Archive for May, 2010

Rosa and Barry | Glenbervie House Hotel | Wedding Photography

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Rosa and Barry met whilst on holiday in Mailia in 2002.  Barry proposed to Rosa on 22nd December 2007 having booked for a surprise overnight stay at the Glasshouse Hotel in Edinburgh.  Barry ended up popping the question in the honesty bar at the hotel – after two ‘failed’ attempts at asking Rosa earlier in the day! The couple were sat on a sofa and Barry lent down (Rosa thought he was tying his shoe lace) & the next thing she knew he was on one knee in front of her!

Barry and Rosa looked at quite a few venues before picking Glenbervie House Hotel (a 5 star luxury hotel in Larbert, Central Scotland) but as soon as they drove up the driveway, they both knew it was perfect. They loved the fact that you get exclusive use of the house which they said “makes it that bit more special!”.  They felt the service at Glenbervie House was brilliant throughout the run up to the wedding and on the actual day of the wedding.  Rosa told us “the staff at the venue made sure the day flowed perfectly which allowed me to just enjoy it without worrying about what needed to be done or what was happening next”.

Rosa’s dress was bought from a small independent bridal shop in West Yorkshire called Perfect Daze.  As Rosa told us “I originally tried the dress on about a year and a half before the wedding and nothing I saw after that would compare! When I went back to Perfect Daze to order the dress, I was told that the designer, Catherine Jane had gone into receivership and therefore I wouldn’t be able to get the dress.  Emma (the owner of Perfect Daze) saw how upset I was and managed to get a final one off made for me! I love everything about my dress and I’m so sad I’ll never get to wear it again!”

Archibald Photography glenbervie house hotel 05 Rosa and Barry | Glenbervie House Hotel | Wedding Photography

Rosa’s veil and tiara were her ‘something borrowed’ (from a friend) and her Mum and Dad bought her jewellery for her, which matched her tiara really well.  Rosa’s shoes were ivory pointed toes with a low heel and she got them from the Westend Wedding Boutique in Glasgow.

Archibald Photography glenbervie house hotel 10 Rosa and Barry | Glenbervie House Hotel | Wedding Photography

Millennium Hair Design in Wishaw did Rosa and her bridesmaids’ hair and Rosa commented “the girls in there were fab”.  Rosa’s make-up was done locally to the Glenbervie at Airth Castle Spa.

Flowers were provided by Alison’s Flowers in Stonehouse.  Rosa chose neutral (ivory & white) flowers to to work with their chosen colour scheme at Glenbervie House. Roses and white thistles were the main flowers used to connect the Yorkshire and Scottish backgrounds of the couple.  Their cake was made by Barry’s old Home Economics teacher.

Kilts were from Kilt Pin in Falkirk who won Best Groomswear Company 2009 at the recent VOWS Awards.

Archibald Photography glenbervie house hotel 24 Rosa and Barry | Glenbervie House Hotel | Wedding Photography

For entertainment in the evening, the couple had a band called Red Hot Poker Band.  Rosa told us that “everyone commented on how good the band were in the days and weeks after the wedding – its was a brilliant night”.  The couple’s first dance was ‘Rhythms del Mundo’ – a cuban mix of Jack Johnson’s ‘Better Together’ because as Rosa pointed out “it is better when we’re together!!”

Johnstone picks Rosa and Barry | Glenbervie House Hotel | Wedding Photography

Rosa also spoke very highly of John McIntyres in Glasgow where the couple purchased their rings.  Rosa told us that “the service was brilliant. When you purchase your wedding ring’s there you get 10% discount on any further purchases, which is good for bridesmaids gifts and jewellery. I would recommend them to everyone!”

I was interested to find out why Barry and Rosa had chosen Archibald Photography as their photographers.  Rosa said “I first saw your photographs when I searched for wedding photographers online and I knew Marks images were just the style we wanted. After visiting your studio and meeting you both we were certain that you would produce the type/style of album we wanted.  I love the images of Barry and I walking down the drive with the trees behind us. They are just beautiful, I still can’t believe its us in the pictures!”

Johnstone picks1 Rosa and Barry | Glenbervie House Hotel | Wedding Photography

For Barry and Rosa, the best thing about the day (other than the marriage ceremony) was having all their friends and family together in one place at one time.  As Rosa pointed out “it’s not likely to happen again anytime soon and so really does make the day extra special.”  Barry sums up the day as “awesome!”

On any wedding day, there is usually something funny that happens or doesn’t go as planned.  For Rosa and Barry, it was the cutting of their wedding cake.  According to Rosa “we did under estimate how hard it would be to cut the cake – that was quite funny and made some pretty good photos!”

