Being a Fenton Tower wedding photographer is always a wonderful experience for me. Situated just outside North Berwick, but within easy reach of Edinburgh for guests travelling from afar, it’s main modern claim to fame is that it was used as the location for Archie’s Castle in the BBC TV series Balamory, and has just won the 2017 Lux wedding awards as the Best East Lothian Wedding Venue.
With it’s huge hall, romantic bedrooms, a dining room with vaulted ceilings, and extensive grounds, it’s the perfect place for a small intimate wedding such as Shelley and Greg’s nuptials.
I’m assuming that when the castle was built in the 14th century and they decided on it’s strategic site atop a hill, they weren’t thinking about the wind, weddings and wedding photography! It can be the breeziest venue I shoot at, although, to be honest, there are so many good locations to use in the grounds that I can normally find a sheltered spot! And here’s a tip: always get your subjects to face into the wind so that their hair, veil and dress blow away from them!
Shelley and Greg’s marriage was on such a windy day. I almost got strangled by my own tie as I stepped out of my car…. But it was also a day full of surprises, not least for the Bride! Shelley was kept totally in the dark about the weekend, as the whole wedding was organised by Greg and Shelley’s Mum!
The Bride and Groom’s two young daughters nearly stole the limelight. Their excitement and smiles were only matched by their parents – in fact it was smiles all round for the whole wedding party.
After their ceremony I whisked the newly weds outside for some quick photos with the Tower in the background, and then it was back inside for some more formal photos in the warmth of the Great Hall.
I left them after the speeches, and about to eat from an amazing menu prepared by Katriona and Lyndsay from Feast who always seem to be slaving away in the kitchen while I’m working as a Fenton Tower wedding photographer.
