Alina & Andrew at Gaurdswell Farm

As promised below when I posted about the very first ceremony at Gaurdswell Farm a few weeks ago, I now have some lovely photos from the bride and groom to share, and they each give me an opertunity to talk about why they are the way they are...so first up, the big KISS moment!

Photo by Michele Lamb

I try really hard not to photobomb my couples big moments, so as seen here, I am WAY off to the side while they share their vows and exchange their wedding rings...which most often puts me out of shot when the moment happens.

I have several reasons for this, but the first, most important and most obvious one is that this is very much THEIR moment, and the ceremony is about them, and they don't need a strangers face between theirs in the pictures that will grace their Mums mantelpiece for ever more!...as a side note, we blew out the candles you can see on the left there just after this, as there was a definite risk to bridesmaids frocks when they all stood for photos.

Next one shows that maybe I'm not a total stranger by this point...

Photo by Michele Lamb

I always (aim to!) arrive an hour before things are due to start.

First off I need to know that if I get lost, delayed by traffic, or some sort of natural disaster, I should still be able to get there on time. Once I arrive I will check that the legal paperwork is there too - so if it is not, we can hopefully retreive it from whereever it has been left. With legal paperwork assured I have time to move furniture if needed, chat with photographers; venue hosts; bridesmaids; groomsmen; readers; musicians - and as seen here - might have a chance to chat with the bride herself, often with accompanying Mums, frocks, fizz and make-up artists!

With Alina I had to check a few of my pronounciations (again!) as we had a properly international gathering, and I'm loath to trip over someones name as I introduce them!

I trully love that brides room buzz, with the excitment almost as thick in the air as the hairspray, and as noted in my first post about Gaurdswell, the accomodations were pretty lavish, so I had a good Oooo and Ahhh as well!

After that, with all my checks made and everyone happy about how it's all going to go, it's into my suit, a fresh coat of lippy, and sit quietly in a corner out of the way until we're good to go!

And after it's all done....

Photo by Michele Lamb

...well...I can't say it's my favourite photo of myself, but I am one of those folk with the 'expressive'  faces (plasticine?) so still shots are not always kind (another reason not to photobomb my couples!) ...but I do enjoy chatting with guests after the ceremony, and I take photos too...even though they are generaly not good enough to use on here, I still like to 'collect' all my couples...which sounds a bit creepy now that I write it down!

Alina and Andrew, thanks for sending me these through, and for sharing your day at Gaurdswell Farm with us all, and as I said in the other post - I'm so glad you took that leap of faith booking a stone shell and some mud with an amazing view!

The Hermitage, Dunkeld

Marrying friends is always going to be special for any celebrant, and I was truly delighted when Crispin & Paula asked me to conduct their extra select wedding at the Hermitage in Dunkeld. With only 3 couples and their kids as guests, it was among the most personal weddings I've ever been part of....

Each of the guests had a job to do in the ceremony, whether that be doing a reading, or taking over a part of the ceremony that is more usually done by me...but when the story of a couple, their lives together and the years that have gone by is written & read by someone who was there the night they met, it can only be more personal & meaningful than anything I could have written.

They did everything their own way, and added twists and ideas I've never thought of...they had chosen to have a secret "Why I love you" bit in the ceremony and Paula went above and beyond the call of duty (!) by composing & declaring hers with the aid of a heap of carefully ordered Love Heart sweets, kept safe in a mini Tupperware box, that said it all for her.


The tie they used for their hand fasting was amazing too...it was woven ribbon, but they had added all sorts of bits and pieces from around their home to it as well: toys representing their family life, and bits and bobs from both their working lives as well as contributions from the kids....and speaking of the kids, when I asked them to pose for the shot, they really outdid themselves!
 

 All the Young Dudes!

Forter Castle - 1 June, 2016

Elizabeth & Brent ~ Lands o' Loyal Hotel, Alyth ~ August 2015

Lizzy and Brent were very, VERY firm about how they did NOT want their wedding to be...and, despite the old world setting, did an amazing job of making the whole occasion their own and of being themselves throughout...hence Brent's total disregard for the idea that the groom should NOT stand there with his hands in his pockets!

There were a lot of laughs in the ceremony, too, and Lizzy and Brent were even brave enough to let their readers not only choose, but write, their own contributions...and let them keep them secret until the ceremony, too!

Eastwood House, Dunkeld

The beautiful Ange with photographer Nikki Leadbetter in spectacular light at Eastwood House, Dunkeld, just before the ceremony.

The ceremony and reception was actually held in a Teepee in the grounds, right on the banks of the Tay, but the venue lends itself to smaller gatherings too, and the gardens make a lovely reception space if the weather is on your side, as it was for us that day. They served cake with the Champagne after the ceremony, which everyone approved of...I think there were 5 kinds!

As well as the ones eaten after the ceremony, Andy & Ange also had this rather spectacular cake that depicts them (and a dozing Rowan!) on the Meadows in Edinburgh, where they met through the friendship of their respective dogs who - though not present at the ceremony - were honoured by the reading of "Falling in love is like owning a dog" by Taylor Mali.

Andy and Ange also incorporated a naming for their son Rowan into the ceremony, who pretty much stole the show, coo'ed giggled and sang throughout, to the delight of all!

Farleyer Lodge with Fran & Dustin

 

Fabulous day dodging the raindrops on Monday with Fran & Dustin (and best man Dan) at Farleyer Lodge, near Aberfeldy. A new venue for me, and loved the place. Quirky and stylish in it's very own way...very much like the ceremony, the bride and groom and of course the guests!

I think the unusual tree you can see in the background here is a Himalayan Handkerchief tree. Really.

Also, the first time I've ever seen crisps as a wedding favour. Superb!

Jenna & Ian's Football Wedding

"Jenna and Ian, may your intentions and commitment to each other remain strong, and may the foundation of your relationship be the love and respect you share.

Play fair with each other, and respect your fans.

Remember this day, those who came to wish you well,

the words you have spoken, and the love that you have declared.

Go forward in your lives together with the good wishes of all those who love you. 

A few last words now as full time approaches, with some help from poet Denys Jones…

Sing when you’re winning, Smile when you lose,
Don’t turn up your nose at a draw.
Keep trying, keep striving whatever the cost,
And don’t take your eye off the baw...."

 Jenna & Ian...Pride of Perthshire indeed!

Don't tell the Bride!

John & Jackie Clark at Strathallan Castle...who brought me three of the craziest weeks of my life as we got ready for and filmed 'Don't tell the Bride'. My only irritation with the show was that John of course wrote the ceremony with me - as well as organising everything else,  and they never gave him any credit for the huge amount of work he did on that side of the planning, and at that time he was the first groom to have had to do so on the series...and I thought he did a brilliant job of it!