I’d actually photographed a wedding there about 15 years previously before the new purpose built castle replaced the previous venue.
And what a unique venue it is. Despite being entirely new, the castle has lots of character and there are gardens at the rear which are perfect for photos.
These were also ideal for my own relaxed style which Lynsey and Alwis were keen to have for their own special day.
‘We love the photos Richard did for both our engagement and wedding. Neither of us enjoy posed or formal photos so Richard’s candid style was perfect, he captured so many beautiful moments from the wedding day without us even noticing. Even the more formal group shots with family etc were relaxed and fun. We’re grateful to have so many lovely photos and memories to look back on!’
Lynsey and Alwis
I first met Lynsey and Alwis when they took part in a special offer I had for a free engagement shoot, so when it came to their wedding day at Glenskirlie Castle it felt like we knew each other quite well.
Matching PJ’s
The day stated off a Lynsey’s parents’ house where she was getting ready with her bridesmaids. After saying hello to everyone I started by getting some shots of her dress, flowers and shoes before taking some candids of her getting ready. It was a nice sunny day outside and I wanted to get some shots of her and her bridesmaids in their matching PJ’s so we used the garden for this.
Being Sensitive
The ceremony was taking place at the Baptist Church in Falkirk which was about 15 minutes away so I had to leave a little early to make sure I was there in time. I had a quick word with the minister to see if there were any restrictions to the photography and fortunately there weren’t as long as I didn’t get too close. I’ve heard from some ministers and celebrants that this can sometimes be a problem at weddings where photographers get so close that they actually disrupt the ceremony. One thing I’m particularly sensitive about is making sure I’m unobtrusive as possible, especially during the wedding ceremony. Sometimes a minister or celebrant will say they have no problems with you getting close but I still like to be as sensitive as possible.
Quiet Time Together
After the ceremony, we had a 30 min drive to Glenskirlie Castle. The forecast for day had been a mixture of sunshine and showers but when I arrived at the Castle there was some lovely sunshine in the gardens at the back. Lynsey and Alwis arrived first and had to wait about 15 to 20 minutes for all the guests to arrive, so we decided to use the time for their photoshoot. This turned out perfectly as it meant they could have a little quiet time together while I took some shots of them. When we finished all the guests had arrived so it was easy to arrange some family shots plus a confetti shot with everyone outside the castle before heading in for the speeches and the meal.
I always enjoy the speeches at a wedding. Not only are they great moments to capture people’s expressions but you get to hear lots of interesting stories plus a few good jokes and the odd embarrassing one as well!
Castle Atmosphere
It was getting a little too dark for evening shots after the meal, so I took some shots of Lynsey and Alwis on the stairs which captured a little of the castle’s atmosphere and made for a fun shot. The evening reception was particularly fun, as after their first dance absolutely everyone went up on the dance floor which meant I had to stand on a chair to capture everyone!
