The Brig O’Doon Hotel in Alloway is one of the city’s most popular wedding venues, and as a Glasgow wedding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing many celebrations here. Every wedding is unique, though, and it doesn’t matter how many times I’ve been to a venue—I treat every wedding as if it’s my first. Derek and Anna’s was no exception.
When Derek and Anna were searching for a wedding photographer in Glasgow, they wanted someone who had experience with Brig o’Doon Hotel wedding photography, could fit seamlessly with their day, and capture their celebration in a natural, relaxed style.
‘Richard was the photographer for our wedding and he did a smashing job. We met in before the wedding and discussed the photos we wanted. On the day he arrived on time and was excellent. He photographed everything we were wanting. He was very polite and professional. We would highly recommend!’
Anna & Derek
California Dreaming
Derek grew up in Glasgow but had moved to California, where Anna is from, so much of their wedding planning was done remotely. I met them in person just a week before the wedding. Understandably, a little nervous, they quickly relaxed after we discussed their plans and how I would approach Scottish wedding photography on the day.
Beautiful Light
The morning began with Anna arriving at the Brig o’Doon Hotel with her two daughters—a moment she had been particularly keen to capture. The ceremony followed, including her walk down the aisle with her daughters and the arrival of the bridesmaids. From the first moment, the light streaming through the windows was stunning, creating a warm and natural atmosphere perfect for intimate weddings in Glasgow.
Anna and Derek also wanted several family group photos. The original plan had been to take these outside on the steps but a passing rain shower meant we moved to the main function room. Having contingency plans is essential for wedding photography in Glasgow, and because we had prepared a list of all the family shots beforehand, gathering everyone was smooth and stress-free.
Here Comes the Sun
I always encourage couples to enjoy their day and not feel rushed by the photography. After the ceremony, Derek and Anna had a glass of champagne and mingled with their guests, while I checked the weather and scoped the best spots for portraits. Luckily, the sun came out just in time. The autumn light was low and warm, creating perfect conditions for Brig o’Doon Hotel wedding photography.
Historic Moments
Derek and Anna were keen to have photos on the famous Brig o’Doon bridge, where Tam O’Shanter is said to have escaped the witches in Robert Burns’ poem. After that we moved to the hotel gardens. I like to capture couples enjoying the moment naturally, so we had them stand on the balcony with the sun behind them. Some of my favourite shots of the day came from these relaxed, candid moments.
They also wanted a confetti shot and a large group photo. I arranged the guests on the steps so they could walk down while everyone threw confetti, which immediately led into the big group photo. Originally this had been planned right after the ceremony, but the weather had delayed it.
Doing Things Differently
Derek and Anna chose to mix up the usual order of events, having their first dance and cake cutting before the speeches and meal. Once again the sunlight pouring through the windows gave beautiful natural lighting for these moments. The speeches were a mix of humour and emotion, and capturing everyone’s reactions was a highlight for me as a Glasgow wedding photographer.
Derek and Anna later received their photos in the US and sent a lovely message to say how delighted they were with their wedding images.
Below is a selection of images from Derek and Anna’s wedding at Brig o’Doon Hotel in Glasgow. From the original 500 images, these have been edited down to make viewing easier.
