It’s been a year of new venues for me this year, and in May I was delighted to shoot my first wedding at Lochgreen, just outside Troon, for Charlie and Kareen.

From speaking to Kareen before the wedding, this was billed to me as a very relaxed do and so it proved! Guests arrived in their droves from both sides of the Atlantic and it was lovely to see so many old friends and new setting about the business of celebrating the Kareen and Charlie’s big day!

I started my morning dropping my assistant Alex at the venue to get a few photos of the Orangery being set up for the ceremony. I headed into deepest, darkest Troon where Kareen was getting ready at her sister’s house. I’m really proud of some of my detail photos from this wedding – in particular Kareen’s dress reflected in the heart-shaped mirror. I was also really pleased that Kareen’s mum agreed to some photos of her having her make-up done – this shot is one of my favourite morning portraits.

Some very relaxed morning prep photos later I headed back to Lochgreen and Alex and I captured images of guests arriving and Charlie admirably refusing numerous offers of a tot from a hip-flask. I’ve met plenty of grooms who would have benefited from that willpower!

To the ceremony, and Kareen’s dad throwing off the years to walk his daughter down the aisle. The wedding itself was conducted by Reverend David Ness and he managed to impart the religious sanctity of the day with a good dose of humour, which is a hard balance to get right.

After the lovely ceremony we managed to wrangle everyone outside for a group shot from the balcony. This was one of few formal group shots I was asked to do all day which also added to the relaxed nature of the day. Kareen and Charlie were more interested in making sure their guests had a good time and everyone got to spend time together, so any groups taken were of a much less formal nature and I really enjoyed that approach.

Speeches followed, with Kareen’s brother, Charlie’s best man and the groom himself entertaining the room. After the speeches Alex and I disappeared to let everyone enjoy their meal without having cameras pointed at them.

We came back after dinner to get some more candid photos of guests having a smashing time, then got ourselves poised for the first dance and ceilidh. The guests, particularly the transatlantic visitors, threw themselves into the Gay Gordons and Dashing White Sergeant with gusto!

All in all a really wonderful day and one I felt lucky to be asked to capture. I like to think I’m quite laid back and the point of engaging a wedding photographer is about it being a good fit for both sides. I knew from my first chat with Kareen that they’d be really chilled and so it proved on their day. Many congratulations Kareen and Charlie – thanks so much for putting your trust in me to capture this fab occasion!