James & Lieneke's Story
Lieneke and James were prepared for a rainy wedding, they had added umbrella's to the goodie bags for the arriving guests and the entire wedding could take place inside. Why, if you decide to tie the knot in Scotland (because the bride's family lives in The Netherlands and Sweden and the groom's family lives in Manchester and in every scenario there was going to be a whole lot of traveling. Plus you know, Scotland is awesome) you prepare yourself for misty mountains, cloudy and grey skies and definitely rain. But what a surprise it was that their entire wedding weekend was filled with sunshine and a lovely 18ºC! James' family and friends (including his father who came in a Rolls Royce oldtimer) drove from Manchester to Aberdeenshire and other family and friends of the bride and groom got on a plane (like I did) on Friday morning from The Netherlands, Sweden, Peru, Switzerland, Australia and Canada.
Friday arrival
At arrival we started with a delicious lunch (with scones with jam and clotted cream! yay!), a whisky tasting (during which I was scouting out locations for the photo shoot ;) ) and a ceremony rehearsal in St. Palladius Church. After which a chippy van with fish and chips from The Bay came to the castle to supply everyone with dinner. I'm a vegetarian myself and oooh! lucky me, I got vegetable tempura (I love tempura!) with fries. Later that night, we were entertained by the musical talents (and a film music pub quiz! yay!) of Mike Eriksson aka Yellow Mike.
The bride & groom prep
After a good nights sleep (for the people who didn't stay up late ;) ) the bride and groom started to get ready on opposite sides of the castle. Lieneke's 3 bridesmaids, flowergirl, James' best man and the bride and groom's parents prepared for the big day ahead. Lieneke's little niece and flower girl reaction to the wedding dress was just the first of many guests in awe of the awesomeness that was about to walk down the aisle. Most brides don't wear a casual day-to-day outfit but Lieneke's dress, with a train of several meters long, literally made yaws drop! Not even the live bagpiper could distract attention away from this breathtaking bride.
The beautiful ceremony led by a vicar from South-Africa and accompanied by music by Mike. After they had said their vows, the newly weds and I drove up the mountain to a small ruin. And after this photo session it was already time for a delicious 3 course dinner, after which the bride and groom cut their wedding cake. With a sword! Yup, an actual sword. Then Lieneke and James had there first dance (or two first dances really, 1 while Mike played guitar and a second one in the ballroom where the party took place) and the throwing of the bridal bouquet (yup, the girl who caught it was pretty determined to get her hands on it). After a night filled with dancing, a midnight buffet and sending off wedding lanterns, night fell over Drumtochty Castle. The next morning everyone enjoyed an English breakfast and everyone who had helped with the wedding was thanked by the bride and groom. In the afternoon the bride and groom left for a week of vacation in Scotland and I traveled home to the Netherlands (only to leave again for Iceland the next day, but that's a story for another day).
Are you interested in hiring me as your United Kingdom wedding photographer for your wedding in Scotland, England or somewhere else in Europe? Contact me to learn if I'm available for your wedding date, to ask me a question (or 10!) or to schedule an appointment. I'd love to hear everything about your wedding plans!
Vendors
Rings: Goudsmederij eMM
Wedding dress: Koonings, a design by Agora
Hair & Makeup: Bespoke Hair & Beauty
Groom's suit: Hugo Boss
Floral design: Nicky Walker Florist
Bagpipe: Julie Brinklow of Thistle Piping
Singer/Guitarist: Mike Eriksson & DJ Mark Wild
Ceremony venue: St. Palladius Church, Auchenblae, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Catering + Diner, party and sleeping venue: Drumtochty Castle, Auchenblae, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Featured in/on:
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ZankYou Netherlands
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