Scotland Wedding: Lochside House Hotel, Ayrshire

I was very excited when Claire and Mick suggested we meet at their wedding venue for their engagement session. Lochside House Hotel didn't disappoint as we looked round the old and the new and explored its shapes and lush green gardens.

It's hard to believe that the morning of Claire and Mick's wedding included heavy relentless rain, a sight that must fill any couple with dread as they look out their window! But in my experience, it's never worth worrying about the weather as in Scotland, it can change so quickly. And change it most definitely did. The afternoon dried up and then into the evening we were blessed with the most idyllic of sunsets at the back of the hotel. Perfect.

Lochside House has an amazing ceremony room with a huge window at one end that overlooks the loch. The light coming in that window is perfect for a ceremony, lighting up everyones faces on the front row. And as far as candids of everybody enjoying themselves, there are so many open spaces for guests to relax and have a drink, both inside and out. And what with the weather drying up, everybody were out on the patio area.

Always a decision made towards the end of a wedding day is whether or not it's worth venturing out for another shoot. With the help of a handy app, I knew exactly where and when the sun would be setting. So I had a quick scout about and worked out a tiny spot where it would be ideal to take Claire and Mick. I had about a 15 minute window of it being that lovely golden light and then the sun disappearing behind the horizon. A quick word with Claire and Mick and I soon had them outside and exactly where I wanted them. What happened next was the most amazing of sunsets. And not only that, a murmaration of starlings was taking place as I willed them to fly over Claire and Mick, they didn't disappoint! And finally, once the sun had disappeared, we were presented with a perfect blue/orange sky with the moon making an appearance. Wow wow wow!

Here's a small selection from Claire and Mick's beautiful wedding day.

The amazing team behind Claire and Mick's Wedding:

Flowers: Murray's Florist
Dress: Anne Priscilla Bridal
Band: Revolution 7
Cake: Sugar and Spice
Event Decor: Cover the Big Day
Videographer: Showreel Media

Claire & Mick's Engagement Session, Lochside House Hotel

I'd never been to Lochside House Hotel before, so it was lovely to join Claire and Mick for a quick coffee before taking a look around. It doesn't happen too often, but whilst exploring the grounds of Lochside, I also did their engagement session as well as working out a plan for their wedding day.

There was also a wedding on whilst we were there, so there were lots of trying to avoid the wedding couple and their photographer so we didn't get in their shots! What I love about going exploring is discovering the unlikeliest of places to shoot and here was no different.

Here's some images to show you what we got up to.

The slideshow - turn up the volume, sit back, relax and enjoy!