If a picture speaks a thousand words, then these images have plenty to say. Scottish photographers share the back story of some of their favourite wedding photos with Nicole Conner
Marion McKinnon Photography
“This gorgeous confetti image was pretty special as it was the culmination of months of picking and drying roses from the bride’s family’s garden to actually make the confetti for the wedding at Boath House in Nairn,” Marion McKinnon tells us. “In my opinion, there is no such thing as too much confetti!”
“Sarah and Ewan opted not to have posed photos with their groomsmen and bridal party at their wedding at The Engine Works in Glasgow. However, best man, Alan, was determined to get in on the action when I sat the newlyweds down for some photos! The couple absolutely love this shot and I think it highlights the importance of a more candid approach to photography. Sometimes it’s the unplanned, unprompted moments that make the best photos,” Andy says.
Viola Front Photography
“We took Nina and Mark’s colourful wedding pictures at the gates of Queen’s Park in Glasgow. We only had 15 minutes to capture the images, as the pair wanted to spend time with guests and it was starting to rain,” says photographer Viola. “I suggested we should add some colour to the miserable weather and experiment with flares which I had in my backpack. The result is fantastic.”
Dougi McMillan Photography
“I captured Erin and Liam’s big day at Forbes of Kingennie Resort in Dundee. On the day, everyone was really laid-back, and Liam was the life of the party. Erin met her groom at the top of the aisle and the pair held hands to begin their vows, but after around five words, Liam started to cry.”
“Two things happened simultaneously: firstly, everyone in the room began to say ‘aww’ and then, every lady and bridesmaid started crying at the same time! Two seconds later, he started smiling and then everyone burst into laughter – what a rollercoaster of emotion. Such a great moment for such a nice couple,” says Dougi.
Edge Photography
“This shot of Ross and Coral laughing during the ceremony at their Tuscan wedding really just summed up the whole energy of the day,” photographer Ewan recollects.
“The wedding party that you can see laughing in the background were relentlessly funny and positive, the couple oozed with love for each other (which I feel shows in the glance from the groom) and were smiling and chuckling all day. There were lots of jokes being cracked and a great deal of genuine laughter from all of the guests.
Karen Simpson Photography
“I captured Bonnie and Alan’s wedding at The Walled Garden in Fife after seeing a plea on Facebook for suppliers to help the couple get married, as the groom had been diagnosed as terminal,” Karen says.
“All suppliers pitched in and gave them a day to remember. As you can imagine it was a hard, bittersweet day: a couple of months later Alan sadly passed away. However, they were so grateful to get the day together to spend with their family and friends.”
Kiera Burns Photography
“There were only two people doing the poppers for this confetti photo – and one of the poppers wouldn’t work,” laughs Kiera, who captured Clare and Steven’s big day at Greenock Town Hall. “Everyone was laughing, including the couple, so when it finally went off they weren’t ready for it. It made a really nice candid moment and the photo that wee bit more special.”
For Love and Thistle Photography
“There wasn’t one particular moment of Dale and Vismante’s wedding that stood out – the whole day did! The couple planned an elopement over a big wedding to keep things stress free, but to also have the budget to go all-out on their chosen suppliers,” photographer Holly tells us.
“Although there were one or two small hiccups on the day (with the car hire thinking it was only booked for a few hours not the full day!), we travelled to the Talla Reservoir in Tweedsmuir for photos with the car and breathtaking background. The resulting images are a dream.”
Rachel Spence Photography
“I’m a pretty adventurous shooter and even on the drive back to Venachar Lochside, I was looking to grab a quick shot of the newlyweds, Steven and John, in the car. For this shot, I was in what I can only call ‘pretzel position’ trying to balance in a very bouncy vintage car behind the couple, which is not easy,” laughs Rachel. “It all came together at the right time – the couple saw what I was doing and caught the reaction!”
New Chapter Creatives
“As bride Mhairi’s brother Grant walks into the room, he is overwhelmed with joy at seeing his sister in her wedding dress for the first time,” says photographer Dean Scott.
“He’s ready to fulfil the honour of walking her down the aisle to marry John at Lochgreen House Hotel.”
Lynsey Melville Photography
“My couples always think I’m a bit unhinged at times as I’m usually asking them to do something silly,” Lynsey laughs. “The aim with my antics is to get a fab photo, but also to make the experience relaxed and fun for them. It’s daunting for a couple to be in front of a camera! In this instance, Jane and Gary made their wedding unique and true to their personalities with a steampunk theme at Kilconquhar Castle Estate in Fife.”
“As if they didn’t think I was bonkers enough, to get this shot, I asked them to pretend they had just come out of the pub and were very tipsy walking home drunk together! Makes me smile every time,” she added.
Heather Jayne Photography
“Bob and Rachael got married at a small civil ceremony in Glasgow. Bob sadly has cancer, and had just finished a round of chemo the week of the wedding. He was really nervous about his picture being taking because of the way the treatment affected his skin, but he was so happy on the day that it didn’t matter,” said Heather.
Faodail Photography
“During the summer, I worked alongside a great videographer who told the couple to think of silly or rude words for each letter of the alphabet,” reveals photographer Rebecca. “That’s what was happening here with Shannon and Aidan at GG’s Yard. Watching the couple laugh with each other is great and the resulting candid-style shots produced are stunning.”
Ashley Blacker Photography
“Chelsea and Paul had to reschedule their wedding multiple times due to Covid,” Ashley Blacker tells us. “One of my favourite things to catch is natural reactions and once the bride was dressed she stood in the corner of the room and we captured various first looks with her bridesmaids, parents and mother in law.”
“These photographs show the true emotions that everyone had. Choosing your wedding party carefully is so important: surround yourself with those that love and care about you most and you’ll be rewarded with the photographs and memories from that day.”
NC Photography
“Amanda and James took a few silent moments on their big day and headed to West Sands Beach in St Andrews, near their venue,” photographer Nicola tells us. “This is a place that meant something to them both. They separately spent many childhood days here with loved ones no longer near. To think that they stood on the very same beach as children, but now as a married couple, is very special.”
Biggar Picture Photography
“My absolute favourite back story of last year was Claire and Robert announcing during the speeches that they had, in fact, already been married for nearly 12 months!” reveals Allan Forrester at Biggar Picture Photography.
“Claire’s dad had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was devastated that he wasn’t going to be able to walk his youngest daughter down the aisle. With help of the hospital chaplain and the council registry they managed to get married in the hospital 24 hours later, with only their immediate families in attendance. Claire’s dad sadly passed away shortly after, but he was able to fulfil his final wish.”
He added, “The ceremony was kept under wraps with only those in attendance (and a very few others) being told to ensure that the secret remained. That was until Claire and Robert revealed all during the groom’s speech at Cornhill Castle. The bride stood to join her ‘new’ husband to explain all and it resulted in many, many tears.”
