“Read my lips carefully, if you like what you see
Move, groove, prove you can hang with me
By the looks I got you shook up and scared of me
Buckle your seat belt, it’s time for takeoff” – Bootylicous, Destiny’s Child
Press ‘F’ To Pay Respect
What the heckity heck am I going on about? Well, apparently (I googled it), it’s a game instruction in Call of Duty. So? That’s how Emma and James met around six years ago. They were introduced by a mutual friend on the Playstation while playing Call of Duty!
Then in 2018 Emma could hear Ed Sheeran’s song Perfect playing on CD. When she walked into the room James was down on one knee ready to propose. 🙂
Tequila Rose
When I arrived at the bride’s hotel room at the venue, it was all systems go. There was a great atmosphere in the room with music playing, drinks flowing, and hair and makeup being done by good friends and wedding guests from Evolve Hair and Beauty.
There was plenty of banter to join in with whilst I set about taking the wedding accessories and Emma’s daughter, one of the bridesmaids, helped me to stage them.
Meanwhile, James had arrived downstairs with their son and his two brothers.
In order to stop any nerves kicking in Emma’s bridesmaid Stacey had a plan. Give Emma (and anyone else in the room that was of legal drinking age) a shot of Tequilla Rose.
A few of those and Emma was all “nerves, what nerves?”! James was also having a drink and trying not to let the nerves get to him.
First Look
After showing Leia pictures of her wee brother in his kilt she started tearing up and had to have her makeup touched up. Imagine how everyone was when wee Calum came into the room!
Emma had wanted to capture his first look at her in the wedding dress and by his face I think he’s just seen a princess. Way too cute.
Emma’s long veil (more on that later – regular readers know how much I love them) was big enough for them to have a snuggle under. How precious will this image be to him when he is older?
Aha! Now The Destiny’s Child Lyrics Make Sense!
After Emma’s mum was walked down the aisle by her brother it was time for the bridesmaids. There was a pause and then the music powered up to the sound of Destiny’s Child Bootylicious. Stacey and Leia didn’t walk demurely down the aisle, they danced, popped, and dropped down the aisle much to everyone’s entertainment.
By contrast, Emma and her Dad walked serenely down the aisle to where a slightly emotional James was waiting.
But I’m IN This Wedding!
The ceremony was lovely and Calum not content with standing at the side with his Uncles wanted to be right in the wedding action.
I love how Emma is holding hands with both her guys in this image.
And if you look closely at their first kiss as husband and wife…yup, there’s Calum squished in the middle!
Some Top Class Bridesmaiding
Once all the family pictures were captured it was time to take Emma and James off to get some formal portraits. At Beancross I like to trek about a bit to all my favourite good spots. All too often that means lugging both my cameras and drinks for the bride and groom (I don’t like them getting dehydrated). Often I will also have the bride’s bouquet and/or be holding her dress up. But at this wedding, the Bridesmaid was on point. Stacey was brilliant at helping carry stuff, flooding the dress, and helping arrange and toss the veil. First-class bridesmaiding!
Talking of that veil. It was lovely and long to allow me to get under it and play awkward gooseberry with the couple to get lovely pictures!
I also found a new spot outside the front doors that I liked for pictures as well.
Girls V Boys
Once we got back to the wedding party I knew that Emma wanted a picture with all her girlfriends and some more Tequila Rose.
I think it’s fair to say the girls nailed it, got the timings spot on, and still managed to look super glamorous doing it.
Not to be outdone James decided to do something similar with the boys.
Who did it best? You decide! (it was the girls, it was obviously the girls!).
Time For A Glow Up
Scot Weddings decor company had done a great job decorating the venue including a huge flower heart and neon sign that was begging to be photographed.
So much so that whilst the wedding guests were eating their dinner I decided to take macro close-ups of the rings balanced on the neon.
I’m not sad about how they turned out, either.
Throwing Some Shapes
The wedding evening guests had arrived, the DJ had a smoke machine and was not afraid to use it and everyone was having a great time.
The storm clouds that had been threatening during the day finally arrived and outside the rain was bouncing off the tarmac but inside you couldn’t tell. Everyone was having a rather jolly time.
I haven’t captured a full-day wedding in ages. As I left at around 10:30 to go home I reflected on how much fun it had been with Emma and James and their family and friends.
Congratulations again Mr and Mrs Spiers xXx