Johnstone picks2 Rosa and Barry | Glenbervie House Hotel | Wedding Photography

From our point of view, we loved watching the slideshow for the first time with Rosa and Barry.  The sequence of images from their speeches had us all in fits of giggles and we hope their images will provide them with a fantastic lasting record of a fabulous day.

Johnstone picks3 Rosa and Barry | Glenbervie House Hotel | Wedding Photography

Here’s a slideshow of our favourite images from their day (turn off the volume if at work!):

Laura & James’ Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

A few weeks ago, Mark was at the wedding of Laura and James for their ceremony at the University of Glasgow Chapel followed by a reception at the stylish 29 Royal Exchange Square.  Laura and James met when she was just 17 and James 18 through a friend while at a gig. James proposed to Laura on their 5th anniversary of dating. He hired a suite at the Golf Hotel in St Andrews, which is a place with special meaning to the couple. James proposed with a plastic cat ring on top of a cupcake and they went to pick the real ring the next day!

Laura has a figure to die for and choose a gorgeous vintage style dress by Suzanne Neville.  Laura wore Mirabeau by Suzanne Neville, a designer at the forefront of British couture wedding design.  Her dresses are well known for their perfectly structured bodices and Laura’s choice of dress had an elegant style reminiscent of vintage French cafe society in the 1950s.

Wedding photography university of glasgow 43 Laura & James Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Laura had a vintage style headpiece made for her by William Chambers Millinery who have just been nominated as Accessory Designer of the Year in the Scottish Fashion Awards for the third year running.

Wedding photography university of glasgow 10 Laura & James Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Other suppliers worthy of note were:

Rings – Laings

Bridal Shoes – Irregular Choice

Wedding photography university of glasgow 01 Laura & James Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Bridal Accessories – Laura’s gloves were vintage, her earrings and garter were from Etsy and a feather shrug was purchased from Ebay

Wedding photography university of glasgow 18 Laura & James Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Hair – by Mark at Graeme Reid Hair

Groomswear – Slaters

Wedding photography university of glasgow 35 Laura & James Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Wedding Cake – Special Days Cakes

Wedding photography university of glasgow 51 Laura & James Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Flowers – Ruby Flowers

Wedding photography university of glasgow 02 Laura & James Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Bridesmaid dresses – Karen Millen

Wedding photography university of glasgow 47 Laura & James Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Evening Entertainment – Fat Sam’s Band who Laura said “were absolutely fantastic!” As Laura told us “my different groups of friends all bonded over dancing manically to the swing music”  Laura and James danced their first dance to ‘Kiss’  by Dean Martin because it “felt just right and had a classic old feel”.

Wedding photography university of glasgow 61 Laura & James Vintage Style Wedding | Glasgow University Chapel | 29 Royal Exchange Square

Laura told us that she chose Archibald Photography because “the quality of photographs was very high, I really loved the reportage sort of style, and we both felt really comfortable with Mark and that we clicked with him.”

Laura had many favourite parts of the day.  As she told us “I really enjoyed getting ready with the girls in the hotel. My own speech was impromptu and I’m glad I did it. The band were absolutely fantastic and I really enjoyed seeing all my different groups of friends get on really well; here was a really laid back atmosphere all day. We weren’t allowed confetti at the church, but my family surprised us with it as we left the reception at night! I really enjoyed spending a short amount of time alone with James in the car after the ceremony, as it went down Kelvin Way on a sunny day with some champagne and my bridesmaids also surprised me with candles and rose petals in the hotel room at night. Walking down the aisle was so nerve-racking at the rehearsal, but lovely and exciting on the day.”

Laura and James’ day went very much as planned but amusingly, as the car was open topped and the couple had to go through the centre of Glasgow (down Argyle Street and up Queen Street), they got a lot of clapping and cheering.  As Laura recalled “one particularly memorable drunk shouted ‘quality’ at us.  Then on the way home, the car had to move up the street a bit whilst waiting for us because some drunks tried to get in it – I’d probably pick a more discreet car for going home if I was to change anything! My dress also was completely filthy at the end of the day, but that was OK. I lost my gloves, feather shrug, and one stocking by the end of the night!”

Laura would sum up the whole experience as “just exactly as I had imagined it would be. It was remarkably stress free, and I felt so comfortable leaving Mark alone to do his thing with the photos because I knew they’d be great, and they were. Really lovely and happy.”

Here are some of our favourite images of their day:

Pamela & Ross | Wedding Photography | Airth Castle | Falkirk

Monday, May 10th, 2010

In the Autumn of 2009, Mark was at Airth Castle in Falkirk for the wedding of Pamela and Ross.

