Brig O'Doon Wedding - Bryan and Freya

Brig O'Doon Wedding

What another fabulous day we had at Bryan and Freya's Brig O'Doon Wedding. Again, as was a theme for a lot of 2013 most of the wedding was organised by the groom (or "Groomzilla" as Bryan was affectionately tagged by Freya). But to give the man his due, he did a fantastic job ! We started the day at the lovely Ayrs and Graces guest house right next to Brig O'Doon before making the short journey across the river. Freya looked absolutely stunning. A beautiful woman in a well chosen tasteful dress always makes my life so much easier. Add to that Bryan looked every inch the proud Scotsman in his kilt and I knew I would going to produce a cracking set of images.





We also had the pleasure of being present for the evening entertainment. Not only did that mean that the speeches and first dance were covered but this also allowed us a little bit of extra creativity with some night-time shots in the gardens. First with the bandstand resplendent in fairy lights then with a spectacular fireworks cascade courtesy of 21cc Fireworks.

I also have to say that the couple themselves were brilliant to work with. They were amazing in front of the lens and I am really grateful that they chose 1500 Photography.

I will leave the final words to Groomzilla himself, Bryan.

“From the moment of initial email contact, to the day we received our album in the post, Stuarts service and professionalism was second to none. Freya and I loved the way he interacted with our guests on the day. The photos we have are fantastic, you really did capture some amazing shots that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. A truly fantastic photographer and the only one I would recommend to future bride and grooms!”

Lochside House Wedding Photography - Susan and Greg

Lochside House Wedding

Susan and Greg's Lochside House wedding was one of *the* highlights of 2014. Not only was it a memorable day with a fantastic couple but it's also gone on to be one of the best award-winning weddings we've ever shot. So far this wedding has gained us awards in Scotland with the Master Photographers Association in the categories of Complete Wedding, Monochrome and Classic wedding. It has also just been picked for an award with Olympus and the first picture here (of the dress being buttoned up) will be one of the top 10 wedding pictures of the year in their competition.



I love this wedding so much that anyone who comes to see me will see this wedding album now as one of my samples. It's a great illustration of what you can do with a couple who are determined to get the shots that they want working with a photographer fully committed to doing the best possible job for them. Almost all the pictures you can see in this post were taken in the rain.





Fortunately Lochside House has a large canopy at the front of the venue which allowed us to shoot the bride and groom in relative dryness. However Susan was adamant that she wanted to get a picture of her and Greg at the iconic bridge (bottom middle). So armed with the 1500 Photography umbrella, a big towel and my lovely assistant we made our way down. We achieved a stunning picture, which is possibly one of my favourite ever shots. And all because Susan knew what she wanted from the day and I knew how to make it happen. A fantastic day

Lochside House Wedding - Alana and Kevin

Lochside House Wedding

Here is a wee fact for you - A Lochside House wedding was the first wedding I shot as 1500 Photography.

It is always a pleasure to travel back down to Cumnock to this great venue. It was also great to see Alana and Kevin, one of the most easy-going couples Ive photographed this year. Absolutely nothing was a bother to them.....well actually I do remember Kevin was a little tense before the wedding but as soon as he walked back down that aisle he was much more relaxed man. Yet again it was a lovely day with an absolutely beautiful bride. Alana looked stunning and was absolutely serene as the day passed by pretty much exactly as she had planned. Rarely have a met such a calm and assured bride.





Of course it helps that Lochside House run a very slick day. Its funny, you go a few years without returning to a venue and the next thing you know, you are back there 2 weeks in a row. However our next trip to Lochside would be quite different ........

 

Making the Papers - Awards Winning Wedding Moorpark House

Many thanks to the excellent Paisley Dailey Express for running a feature on our Awards Winning Wedding at Moorpark House

I am delighted to see Clair and Craigs wedding such great exposure - thanks to the team at the PDE !

Wedding at Enterkine House - Karen and Craig

Wedding at Enterkine House - Karen and Craig

Im very proud of Karen and Craig's wedding at Enterkine House.

Craig works for the biggest and best wedding magazine in Scotland (The Scottish Wedding Directory). Considering all the photographer he knows and comes into contact with, for him to choose me to capture his day, was high praise indeed. Karen looked absolutely beautiful on the day and Craig looked every part the dashing groom and together this striking couple created a wedding day unlike any other I have ever attended. The theme for the day was 'relaxed'. So Craig and Karen greeted their guests to Enterkine House in jeans and t-shirts at 2pm for an informal coffee and cake. Then about 3ish the couple retired to get themselves ready for the wedding at 4pm while the guests continued to mingle. Then, at 4pm, the bride made her way down to the marquee where all the guest were already in position for the ceremony.

It was a lovely ceremony performed by a family friend and combined the marriage ceremony with a blessing for Karen and Craig's son. After the ceremony I stole the couple for a little while to get their shots and then their family shots before returning them to the guests and dinner. We were well fed too as was John Paul from the excellent at Leven Films who was great company. After that we captured some of the mingling of the guests, a very informal first dance and everyone in attendance just having a lovely time.

And that was it........

A simple relaxed day without any running about, stress or tight schedule.

I felt genuinely honored to be a part of the day for a couple I really have great affection for. I am so glad the day ran exactly the way they wanted it and wish them every happiness for the future.

Ayrshire weddings by 1500 Photograpy

Brig O'Doon Wedding - Jenny and Martin

Brig O'Doon Wedding

A lovely Brig O'Doon wedding next for Jenny and Martin. Once again the weather didnt play ball with us but Jenny patience meant that working indoors for most of the day still gave us some incredible pictures. Meeting both Jenny and Martin at Brig O'Doon about 8 weeks before the wedding we knew we had a plan of action in case the weather wasnt with us on the day.





