Lorna & Ricky

I've known Lorna for a few years now (I used to work with her dad on Easdale) and was delighted when she not only got engaged but also asked me to do the photography. I knew when she said they were getting married on Easdale Island off the West Coast of Scotland that it would be a very special and personal occasion. We arrived a couple of days before the wedding to meet up with everyone and also to go through any last minute details and ideas especially as we knew the weather could play a huge part in the day itself.

From the word go it was sunshine, showers and wind but this is Easdale and that never stopped any one, so off I went to jump on the ferry and make a start with photographing the dress and accessories while Lorna was up in Oban having her hair and make-up done. Lorna made the bouquets and buttonhole herself in the colours of the local rugby club back home, colours which added some wonderful vibrant colours especially with the grey stormy clouds as a backdrop. It seemed only fitting, with Easdale being an old slate quarrying island, that I photographed the flowers on the slate wall and the rings on a piece of slate. Whilst inside there was enough light coming through the window to bounce off a reflector to add light to the shoes, bouquet and accessories with the dress.

With accessories all photographed and Lorna back from Oban, it was time for everyone to get ready, first up the boys including little Riley (Lorna and Ricky's son).

Then it was Lorna's turn

With everyone ready and the quests assembled it was time for Pete to see his daughter all dressed up and looking stunning, a precious moment no father ever forgets.

With everyone ready it was time to head off to the hall for the ceremony, but first we needed to get Lorna safely into her transport.....

On our way round the corner to the hall in the wind and the rain! Time to bring the veil over Lorna's face, make some last minute adjustments before walking down the aisle. 

The original plan was to have the ceremony outside weather permitting, but this is the UK so everything was moved into Easdale Hall which had been arranged and decorated beautifully. The ceremony was beautiful and with the exchange of rings everything was sealed with a kiss. 

A very happy husband and wife! 

We had spoken about photos and got right to it to make the most of the dry spells and brief moments of sunshine, dashing in and out of the hall. 

And a group photo in the post storm sunshine

Just as we were finishing it started to rain again, so it was back inside for the reception, speeches and cake cutting. 

 

The cake was made by Paradise Kitchen and was absolutely delicious! After cake there was one more photo we had talked about getting and luckily despite being a bit chilly the rain had stopped so myself, Lorna and Ricky took off to the back of the island (a very short walk!) to take some photos with the islands and sea as a stunning background. 

 

We took the opportunity to warm up in the house and take a few photos at the same time

Once we'd warmed up we headed back to the Puffer for a bit of down time while the hall was changed around ready for the evening party and incredible buffet laid on by the Puffer Bar, but before tucking into the buffet we had the first dance. 

And the important father and daughter dance and the mum and son dance. 

Just to give you an idea of the very yummy food that was served up in the evening! 

I an honoured that Lorna and Ricky asked me to photograph their wedding, it was so much fun and so personal they are one very special couple who chose to have this magical day in a truly beautiful island location. I wish them all the best for this new chapter of their journey together. And if anyone if thinking of a Scottish Island wedding, go for it!  

Des & Laura

I first met Des when I was working up in Scotland where he met Laura then a few years ago they moved down to Devon and I was absolutely over the moon when they asked if I would do their wedding photography. A couple of months before the wedding I went down to meet them at Bicton Botanical Gardens, which is where they would be getting married and having the photos taken, to discuss what they would like and to scout out different locations for the photos and I knew from then it would be an incredibly special, personal and fun day of a Scottish and Devon mix. 

So the day had finally arrived and despite the weather the day before treating us to torrential downpours and dark skies, it was a beautiful sunny morning. First stop was Laura and Des's house to capture the fun, special moments and little details of getting ready. 

 

With everyone ready it was time to head off to Bicton Botanical Gardens to prepare for the ceremony. 

 

And so the ceremony begins.......

Time for the group photos in front of the palm house and the fountain

Not forgetting some fun shots of the buys and the girls! 

You always have to be ready as you never know when you may catch a lovely image when people aren't looking at the camera. 

While all the guests went for a ride around the gardens on the train, I went off with Des and Laura to capture the photos we'd previously discussed of them around the gardens, using the gate, benches and trees! 

And there's always enough time for a quick game of pooh sticks on the stream!

 

















The time had come where we had to leave the gardens and head off to The Globe in Topsham where the reception, speeches and partying would take place. 

With everyone seated it was time for the speeches...........

There are always giggles and a few little surprises in the speeches, but Des's surprise to Laura has to be the best I've ever seen, he never proposed to Laura properly so on their wedding day he got down on one knee and proposed to her! It was an in credibly beautiful moment and one of the most special things I've seen at a wedding.  

With the speeches (and proposal) complete it was time to eat before the cutting of the cake, which was different types of cheese and an evening of dancing. 

 

Huge congratulations to Des and Laura on a beautiful day and I wish you all the happiness, love and fun for this new chapter of your lives together, you truly are a very special and beautiful couple.