Scotland

A Simple & Intimate Concert Hall Wedding: Valerie & Craig

Kat

November 8, 2011

"For us, we wanted our wedding ceremony to be kept simple - no flashiness and relaxed," newlywed Valerie told me, "which is just the way we are. We wanted intimacy and for it to be very personal which I think was reflected in our music, readings (the lyrics of the Adam Sandler tune from the Wedding Singer and an extract from the Irrational Season, Madeleine L'Engle) and having our little boy with us. However, we definitely wanted a big party afterwards to celebrate."

A Picturesque Scottish Wedding: Fiona & Darren

Kat

September 5, 2011

By the time you read this I will be back from the US of A and probably jet-lagged to the hills! I'll be blogging all about my American Adventures really soon, but in the meantime I've got this beautiful Scottish wedding from CandySnaps Photography to share with you. Fiona & Darren were married at Boturich Castle, Alexandria. They were married outside (which in legal in Scotland) and in front of the impressive castle. The bride wore a beautiful gown and veil handmade for her by a friend and vintage jewellery which had belonged to her Grandparents. The groom wore traditional Scottish kilt, the tartan of which was an Irish pattern (Murphy) which was his Grandmother's family name.

A Crafty & Fish-Themed Wedding on the Banks of Loch Fyne: Claire & Doug

Kat

July 21, 2011

Unlike in England, in Scotland you can legally be married in an outside ceremony. The photos of this part of Claire & Doug's day in particular made me fall in love with this wedding. The celebrations were held at Inver Cottage Restaurant on the banks of Loch Fyne. Claire explains, "We went on our first family holiday to Strachur last year and when we stumbled upon Inver Cottage Restaurant on the banks of Loch Fyne we fell in love with it. We love all things seafood. It was during this holiday with our 9 month old daughter, Maggie, that Doug proposed. Directly across from Inver Cottage at the ruins of the old castle Lauchlan. The only place for our wedding ceremony was at Inver Cottage. We both hated the idea of a formal wedding but wanted to share the day with close family and friends and do it in a personal and well thought out way."

Pheigi & Kiichiro’s Japanese/Scottish Fusion Wedding

Kat

January 19, 2011

Just wow. Like seriously, wow. That's pretty much all I said for 5 minutes when Pheigi & Kiichiro's Japanese/Scottish fusion wedding hit my inbox this week. I almost don't know where to begin telling their epic wedding story, luckily for me the bride explained it a lot better than I ever could. The couple actually had two weddings - the first in Japan in July 2009 and the second (pictured) in Scotland in September 2010. "My new Hubby and I actually got married in Japan (where we live) in 2009. We went to the city office and signed lots of forms to update my alien registration card, change his official address and get hitched. Which one of those forms was actually my marriage certificate I still don't know. I wore my mothers 1970's full length purple embroidered waistcoat over my purple cord flares and after we went to the crazy Japanese arcade on our street and had photos taken in the hello kitty photo booth. Much fun yet somewhat lacking in romance. We thus decided to come home to Scotland and have another celebration with my family, which we did in September. Planning my wedding from Japan was hard to say the least, especially as I wanted something a little different from the norm, and the whole thing became more of a disappointment as I spent hours trawling through ugly dresses, bland invites and over the top bling, until a good friend with similar problems directed me to your site. From then on I visited your site nearly every other day to remind myself that there were options other than white wedding package A, B or C and so in turn I am sending you my wedding in hope that it may help other brides in the UK realise the same and give them a wee break from the monotony of the wedding industry. I hope you like."

