KerryAnne & Cameron, St Ninian's and Sherbrooke Castle

If I ever leave Scotland and permanently return to South Africa the one thing I will truly miss is the long, lovely light summer evenings. There is a glorious, golden quality to the light, and those few evenings a year when it just stays light forever. It almost makes up for the 6 months of total darkness!! KerryAnne and Cameron were married on the hottest day of the year (so far?) and just had such a lovely time, laughing together and smiling and so obviously enjoying their day. It shows in the images, it really does. Thank you, and please enjoy these few sample images.

Sandy

sandy@specialdaymemories.co.uk

0141 884 2250

Fantastic new wedding venue for Paisley - the Ballroom at the Watermill Hotel

I am very excited by a new venue for Paisley, and a new direction for Special Day Memories - the Ballroom at the Watermill Hotel. On a cold, cold Thursday evening we attended and photographed the opening event, when local councilor and Paisley Provost Celia Lawson opened the new function suite.  The Provost paid tribute to the Watermill’s Managing Director Michael Lavizani, saying that his commitment to Paisley and the local people was an encouragement to all.

Michael, his wife Sylvia, Michelle, Sue and all the team have obviously worked so hard and I am delighted to be a part of this, working with them to prepare promotional materials to make sure that this impressive space gets the attention it deserves. Cetainly nothing could be faulted with guests greeted in grand style by a piper and fire jugglers before enjoying the perfect hospitality of Michael and Sylvia.

Branded as The Ballroom, the contemporary structure extends the existing premises to feature a spacious 1,500 square foot banqueting suite with bar that will hold up to 150 guests for an array of occasions, specifically weddings and corporate events. The interior design mirrors the outward balance of modern elegance with Scottish tradition by combining ornate chandeliers with white walls, dark wood floors and natural lighting.

Close to the Abbey, the Ballroom will be a fantastic reception venue for Paisley weddings. It is also smart, chic and surrounded by history. With fantastic light and a great kitchen - the buffet was superb - this will be a very popular venue very soon.

I am so looking forward to shooting at this venue, and to being a part of the wedding fair in February. For photographs of the evening, please click here.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Red Hot Chilli Pipers - Wedding entertainment with a difference!

Its not often I get a Saturday off, but I wasnt working yesterday and decided to go and make a family day out to see the Christmas light switch on in Paisley. What a fantastic event, and the entertainment was really great. Lots of people were there to see Olly Murs but for me the best bit apart from the lights and fireworks was the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. I have seen these guys a couple of times and they are such good fun. And I remembered I had footage of them at a brilliant wedding at Glenskirlie Castle last year. Hope you enjoy this clip, and if you do, watch the next clip which is a "battle of the drums" with a world champion snare drummer. Just wonderful!


Red Hot Chilli Pipers at Jenny & Martins Glenskirlie Wedding from Sandra Keddie on Vimeo.

Sharon and Stephen, Dalmeny Park Hotel, Sunday 12 September

The choice of venue and style of ceremony is a very personal thing to a couple on their wedding day. Since the Marriage (Scotland) Act became law in 2002 you may get married at any approved place. The General Register Office for Scotland holds the list of approved places and it includes yachts, wilderness lodges and castles. A bit more accessible for us is Dalmeny Park Hotel, which we have said before is just a fantastic venue. But we will say it again, because it is.

Sharon and Stephen chose a humanist celebration, complete with a handfast, personalised vows and beautiful readings from members of their families. Then there was a champagne reception and canapes. We had a fantastic break in the weather and while the lawns were a bit soft it stayed dry and we got some truly lovely photographs of Sharon, Stephen and their bridal party. Smiles were still in place when we handed over to Charlie for the line up and the first drops of rain only started to fall after the guests were seated for the meal.

It was a very beautiful day, as I hope you can see from these images.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Lynn & Graham, Old Parish Church Renfrew, 10 July

It sometimes rains in the west of Scotland. Seriously, it does!

Brides love bright sunshine and clear blue skies. They don't like rain. I can understand that, it is a special day, their special day, and everything should be perfect. But sometimes, even after all that planning and preparation the one thing we can't control lets everyone down.

Most photographers I know would take a dry, overcast day - it makes it so much easier to control the light and make people (especially the bride) look as good as possible. So if it rains, what do you do? That depends on just how heavy the rain is, I think. Outside light is definitely the most flattering. Even all photographs indoors isn't a disaster, although  that is dependant on what equipment you have, what space and features of interest there is in the venue, how big your formal  groups are. I try to control what I can. I always bring a mobile studio outfit with me, so if we need to work indoors we can light favourably.

There is only so much rain you can work in, more for the people being photographed than the photographer (I have an assistant with an umbrella!). But if it is only a light drizzle then out come the umbrellas for everybody! And thats what we had to do for Lynn and Graham. It wasn't so persistent that we couldn't go outside at all, and we got some really nice photographs. So, even if you wake up on your special day and see some clouds and rain, dont despair. Smile, and I promise we will get some great photographs - although one or two might have an umbrella in them!

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Tracy and Michael, at Dalmeny Park

Video and photography can work very well together on a wedding day. I really think that the package that we produce when we create both for a couple is very complimentary. While I am happy to work with other professionals, I do think that our best work has been when we have produced both. It means that there is an opportunity to "stage" some things in a manner that suits the media best, and we can very carefully capture all angles. Sometimes it is lovely to see all the fuss and bother, the giggles and silly moments just before we captured that absolute stunning, romantic image that now hangs in pride of place. After all, who doesnt watch the outtakes at the end of the movie? Anyway, here is a small video which gives a taste of the photoshoot for Tracy and Michael. As always, thank you to the couple, who were brilliant on the day, a delight to work with.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Tracy & Michael at Dalmeny Park Hotel from Sandra Keddie on Vimeo.

Wedding Photography

In my experience, every Bride & Groom aproaches their wedding photographs in a different way. Some like to get it over with as soon as possible, others enjoy the experience and appreciate that good photographs require some effort. I like to think that couples can enjoy their photography experience and have a good reason to snuggle up close to one another, have a laugh together and just have some time away from everyone after the ceremony.

What was your Photoshoot experience?