her father for the long walk through the gardens watched all the way by Alex (secretly praying she wouldn't trip on the steep path!) It was a stunning site and by far the most dramatic entrance I've seen at a wedding. The ceremony took place within the circle with the guests standing in a tight circle which made the whole ceremony feel incredibly intimate.
After the ceremony they had afternoon tea and champagne on the lawn then headed back to Auchrannie House Hotel for the reception.
Kate and her bridesmaids got ready at Orwin Cottage and Alex got ready at Rowanbank Cottage. I stayed at The Glenartney guesthouse on Arran and Burnfoot House in Ardrossan the night before.
You can view the whole gallery here. Password is Guinan.
Nick + Pip's West Country Wedding
It gets a little difficult to take pictures when you are wiping an emotional tear or two away but that's what I've undertaken the past few weekends when a couple of dear friends have finally tied the knot (although not to each other...). I met Nick about 6 years ago and have many happy memories that this blog doesn't have room (or licence) for. I was so excited that he asked me to photograph the wedding - I hadn't even met his fiancé at this point as it had all been a rather whirlwind affair starting on the dance floors of the London Scottish reeling clubs. I was utterly charmed when I met Pip - she lights up the room with a smile that seems unending. And that smile, along with Nick's stayed firmly put from the moment I arrived at her mother's house in Tisbury to the final twirls on the dance floor back at Nick's beautiful family home at Milton on Stour.
The ceremony took place at the spectacular Palladian style New Wardour Castle which discretely houses a rather grand and cavernous Roman Catholic chapel.
After the ceremony the guests went on ahead Nick and Pip had some time together with me for photos and then a leisurely drive back to the house, after a quick champagne stop, where the guests were waiting for the car to pull in and shower them with confetti. With the sun out everyone was able to mingle on the lawn over champagne and canapés for a couple of hours before heading into the marquee as the sun dropped. The speeches were, and I know I am biased but, nothing short of excellent. Heartfelt, honest, funny and utterly endearing. Cue more tears...
The full album of images with all the guest pictures are here. The password is Mason.
I can't wait to see the new Mr and Mrs Mason back in London very soon xxx
Paul + Teresa's Wedding in Greenwich
I had never been to Greenwich before so I was actually quite stunned by the grandeur of Old Royal Naval College, Wren's 'twinned-domed riverside masterpiece'. One of the aspects of wedding photography I love is the exploration of such fascinating buildings all around the country from castles in Scotland to Oast houses in Surrey. Paul and Teresa live in Greenwich so were keen to keep the wedding local, with Teresa's family coming in from Ireland. The wedding took place 5 minutes walk away at Our Ladye of the Sea on Crooms Hill and after the ceremony all the guests were able to walk back through Greenwich Park to enjoy some champagne outside and within the colonnades.
The meal was served in The Queen Mary Undercroft with it's high vaulted ceilings. It was a thoroughly lovely day and a charming couple who were so wonderfully relaxed throughout.
You can view the full album from this wedding and purchase prints here. The password is Paul's surname.
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Dress: Johanna Hehir London
Catering: Leith's
Flowers: Manchesters
Simon + Tanja's Wedding in Aviemore
Aviemore holds a very special place in my heart and I have been going up there for many years so I'm always happy to have a reason to make the 10 hour journey up there to stay with my good friends the Micklethwaits who own and run Inshriach House and Estate. Simon and Tanja made the move 18 months ago from London life to take over Simon's family business to become the third generation to run Pinebank Chalets, turning their life from the daily commute to daily snowboarding.
The wedding took place at the idyllic St John's the Baptist Church, Rothiemurchus. Tanja and the bridal party got ready at the Highlands Hotel and arrived in a 1964 Humber Sceptre MK 1 courtesy of Ross at The Dell of Abernethy and Morris Minor white Cabriolet from Bygone Drives. As they arrived a handful of snow fell - it was all very pretty and romantic.
You can view the full gallery of images and purchase prints here. The password is Pinebanks.
Credits:
Food by Good Highland Food. We ate roasted red pepper, sweet potato, chilli and coconut soup with oak bury crusty organic bread followed by rare roast fillet of Caithness beef with red wine jus, fondant potatoes and parcels of fine beans and Morayshire carrots. To finish we had panna cotta with a strawberry compote and homemade shortbread.
