Wow, it's been a busy summer what with shooting weddings all over Scotland and the small matter of getting married in the middle, and as such, we're more than a little behind in our blogging. But don't worry, we'll be trying to catch up now that there's a little more time between weddings.
The first wedding that we want to share with you was a beautiful family affair held in Nairn, near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, in late July on a perfect summer day. It was warm, but not scorching, the sky was blue and most importantly, it didn't rain!
The day started with Alexandra, her parents, her brothers, sisters-in-law and nieces getting ready at Willowvale, Alex's family home. The house was bustling with activity and excitement as the women had their hair done, the men attempted to find their morning suits and Alex and Bob's two beautiful nieces were read the tale of Wibbly Pig which not only kept the nieces entertained but also soothed the nerves of all concerned.
Meanwhile with his family, Bob was getting ready at Boath Stables in nearby Auldearn. The atmosphere was similar with apprehension and excitement filling the air. While Alex's preparations ran up until the moment she and her father Dick left for the church, Bob was dressed and ready long before we arrived!
As the church quickly filled with guests from all over the world and Bob and his best man waited quietly at the alter Alex travelled there in style with her dad. Outside the church the two adorable bridesmaids prepared for their train carrying duties and Alex and her dad were greeted by Father Burnett who gave the bride the classic and unvarying piece of advice offered to all brides by their clergymen - enjoy it, really enjoy it. Before you know it it will all be over. And with those words of wisdom spoken, Alex walked down the aisle to meet her groom.
After the ceremony we travelled with Alex and Bob to the beach. The tide was high so they stood on the grassy bank, overlooking the Moray Firth and spent a few moments alone, smiling and laughing together before heading onto the reception to celebrate with their 180 guests.
The reception was held at Willowvale which made the day truly unique and infused the celebrations with a warmth and intimacy that is hard to achieve at weddings held outside your family home. Two marquees were erected in the gardens and the guests drank champagne in one, ate and danced in the other and celebrated on the lawns in the middle.
And what a garden! Trees casting dappled shade across the grass, roses filling the air with their scent and a wall of sweet peas providing the most vibrant splash of colour. It was the kind of garden you never want to leave and that makes a photographer come over all Country Living.
Weddings have all sorts of meaning for all sorts of people but at Alex and Bob's the one element that really shone through in the whole day was family. It was a wedding held in a family home, hosted by parents whose pride in their daughter was palpable; the ushers were family, the bridesmaids were family and both Alex and Bob spent the morning - a time when the importance of the ceremony you are about to take part in if felt stronger than ever - with their parents, their siblings, their nieces and their nephews. Witnessing and photographing such closeness was both heart-warming and a great privilege and it was a truly lovely day.
All photography by Lillian and Leonard Wedding Photography
