Archive for the ‘Weddings’ Category

From A Different Viewpoint: The Wedding Caterer

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

I like to invite trusted wedding vendors and suppliers to write guest posts on the blog, offering something other than photography for brides to be planning their wedding celebrations. Today Ally Dow from Glasshouse Hospitality has written a few words giving more of an insight into the role of wedding caterers – it isn’t just about the menu! Glasshouse Hospitality are a superb Edinburgh based company with a wealth of experience in organising, planning and delivering stunning weddings, parties and corporate events throughout Scotland. I first met Brian Galbraith, who launched Glasshouse Hospitality, on a ship in Dundee! Brian was onboard organising the ship’s official launch party and events which were to take place the following week in Aberdeen over three days; and I was onboard visiting work colleagues from my previous life working on subsea construction ships in the oil industry.

Photograph of detail from a wedding breakfast table

I was immediately impressed with Brian, the way he works, his passion for delivering the best possible experience, and the care he has for his company and clients. Since that first meeting I have learnt more about Brian’s business and have no hesitation in working with Glasshouse Hospitality and recommending them to my own clients. They plan and deliver superb weddings and events from the small to the extravagant. Each wedding is tailored so that every desire is met and catered for, be it an Asian wedding or a marquee wedding, matrimonials in a castle or on a clifftop. So enough from me, here are a few words from Ally at Glasshouse Hospitality.

From the a different viewpoint: the wedding caterer

The term “wedding caterer” seems somewhat inadequate in describing the reality of what our job actually entails. Far from just dealing with dietary requirements on the day, by the time a lot of our couples tie the knot we feel we know them, having spent hours in the weeks, months (even years) before the wedding helping them choose chair covers and linen, organise flowers, decide on timings, menus, entertainment, venues…

Wedding cake photographed by Louise Beattie Photography

It’s all leading up to one thing, ”the big day” – the wedding. Recognised as one of the most important days of your life, our ultimate role is to make sure everything is perfect so that couples can relax and enjoy it.

Great Hall set for a wedding breakfast

However, once the dancing ends and the whirlwind of wedding madness is over comes the opportunity to relax and reflect on the big day. I think this is where the role of the photographer really complements ours – we aim to create great memories, the photographer aims to capture them. That way great memories can be relived again and again, and all the effort is worth it for the best day  of your life.

Photograph of beautifully covered chair at wedding

I hope that this has given a bit more of a different perspective when planning your wedding. Please let me know what subjects you like for future posts in the comments below.

If you would like to know more about the wedding photography services offered by  Louise Beattie call 01241 815655 or e-mail studio@louisebeattie.com

A Scottish Highland Wedding – More Photography From Dean and Dani’s Celebration

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Dean and Dani were married at Forter Castle in Glen Isla towards the end of last year. I posted some images of the preparations here and it is high time that I posted more images from their day.

The castle has some beautiful details and is a unique and peaceful setting.

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Dani dressed in the Lairds Room which sweeps across the entire breadth of the castle. The room has a four poster bed and is fitted with traditional antique furnishings, including a writing desk positioned in one of the turrets  and a library area on the opposite side. Perfect for a newlywed couple.

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With a beautiful chapel, Forter Castle is perfect for intimate weddings.
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The dogs wanted to be included in the day too….

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If you would like to see more of my work visit my wedding photography website or give me a call on 01241 815655, I would love to hear from you.

Stretching and Playing at Guthrie Castle | Wedding Venue in Angus, Scotland

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Guthrie Castle, Angus

I recently posted a sneak peak of a couple of images from a photography session at Guthrie Castle with model Emily and hair and make up by Sandra Cormack of SC MakeupArtistry. This historic Scottish Castle is a beautiful and romantic wedding venue, with its own walled garden dating back to 1616, private loch and 9 hole golf course set in 156 acres of natural beauty.

Photography at Guthrie Castle, Scotland

Wedding ceremonies can be held in the walled garden, the castle chapel, for smaller weddings, or Guthrie Village Church which is just a few minutes away. All types of wedding ceremonies can be held at the castle – from traditional religious ceremonies to civil partnerships, Celtic, Asian and themed weddings. The castle can cater for small or large wedding parties and you can find out more here.

Photograph of bride at Guthrie Castle, near Dundee and Aberdeen

Becoming a Better Photographer

I love photographing weddings, It is a privilege to be allowed to share in the most important day in a couple’s life and to be trusted with telling the story of their wedding. It is also a huge responsibility, so I am always striving to be a better photographer, to make each photograph better than the previous one. I regularly participate in training workshops and seminars to improve my skills, learn new techniques and see new ideas but the best way to grow as a photographer is to practice. Or as I like to think of it – stretch and play.

