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Dumfries Arms Wedding – Rona and Andrew

Our first visit down to the ‘D.A’ (Dumfries Arms) and what a lovely venue it was too. We started off in Rona’s bridal suit to capture some of the ‘finishing touches’ shots before catching Andrew and the lads arriving.

There are a couple of things that really stand out for me from this wedding, Ive already mentioned the venue, but I also wanted to mention the guests and couple themselves. The were all lovely. I dont think Ive ever been at a wedding with a more relaxed wedding party. The bridesmaids were super efficient and friendly, the best man couldn’t do more to help us and the general crowd itself were all great. It goes without saying that Rona and Andrew were absolutely terrific to work with and there shoot was an absolute joy from start to finish.

I would shoot Rona’s wedding again tomorrow if I could, what a lovely day.

Wedding 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…………

Cracking couple and a cracking day for this wedding at Brig O’Doon

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

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

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

Back to weddings and back down to Ayrshire.

For the second time this year we were at Brig O’doon House Hotel in Alloway.

With all of Karen and Gary’s wedding taking place at the hotel we knew we would still have great scope for pictures in the grounds. We just managed to get all the shots we needed on the bridge before the rain came on, we then ducked under the ‘big tree’ to finish off our groups.

Karen and Gary were great to work with on the day and, as usual, Jane at Brig O’Doon kept a tight reign on the proceedings to ensure the day ran smoothly. With a really nice mix of guests our job on the day was made really easy by both family’s easy going nature. A lovely day.

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The week of Jane and Allys wedding became “Alistair week” at 1500 Photography. Over the following 5 days we had 3 grooms in a row called Alasdair/Alastair. First up were Jane and Ally, with Jane proving to be the model bride. Not just that she looked like a model, posed like a professional and looked effortlessly beautiful but never blinked in one single shot all day. Amazing.

After a lovely ceremony at Merrylea Parish church Jane and Ally treated their guests to a cup of tea and cakes in the local church hall before we headed down to Ayrshire’s Brig O’doon where the couple were well looked after by the wedding co-ordinator there (also called Jane). After a couple of quick shots on the bridge we headed into the back gardens of the hotel when we captured some more terrific shots.

A really really nice couple. Gill and Chris are from the Hull area but had chosen to have their wedding at Lochside House in Ayrshire with just close friends and family (before having a major party back home). Plaudits have to go to Gill straight away for wearing the biggest dress I have seen this year.

She looked absolutely amazing in her ‘Hollywood Dreams’ style dress and boy did she carry it off.  It was also a refereshing change to have the groom in a morning suit (as oppse to a kilt).

Finally I got to pose a groom with his hands in his pockets !!!

As is usual with Ayrshire, the weather changed every 10 minutes but between wind, rain and shine we managed to escape outdoors for a little while and capture some simply stunning shots. The fast changing weather made for some fantastic sky’s as you can see from above.

Chris and Gill were just brilliant to photograph and  really enjoy themselves. Despite previous reservations Chris relaxed and we we got some cracking shots of him and the only way to sum up Gills pictures is ….WOW!!

As usual the staff at Lochside looked after everyone and made sure the day went smoothly, before the couple sat down to an intimate dinner and an evening casio!

Brilliant couple, lovely family, super venue and just a great day. Thanks Gill and Chris

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Well this was my first visit to Western House and it was a very memorable day, for two reasons.

One – Nicola and Paul, a great couple

Two – Jane, the wedding co-ordinator at Western House. I used to work with Jane a lot when she was at Brig O’Doon but I havent seen her for many years. It was lovely to see her again and to see that she is still as enthusiastic with her weddings as ever.

I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed this day. Nicola and Paul made my life very easy on the day and were superb to work with (as were all the bridal party). We got some terrific shots in and around the grounds of the hotel despite the very changeable weather, thanks to Nicola and Paul and their willingness to get the shots.

I look forward to returning to Western House next year but I will always look back to this wedding with great fondness mostly due to a brilliant couple.

www.1500photography.co.uk

So every now and then one of your friends get married. Great news eh? But what if its really close friends? People you see every week? Families you know? Other friends at the wedding? All watching you !!

Just to add to the pressure I was also going to loose my wingman for the day - Gillian was a bridesmaid !

With everything taking place at Lochside  House  I knew that the staff were going to be very helpful and the day was going to run smoothly. It did. Even the weather held for us.

After dinner and a couple of really good speeches the party got going. I nipped back to my room to check all the images, upload them onto the computer, then returned to the celebrations (camera in hand naturally)

All in all – a perfect day. One that will live with me forever. Not just because it was 2 people who mean so much to me, but because Donald and Lyndsay are such a great couple.

I have never seen a couple so well loved by some many people – Cheers Guys x

Get away from all this mushy emotional stuff and see some more great wedding pictures here