Reflecting on 2024 | Highlights of an Aberdeen Wedding Photographer

Well, what a year it’s been! As 2024 comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on another brilliant year as a wedding photographer. It’s been a year of new faces, new venues, lots of laughs and more than a few extra surprises. I shot a grand total of 46 weddings this year and each one brought it’s own share of fun and memorable moments. Here’s some of the highlights that stood out for me this year.

2024 was a year of capturing beautiful weddings in some of my favourite venues across Aberdeenshire, as well as a couple of new locations. Meldrum House and Norwood Hall Hotel both tied for the most shoots this year, with 7 weddings at each. With every ceremony, I find something new to love about both venues.

Thainstone House and Maryculter House also had regular visits from me this year, with 6 weddings captured at both! These locations are always classic choices for a beautiful ceremony, and I’ve been so thankful to shoot both so often this year.

Some new venues were also ticked off my list in 2024 – The Seafield Arms in Cullen, nestled on the north-east coast, and Lochter Activity Centre with picturesque grounds were amazing firsts. As well as the more popular Aberdeenshire venues, a festival style wedding at a couple’s own home deserves a special mention. Their garden was transformed into the most amazing celebration space, complete with teepee tents, food trucks and a wedding dance in the front garden!

When it comes to shooting weddings in the north east of Scotland, it’s safe to say that weather is always a gamble. However, I’m proud to say that my record stays intact – in almost 8 years of being self employed, I’ve never failed to get my couples outside for photos. Even Storm Darragh tried its best to ruin the day for a ceremony, but somehow we still managed to squeeze in some outdoor shots between the downpours. I always say if it’s not raining, is it really a Scottish wedding?

I also had my fair share of four-legged friends joining in on the celebrations this year. There were plenty of dog cuddles (shoutout to all the couples who let me borrow their pups for a while). But the real highlight for me was an adorable pet tortoise who, quite frankly, stole the show for a few photos on their big day.

Weddings are always full of surprises, and this year was no exception. I was trusted to keep some pretty major secrets for my couples, like an announcement revealed during a groom’s speech that they were expecting a baby which left everyone in the room beaming!

Then there were secretly planned surprises by both bride and groom for each other, like the impressively choreographed a dance for the bride, with her having a song prepared to sing for him in return. As you can imagine, the looks on their faces when they realised what the other had done was priceless.

One of my most memorable weddings of the year was a two-day celebration with both Scottish and Hindu traditions. The first day was a traditional church wedding in Drum Castle’s chapel, followed by a breathtaking Hindu ceremony the next day. The beautiful colours, energy and traditions of the Hindu wedding were just incredible to capture.

From saxophonists, who brought the best musical power hour for wedding guests to magicians, this year had no shortage of fun and unexpected entertainment. Add weddings with in bubble tunnels and crazy golf, there isn’t much I haven’t shot at a ceremony this year!

I appreciate seeing the little things that really showcase unique personalities in weddings – and the couples I worked with definitely got creative this year. There were brides in wellies through to beautiful custom veils. Vibrant floral arrangements were another standout element for me this year, with many couples opting for showstopping arrangements bursting with colour which were a joy to shoot.

One of my weddings at Maryculter House this year took things one step further by bringing the outside ‘inside’ with an incredible garden themed ceremony. Packed with foliage and flowers, it was easily one of the most visually stunning wedding entrances I’ve seen.

I also saw plenty of disco balls this year, along with a tractor, archery, plus cocktail and doughnut carts. One thing is for certain is that I’m accustomed to expecting the unexpected as a wedding photographer, and honestly after this year, I’m so here for it!

I have to take a moment to thank my amazing couples I’ve worked with in 2024. Thank you for trusting me to capture such an important day in your lives and making my job so much fun!

I’d also like to say a huge thank you to the incredible suppliers I’ve worked with. You make my life a lot easier as a wedding photographer and it’s a pleasure to collaborate with such lovely people. I’d also love to give a special shout out to my incredible second shooters Jony, Doug, Kev, Jonathan, Ben, Scott, Simon, Louise and Barry, for all your hard work, banter, energy and support this year. You make everything run smoothly and I couldn’t do it without you.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!

If you’re planning your wedding in Aberdeenshire, I’d love to capture the special moments of your big day. Get in touch with me here.