Debs & Richie’s Budget Friendly, Crafty & Vintage Wedding

Kat

January 6, 2011

When photographer Emma Case emails me with "eeek's!" and "wooohoo's!" when talking about her latest wedding I stand by and prepare myself for greatness. I am SO EXCITED to share Debs & Richie's wedding as not only did I blog their fabulous engagement session just before Christmas, but they used Rock n Roll Bride as inspiration for their awesome vintage wedding. "When Richie & I got engaged we did not have a clue what we wanted our wedding to be like, all we knew was that we wanted it quite small, with only close family and friends, good food, good music, and wanted it to reflect on us as a couple as much as possible. Our budget was small and we began to panic! How are we going to manage to create a wedding on such a small budget, that's when I turned to the Internet and found a number of wedding blogs (Rock n Roll Bride was one of the first) that gave me loads of inspiration on how different weddings can be, and how much of your own personality you can add to your special day! I became obsessed with the blogging world, I had bookmarked hundreds of images made folders upon folders and my inspiration began to expand."

Mark & Fiona’s Snowy Steampunk Kinda Day

Kat

January 4, 2011

Mark & Fiona's Steampunk inspired wedding took place at the Signet Library in Edinburgh in November. "We chose a Steampunk theme after Mark told Fiona her general day to day style was slightly Steampunk when he bought her a watch for Christmas in New York," the couple explained. "Fiona had not heard of it, but looked it up and realised it was exactly what she was in her choice of films, clothes and even her writing (she's an aspiring novelist)."

Nicola & Ed’s Scottish/London Fusion Wedding

Kat

August 10, 2010

Nicola & Ed wanted a diy wedding that really reflected them. The took from Nicola's Scottish heritage and had a thistle theme for their flowers and decor, all of which they sourced themselves. For their invites and order of service they used a photograph from the Bolivian Salt Flats which they had taken themselves when they were away travelling the year before that was really special to them. For the London aspect of their wedding (they married in London) they booked a double decker bus to transport all their guests and as a final touch they named each table after a London tube stop and bought postcards to add to the centrepieces.

Under the Spotlight – Lauren McGlynn Photography

Kat

July 14, 2010

Originally from Austin, Texas photographer Lauren McGlynn has just moved over to Aberdeen, Scotland. Oh you lucky lucky Scottish brides! Excited about her move to our side of the pond Lauren told me how much she is looking forward to living and exploring this side of the Atlantic and so is not only waving all travel fees for UK weddings booked in 2010 but will offer 20% off all her packages when you quote 'RocknRollBride' when you contact her. Take advantage of this fantastic offer by dropping Lauren an email right now!

Scottish, Vintage Loveliness

Kat

July 1, 2010

I'm not one to go back on my promises, so here's the gorgeous Scottish wedding to follow on from Sean & Nicola's 'Great Outdoors' engagement session that I posted last week. The pair wanted a really laid back, family-orientated day and they chose Mugdock Park for their ceremony and The Local Town Hall for their reception. "We only really considered one option for a ceremony venue, which was Mugdock Park" they began. "It is an amazing place at the beginning of the west highland way, and we loved going there for mountain-biking, having barbecues or just strolling around. We met up with the park manager and we had to prove ourselves as fans of the park before they let us go ahead with it, as they have only 2 weddings a year there. Our wedding was set around the old castle ruins, and my younger cousins provided the uplifting music by playing the violin and clarinet."

The Great Outdoors

Kat

June 25, 2010

Sean & Nicola love the great outdoors so that's exactly where they headed for their engagement shoot. A local country park provided the perfect setting for this sweet, fun and romantic photo shoot. Afterwards the couple got dressed up and headed back to the city for some hilarious photo booth style shots - these are my favourites!

A Non-Vanilla, Love-Filled, 1950’s Delight

Kat

June 21, 2010

An excitable email from a newly married reader always brightens my day and LeeAnn's may have been one of the most excitable I've received in a while! I just had to share the story behind her and husband David's gorgeous 1950's influenced wedding with you today. "After gorging my eyes on a ga-jillion bridal mags and internet images, I felt I was living a white-out groundhog day" LeeAnn began. "I quickly became downhearted about organising my own BIG DAY, the no-fun casting my eye over "traditional" gowns (this one? no, that one? no, repeat), the vanilla-ness of invites, pink-and-white themes to the power of 42,000! Where did the love go?"