Flowers by Country Harvest, Kingussie
Dress by Dress 2 Impress, Inverness by San Patrick
Shoes by Irregular Choice
Tipis by Highland Tipis
Hair by The Retreat, Aviemore
Make-up by Kate Higham
Ale by Cairngorm Breweries
Djs were Owen and Gordie from The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore
Katie + James' Wedding at Swallows Oast, Ticehurst
I first met James nearly two years ago in Glasgow when I was photographing a wedding for Amanda and John. He hadn't even proposed by that point but I'm delighted that he and Katie had already decided that they were going to use me as soon as they were engaged! After a lovely engagement shoot in Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells near their home I was really excited about the wedding which was taking place in the gorgeous main barn of Swallows Oast. Despite driving down from London in hammering rain, as soon as I arrived at Katie's parent's house the sun came out and stayed out all day, although too late to go ahead with the ceremony outside. It felt like a summers evening as after the meal everyone gathered outside to throw confetti and for katie to toss the bouquet to the usual female excitement and male nervousness!
Make- up by Caroline at Powder & Glow
Flowers by Bespoke Floral Designs.
The food was provided by Capers Catering provided the meal which was finished off with a dramatic, sparkling (literally), profiterole pyramid.
You can view the whole wedding album and purchase images here. The password is James' surname.
And lastly a warm thanks to Amanda and John whose wedding I photographed in Glasgow nearly two years ago on the same day as the World Bag Pipe Championships, which was taking place in the park opposite! They did a beautiful reading for Katie and James and it was wonderful to see them again.
Claire + Lee's Wedding at The Barn at Bury Court
Only six months ago I photographed Katie and Alex for their engagement shoot and then their wedding at Great Fosters, and last month I had the opportunity to photograph Katie's sister Claire at her wedding to Lee. I'm quite disappointed that there are only two Lee sisters in the family as both weddings have been an absolute delight to photograph - obviously they are beautiful girls; but they also have a great style and taste. The venue for this wedding was The Barn at Bury Court in lovely leafy Hampshire, just down the road from my parents. The rape fields were in full yellow blossom, there were horses in the fields next door and the church was picturesque. The morning started grey and we had heavy showers throughout the day, but when the sun did break through it was glorious and there was lots of time for the guests to enjoy the fabulous grounds.
By the time I had arrived in the morning the grand main hall was already dressed. Claire has such amazing eye for detail and had put so much time and effort into every little detail which were all deeply personal to them as a couple. Every part of the day was touched by her creativity, generosity and joy and I am very grateful to have been a part of this lovely family's life again.
Claire was so relaxed all morning and even the rain didn't faze her. It helped that she had such a great bridal party who kept the fun and laughter going throughout - Claire gave them each gifts from from Westwood Rocks, which along with the heartfelt messages in the cards brought a few tears.
Claire and her bridesmaids had use of The Oast Cottage on the grounds to get ready in which overlooked the gardens. They had their hair done by their friend Catlin and make up by Christina Panzini. Her dress was by Alfred Sung which she personalised with belt and straps herself. Both the shoes and jewellery were from Mamfii Bridal.
The very natural English garden flowers were by The Lavender Hill Company.
The fantastically creative food was by Jacaranda Catering and we ate tomato tarte tatin with rocket pesto, caramel goats cheese and wild rocket salad followed by butterfly lamb and for desert fresh berry and elderflower jelly with lemon posset, crushed meringue and vanilla ice cream or millionaires chocolate shortbread pudding. AMAZING! (I'm so lucky I usually get to eat the wedding meal - massive perk of the job)
I was delighted to be working with Dan the videographer of From the Hip who also shot Katie's wedding. Later in the evening Coco Photobooths set up a brilliant photo booth.
You can view the whole album from this wedding, and purchase prints here. The password is Lee's surname.
Jess & Adam's Winter Wedding at Bath Abbey
The first wedding of this season fell very early this year - on January 14th in fact, only one day after I returned from my yoga retreat in Morocco. But it was from one winter sunshine to another as Bath was bathed in gorgeous frosty sunlight on the morning of the wedding. The early drive there was quite spectacular with the sun rising up over the bare trees and a white covering across the hills. It took my breath away and had me smiling in anticipation of what I knew was going to be a beautiful wedding at the majestic Bath Abbey.