Ross and Pamela met in a pub in Sauchiehall Street on Christmas Eve which Pamela says is “not the most romantic story I guess!”  Pamela told us that Ross would quite frequently tease her by pretending he was going to propose, getting down on one knee and then asking if she’d him the honour of holding his coat while he tied his shoe! So Pamela was surprised after 3 years when he actually did propose when they were on holiday in New York. The couple had a perfect day out on a row boat on Central Park and then Ross took Pamela to Tiffanys and proposed.

They both liked Airth Castle as soon as they saw it and thought that would be the perfect location for their wedding.

119 MAA 6762 Pamela & Ross | Wedding Photography | Airth Castle | Falkirk

Pamela bought her dress from Benjamin Roberts at Ann Priscilla Bridal in Glasgow and Ross bought his kilt from MacGreggor & MacDuff.

064 IMG 1405 Pamela & Ross | Wedding Photography | Airth Castle | Falkirk

The couple had some favourite suppliers on the day including the MC at Airth Castle and the piper from Scotia Pipers.  Flowers were provided by Grace Flowers on Byres Road.

124 IMG 1550 Pamela & Ross | Wedding Photography | Airth Castle | Falkirk

Pamela and Ross have lots of favourite images and thought Mark did a really good job of capturing the day.  They particularly liked the images of them both immediately after the ceremony, the shots of Pamela’s veil blowing in the wind and all the men in kilts walking across the lawn.  The couple chose Archibald Photography because “we liked Mark’s style looking at his previous work. And he came to our flat to visit and show us his work and meet him beforehand which was great.”

Veil Pamela & Ross | Wedding Photography | Airth Castle | Falkirk

In summary, the couple felt they had a “brilliant day”.  They were really laid back about it and didn’t try the food or taste the wine or anything until the day but were happy with everything.  The only thing Pamela thinks they should have done is learn to dance! She laughed as she told us “that was a bit embarrassing”.  Pamela and Ross’s first dance track was You and Me Song by The Wannadies.

Here are some of our favourite images of their wedding:

Wedding Photography Image of the Week 04

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

The weather on this day at the Forest Hills Hotel was very wet. However like most of the couples I photograph this didn’t faze them. They kept dry under their brollies and I took a soaking (but who cares…I’m waterproof).

I’ve photographed at this venue many times and I can honestly say that these were the ideal weather conditions to show the drama of the loch. This photograph is often a favourite when I show it to couples about to tie the knot. Everyone tells you to pray for good weather on your wedding day. I suppose it depends on how you look at it. For me this was good weather because it gave me the light to make a beautiful image. No two days are ever the same in Scotland. What a boon to have the fortune to be a photographer here. This photograph is a moment which could never be replicated. It makes me happy I pressed the shutter when I did.

Forest Hills Wedding Photography Image of the Week 04

Andrea and Kevin | wedding photography | Ardanaiseig Hotel | Argyll

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

It was quite a journey getting there but it was worth it. With heavy snow on the way, I booked into a B&B and set off a day early for this wedding in December 2009.  It took about 7 hours to negotiate the narrow Argyll treacherous snow covered roads to reach Taynuilt.  Kevin & Andrea had chosen the Ardanaiseig Hotel near Taynuilt for their winter wedding.

What a setting! Stunning in any weather, this location was simply magical for wedding photography in deep snow.

Wedding Photography Argyll 1 Andrea and Kevin | wedding photography | Ardanaiseig Hotel | Argyll

The weather was perfectly crisp, sunny and the ground was a bed of snow. This location is so beautiful and dramatic that it almost doesn’t seem real.  The backdrop for photography at the Ardanaiseig Hotel was so amazing that the ceremony was performed outside despite being a snowy December day.

Wedding Photography Argyll 2 Andrea and Kevin | wedding photography | Ardanaiseig Hotel | Argyll

Andrea and Kevin wanted some dramatic photography which really showed off this most stunning of Scottish settings. Rarely have I been anywhere this spectacular and been quite this lucky with the weather.  Another nice aspect of this day was that I got to shoot another Lindsay Fleming celtic dress design.  I have provided all the brochure and website photography for both Lindsay Fleming’s Celtic Spirit Collection and All That Jazz collection of 1920s style wedding dresses.  It was great to photograph ‘Sabina’ one of their celtic inspired creations live on a wedding day.  As an added bonus, Andrea was in the lucky position of being a bride who is also a florist so she provided the gorgeous floral details on the day.

For the newlyweds it was a day never to be forgotten and it must go down as one of my favourite weddings in my career so far.  Here are some of our favourites:

Wedding Photography in Argyll 03 Andrea and Kevin | wedding photography | Ardanaiseig Hotel | Argyll

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