Roxburghe Hotel Wedding - Lisa and David

Photo reminder - you can click on any of the images to open up a larger gallery viewer to scroll through and see the photographs at a better size... It's a beautiful place the Roxburghe Hotel located in historic Charlotte Square in the heart of Edinburgh's west end. Although Lisa and David's ceremony was taking place in the nearby St. Cuthbert's church my first port of call on the day was the Roxburghe for some room shots. Lisa and David were wanting to pop into Princes Street Gardens for a couple of photographs by the famous fountain in front of Edinburgh Castle following their ceremony whilst their guests made their way across the road to the hotel so I knew it likely I wouldn't get opportunity for these shots later in the day.

I took a few different photos of their reception room including a couple of high level images like the opening shot shown today. I'm often asked how I do this photograph as not many other photographers do this type of shot. Well I'm afraid I have to keep it a secret but suffice to say it possibly has something to do with me being bitten by a spider when I was a small boy ;)

St Cuthbert's Church is one of those buildings that doesn't look incredibly large from the outside but when you walk through the doors it takes on Tardis like dimensions! There is a sweeping circular gallery up above the main auditorium and that is where the photographers are asked to work during the ceremony. I took a few wide angle photographs to capture the whole setting but mostly I was working with a telephoto lens just to get in a little closer to the action.

As is always the case the ceremony seems to fly by and I was soon heading down the stairs to photograph the signing of the register. After this I ran ahead and photographed the newly weds as they made their walk up the aisle as the new Mr and Mrs Tweedie!

Lisa and David had requested a Big Group shot and there was a good location for this to the rear of the church so when everyone was ready we took them around the back and placed everyone in position behind the bride and groom with family and bridal party on front row. I was able to jump onto a wall to give myself good elevation as for a Big Group photograph the height allows me to capture everyone's faces without people blocking each other off.

One of the great things about weddings in Edinburgh is that you are never too far away from a view of the Castle, something which all wedding photographers in Edinburgh love! And that was next on our agenda once the wedding guests had finished giving the happy couple their congratulations. As all this was going on several tourists were walking through the church grounds en route to Princes Street Gardens. As a wedding photographer in Edinburgh for some reason being equipped with professional camera gear must give the impression I am something of an expert on all things to do with Edinburgh as I am frequently stopped and asked for directions and information from tourists as I work in Edinburgh. Two of the best questions I have ever been asked occurred today! Firstly I was asked "What time does the one o'clock gun go off?" Then a short while later, "Is the castle there all year round?". Priceless! lol

Once ready we took the short walk across to the fountain for the photos and then I also paused within the church grounds too for a couple of shots before finishing up at the church with some photographs by the wedding car. Myself and Diane then set off for the Roxburghe whilst Lisa and David took the car. It's a short walk over from Princes Street Gardens so we arrived well ahead of David and Lisa, who as it happened took longer than expected as the car broke down on The Mound! However, they soon arrived at the Roxburghe and together with family and bridal party we went across to Charlotte Square Gardens to do their group photographs.

Once these were finished we did Lisa and David bride and groom sessions which is always my favourite part of the day. As the Roxburghe has private access to Charlotte Square Gardens I wanted to make the most of it so we did a few photographs with them whilst in the gardens and then headed over the road to the hotel itself. You may not realise this but if you were to head up to the hotel bedrooms on the top floor of the Roxburghe there is actually a large window that looks out across to Edinburgh Castle. This is a location I will always try and use for a wedding at the Roxburghe Hotel not only for the great view but because the huge windows generate such beautiful light it makes for a great variety and option of images.

We were booked for photography up until the arrival of the evening guests which of course allowed us to photograph the speeches, which are always good fun, and a few informal shots, too. Lisa and David are now selecting photographs for their wedding album, a 40 page Bellissimo holding 100 photographs. This year the Bellissimo is my most popular album choice probably from the publicity generated by Prince William and Catherine Middleton who chose a Bellissimo for their own wedding photographs. Although having said that it has long been recognised as the best wedding album in the world within the wedding and photography industry and included amongst it's many awards is the current Wedding Album of the Year!

If you would like to see some sample Bellissimo wedding storybook albums why don't you come along to the Melville Castle wedding fair on September 23rd where I will have some on display for you look and browse through. I'll have plenty of other albums too so you can have opportunity to compare and see what you think.