I remembered Jess from the wedding of my friends' Tom and Emily - she had sung so beautifully for them, and now, two years later she contacted me to photograph her wedding after seeing some shots I had taken at their wedding. Singing would prove to be a highlight of her wedding as she had the full choir with whom she performs with on hand to sing during the ceremony - an unexpected but moving performance for the guests.
Jess wore the most exquisitely elegant lace dress by Allure and looked stunning with flowers by Classic Flower Designs.
Her entrance was inadvertently intimidating as a large crowd had gathered around the abbey door to see the bride, and an even larger crowd was waiting as the wedding party departed the abbey and Jess and Adam led their guests, crocodile fashion, across the roads and down the slope into the gardens.
Jess had always planned for a winter wedding and the setting was to be Bath Abbey with the reception a short way across the road to Parade Gardens where she had chosen to host the party in a Kata teepee style tent from Papakata dressed in candle light, fairy lights and heated with central open fires. Long bench style tables seated the guests who enjoyed beef bourguigon followed by pot luck fruit crumble served at the table from caterers Tu Mangetout.
As I prepared to creep away into the night the dressing up box had just come out and one of my favourite pictures from the end of the evening is Jess and Adam in their oversized comedy glasses, dancing and singing the night away and having the best day of their lives.
If you were a guest at Jess and Adam's wedding, you can view the full gallery and purchase prints here. The password is Adam's surname.
Aylin + Benedikt's Wedding in Perth
Watching Wuthering Heights the other day really reminded me of the moment I pulled up at the end of mile long drive way to arrive at Alexander House, Auchterader, for Aylin and Bene's wedding. I stopped my car when I was in view of the house to get a few shots before arriving and literally my car was rocking with the strength of the wind! It was so dramatic, with bruised skies and rolling hills with this house just perched at the top.
I love doing small weddings and this was one of the smallest. Only about 20 guests, all staying for most of the week at Alexander House with Aylin and Bene who only recently moved to Glasgow from Germany. In fact, when I met them in September they had only been there few weeks. After being together for many, many years Benedikt proposed and then drove Aylin all the way to Perth to show her where they were going to get married.
She looked stunning in an elegant white shift dress and jacket from Tiger of Sweden, shoes by Phillip Hardy and a cute key necklace from Tiffany's. In her hair she had a cute fascinator from Melle Cloche (thanks Lisa at MC for putting Aylin in touch with me!). Her flowers were by Glasgow's Roots, Fruits and Flowers.
A number of American wedding photographers have recently introduced the concept of a 'first look', where the bride and groom meet before the ceremony in order to take the couple shots then, therefore allowing the day to run more smoothly. This was the first time that I had the opportunity to do this. And in fact I loved the fact that Aylin and Bene were getting dressed in the same room and that he zipped up her dress and she turned to him with such a beautiful look.
As the day was closing in we took the group photos in front of the house before all getting on a bus to Perth for the registry office. Being early and it being a new city for almost all of the guests we took a little detour around the town and up to the rather majestic Scone Palace before arriving at the Old Council Chambers on the River Tay for the ceremony.
After the ceremony whisky was enjoyed before heading back to the comfort of Alexander House for champagne and canapes by Alison Kerr at which point I took my leave and left them to enjoy a week of great company and joy with their family and friends.
Kate + Alex's Wedding at Great Fosters, Surrey
I have to confess; covering a wedding for a friend is quite possibly the most stressful assignment out there for a photographer. I feel the pressure even more than usual to ensure that the photos are absolutely knock-out good (they know where I live), but this wedding actually turned out to be one of the most relaxed and calm I've been to all year. The whole day from start to finish just flowed smoothly. The team at Great Fosters were outstanding, with fabulous attention to detail and service. And Kate and Alex simply radiated happiness and charm throughout. Kate got ready at her parents house, with make up by her friend Christina Panzini and then it was a short hop to the very lovely chapel upon a hill; St Edward the Confessor in Sutton Park. It was pretty tight inside which meant I had to try and make myself even more discrete during the ceremony (at nearly 6 ft this is something I sometimes struggle with!). Kate's composure dropped and her emotion came through as she entered the church on her dad's arm wearing a stunning gown designed for her by Forget Me Not Designs. At the top of the aisle, Alex was tense in anticipation before he turned to see her walking down the aisle. Oh, I'm welling up just writing about it! 
