When Helen asked me if I would travel to Scotland with my camera to capture her wedding day, I instantly said yes. Helen and I share a mutual friend and so it was a fabulous opportunity to catch up with friends and visit one of the most beautiful venues in the UK.
Helen Langthorne and Matthew Dixon were married at Inglewood House and Spa in Stirling. It really is a most stunning setting to hold a wedding; magnificent Jacobean architecture, a spectacular ballroom, sweeping landscaped grounds and a rather lovely duck pond. It's no wonder Inglewood House and Spa was voted the Romantic Venue of the Year 2017 at the Scottish Wedding Awards. As I drove up to the venue I knew it would lend itself perfectly to a fairy-tale wedding. Although I've travelled a lot with my work, this was my first Scottish wedding, and it didn't disappoint.
Whenever I've visited Scotland in the past, it had rained so when I arrived in the sunshine it was nothing short of a miracle…but, yes, you've guessed it, rain was forecast for the wedding day. But nothing was going to stop us.
Happily, we woke up to a sunny day and everyone was very excited. One of my favourite parts of any wedding is seeing the bride getting ready for her big day. It's such an intimate time spent with those nearest and dearest to her and can often be quite an emotional experience. At some point, the tissues come out and tears of joy are wiped away before anyone's mascara runs!
Helen and Matt's morning was no different. In a wonderfully romantic gesture, Matt sent Helen a card with some lovely words in…she let me have a peak and even I shed a tear (no, I'm not going to tell you what it said, but believe me, it was beautiful).
Of course, you can't have a wedding in Scotland without going the whole nine yards, and it was great to see all the boys in kilts. I have to say they looked very handsome indeed! Their outfits made the day such an authentic Scottish experience, although I'm afraid I was too shy to ask exactly what they were wearing underneath their kilts (or could say " too shy to ask THAT question").
The humanist ceremony was conducted by celebrant Mary Wallace and told the story of the world Matt and Helen have built for themselves, how they met and what they have achieved together. It celebrated how far they have come and the solid bond and love they share. Hearing such personal anecdotes made the wedding very special and there were lots of tears and laughter throughout. Even Helen's sister, Ruth, shed a tear, and according to Helen, she never cries!
Eventually, the rain did come at around 6 pm, but it did nothing to dampen the spirits of the bride and groom and all their guests as they danced the night away in traditional Scottish Ceilidh style.
Thank you, Helen and Matt, for letting me share such an amazing day.