Sue & Shonagh Whimsical & Wonderful Wedding – A Touching Tribute

Kat

June 1, 2010

Sue & Shonagh actually got married in May 2008, however following the sad passing of Sue's Mum Hilary to Cancer just recently, with the full co-operation of the couple, both myself and photographer Caroline thought it would be a fitting tribute to share their whimsical and wonderful wedding with you today. Sue (in the tartan dress) and Shonagh (in the blue dress) were neighbours of Caroline and as soon as she heard the couple we getting married she jumped at the chance to photograph it. Another friend, who also lived in the same building, Vonny Mullock, made both the brides' dresses. Sue got ready in their flat and Shonagh got married in Vonny's flat. The couple met on the landing between when they were both ready and headed out together to get married.

Night of the Living Wed

Kat

May 17, 2010

This ghoulish, retro horror themed wedding may not be everybodys cup of tea but I can't help but be a little over-excited about it. So. Much. Originality! Photographer Al, who has just been shortlisted for 'Tattoo Photographer of the Year' was keen to tell me all about Ash and Michelle Ghoulmore's (oh yes!) friday the 13th wedding. The couple run retro rebels store and the horror-themed clothing company Kreepsville 666 so their wedding was always going to be a spooky special. 'Ghoulmore' actually is Ash's surname and they pretty much live Halloween everyday, so it was fitting to pick a horror / b-movie inspired Wedding theme. "This meant I had to light the formals in a slightly different way to ensure I got that punchy highly saturated contrasty feel that fits with the mood" photographer Al told me. "This was the first time I've seen a smoke machine used during the ceremony! The archway was decorated with skulls and light like a stage. As you can see form the photos the cake was a skull and all the attendees got to take home a set of cast-silver effect fangs to say 'fangs for coming' [groan]. Zombina and the Skeletones provided the live music for the reception, again fitting the horror-rockabilly theme."

Ooh La La Oscar De La Renta!

Kat

May 4, 2010

Before I share this wedding I want to let out a little 'squeeeeal' of excitement over bride Sian's Oscar De La Renta number. I actually remember coming across this dress last year sometime on a blog somewhere and being pretty much floored by it's beauty. So when photographer David shared his images from Sian & Dave's London Zoo wedding from Saturday I knew I knew that dress...and I fell in love all over again. Not only that but teamed with the Vivienne Westwood shoes (which I love and have a pair of myself) and it's a match made in Rock n Roll heaven!

Inspired by Scotland

Kat

April 2, 2010

I'm filing this under 'engagement' because I'd love to think someone will be inspired by these for their own engagement shoot. So, technically this isn't a wedding-related photo shoot at all, but when Chris & Dani of Chris Barber Media headed up to Scotland last week, they ended up taking some pretty damn stunning images. and well, I just HAD to share them. The landscape is incredible, the water is awe-inspiring and the subjects are such fun (love the instax shots - swoon!)

A Wedding on Water

Kat

March 31, 2010

Julie & John got married in September 2008 at Luss Pier in Loch Lomond, Scotland. Although originally from Manchester, they chose this location as it was perfect for their ideal wedding - small and intimate - with only about 30 of their closest friends and family. They hired a boat from Sweeney's Cruises where they had their ceremony and drinks. Afterward they walked along the beach to the Lodge on Loch Lomond where they had their meal and the rest of their evening.

English Country Garden

Kat

March 26, 2010

Jennifer & Ian's vintage garden engagement shoot is just so British - I love it! The slightly damp weather, the funky patterned wellies, the wheelbarrow and the greenhouse... I'm very much looking forward to seeing this couple's vintage themed Scottish wedding in May and I hope photographer Fjona will be sending the images straight over to me afterwards - think VW van, Scottish tablet in jam jars, old fashioned luggage labels and more wellies. It's going to be awesome I'm sure!