As everyone piled out of the church the sun broke through, accompanied by the pealing of church bells courtesy of one of the ushers, Mark, my brother (such wide ranging skills, who knew?!) and I pulled the couple away for a quick stroll up to the end of the church lawn and a few pictures. 
Back at Great Fosters we took a walk around the gardens where we had been a few weeks earlier for their engagement shoot. Except for 30 seconds of rain (literally) it stayed bright and lovely. I could have shot for hours with them, they are such a beautiful couple, but got them back to the Tythe Barn in good time for their grand entrance. 
Usually at a wedding I will take a break during the meal (photos of people eating are never flattering), collapse in a corner, call my boyfriend and drink a LOT of water and when lucky be provided with the wedding meal. Kate and Alex kindly squeezed me onto a table and I was sandwiched between newly weds Gemma (my brother's wife - wedding pics from Ibiza here) and Hayley. Unfortunately for them I probably wasn't great company as I was hopping up and down every 5 minutes for shots but it was nice to grab snippets of conversation between mouthfuls.
The meal was delicious, salmon roulade, lamb and plum crumble and ice cream. Cheese came in the form of a cheese 'cake' instead of the traditional wedding cake (made by The Lavender Hill Company who also did all the beautiful flowers). After the first dance the awesome Ska band, Oomphf from Brighton kicked in, and parked outside was a photobooth taxi providing instant prints for guests. Here is me and Dan the fantastic videographer from From the Hip trying it out: 
If you were a guest at Kate and Alex's wedding you can view the full album here. The password is their surname.
Carla + Tom's Liverpool Wedding
The last time I went to Liverpool was for the launch of a New Look store in my old existence as a marketeer, so my knowledge was limited to the shopping district. It was a long way to go on Saturday, especially after a full day wedding in Surrey on the Friday but a friend and colleague, Luke, asked me at the last minute to cover his brother's wedding for just three hours. And since I had just bought the Skoda, I thought it a good opportunity to stretch her legs on the open road. I pretty much never photograph a couple without having met them at least once, and usually done an engagement shoot with them too, so it was a little strange turning up on the doorstep of Carla's friend, where she was getting ready. The gorgeous three story house was a hive of activity with Carla having six bridesmaids (of mixed sex). My favourite image of Carla was actually taken in the bathroom, sitting on the loo, where the light was gorgeous - she looks absolutely beautiful.
Michelle Webb, a friend of Carla's, was doing the make-up. I'd met Michelle before on the set of 500 Miles North, a film directed by Luke and mostly filmed up at Inshriach. I went on set for three days to do some behind the scenes shots.
Luke didn't supply me with details of the church until the last minute, so it was a bit of a Magical Mystery Tour (ahem) of Liverpool, but I found the church, All Hallows, Allerton, looming large on a fork in the road. The bridal party made their entrance, with Carla walked down the aisle by her mother who had come over from Mexico.
I was only booked to stay long enough to get the group photos done outside the church (efficiently choreographed by Luke), and a few shots of the couple before the party reconvened at a local pub for the reception and I headed back on the long drive to Surrey.
Hannah + Danny's Wedding at Mar Hall, Glasgow
Hannah and Danny are the young couple that I recently photographed in Edinburgh for their engagement shoot. I was so looking forward to their wedding and it didn't disappoint. When I join a bride at the start of the day they are often getting ready either in their own home or that of their parents which is always quite an insight into who they are and it's quite a privilege to be invited into such a personal space. Despite being a doctor, it's clear that Hannah is a multi-talented girl. Music is important to her and her creativity shone through in the wedding favours, decorations and the fact that she had personally designed the bridesmaids dresses and her mother's dresses. I loved an anecdote that her father told during his speech about how, as a little girl, she was in an art shop and the lady behind the counter asked 'when you grow up do you want to be an artist?', Hannah, confused, replied, 'I already am an artist'.
When I arrived at Hannah's parents house that morning they had already had their hair and make-up done and were milling about looking so extremely calm and relaxed I thought I must be in the wrong house.
The boys were also pretty relaxed and Danny looked so happy and excited.
