Lana and Stuart chose St Andrews University old College Halls for their wedding this October. Access to them is under the university clock tower and through an impressive quadrangle, making for a grand entrance.
The couple had put a lot of time and effort in to planning the day and adding lots of personal touches. They had thought of everything – even a large bunch of helium balloons to be delivered on the day to be attached to the (home made) bunting strung across the front of the ceremony room to create an archway effect and make sure everyone had a clear view. Music was provided during the register signing and before the ceremony by some very talented musical friends of theirs.
This being St Andrews the sea is never far away. We had thought about using the castle for photos but Lana and Stuart decided to use the quayside and West Sands Beach for their portraits. Transport was provided by Dad’s classic restored 2CV. It made a great wedding car and certainly attracted attention, especially when we stopped and Lana popped out with her wedding dress on! It later emerged why they had chosen the beach for their portraits, and indeed their pre-wedding photo session (see elsewhere in this blog), when I realised that all the table names for the wedding breakfast were beaches. It turns out they have an appreciation of fine beaches.
After the meal the dancing began with a band called Jiggered. The band started the ceilidh in a traditional style but then after a couple of dances, during the middle of one particular reel, they segued seamlessly in to Rihanna’s “We found love in a hopeless place”. It was inspired. The beat stayed the same and the dancers continued the same steps but the energy was amazing and boy the bodies were flying around now. Then, just as gracefully, the melody came back to traditional Scottish and the reel finished as though nothing different had just happened. Brilliant band. It also helped that Lana and Stuart’s families “liked a bit of a ceilidh”. That was an understatement. I stayed for about another hour in to the evening before leaving them to it. And I am sure they were on the dance floor until the end.
In all it was a fabulous day. Thanks Lana and Stuart for choosing me as your wedding photographer.