I am so glad we did as after the ceremony we seamlessly moved onto Plan B. Jenny was just lovely to photograph and Martin was in great form as the couple really worked hard with me to capture some cracking images. A beautiful day with a beautiful bride - and what a dress!

Ayrshire Wedding Photography by 1500 Photography

 

Moorpark House Wedding - Ashley and Richard

Moorpark House Wedding

In an idea shamelessly 'inspired' by wedding magazines, I thought I would mix up the blog a little by introducing a "Featured Wedding". A chance to perhaps tell a bit more of the story from the day and showcase both the brides planning and attention to detail along with our work.

Our first feature is on Ashley and Richards wedding at Moorpark House in Ayrshire. And who better to tell you about the day than the bride herself, Ashley.........

WHERE WAS IT & WHY ? : Moorpark Country House. I had a country house in mind from the start, partly because we wanted a relaxed wedding and partly because we had so many family members coming from America and Canada we wanted a property that was a little taste of Scotland. Moorpark managed all of this without being old fashioned and austere. And, provided the perfect size and exclusivity we are after.

THEME OR STYLE: Summer garden party

BRIDE’S DRESS : Not the wonderful experience I was hoping for! I searched high and low for a dress that was a bit different and ended up buying a reasonably plain and traditional dress (not really what I wanted) to then have a huge bow commissioned for the back. Even that was a problem, no seamstress was brave enough to make the size I wanted! I wanted a talking point, something people wouldn't forget and I certainly got that!!

BRIDE’S SHOES: Good old Monsoon peep-toes with pearls. Perfect

JEWELLERY/ACCESSORIES: Originally a lot more than I wore! Once I saw the dress I had to change my jewellery choice to something more simple. I did wear my Great Gran's engagement ring which is over 100 years old, that was my something Old, borrowed and blue.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: Both our favourite bit is when I reach the top of the aisle and we see each other for the first time. Nothing seemed scary after that.

HAIR & MAKEUP: My friend Lynne did a our make-up for us. It was great to have a friend rather than a stranger helping on our big day, plus she did an amazing job! I was originally going to wear my hair up but had to change last minute after seeing the size of the bow on my dress! My bridesmaid had her hair done by the same hairdresser, Emma, and it was beautiful!

GROOMS DUTIES: Turn up, remember the rings and make a speech. All of which he did very well!

THE FLOWERS: Hand tied bouquet with roses, freesia and sweet peas which smelt amazing. the colours were soft peach and cream tones

THE CAKE: Marks and Spencers!

INVITATIONS & STATIONERY: Everything was done by me, with a little help from family and friends.

FAVOURITE PICTURE: Too many to pick from! I don't know!!! Erm -You do it!

So here it is - the brides (and photographers) favourite picture from the day............

 

 

Brig O'Doon Wedding - Susanne and Kevin

Brig O'Doon Wedding

Cracking couple and a cracking day for this Brig O'Doon Wedding.

Susanne and Kevin enjoyed one of the nicest days of the year during their spring wedding  in Ayrshire. We got some absolutely beautiful shots of Susanne getting ready at her mum and dads, just around the corner, before nipping back to get some great shots of Kevin outside Alloway Parish Church.

Anyone who has ever been to a wedding at Brig O doon will tell you that the day always runs like clockwork, they have weddings down to a fine art. With such a beautiful day we knew we were going to get great shots around the venue but what we didnt bank on was how much fun we would have with Kevin and Susanne. They are such a friendly couple full of life and always ready for a laugh (you can probably see this from the pictures) - it was a great day. In fact I think I would have loved to have been a guest at this wedding - sunshine, champagne, string quartet and a lovely outdoor setting. Top day.

Brig O'doon Wedding Photography by 1500 Photography

Lochside House Wedding - Catriona & Martin

And to the last wedding of 2009 for 1500 - Catriona and Martin down at Lochside House.

And with a top couple too. Both Martin and Catriona have a brilliant sense of self depricating humour and great wit which makes them superb company. With Catrionas wedding we started off at her parents farmhouse in Cumnock.

We must have looked a sight as we made our way over to the broken down shed at the edge of the farm, me in my  suit and Catriona in her wedding dress and wellies, but its lovely textures lead to a beautiful picture. Then onto Lochside to shoot the rest of the day before the sun went down and let us in the dark.

Its probably no secret Lochside House is one of my favourite venues. Its not just the beautiful scenery, rolling hills or dramatic Ayrshire clouds, but the staff at Lochside are always first rate. The wedding co-ordinator Linsey is a star and always makes sure the day runs smoothly without being bossy, a rare quality indeed.

So that brings the curtain down on the 1500 Photography weddings for 2009.

Watch the space for the "Shot of the Year" competition which we will have throughout February.  1500 Photography

Moorpark House Hotel Wedding - Alison & Kenny

A new venue for 1500 Photography - Moorpark House in Ayrshire.

Alison and Kenny had a lovely wedding with lots of personal touches which made the day really memorable, from 'God only knows' by the Beach Boys during the ceremony to Alison's  scarlet shoes !!

A really friendly and relaxed wedding with a lovely couple who were an absolute joy to work with. I should also pay tribute to my 'assistant' on the day, Ms Barry. A very capable deputy who helped me with the wedding as Gillian couldn't make it - thanks Sheila

We also had to deal with best man Colin's cuts and scratches. Unfortunately a few days before the wedding Colin had a minor mishap resulting in the need for some photoshop cosmetic work.

Strangely we had the exact problem the very next wedding with the groom.........

Moorpark Wedding by 1500 Photography