Orocco Pier – Emma & Barry’s Wedding
Second Chance
Who gives a damn about your first love?
Give a big round of applause for your second love.
Because they taught you love still exists,
after you thought it never could again.
Plenty Of Fish In The Sea
Emma and Barry met in 2014 on the dating app ‘Plenty of Fish’ and after messaging and phoning each other for a while they started to meet up and fell for each other hook, line, and sinker (sorry, not sorry about the pun!).
Pi$$ Off!
Both Emma and Barry have kids from their past relationships and whilst on a family holiday together in Portugal in 2019 Barry decided to pop the question. He waited until the last night having hidden the ring inside a sock in the hotel room safe. The kids were all in on the surprise and they made out they wanted some family photos in the hotel grounds before they went for dinner. Barry asked the question and Emma told him to “Pi$$ Off” because she thought he was joking!
Once she realised he was serious she did say yes! 😀
Beautiful Day For a Wedding
I was a bit nervous the night before the wedding as I checked and re-checked my camera gear, charged my batteries, and re-read my notes. Thanks to Covid this was my first wedding since February 2020 and I was worried I wouldn’t do them justice. “What if I’m rusty?”, I asked Mr JB. He assured me that once I got into it I would be fine. And he was right!
The couple had chosen Orocco Pier in picturesque South Queensferry to get married and Emma and her bridal party had stayed there the night before. As I parked up the sun was shining over the Forth Bridges and it felt like summertime.
Bridal Party
I always bring lighting gear when I am capturing bridal prep in case the hotel room is dark. However, I needn’t have puffed and panted my way up the stairs to their room with tripods and collapsible softboxes as when I stepped inside the huge windows in the room were letting in tons of light. Still, better to be safe than sorry!
Becca the make-up artist had been there from the crack of dawn along with the hairstylist and Emma, her best friend, and her two daughters looked amazing. Becca also had some top tips for carrying the bouquets that I will steal and use from now on but that I can’t repeat here!!!
There were so many lovely personalised touches at this wedding that were a joy to capture. Like these shoes.
That Emma’s friend (who also did the flowers and tablescapes) had customised for her.
Even Emma’s manicure had a tiny ‘I do’ on her ring finger.
Family Affair
Whilst Emma had both her daughters in her bride squad, Barry’s son was his best man and had the all-important job of handing over the rings.
I really loved how Emma and Barry made sure their kids all played key roles in the wedding.
Tying the Knot
Before the ceremony the Humanist got Barry and me to practice the Hand Fasting. Poor Barry! I’ve never seen anyone more relieved to see his actual wife-to-be walk down the aisle!
In the lovely family-orientated service, Barry and Emma’s mums handed over the tartans for the fasting.
Barry’s son nailed the best man duties.
And Emma’s eldest daughter read a blessing at the end of the service with moral support from her sister.
Beach, Please
Orocco Pier has steps that lead from the terrace to the beachfront so the bride and groom and their guests all braved the sand to get some group photos.
I feel all the ladies in their heels were especially game and didn’t complain at all!
The Benefits of a Smaller Wedding
Whilst due to the C-19 regulations, Barry & Emma could only have 30 odd guests it did come with some pluses (for me).
Normally with a big wedding, the group shots and all their permutations can take up a large chunk of the time I have for formal photos before the wedding meal. The wedding coordinator told me how long I had once the group photos were over and looked worried I wouldn’t have the new Mr & Mrs back in time. I, on the other hand, was giddy at the amount of time I had for a change!
Photo Bombers
The first stop was the little pier right beside the venue. Whilst I was in the moment directing Emma and Barry I knew there were other people walking about but it wasn’t until I started editing the images that I realised we had our own photo bomber!
I shall be expecting one at every wedding I shoot now!
South Queensferry was absolutely heaving. The nice weather had bought the world and his dog out in search of ice creams and sea breezes but that wasn’t going to stop me. I had Emma and Barry all along South Queensferry at spots I had planned out on my pre-shoot recce earlier in the week. My couple was brilliant and fully game for what I had planned. The best kind of wedding couple 🙂
You’d never know it from the way my two fabulous models are posing for me, but the benches behind us were absolutely swarming with tourists and day-trippers. I did make one old lady’s day by getting her to hold the bouquet during this shot.
Back in Time for Cake
Much to the coordinator’s surprise, I had Emma and Barry back well within her timeframe! Allowing them to do some socially distanced mingling with their guests before the cake cutting and meal.
As there were no evening guests due to restrictions, Barry & Emma cut the cake just before the meal.
It was a stunning three-tier creation from Creative Slices Cakery that carried the navy and gold colour scheme of the wedding.
Yes Sir I Can Boogie (sort of)
A small but welcome change in the regulations has meant that while full dancing and mingling is not yet allowed at weddings, the couple can at least have a first dance.
Emma and Barry danced to Space by Biffy Clyro, watched by their closest family and friends and it was perfect.
Fire the Cannons
Emma and Barry had organised lots of table games to keep their guests entertained into the evening but someone was a wee bit disappointed. Barry’s dad had purchased some pretty heavy-duty confetti cannons but hadn’t been able to use them doing the first dance.
Well, we couldn’t have that! The early evening light was beautiful so before the games commenced I suggested we took Emma and Barry out onto the terrace and fire the cannons at them.
Barry’s Dad was happy and we got some stunning images. A win-win I’d say 🙂
It was a perfect day and I was still smiling that night as confetti fell out of my bra whilst I got undressed!
Congratulations Mr & Mrs Boyack x
