Grange Manor Hotel – Susan & Iain’s Wedding

It feels like ages since I last wrote a wedding blog about an actual wedding! December in fact! How wonderful to have Susan and Iain start off my wedding year at the beginning of April.

Weddings Are A Great Place To Meet

Susan and Iain can testify to that. They met at a mutual friend’s wedding in 2008.

The couple regularly holiday in the north of Scotland, loving the beautiful unspoiled beaches up there. And it was on one of those beautiful beaches that Iain got down on one knee and completely surprised Susan by popping the question. Even though Iain thought the secret was going to be discovered before he was ready as Susan almost stumbled across the ring hidden in a cubbyhole of the car a few times!

All Systems Go

When I got to the bridal prep room it was all going on. Susan had arranged personalised PJs for her bridal party and the girls seemed very comfortable in them.

I couldn’t resist capturing Susan in hers with her proud mum.

Susan’s dress from Olivia Cameron Bridal was absolutely stunning. I needed help from one of the junior bridesmaids to get in hung up on the bedpost to show it off in all its glory.

Meanwhile downstairs all was calm. I even got Iain and his mum outside for a picture next to the piper.

If you look very closely you’ll see the colour draining from his mum’s hand where I tied her corsage on super tight…well, she wanted it secure! I have heard from Susan since that they did manage to save her mother-in-law’s arm!! So all is well!!

Also, time to get the groom and his best man in the bar. Looking very handsome in their McLeod tartan kilts.

Almost Time

And just time to sneak back upstairs and get the bridal party in all their finery

Susan’s bridesmaids did a cracking job as did the Paige boy (not in shot).

I don’t think I’ve ever seen two parents as proud as Susan’s were on the day. I have a massive parent crush on her mum and dad, they are both such cuties 🙂

Aye Do

I’m not sure how it could be possible but Susan’s dad looked even more proud as he walked his girl down the aisle.

I can’t blog about this wedding without mentioning the ceremony. It was conducted by the most amazing Rev Lindy an Interfaith Minister. It was funny, heartfelt, and poignant all at the same time.

This picture totally sums the ceremony up and it was hard to stop my camera from shaking I was laughing so much. There was so much love and laughter in the room as well as support for the new Mr and Mrs McLeod. Lindy made it a fully inclusive celebration for everyone.

Here they are playing ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who will go first with the marriage vows!

Four Seasons In One Day

Only in Scotland, the saying goes, do you get all four seasons in one day and it certainly seemed that way on the wedding day. After glorious sunshine all morning we stepped outside to get the traditional group shot after the ceremony.

And you can’t see it here, but as I am wobbling atop my trusty stepladder in the middle of the hotel car park to get this shot, it started to snow!

So it was back inside for the rest of the group shots the couple wanted.

I particularly like this one of Susan’s pal and gorgeous daughter from Liverpool. I asked them all to ‘strike a pose’ and Iain decided to show us all how it’s done!!

Then the sun came back out so I was able to take the couple back outside for their pictures.

Making full use of all the grounds, including the fire escape that Susan and Iain had found the night before.

I often give my couples daft directions to get a particular response. I don’t think these two will forget the ‘sporran to bum’ position for a while!!

Tree-mendous cake

So many personal touches went into making this wedding very special including a tree trunk themed cake. Very appropriate as Iain is a tree surgeon.

Complete with their initials carved into it. Awwww 🙂

And their favours were wee messages in a bottle filled with sand from their favourite northern coastline.

Let The Party Commence

The wedding breakfast was on track to be served and it was time alas for me to bid farewell to this wonderful couple and their crazy, funny, cute families. As I got back in my car and a hailstorm started (yes really), I reflected on how welcoming and friendly everyone had been and what a gorgeous day it had been.

Congratulations Mt and Mrs McLeod xXx