Wedding photography at Guthrie Castle by Tayside based photographer Louise Beattie

Although I take photography very seriously, I use the word play because I love what I am doing so much. And in this photography session I really did feel like I was stretching and playing.

Reflection of bride in a photograph taken at Guthrie Castle, near Dundee and Aberdeen

Wedding photography with a fashion twist

You can see more images from this photography session in the slideshow below. If you would like to see more  photography or learn more about my wedding photography services including destination weddings throughout Scotland and Europe contact me by clicking on this link or call me on +44 1241 815655 or visit the website.

Wedding Photography at Achnagairn House, Inverness-shire | Angus & Averil

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Angus & Averil’s Wedding

I have been a little slow in posting this as Angus and Averil were married during the summer last year. They chose to celebrate their wedding at Achnagairn House, just outside Inverness, with the ceremony held in Inverness. Along with their family and close friends they had exclusive use of the mansion for the weekend, enabling them to complete their wedding preparations in this beautiful setting.

Averil’s gorgeous pair of Gina shoes.

Gina bridal shoes photograph, wedding at Achnagairn House, Inverness

The Gina Shoes

The wedding gown chosen by Averil was stunning.

Photographer Louise Beattie's image of a bride preparing for her wedding

Brides - it always takes longer than you may think to fasten your wedding gown

Photograph of bride coming down the stairs at Achnagairn House, Inverness

Averil ready to leave Achnagairn House for the wedding ceremony in Inverness

Although Achnagairn House is licensed for weddings Angus and Averil chose to celebrate their wedding ceremony in Inverness.

Bridesmaid bouqet by wedding photographer Louise Beattie

Bridesmaid holding her bouqet, waiting for the arrival of Averil with the Father of the bride

Bride photographed leaving horse drawn carriage on arrival in Inverness for wedding ceremony

Averil arriving outside the church in Inverness

Photograph from the back of the church during a wedding in Inverness

Averil's gorgeous wedding gown

Achnagairn House, Inverness-shire

A wedding at Achnagairn House is a stunning setting for a wedding and after the family the wedding party returned to the Edwardian Mansion house to continue their celebrations. Set in 15 acres of grounds with a river, woodlands and ancient trees it is an exclusive and unique setting for a wedding.

Bride and groom photographed at their wedding, Achnagairn House

The bride and groom return to Achnagairn House to continue their wedding celebrations

During your stay at Achnagairn House, which is conveniently located near to Inverness, you have exclusive use of the mansion and grounds.

Wedding at Edwardian Mansion, Achnagairn House, by Inverness in the Highlands

Angus and Averil enjoying the grounds at Achnagairn House

Nothing can quite prepare you for the ballroom which can hold up to 160 people for an elegant sit down meal.

The stunning ballroom at Achnagairn house, photographed prepared for a wedding

Highland mansion Achnagairn House's ballroom prepared for a wedding celebration

Achnagairn's ballroom and balcony ready for the wedding celebrations

I love to photograph the details at a wedding as with so much happening on  your special day it is so easy to miss the little touches that make your day unique.

Wedding chair covers, Achnagairn House by wedding photographer

The beautifully laid out ballroom

Beautiful white chocolate cake photographed during a wedding at Achnagairn House

The amazing white chocolate cake decorated with roses

Wedding cake detail photography

I was very tempted...

There were many more images I could have included but hopefully I have given a taste of Angus and Averil’s amazing wedding at Achnagairn House. I will be adding more images to my main wedding photography website in the near future along with finishing a few more updates to the site.

If you would like to know more about my wedding photography services including destination weddings throughout Scotland and Europe contact me by clicking on this link or call me on +44 1241 815655.

Scottish Wedding at Forter Castle | Dean & Dani

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Scottish Highland Weddings

Scotland is a great place to have a wedding, there are so many beautiful castles that can be used as venues providing great settings for wedding photography. Forter Castle, set in the beautiful Glen Isla in Perthshire, is no exception and has recently been renovated. It is easily accessible from Scotland’s main airports at Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and with helicopter transfers available it is an ideal location for destination weddings. It’s central location, with good access to Perth, Dundee and Angus also make it an ideal place for intimate highland weddings

When Dean and Dani decided to have a humanist wedding ceremony they chose to hire the castle for the weekend, sharing it with close family and friends. The celebration was held in the Forter Castle’s own chapel making it a unique wedding. The video below is a slideshow of some of the photography from the wedding and shows what a stunning setting the castle is, and as you can see they were blessed with a beautiful autumn day.

When photographing a wedding I love to tell the story of the day and you can see some of the photographs from the preparations for this wedding here.

I hope that you enjoyed the video, if you would like to find out more about my wedding photography services you can visit my website or contact me.