Despite some upset about the scaffolding that had unexpectedly gone up at the church in the weeks preceding the wedding, all such concerns drifted away as Hannah arrived down the aisle on the arm of her proud father. The church was so beautiful inside. Robben led the parade - Hannah had been bridesmaid at her parent's wedding 13 years ago - a tradition they hope will again be honoured in another 13 years.
On coming out of the church the rain that had not stopped all day was still pouring but nothing could wipe the smiles off their faces as they bundled straight into their waiting car whilst the guests stayed on at the church for tea and cake. We went straight on to Mar Hall for the couple photographs.
They had pictures of both sets of their parents on their wedding day and a polaroid camera available for guests to take pictures and add to the guestbook.
I've mentioned Mar Hall before - it has the most wonderful grand hall which hosted a champagne reception, followed by the meal in an absolutely huge marquee (necessary to seat the 190 guests). I have to say Danny's speech will be hard to top. He told us that it had not been love at first sight but required a little engineering from some insightful friends, but then surprised everyone by pulling out a guitar and serenaded his new bride with a self-penned love song left the 190 guests in no doubt about the strength of his adoration and love for her now.
If you were a guest at this lovely wedding, you can view the full album and buy prints here. The password is Danny's surname.
Hairpiece by Katy Moon
Dress by Joyce Young by Storm
Flowers by Ruby Flowers
Cake by Top Tier
Yvonne & Gordon's Wedding at Brigadoon
Brig O'doon House Hotel in Ayr is a perfect wedding venue. The hotel itself is set on the banks of the River Doon in an outstandingly beautiful area within lovely manicured gardens. The Brig o' Doon is a late medieval bridge used as the setting for the final verse of the Robert Burns's poem Tam o' Shanter. In this scene Tam is on horseback and is being chased by Nannie the witch. He is just able to escape her by crossing the bridge (over a running stream) narrowly avoiding her attack as she is only able to grab the horse's tail which comes away in her hands (thanks Wikipedia - my literature degree didn't cover Burns comprehensively).
Yvonne and Gordon had taken over Doonbrae House, a 19th century house opposite the house, to stay in before and that's where Yvonne and the girls were getting ready whilst the boys were in Rose Cottage next door. Yvonne was very cheery and relaxed when I arrived, more concerned with helping everyone else in the party to get ready before herself, I found her on the floor tying up her dad's laces long after she should have been in her dress! Gordon and the boys, on the other hand, were regretting getting into their woollen kilts so early as for October it was so, so hot and muggy.
The bridal party were piped over to the hotel and down the grand staircase into the main ballroom where the ceremony was taking place. The flowers and bouquet were created by Elaine at Dream Flowers & Favours. The celebrant for the ceremony was one of Gordon's tennis students.
Yvonne's niece, Emily, was like her little shadow the entire day...
Doonbrae House...
Tennis ball's as favours...
If you were a guest at Yvonne and Gordon's wedding, you can view the whole album and purchase images here. The password is Gordon's surname.
Kate + Alex's Engagement Shoot at Great Fosters, Surrey
I am hugely flattered to have been chosen by Kate and Alex to shoot their wedding. As a school friend of my brother's, I hadn't seen Alex for many, many years until he was best man at Mark's wedding recently. Mark hadn't actually mentioned to Alex and Kate that his sister was a wedding photographer and so they had booked another photographer. Happily for me they decided to change at the last minute and even more happily I was available. We managed to squeeze in this shoot 10 days before their wedding.
I was bowled over by how stunning Great Fosters is - it will be a perfect wedding venue. The grounds are spectacular and the venue itself is impeccably smart with wonderful staff. We had a lovely 2 hours wandering around the grounds and they were such a delight to photograph - and absolutely gorgeous as you can see... 9 days and counting!
Lucy + Simon's highland wedding at Inshriach House
When I met up with Lucy and simon in the summer in Super Pizza on Brick Lane I was delighted - here was a couple with strong creative ideas and lots of input as to the type of photography they wanted. Roll on a few months and I arrived up at Inshriach House, nr Aviemore to find full hands on deck for their homemade village fete style wedding. The marquee on the lawn of the main house was bedecked in the brightly coloured, many metres of bunting that Sophie had worked tirelessly on for the Insider Festival, long trestle tables ran the length, covered with linen and sackcloth and scattered with purple vetch. Wild flowers were in a mix of cut glass vases and jars and the crockery and cutlery were mismatched. Unique place names (the arrangement of which were still being decided on hours before the ceremony!) were handwritten seed mats which could be taken home and planted. As I captured the details in the morning both the bride and groom were wandering in and out seeing to last minute arrangements.