Under the Spotlight – CandySnaps Weddings

Kat

January 29, 2010

Who are you and what do you do? I’m Caroline Weiss, the photographer behind CandySnaps Weddings. I’m originally from Germany but have been living in the UK for the last 12 years I am a reportage wedding photographer, which means that I blend in unobtrusively and record a couples special day rather than direct it. I will take care of the mainly always required group shots too, but I won’t take my couples away for 2h for a photo session. I believe that there is no need for set up images and that the best pictures are always of the bride and groom enjoying themselves with their friends and family. It also means that they will look back at their photos and remember their special day how it really happened. I’m one of the few Scottish photographers who have been selected as member of the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) Where are you based and what cities/countries are you available to for work in? I am based in Glasgow Scotland but am happy to travel anywhere in the UK and Europe, or in fact anywhere you will take me. Who/what are your biggest influences? Who do you really admire? Oh my…. There are sooooooooooo many wonderful photographers out there. One of my favourites has to be Robert Frank. I just love photographers who ‘play’ with photography. Black and White images always excite me – they just have such an amazing atmosphere about them and I always think that everyone looks like a film star in b/w. What or who made you get into photography? Photography and the idea that you can capture those precious moments has fascinated me for a long time. I think moving to London when I was 19 really inspired me to become a photographer. It’s such an amazing colourful and vivid place with so many different people… I worked as an assistant with a lovely photographer called Simon Denton who really inspired me to go and study photography and take my passion for photography further. What do you love about weddings? I love being part of a couple’s happiest day of their life… I LOVE a good party and I get really excited when you can just feel the love between two people and it’s my honour to capture this with my photography ( I always get a wee tear in my eye at every wedding ceremony and am the one who laughs the loudest at a good Best man speech)… It’s great meeting couples, who stick to fingers up to wedding traditions and just do their thing and have a really individual wedding not following any rules. I love the excitement on their faces when I show them their wedding photos, when I get a hug and tears of joy because they love my work so much. That is the thing I love most about my job making my clients happy! What do you hate about weddings? I wouldn’t say I hate anything about weddings, but I’m not particularly thrilled by very traditional weddings. Thankfully, I am not photographing many of them. Tell me a little about your favourite wedding ever and why? (include pix if you want) ARGH, I can’t decide,…. I think there might be 2 wedding so far that really stood out for me. One was a very small intimate affaire. The couple got married at the registry office and then went on to a wonderful restaurant. They are both really into their cycling so instead of having a wedding car, they cycled with a tandem from the registry office to the restaurant. Oh what fun. And it was a complete surprise. Their friends organized the tandem for them and decorated it with a cute ‘just married’ sign. The looks on their faces when they saw the tandem was just brilliant. The other wedding was much bigger and set in a family garden. It was a super hot day in May and the couple were just sooooo much fun to work with. Super relaxed. They held their speeches outside in the garden and it was just an amazing party with lots of wonderful people. The bride wore bright red heels and bounced on the trampoline with about 10 kids in her £3000 wedding gown. Very cool! What advice would you have for couple’s on the wedding photographer hunt? What is a sign of a good/bad wedding photographer? First thing to think about is what you want from your wedding photography, as there are many different styles available. Ask your venue if there is someone they would recommend or your friends who are already married might be raving about their photographer. If wedding photography is really important to you, make sure you book your photographer as far in advance as possible. The popular photographers get booked out a year or more in advance! When a company has more than one photographer make sure you meet and see the work of the person who will take your photos. I personally think that it is important that you like the person who photographs your wedding so you feel relaxed in front of their camera. A good photographer will show you samples of full day weddings they have shot so you get a feel what your photos will be like. I would also recommend that you don’t book your favourite photographer because they are over your budget. Your wedding photos will be what is left after the wedding. The photos will be your memories and that is priceless. And last but not least, trust your instincts! I always compare choosing your wedding photographer with choosing your new house - you often know as soon as you walk through the door that this is the one. What has been the highlight of your career as a wedding photographer so far? Having my work published in leading Scottish Bridal Magazines. Being selected as member of the prestigious WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) and collaborating with Scotland’s finest hair and make-up artists Leigh Ferguson and Ainslie Currie to offer my clients a complete hair, make-up and photography package for their special day. What role (if at all) have wedding blogs played in promoting you and your work so far? This is the first time that I’m promoting myself on a blog and I’m really excited about it as rocknroll bride is fantastic and being features will be a great way to make myself known to the kind of clients I like to attract. I’ve been looking everywhere for a blog like this in the UK and am thrilled that Kat likes my photography and is happy to have me on board! So all you lovely brides get in touch – I’d love to hear about your wedding plans. Do you have any advice for budding photographers out there who want to get into weddings? I would say to them that wedding photography is very different to studio based work. In the studio you are in control of everything. The lighting, the background etc. With wedding photography you get rain, bright sunshine, dark venues… You just have to adapt to whatever is thrown at you. But if you find the idea of that exciting rather than nervewrecking, give it a go. I am just utterly in love with photographing weddings and can only highly recommend it. Anything else you’d like to add or info about yourself that you’d like me to include? And other questions you would like to include? One thing I would like to mention are my beautifully handmade wedding albums. I don’t use storybook albums but am working with a Japanese bookbinder who lives in Munich who makes these to my clients specifications. There are lots of different colours (bookcloths) and patterns (Japanese paper) available and they are just so different to what other photographers offer. I will attach a few photos for you to choose from. I don’t really like the story book albums because I think they are a fashion trend and in 10 years time they look outdated and will fall apart. I wanted to give my clients something no one else has. A totally unique album for every totally unique wedding, that will last forever and can be handed down to their children and grandchildren. The albums also contain ‘real’ photographic prints, so the photos aren’t printed onto the page like they are in the story books. Please include a number of your favourite images that I can use in the post. There is no set amount and I will choose which ones I think will suit the post the most. Thanks for taking part! If you could also please include a photograph of yourself for use in the post that would be fantastic!

