Teri and Michael were our final April couple and we were thrilled to join them, their daughter Lily,and family and friends to celebrate their marriage at The Marriott, Dyce.

Teri and Michael have been together for a number of years,  having met on the bus from Yates to Amadeus on a night out! Teri tells us that it took them about 8 months to get together after numerous advances from Michael and a lot of family speculation!

Our first photo shoot with Esther and Alastair was back in July at the historical and dramatic location of Dunnottar Castle. We met there to take some photographs to celebrate their engagement. The location was very significant, as this is where Alastair and Esther went on their first date!

The couple met on the steps of the very church they were to be married in, King’s Community Church. Esther had been looking for a church to attend, having returned to Aberdeen after her university days in Edinburgh. Alastair just happened to be on the welcome team that day, and after coffee and a chat, the rest as the saying goes, is history!

Alastair’s proposal was the most romantic I had ever heard. He arranged to meet Esther at the church, and when she opened the doors she was met with the words “will you marry me” spelled out in pebbles. There were candles, as well as photographs of the couple and Esther’s favourite tune, “Tale as old as time” from Beauty and the beast, playing in the background. The couple went on to walk down the aisle to the same tune. It must have taken a great deal of love and imagination to plan all that!

We asked Esther and Alastair a few more questions.

Who conducted your ceremony? Dr Iain Duthie (Pastor of Kings Community Church, Aberdeen), and Brian Rapske (Pastor from Canada, and friend of the Bride’s family).

Did you choose your own vows? If so, what is the story behind them? We used the ones that the Bride’s parents did, which were taken from the Anglican version of the book of common prayer, and we each memorised them.

What was the best advice that you received during your wedding planning? Take moments on the wedding day to look around and let yourself enjoy and cherish the day itself.

Where did you go on honeymoon? El Medano in Tenerife after the wedding, with a Mediterranean Cruise to follow in October (since the original cruise we had booked for after the wedding was cancelled)

What was the best part of the wedding? (Apart from the photographs obviously!!) The video that was produced was fantastic in capturing so many great moments, as were the photo booth pictures in the evening. We loved the ceremony and the speeches, and the meal was fantastic too …so all in all, we can’t really pick a single best part! If I had to, I’d say Pete Hartley playing ‘Amazing Grace’ during the service at the church – it was superb! – and Esther loved the drive in ‘DOB 100’ – the old Rolls Royce that she felt was like “Brum” from the Children’s TV programme in the early 90’s!

What is your favourite photo? The black and white photo of Esther and I next to the car, and the black and white one of us together outside the church after the ceremony. We love the group photos from up at the Ardoe as well.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention? Were there any particularly funny moments? The speeches were all very unique and very memorable, and there were plenty jokes in them that still make us smile!

Style File

* Bridal Dress – Berketex Brides, with alterations to make the design more personal
* Bridesmaids dresses – BHS weddings with additional ‘bling’ added by the Bride’s mum!
* Hairdresser – Riah Hair and Beauty, of Banchory
* Make Up – as above
* Menswear – Slaters of Aberdeen
* Flowers – Flowers with Flair, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
* Cake – Kelly of Cults
* Stationery – Main artwork by a local artist, and designs thereafter by the family
* Table Decorations – All designed by the brides family
* Seat Covers – Fairytale Events

* Video – ‘Scott Video’ (Scott Cassie)

* Entertainment – Sporran Again Ceilidh Band, of Dundee, and Pete Hartley a professional violinist from the Midlands. We also had photo booth pictures, Deirdre Varley (caricaturist), and 5x Giant Games (Elite Promotions) there in the evening, all of which the guests seemed to really enjoy!
* Piper – Alba bagpipes

* Cars – Carriages

You can see the highlights of the day here, and the complete set of photographs here.

We were delighted to be part of Fiona and Dave’s wedding day. They were married on Thursday 12^th April 2012 at the stunning St. Machar’s Cathedral followed by a wedding reception with their guests at the beautiful Pittodrie House Hotel.

The weather was a typical Scottish day with all seasons in one day, and started badly with pouring rain as Fiona arrived at St. Machar’s! However, the April showers soon cleared, and everyone had a fabulous day and we captured some terrific images.

We asked Fiona to tell us about her special day.

The wedding proposal? It came as a big surprise to Fiona as she tells us that Dave spontaneously got down on one knee in the kitchen!!

The best part of advice that Fiona received during the wedding planning?  was to enjoy every minute of your wedding day as it will pass very quickly.

Their ceremony was conducted in St Machars Cathedral by Alison Hutchison using the standard Church of Scotland wedding vows.

Fiona’s favourite part of the wedding?  (obviously apart from the photographs), was sharing everything with family and friends. They helped make their day so special.

Fiona and Dave spent their honeymoon in Edinburgh where they had a fabulous time.

We asked Fiona to select a favourite photograph which proved a difficult task! She finally whittled it down to FD0445 at the gate of St. Machar’s Cathedral, FD0572 the picture of Fraser with his foot up on the rock, FD0603 on the lawn at Pittodrie House with Bennachie in the background, and FD0667 the wonderful picture of the back of Fiona’s dress in the doorway at Pittodrie House.

We have to agree that these images sum up the day beautifully.

Fiona was also delighted with our “Photobooth” style pictures taken in the evening,

This was the first outing of our photobooth concept, after many requests from our clients. Fiona says the pictures are hilarious, and she has had lots of positive feedback about them.

We wish Fiona and Dave every happiness in the future. Congratulations from all at Team Rubislaw!

Style File

Bridal Dress:                       Perfect Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses:      Debenhams

Hairdresser:                         Julie Beattie

Make Up:                              Sensory Spa

Menswear:                           Millsom & Main

Wedding Rings:                  Finnies the Jeweller

Flowers:                                Floral Design

Cake:                                     Marks & Spencer

Stationery:                          Fiona did the invitations along with a friend and the Order of Service by herself

Favours:                               These were made by a friend

Table Decorations:           Pittodrie House Hotel

Seat Covers:                        Pittodrie House Hotel

Entertainment:                  Clachan Yell

Piper:                                     Norman Fiddes