Lucy didnt emerge from the bathroom until about an hour before the ceremony and slipped effortlessly into a trailing vintage style lace dress and enormous platform shoes (Lucy is very petite and Simon well over six feet!) and then I dashed on ahead to meet Simon at the Old Bridge Inn opposite the church - St Aidan's.
The cars were supplied by Bygone Drives in Aviemore with the bride arriving in a beautiful 1954 convertible split screen Morris Minor and her three gorgeous sisters, who were the bridesmaids, in a Bentley.
Whilst the signing of the register took place Lucy's sisters sang and Lucy and Simon peeped out to watch, both very moved. This is a couple so deeply in love that it's expressed strongly in their every interaction, so much so that I was moved to tears just watching them (it's something of an occupational hazard).
I always knew the the couple photographs would have the most spectacular backdrops. I could have shot there all day and we didn't even make it to the farmyard (chickens, tractors, festival props etc) but we did stroll through the fields and past the squash court and bothys.
The owners of Inshriach, Lucy and Walter Micklethwait, perhaps inadvertently, come as part of the venue fee and are untiring in their efforts to ensure that a wedding on the estate runs like clockwise with nothing being too much trouble (picking vetch at 7am on the wedding day, extra lighting for photobooths at 11pm at night etc) So much so that the grateful bride usual insist they join the guests for the party. As this bride told me, unlike other venues who are quick to discuss costs and curfews during an enquiry call, Walter simply enthused that a wedding at inshriach is 'amazing!' - sales pitch enough for an openminded couple with imagination. Where possible they encourage the use of local or connected suppliers (such as myself - I have been going to Inshriach for 10 years) which gives any event a homely and personal touch.
The food, which had a very Scottish flavour, including venison stew and cranachan was supplied by Taste of Moray. The cake (made by Lucy's sister, layers of coffee and fruit and nut cakes trimmed with wild flowers) was cut and it was onto a waltz for the first dance, played in by Ali and Hazen et al of Ord Ban Music who followed up with a good old barn storming ceilidh (which yours truly couldn't resist joining for a very extended Dashing White Sergeant.
I ended the night with an hour in the teepee cum photobooth with guests scratching out messages for the couple on the blackboard. It's the first time I've done a photobooth but I really think it brings out the exhibitionist in guests - well, that and a belly full of wine, love and happiness...
(If you were a guest at this wedding, you can view the full album here. The password is the surname of the groom).
Faye + Hugo's London Wedding
This summer my friend and fellow photographer Lorna ended up with a foot in plaster. Not a good situation for a wedding photographer - you kind of need to be super mobile and for hours on end. I was more than happy to step in and help her out at the intimate London wedding for Dutch couple Faye and Hugo. Having been living in London for a few years and big fans they wanted to mark their wedding in true London style which meant red double decker buses, union jack bow ties and Chelsea Town Hall. Their bigger wedding happened later back in Holland later in the summer.
We caught up with them at Chelsea Town Hall where the guests arrived on a London bus from The Hilton Hotel in Paddington. The ceremony took place at the Chelsea Town Hall and the couple arrived together, Hugo walking Faye up the aisle in front of a small number of family and friends.
After champagne on the street the group headed back to Faye and Hugo's gorgeous flat in Notting Hill for cake and champagne. Their friends had clubbed together to buy them a garden bench inscripted with their names and the date of the wedding.
A few hours later everyone regathered at the stunning private members club, Home House, for an evening meal and speeches.