A Little Help From My Friends

Kat

January 23, 2010

I was already brimming over with excitment to feature this wedding by one of my newest Scottish photographic discoveries Mirrorbox Photography, but then I found out that this blue dress bride was actually one half of the talented team. A true Rock n Roll photographer if ever I've seen one - she only even went and had her own Rock n Roll wedding! "Being a wedding photographer myself I knew how important the photos were going to be at my wedding. I am one half of Mirrorbox Photography. I worried about asking my business partner Sequoia to take the photos as she was also going to be a guest at the wedding but I really didn’t want anyone else to shoot it. She was the only wedding photographer I knew would take the amazing photos I wanted and thankfully she happily agreed. Asking friends to get involved became a bit of a theme to our wedding. In fact when we put together our guest list each person had a skill we could utilise next to their name. This was not only a way to cut costs dramatically but it was also a great way to get people involved. We knew that we wanted our wedding day to be very personal to us and to all our closest friends and family that would be there. My husband and I with the help of our creative friends designed and made everything from rings to invites to flowers, we even made our own champagne! I designed my own dress, which I then had made at Che Camille in Glasgow; an independent design studio featuring local artist’s work. The bridesmaids also designed their own dresses. I didn’t want Sequoia to be working all night so I utilised a small room off the main hall to our venue and turned it into a self portrait photo booth, setting up lights and a camera with a trigger release. This proved to be great fun on the night and even more fun looking through the results after. This was also another great way to get people involved."

All that Jazz

Kat

January 22, 2010

This fabulous 1920s Vogue-stylee fashion shoot was sent over to me by Donna & Mark of Archibald Photography and I actually couldn't wait to share them with you! The shoot was commissioned to to photograph the new collection of 20s inspired wedding dresses from Lindsay Fleming called 'All That Jazz'. Lindsay Fleming Couture are award winning bridal designers based in Scotland. Aren't these beautiful!? Thanks to Donna & Mark for sharing these with us today

Newer

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Older