Julia & Kyle’s Summer Wedding at Schivas Castle
There are some weddings that feel a little more special to photograph, and Julia and Kyle’s was definitely one of them. I’ve known Julia for around 20 years, so when she got engaged and asked me to photograph her wedding, it genuinely meant so much to me. From the moment I arrived, there was that unmistakable feeling of anticipation in the air. A beautiful summer day, blue skies, gorgeous flowers and the most stunning gown set the scene perfectly. Before the ceremony, Julia and Kyle chose to have a first look without actually seeing one another, standing on opposite sides of a door, close enough to feel each other there, but still keeping that first glimpse for the ceremony. And then came the moment that really got everyone: Julia’s first look with her dad. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
The ceremony itself was every bit as lovely as you’d hope. Full of happy tears, huge smiles and all those little emotional moments that make a wedding ceremony so special. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the newlyweds were showered with confetti from above as they made their way back down the aisle. It was absolute magic and made for one spectacular photograph, the kind of moment you couldn’t recreate if you tried.
For their couple portraits, we headed around the beautiful grounds of Schivas Castle. Elegant, timeless and effortlessly beautiful, it was the perfect setting for Julia and Kyle. As always, I kept things relaxed and guided them with gentle prompts rather than putting them through a list of stiff poses. This gives couples the space to actually enjoy being together while I capture those natural interactions alongside the more timeless editorial portraits. And honestly, these two made my job very easy.
Then came the party… and when I say it was bonkers, I mean BONKERS. The dance floor was absolutely packed, with everyone joining in for the ceilidh and throwing themselves into it completely. There was dancing, laughter, questionable dance moves and the kind of energy that makes photographing a wedding party so much fun. It was the perfect ending to a beautiful day, surrounded by the people they love, celebrating properly and making memories that I’m sure will be talked about for years.