Laura + Jon's Wedding on Loch Awe
As chilled out brides go, Laura probably rates as the most chilled. This is a bride who, when her car with her and her bridesmaids broke down on the way to the hairdresser in the nearby town, rather than waste time waiting to be rescued simply stuck out her thumb and hitched with the first passer by. Despite arriving 40 minutes late back at Ardanaiseig Hotel she was super cool and relaxed and remained that way for the rest of the day. Ardanaiseig Hotel is one of the most spectacularly located venues I've been to recently. A romantic and luxury hotel tucked away at the end of a 6-mile one track road on the edge of Loch Awe on the West Coast of Scotland, furnished eccentrically by the owner, a London antiques dealer. Jon and Laura had exclusive use of the venue and grounds which include a boathouse where Laura was getting ready. It wasn't until the penultimate moment that the decision to ignore the morning of torrential rain and risk holding the wedding outside in the amphitheatre by the loch was made, and the staff scurried around to make it happen (admittedly the alternative great hall looked beautiful but who could resist an outdoor wedding, in Scotland, in September?)
As the guests tottered across the grass in their heels Laura was peeking over the balcony of the boathouse to see them arrive. Finally it was time, and escorted by her mother, Laura was piped into the opening for the ceremony.
The reception was held back at the house and I hung dangerously onto the top window to get the group shot before arranging family and friends for the family shots with the almost surreal landscape of Ben Cruachan behind them. The location was such a treat to photograph in and Laura braved the damp in her heels to wander round the grounds.
(If you were a guest at this wedding you can access the full album and purchase prints here and the password is Jon's surname).
My favourite touch in their decorations of the marquee was the booklet, laid out for each guest, with a short paragraph about every one of the guests to get the conversation flowing. As Jon pointed out in his speech, when you have everyone from a high court judge to a onion farmer in the party you can't fail to find someone to engage with!
A week in the highlands
I'm just back in Surrey after a wonderful few weeks in Scotland. I like to combine work and pleasure where possible so I meandered up North after Tara and Folarin's wedding in Bedford for a couple of Glasgow weddings and finishing up in Aviemore at Inshriach House - one of my favourite places in the world. I'll be blogging about the wonderful home-made wedding that Lucy and Simon had up there on Saturday night but I thought I would post a few pictures of the delightful Inshriach landscape taken for the Location Scotland website - taken in between hoovering the house ready for wedding guests, washing a smelly Monty-dog and cooking for Walter and Lucy to earn my stay in the 'Summer Palace' (see the last picture for my cosy home for the week). I shot a fashion story up here last autumn and the place is just brimming with amazing locations including the Spey, numerous bothy's, a squash court, a victorian dog shed , vegetable garden and a mini loch - all within a stone's throw of the main house. It's also home to the amazing Insider Festival in June. Many thanks to Walter and Lucy for their hospitality, wine and for turning my electric blanket on full in anticipation of my late night arrival :)
From top: Cottages, loch, squash court
From top: Caingorm Mountains, Loch, Inshriach House (with teepee and wedding marquee in background)
From top left: Squash court and bothy, river Spey, Victorian dog shed, 'Beer Moth'
Official residence: Summer Palace
Before leaving I popped in to The Dell of Abernethy to take a few pictures for Ross and Polly of their new home which they have taken over running near Nethy Bridge. It has six stone cottages attached to the house which you can visit all year round and is an awesomely quiet and beautiful spot perfect for exploring the Caingorms.
Tara + Folarin's Wedding at Wrest Park
This year I have photographed an American bride in the Outer Hebrides and an Irish bride on the Amalfi Coast and last weekend I got to photograph a Nigerian bride in the beautiful English Bedfordshire countryside. I don't know the area well but early on a bright Thursday morning I found myself driving along the Embankment of the River Ouse in the heart of Bedford to The Bedford Swan Hotel to find my Tara and her 7 (!) bridesmaids getting ready in a gorgeous exposed timber room.
After shooting the preparations for an hour or so I headed off 10 minutes down the road to Christ the King Church for the ceremony.
And then on to Wrest Park which I blogged about recently as we did their engagement shoot there. It is staggeringly beautiful and only recently opened to the public after extensive renovations. I could have spent hours shooting in the gardens but we kept it fairly quick so the couple could get back to their party. Whilst we were shooting the rest of the party were able to go on a little tour of the grounds themselves.
For me the highlight was the entrance of the bridal party which was led by the two mothers dancing their way through the rest of the guests. And the dancing and smiling didn't stop all night. In fact I don't think Tara left the dancefloor all evening!
I was delighted to have Ioannis Crouch of Reel Emotion doing the video as he was a pleasure to work with and good company.