We had the absolute pleasure of being asked to photograph the wedding of Rachel and Robbie at the end of June. Taking place around mid-summer the wedding was filled with flowers and festival vibes. I have been aware of the secret garden in Skelmorlie for many years and have done a number of floristry workshops with the gardens owner. I knew it was going to be the perfect setting for the wedding but I don’t think I was fully prepared for how stunning the day would be.
When we arrived early on the morning of the wedding we took a walk around where the ceremony was to take place and checked out the stunning red yurt supplied by Dragonfly Yurts . The rain was pouring from the sky at 8am but the couple had faith that the weather forecast would be correct and that sun would appear in time for the ceremony (which it absolutely did).
The morning went by in a flash like all wedding mornings do. The wedding playlist was on Carmen Hair, Makeup by Meg K and Holly Gibson Beauty were busy at work with the Bride, Bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride. Flower arrangements were being made by anyone who found themselves in the vicinity of the living room and laughter was everywhere. When the Groom and Groomsmen arrived the excitement really went up a notch and there was a lot of people shouting about the movements and location of the Bride and Groom in order to avoid and unexpected bumping into before the ceremony! In all though these two were very chilled. There was just so much happiness in the air.
Once hair and makeup was finished we took the opportunity to capture some photos of the Bride, her Sisters and Mother. This was a great opportunity to capture the excitement of the morning. I love capturing morning photos when everyone is still in their PJs but also half ready for the day. It is fun and the nervous excitement really shines through.
Once the Groom was ready it was all go with the button holes (made by the Bride’s Mother at Wild and Imperfect) being attached and a few wee drams before the days big event. Time always speeds up in the last hour before the ceremony. This is why if you request a second shooter they will arrive about an hour and half before the ceremony. It gives us the freedom to be in two places at once and also allows you to see retrospectively what was happening at various locations on the run up to the ceremony. Check out that handsome Groom though being supported by his best pals and family!
There are a few moments during every wedding where I can’t help but tear up. Taking photos of the bride as they get ready is one of my favourite. It’s a rare quiet moment during the day. A moment of reflection where time slows a little. It’s not just me who often has a tear in their eye at this time but everyone in the room. It is a moment where the party get a first look at a person they love dearly who is about to marry the person they love most in the world. I think we can all agree that Rachel was a stunning bride!
The ceremony itself was one of the most beautiful I have ever had the privilege of witnessing. Taking place under a cloth draped old tree planted nearly a century ago by the Bride’s family made for the most stunning backdrop to this very Scottish inspired ceremony.
It was small and intimate with only around 30 guests. Humanist Celebrant Maggie Kinloch along with Rachel and Robbie had written the most beautiful script that really captured the couples story. Every guest was clearly honored to be attending and the love every person felt in the space for the happy couple was almost tangible. The whole ceremony felt like it had leaped out of the pages of a fairytale it was that perfect.
The way these two look at each other is just amazing isn’t it! Apart from the signing of the license not a single photo was posed. As Docustyle wedding photographers Candid stuff is our jam but when two people love each other like these two do our job is so much easier.
Posed photos are what most people think of when they think of Wedding Photography. Whilst it is nice to have a perfect family photo we love to mix it up a little bit and the guests and bridal party at this particular wedding were completely up for that. A wedding is always so much fun and after the day is finished the photos serve as a springboard to take you back to that moment in time. We want to capture that fun as well as getting those nice photos to put on the mantelpiece.
Romantic photos of the happy couple are a must at every wedding. We took half an hour away from everyone to get some photos. Having previously done an engagement photoshoot with Rachel and Robbie (which is included as part of all of our wedding packages) it was nice to take a moment of relative peace and just let the couple be. The way I work when photographing a couple is to put you into a position and step back. I am happy for you to talk amongst yourselves as I shoot from a distance. Let’s be honest few people want a camera stuck in their face. This more stripped back approach gives people a chance to relax and spend time with their partner. It also makes for great natural moments to photograph.
Now one of the best things about a wedding is definitely, in our opinion at least, the food! Scottish Wild Picnics honestly put on an unreal show! Even the platter we got as photographers to enjoy during our break had some of the biggest strawberries I have ever seen! After dinner there was the traditional speeches which were fantastic! Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves all whilst stuffed full of the most delicious picnic inspired dinner.
With full bellies and plenty of prosecco the time had finally arrived for evening guests to join and for the dancing to beguin. Flung Aboot performed a mixture of ceilidh dances and popular music and were absolutely fantastic. I think the first few dances that we photographed inside the yurt is among one of my favourite moment I have experienced as a photographer. There was hardly any room with 50+ people all crammed into a yurt flinging each other about. It was mayhem and I absolutely loved it. The smiles were jumping from the faces of everyone on the dance floor. Ceilidh’s are always fun but between the fantastic band, small beautiful space and absolute joy everyone was experiencing it is up there with one of my favourite first few dances to photograph!
A big thank you to Rachel and Robbie for hiring us to photograph their big day. It was such a privilege and it was an absolutely magical day.
We wish you both a bright and happy future together.