1500 Photography

This was my first visit to New Lanark for a wedding and what a lovely venue it provided to be for Ruth and Mark.

As you would expect we met with the couple at New Lanark a few weeks before the wedding to get a ‘feel’ for the place and see what options we had for the photography. I must admit I was delighted with the stunning rooftop garden and views of the Clyde thundering (it had been raining) past us.

Ruths dress was amazing and Mark scrubbed up not too badly in a kilt. After the ceremony where Ruths father and one of the ushers gave a brilliant speech (almost like a double act) we ventured out onto the roof top area.

One small touch the couple had arranged was that all their tables were named after Formula 1 teams, so the top table was McLaren but you could have pulled up a chair at Red Bull or Ferrari if you wanted. I thought this was a cracking idea.

This was such a nice wedding with such a lovely couple. It always makes your job so much easier and much more fun when the people involved are interested and helpful. A great day !!

New Lanark Wedding by 1500 Photography

WHERE WAS IT & WHY ? : Knockderry Country House Hotel
After 10 years together, we decided that we would finally ‘tie the knot’. As soon as we visited Knockderry on a blistering hot April day, we fell in love with it. Sitting on the banks of Loch Long with beautiful views, the hotel absolutely oozes character.  We knew whatever the weather we would have a perfect day.

THEME OR STYLE: It had to be purple! We really wanted a relaxed day where everyone enjoyed themselves.

BRIDE’S DRESS : Athena by Sophia Tolli. A simple Grecian inspired dress with a little bit of sparkle- perfect!!

JEWELLERY/ACCESSORIES: A Monet diamanté bracelet and a diamanté hair comb.

HAIR & MAKEUP: Hair was a difficult decision for me as we don’t live in the area. I was really pleased with my choice. My bridesmaid and I, as well as four other close family members all had our hair done at the same time. The staff in the salon were so friendly and professional. They listened carefully to our requests and made it a relaxing, calming experience. My driving on the way to and from the salon,  however, was not!!

THE FLOWERS: Beautiful Hand tied bouquet consisting of Supernova Thistles, Purple Agapanthus, Purple Lysyanthius, Erigium Thistles and Greenery.The table flowers were fish bowls with hand tied arrangements in the bridal theme coming out of the bowl with submersible lights.

THE CAKE: Cup cakes with a top tier of cake. I chose cream coloured frosting topped with 3 shades of purple frangipani flowers and edible glitter. The top tier had  flowers cascading down onto the tier below.
The children had their own cup cakes. The boys had bright blue cookie monster cupcakes and the girls,  pink sparkly butterfly cakes.

A MEMORABLE MOMENT: It is difficult to pin point one moment. We had such a happy, celebratory day. We were so happy as were all our guests. It was a day full of smiles and laughter.

FAVOURITE PICTURE?: Now that is a question! We love so many of them!! They really did capture the day, the scenery and the characters! We love the photos that tell the story of the ceremony, of us down on the beach, at the entrance of the hotel, the family photos where we were laughing hysterically and of course the sequence of shots that catch our son’s cheeky character. We were so happy with all the photos!

We are delighted to hear that Kirsty a beautiful blustery day on the banks of Loch Long with a lovely family. Thank you.

Knockderry Wedding Photography by 1500 Photography

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…………

I used to shoot loads of weddings at Dalmeny Park when I worked over in Paisley, so it was a great pleasure to go back for Pamela and Steve’s wedding earlier in the summer. As a photographer in Scotland trying to keep up with the vagaries of the Scottish climate can drive you insane…..and this day was no exception. Fair play to Pamela and Steve though. When the rain did come the couple simply brushed it off and continued with the shots as if nothing had happened.

The black and white shot above was Steve’s idea. He thought it were possible to see both him nervously waiting and Pamela arriving – and he was right. The rain put paid to our plans of doing a full group of everyone so instead we shot all Pamela’s family, all Steve’s family and finally all of their friends. This meant everyone was captured, no one was missed out and we had a record of everyone at the wedding.

Dalmeny Park wedding photography by 1500 Photography

It was back to House for an Art Lover for Catherine and Simons wedding.

Simon’s sister is Leanne (married to Keiran at Glenskirlie) whose wedding we shot a few years ago and whose pictures won us quite a lot of attention and picked up a few awards…..so no pressure with Simon and Catherine’s pictures then!!

Catherine looked absolutely beautiful and arrived in style in a classic VW Camper van.

