Steph + Dave

THIRLESTANE CASTLE Wedding Photographer

Steph and Dave found me on Tik Tok years ago, with Steph texting Dave saying - when we get married, I want Esme as our photographer. They did get married, and I was their photographer. I love it when a plan comes together. I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have couples that are so invested in what I do that I become such an integral part of their wedding, it really is such a huge complement and I never take it for granted, especially when my work brings me together with such special people in such beautiful places.

Thirlestane Castle is an incredible venue in the Scottish Borders - when you think Scottish Castle, Thirlestane is everything you'd envision. It's like a fairytale, and the perfect backdrop for Steph and her family in their home country, and self confessed Groomzilla Dave. Steph started her morning with her girls, and the glam team from AMM Bridal. There were some lovely moments, with the girls gifting Steph a booklet with handwritten letters, and them all coming together to help Steph into her dress - not forgetting the first look with Stephs' mum and dad which was a real tear jerker and one of my all time favourite images.

Dave's getting ready with the boys involved some very iconic trousers, whisky, a well placed lamp and all the style that a groomzilla of his calibre deserved. Of course, Steph had to keep Dave waiting and sweating a little after all his bravado, and when she walked down the aisle, he truly lost it all. They had a beautiful humanist ceremony, by The Highland Celebrant, who'd not only done Steph's sisters wedding, but also their mum and dad. Each of them shared gorgeous personal vows, a few tears, a sip from the Quaich and after a handfasting ritual they were right back down the aisle, but this time hand in hand.

SCOTLAND Wedding Photographer

We headed out from the rose garden, round to the front of the castle for confetti, a big group photo, and a champagne spray, before heading back round into the shade for some bridesmaids and groomsmen photos. For these I wanted a mixture of classic, editorial posed images and some fun, creative images with motion blur and movement. Steph and Dave snuck upstairs for a first look at their dining room, and Rob (Blackfern Media) and I used this as opportunity to get some really moody, editorial, style portraits of them both, and getting some decor and detail images before the guests arrived for dinner. Throughout dinner we had speeches from Dave, his two best men, Steph's dad and Steph's sister - each of them were all just right, the perfect mix of emotional moments and funny stories, reminding everyone of the importance of why they were gathered today and the growth of Steph + Dave's relationship. Alongside speeches, Steph took it upon herself to become an honorary shot girl, pouring champagne from her custom illustrated bottle, into your glass if you were lucky, down your throat if not - followed by standing on chairs with chants of no Scotland no party - I do concur really.

35mm Film Wedding Photographer - thirlestane castle

It was amazing to see Steph + Dave and all of their guests just taking in the moment - not being bound by timelines, but letting the day flow and truly enjoying it. After the speeches, we took a 10 minute breather outside for some evening portraits of the couple, these are some of my favourite couple portraits - they're romantic and moody but feel totally natural and real at the same time, they feel raw and genuine, but also so intimate and editorial. A little evening break can sometimes create the most magic, especially when you've been having a full on, none stop day - it's nice to take some time away, just a short while, to recentre together and process everything as it's happening.

After these photos it was time for the evening entertainment, and it isn't a wedding in Scotland without a Ceilidh. After a slow and romantic first dance, I feel like all I saw was red hair whirling around at a break neck speed, as Steph and her sisters showed everyone just how you Ceilidh.

I absolutely love working up in Scotland, and even more so when it's such an incredible setting, with a couple who value so much what you do - it's always such an incredible working relationship when we feel like we can totally trust each other, and collaborate on what you want for your wedding and how you want to envision it. These two let themselves go in front of the camera and truly let me in, I felt like part of the family all day and that really shows through in the images. It was such a beautiful day, with a wonderful team of people, and lovely to work with Rob from Blackfern who's film is absolutely exceptional. For a better look at Steph + Dave's day, scroll below.