Flick Monk is the sister of my first ever Bride, Liz, and it was a delight to be asked to make the trip up the M6 to Scotland again to photograph her wedding. From the start, this was going to be an unusual and very artisan wedding. When I went to preview the field where the marquee was to be put up, the grass was over a foot tall. It was hard to imagine a wedding being held there, although the river running alongside the field looked idylic. Her mum is one of my wife's best friends, and had been collecting all things sunflowery for the wedding. She was making little sacks of sunflower seeds to go on the tables, and gathering all kinds of decorations.

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As for the day itself, Flick didn't want any getting ready photo's, so I took some when she had finished getting ready. It was the only wedding I've photographed where the bride wore Dr. Marten's boots. I told you it was unusual. The sat Nav took us a different way to the venue than the way we were shown when we visited in July. The further we drove, the more I was worried we wouldn't make it in time, but we suddenly turned a corner and we were there.

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The sun was shining, the Mardi Grass had been mown ,two marquees had been errected, and an archway made out of large branches had been put up as weddings have to be performed under some kind of cover. The official bit had been done the day before, at the register office. The groom, Rob, was dressed like what I can only describe as a scarecrow. Most people seemed to dress quirkily, which gave the wedding a distinct feel of it's own. Once the guest's had arrived, the celebrant, dressed in 1800's clothing and the Best Woman (yes, it WAS a woman) led us all in rehearsing a new accapella arrangement of Amazing Grace, that I'd never heard before.

 

It was time for Flick's entrance, on a famyard cart pulled by her Bridesmaids. The actual service lasted an hour, and had a very earthy vibe to it. Poetry was recited, an accapella singing group performed, and vows and and rings were exchanged. They weren't your average vows, but quite fitted the quirky style of the wedding. Then, when it was over, the Bride & Groom got on the cart, for the Bridesmaids to pull them up to the Marquees. However, they couldn't stay upright, and ended up pushing the cart with the Bridesmaids.

 

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After a few non alcoholic drinks in the free beer tent, it was time for the group photo's, and again it was a quirky photo. After a few pictures of the couple by the riverside, it was time for entertainment. Everything had been carefully planned. At one end, circus skills were being taught, whilst in the middle, accapella singing lessons were being given, and a giant parachute was brought out for some of the other guests to play games with. At the other end of the field, a large group were playing running games similar to British Bulldog. It was a really fun afternoon.

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At 6.30, the guest's entered the main marrquee, decked out with sunflowers, bunting, home made candle holders and lot's of little adornments. The food was a vegetarian feast, with a table of vegan food as well. Rob had cooked most of it himself, and also laid it all out. After the food, the alcoholic bar opened in the free beer tent and the entertainment was a Celidh dance, as there had been at Liz's wedding. Liz pregnant, so I took some baby bump shots for her. I'm delighted to say her son Abraham was born a month later weighing 8 lb 8 oz. In between the two Celidh set's guest performed open mic style. Then it was time for the first dance. I was able to get some good shot's of this, though a couple of them are'nt exactly your typical first dance. As is traditional in Scotland, the last Ceilidh dance is 'Auld Lang Syne.' After that, it was dancing till the wee small hours. Rob like's Northern Soul music, and a set had been prepared. It was at this point that the wife and I slipped off back to our hotel, having obtained some of my best photographs ever.

 

I used some new editing techniques and styles on these images, and Flick and Rob were absolutely thrilled with them. She commented "Wow Colin, these are completely fantastic! I love them all! I love the candid ones of random people running about, as well as the more posed shots. They're all brilliant and I have just spent a lot of time looking at them!!! Thank you so much."