After the ceremony we nipped over into the walled gardens next to House for An Art Lover before back inside the venue itself utilising some of the nooks and crannies of MacIntosh’s wonderful building. It was a great pleasure to shoot this wedding especially as our pictures from the day were so nice, yet so different from Leanne and Kierans. I am very grateful that Catherine and Simon choose the same photographer.

House for an Art Lover Wedding by 1500 Photography

I almost forgot to mention one of the most delightful bits of serendipity Ive ever heard of. As a romantic statement to make during his grooms speech on the day Stewart counted up how long he and Amanda had been together.

The answer was exactly 1500 days.

This wedding at House for an Art Lover was a real highlight for me.

Amanda and Stewart are a brilliant couple but on our first meeting I was welcomed into parents Susan and Ian’s home and immediately made to feel like a family friend. On the day of the wedding we were back at Susan and Ian’s to get Amanda’s preparation shots.

Ian had this idea for a picture of Amanda in the mirror with the family portrait in the background. I really like the idea and not only did it make a great picture  but its gone on to feature in the latest issue of the Scottish Wedding Directory. Thanks Ian !!

Weddings at House for an Art Lover always run like clockwork and this is great credit to James the co-ordinator at the venue. He is always there to make sure that a brides every whim is looked after (and to make sure the photographer doesn’t take too long!!) We were also really lucky with the weather which went from gusty rain to a lovely sunny day within the space of 2 hours. Amanda and Stewart were just fantastic to photograph and nothing was too much bother for them. Their willingness and enthusiasm to get great pictures guaranteed a brilliant day for me and a fabulous album for them.

A top venue, top couple, lovely families and fantastic set of pictures.

House for an Art Lover Wedding by 1500 Photography

Amazed, Proud, Delighted……

All these and more just about sum up how I felt about picking up the title of ‘Scottish Wedding Photographer of the Year‘ at this years MPA event at Dunblane Hydro. We picked up some of the best possible awards for our business. First we won ‘Classic Wedding Photographer of the Year‘ with this shot of Victoria & Darren

We then picked up a couple of merit awards for our shots from Amanda & James’ wedding and Stephanie & Grahams

We then won the award that we really wanted -

“Best Complete Wedding” with Victoria & Darren’s wedding

With the above body of work we were then crowned

“Scottish Wedding Photographer of the Year”

I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am to have finally got my hands on this trophy. I owe a huge debt of thanks to Victoria and Darren who chose me to shoot their wedding, the wedding staff at Cameron House who are always very professional and understand the importance of photography on the wedding day and most of all…..Ms Price.

My other half who has supported me, assisted me and encouraged me from day one of 1500 Photography. I could not have got this award without her – thank you Gillian x

First wedding of 2011 was on the 3rd of January with Julie and Glenn at Cameron House.

A bracing but lovely start to the year with a very generous couple who were so patient despite the icy conditions.

Starting off  with Julie in one of the Lodges we then headed down to the ceremony in the morning room before drinks and a mingle in the library. Amazingly despite all the grief over the festive period with snow and ice it was all gone on the 3rd and been replaced with rain!! Fortunately Cameron House is a wonderful backdrop for the shots no matter what the weather.

After dinner – fireworks!! A really fun couple who were a joy to shoot, especially with Julies wicked sense of humour – a great day.

Cameron House Wedding Photography

Remember all that snow in December? Travel chaos, roads blocked and temperatures of -10?

Well, thats when Kathryn and Paddy got married. They had their wedding at St Marys in Duntocher before making their way to St Andrews in the Square for their reception. We started the day with Kathryn and the girls at the Radisson Hotel in Glasgow, we then made our way onto possibly the best example of a religious ceremony in Scotland I have seen for a long time.

Conducting the ceremony jointly were Rev Ian Miller and Father Joe Mills – a truly mixed marriage (for west central Scotland anyway!!) Not only were both faiths treated with great respect and due reverence but the personalities of the two clergy meant that the ceremony was light, humorous and welcoming to all.

Its at this point I need to doff my cap, especially to Kathryn, for donning the wellies and letting us shoot the fantastic pictures above in -6° temperatures just as the sun was setting at Glasgow Green. Then it was onto the Trongate for the now famous traffic shot. Again my grateful thanks to the couple as this is not actually the most glamorous areas of the city but they braved the traffic, ‘colourful’ passers by and weather to give me one of the outstanding pictures in my 2010 portfolio. Credit also to the lovely Sheila who assisted on this occasion by hiding behind the dress while I directed the couple via the mobile phone.

The coldest wedding I have ever shot with one of the warmest couples.

A truly memorable day……… 1500 Photography