When I first met Shelly she described to me how she has been in the UK with her fiance, Raymond, studying accountancy. Although their wedding would be back home in China with their family, they wanted to have a ceremony here in Scotland so that they could celebrate their love for and commitment to each other with the many dear friends they have made in and around Dundee. It was really important to them to have beautiful photography of their special day. Shelly loved the handcrafted Queensberry albums and knew that with my photography they would be the perfect way to share the story of their wedding celebration in St Andrews with their family and friends in China.
My overriding impression of Shelly from that first meeting was that she was someone who has an irrepressible energy and joy for life, someone who is a pleasure to be around. The second time I met Shelly she was with her fiance Raymond and I learnt a little more of their story. From Guangzhou in China, they had met at school aged 10 and became school sweethearts by the time they were 16. They have been together ever since and travelled to Scotland together to continue their studies.
They described to me how they wanted their St Andrews wedding celebration to be something a little different and about celebrating with their friends. The photography was really important to them as they recognised that their memories of the day would soon fade and their photography would always help them relive this day. Following the ceremony, instead of a traditional wedding breakfast, they planned to have a fun picnic on the beach. I loved the sound of this and was thrilled to be trusted to tell their story.
The Bridal Preparations
Hair and make up was provided by the ever wonderful and much in demand SC Makeup Artistry.
The First Look
Raymond and Shelly had chosen to see each other before their wedding ceremony. This is something that has been happening in the US for a while now and I think it is a great idea if you are not too traditional. It gives the bride and groom a chance to really enjoy the moment and spend some time together without going straight into the ceremony and wondering if they are going to remember their vows!
It is also the perfect time for some beautiful wedding photography without the pressure of wondering if their guests are enjoying themselves and means that a bride and groom have more time to enjoy with their family and friends after the wedding ceremony.
It was one of those grey days with constant rain and drizzle, but Raymond and Shelly didn’t let this ruin their fun. Shelly is such an elegant bride and they both really wanted to have some fun with the photography so that they would have a unique wedding album to take to China.
I think these photographs show a little of Shelly’s irrepressible joy and appetite for life.
The Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony was held in St Andrews Town Hall in Queens Gardens and this is where Raymond and Shelly met with their guests.
Raymond and Shelly’s friends admiring how beautiful Shelly looked and enjoying a little photography of their own.
A very happy looking groom during the marriage ceremony…
Portraits of the Bride and Groom
After the ceremony, plan b was put into effect due to the rain and Raymond and Shelly’s guests went to Rusacks Hotel whilst we headed for the streets of St Andrews for some more photography.
They wanted photographs that would show their family a bit of Scotland and were happy to let me use my imagination and artistry to create some unique images.
I guess these photographs will help perpetuate the myth that it always rains in Scotland!
One very specific request was for a photograph of the bride and groom with a typical British red post box or an old fashioned red telephone box…
These might be the kind of street scenes that we take for granted but for Raymond and Shelly’s family and friends back home in China they are something very different.
The Wedding Breakfast at Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews
When Raymond and Shelly saw the weather forecast the day before their wedding they turned to plan b and the Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews looked after them really well. After an excellent wedding breakfast it was time for some more photography around the hotel and on the 18th hole of the Old Course which was to be home of the Open Golf Championship the following week.
On the Swilcan Bridge by the 18th hole of the Old Course.
It really was a pleasure and privilege to spend the day with and photograph such a happy couple and their friends. We all had a wonderful day and I hope that they have a beautiful wedding with their family and friends in China.
These photographs also show that if it rains on your wedding day you can still have a wonderful day and gorgeous photography. What do you think, does it matter if it rains on your wedding day? Share your thoughts by clicking on the word comments below.
