Broxmouth Courtyard Wedding

Gemma & Rhys’s Broxmouth Courtyard Wedding was full of joy and happiness.  We had sunshine all day. You can never tell in March what the weather will be in Scotland. Wind, rain, snow or shine! 

I have known Gemma, Rhys and their families for a long time as they are local to me. Gemma’s parents own the very well-established Forsyth’s Butchers on the High Street in Peebles. Mostly everyone knows their lovely family. Gemma & Rhys have been together since high school and are childhood sweethearts.
This made it all that bit more special capturing them with their families and friends while also being so close to them!

When they asked me to capture their day, two years before their date, I was the first supplier they booked. I was over the moon! They are a beautiful couple, inside and out. I knew I was lucky to be able to capture their day and felt like I was working with models!! Gemma & Rhys have a little boy called Finn who was 2 at the wedding. I made sure to get to know him before the wedding day ensuring he felt more comfortable in my presence. I feel this brings out the best in the little ones and makes sure they are not too shy around the camera!

Reflection of bride in the mirror getting makeup put on

The wedding

They definitely lucked out with the weather for their Broxmouth Courtyard Wedding. 

The set-up around the Courtyard at Broxmouth allows both bridal parties to get ready on-site with their family and friends.  They have their own cottages next door to each other. Gemma just had to walk down the stairs with her bridal party into her ceremony room where Rhys and the guests were waiting.

The getting ready for the girls and boys was so much fun. A little chaotic in the bridal suite as there was myself and assistant Gabriel, Dean Johnstone (on video), both mums, Gemma and her 4 bridesmaids. It was a small room but had lots of character and lovely decor with mirrors and a flower wall to match! I do love the chaotic photos which I captured. Telling the wedding morning story with the girls, who were often leaning out the window to shout to people when something was needed! Gemma had a super talented team of experts to look after her, the mums and the girls, Hair by Georgia Peters and Makeup was Brooke Lillias, what a team!

It was my first time working with Dean Johnstone from Dean Johnstone Films and what an absolute gent of a man! We hit it off straight away, both cuddlers. I loved working with him all day, such a pleasure!  The boys got ready in the cottage across the courtyard and I loved that when I arrived there were very few clothes and lots of ironing happening. I love the storytelling parts of this!

The Ceremony...

Gemma & Rhy’s ceremony was probably the most emotional ceremony I have witnessed. It often can be when little ones are involved, no dry eyes in the house and so many heartfelt speeches from their nearest and dearest. It was beautiful to capture! Gemma’s dad in particular was very emotional. I love an image I caught of him crying and his wife squeezing his hand in reassurance and love. The ceremony room has a real rustic feel to it and the light came shining through the large glass windows to shine on the bridesmaids and their flowers. Made perfectly by Rachel at The Flower Bee.

After the ceremony and fun confetti exit, there were some family and friends photos in the courtyard. Plus cocktails were in full swing from their cocktail hut on wheels. Gemma & Rhys had lots of personal touches throughout the day with a photo wall of all their snaps, dating back 20 years when they were so young and still at high school. Then through the years until their son was born and to now.  Such a beautiful idea!  They love their music and had a theme of old record songs as table names. 
They also had a photo of each person at their seat (one embarrassing/funny and one nice photo) of each guest to enjoy. This was such a sweet idea and made for lots of giggles from people finding their seats.

Into the evening...

Into the evening there was a firepit with more food and drink outside. As it started to cool down people went out to enjoy the fire and more drinks! There was then a fantastic DJ called Paddy from ‘We Are Tartan’ and he certainly got the party started which is right up Gemma’s street.

She danced her way into the barn for the evening to commence and did not leave that dance floor! All of this party loved a boogie and there were no bums on seats. A packed dance floor all night is what we like to see and capture!!!  Gemma’s talented dad made the cake for them with a sign saying “made by dad with love”. Awww. I also loved her father-daughter dance with Rhys and her mum and family all watching on from the sidelines.

I loved every bit of these guys’ day and was so excited for them to get their album in their hands with their whole story from start to finish. Something to enjoy with little Finn and help him remember one of the best days of mummy and daddy’s life.

Bridal party laughing and holding flowers together in black and white
Groomsmen picking up the groom and laughing in black and white

The Venue

Broxmouth Courtyard, situated in Dunbar, East Lothian. Around an hour’s drive from Edinburgh is a perfect wedding venue with everything in one place.  It has lots of rustic charm and so much character. With a barn feel but with modern amenities. Just a stone’s throw walk to a pond with a jetty for some picturesque photo opportunities.  This wedding venue is developed from Broxmouth Park Estate’s historic stable buildings and maintains many original features.  Broxmouth Courtyard has two beautiful large rooms next to one another that are perfect for the ceremony and reception. I loved that all their guests were in the same place all the time, with everything they needed right there. 

Parents at the wedding holding hands with the dad crying in black and white
Bride being carried by the groom in garden with sunshine lighting them and flowers in the foreground

The Dream Team making things happen..