Time goes on crutches till love have all his rites.
You may wonder why I am quoting the bard at the beginning of this blog but you’ll see!
Having been to Houston House for many a conference in my long ago banking career it was lovely to be finally shooting a wedding there. Even if Kirsty had her heart set on an outside ceremony and the long range weather forecast wasn’t looking promising. Kirsty and Stuart booked me immediately after I captured her Uncle Ally and Anne’s Wedding in 2022 which is the nicest compliment I can ever get.
Crutches
Right here’s the tenuous connection with the Bard. Kirsty and Stuart met at a work event. Kirsty was on crutches and Stuart was assigned to be her coffee buddy. They got on like a house on fire but Stuart was based in Birmingham and Kirsty in Edinburgh. However things took an interesting turn when Stuart got a role that meant he would be in Edinburgh.
I think secretly their colleagues must have known there was something special between them as they were due to go on a works night out, and everyone else that was meant to be going bailed! After that, they were inseparable until…
The C-Word
That’s right Covid hit just as their romance was blossoming and they couldn’t physically see each other for 4 months. That definitely solidified their feelings and shortly after the enforced distancing was over they moved in together.
Imperfect Perfection
Those who know Stuart, know that he is a planner. In May 2022 he planned his proposal to perfection. The hotel, the champagne in the room, the ring, everything. But as we know life doesn’t always work out that way. The hotel royally screwed up and the proposal ended up being a catalogue of errors. But Kirsty still said yes and it provided TJ Thomson their celebrant with a great story to tell at their ceremony.
Wedding Day Blue Skies
Kirsty wasn’t feeling hopeful for her outdoor ceremony when they arrived at at the hotel as the night before there was a downpour of heavy rain. But she needn’t have worried. The morning of the wedding dawned bright and clear with beautiful blue skies and soft clouds. Perfect!
All In The Details
Most of the hotel was taken up with Kirsty and Stuart’s guests. As many had travelled up from England, Stuart and Kirsty had arranged for gift bags full of lovely Scottish things like Tunnocks Tea Cakes and Irn Bru in all the rooms to help acclimatise them!
What was nice was that both Kirsty and Stuart were getting ready in different rooms in the hotel so I was able to capture some of the Grooms prep as well.
Show Stealers
The guests were seated, Stuart was ready and the piper had announced the wedding party. Helped by the excellent hotel staff the cutest Flower Girls walked down the aisle.
They were so cute Kirsty and her son stepped out from their hiding place to get a peek.
But then it was time for the main event. Stuart physically gasped as he saw his bride walking down the aisle for the first time with her son.
A Perfect Ceremony
Under the canopy of the cherry blossoms Kirsty and Stuart became husband and wife. After tying the knot with a traditional handfasting.
And a traditional drink from the Quaich.
Room With A View
Houston House has a secret weapon when it comes to big group photos. No need for me to climb on my rickety stepladder here. The Wedding Co-ordinators office is situated at the top of the tower that looks out onto gardens. Perfect for that big group image.
Bossy Boots
Sometimes I feel like the meanest person in the world dragging my couple away from all their family and friends and their well wishes to get some bride and groom portraits. But I remind myself that they will regret it if they don’t have them, pull up my big girl pants and usher them away.
So many great places around the venue I was spoilt for choice. Here are just a few.
Cakes & Speeches
Kirsty and Stuart named all their tables with the places they had travelled and once all the guests were seated the piper piped them in to cut the cake.
Before that I caught the Best Man checking his notes for the speeches. Feeling the pressure no doubt.
But he needn’t have worried as all the speeches were great. From Kirsty’s son’s touching opener to Stuart’s heart-felt speech all eyes were on the best man. I wish I’d been in the right position to capture his wife’s reaction when he shared the wedding advice that worked for him. Particularly having any arguments naked!
Golden Hour
Whilst the room was being turned around for the evening and the band tuned up I had the chance to get some photos in my favourite light.
I had spotted this courtyard with it’s festoon lights when we had our pre-wedding consultation and knew it would be perfect. It was so worth moving all the guests that were sitting there. To be fair they were all good sports about it!
Dancing The Night Away
Kirsty and Stuart took to the floor for their first dance.
Then followed two songs to honour their respective dads who were no longer with them. It was so lovely to see the mums enjoying them.
Then it was time for me to pack up and leave what had been the most perfectly splendid day. Leaving my couple with so many lovely family and friends to celebrate with.
Congratulations again Mr and Mrs Hale xXx
