Trust me when I say, a pre-wedding session is your must have on your wedding to-do list!

Here are my top five reasons why you need one (and it's not just about pretty pictures)

1. Get comfortable with the camera

Unless you are a couple of supermodels, you probably aren't that used to being in front of a professional camera - and I am yet to meet the couple who tell me 'we love having our photos taken!' So, a pre-wedding shoot is a great way to get comfortable and learn how to relax and be yourselves. This means that you will feel more nautral, and at ease on your wedding day.

2. Bond with your photographer.

 Your photographer is going to be with you all day on your wedding day. A pre-wedding shoot helps you to build your rapport with me,and you will start to understand my style, my work ethic, and my awesome banter! You will also discover poses that feel and look better for you both to make it a smoother experience on your wedding day.

3. Capture this special moment.

Your engagement period, and wedding planning time is such a special time in your relationship. It's exciting, and this session will give you memories to look back on in years to come.

4. Test run for hair and make up (for those who do)

This is a fantastic opportuntiy to see how your hair and make up looks and feels in photos. You can then use your photos and the conditions on the day, to make any adjustments ahead of your wedding day.

5. Beautiful images for your wedding decor. 

The gorgeous photos we create together aren't just for social pages! Use them for your 'save the date' cards, table planners, and even invitations - Guests love to see your relationship journey to this point in your life, and it really adds a personal touch to your celebration.

I also have a few tips for you on how to prepare for a pre-wedding session.

1. Choose a location that means something to you both.

Whether it is the spot where the proposal happened, somewhere you love to walk, a first date location, or even your home - make it matter to you both.

2. Be Yourselves. 

It's your superpower - think about each other and not the camera. The best photos are always the ones where you are being goofy together, laughing and joking. I have tips to help you relax, but authentic moments are alwasy the best!

3. Think about your outfits. 

You can coordinate, but don't be too matchy, matchy! Think about the weather and the location, and the time of day you have chosen.  as well as some personal details ( a memorable peice of jewellery or silly pom pom hat you both wear!) Avoid really busy patterns and logos (unless thats who you both are)  and layering always offers up lots of styling options

4. Bring the kids and the dogs....

I am here to celebrate who you are as a couple and if that is as a family with children or with fur baby's, let's involve them too! 

Mostly, you should have fun! Enjoy your shoot, relax and look forward to great images.

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Much love

Dionne xx

Hello lovely couples! Wedding planning can be a whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and joy, as you navigate the unknown world of choosing your favourite suppliers to bring your vision to life, and one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing your wedding photographer. As South East Scotland Wedding Photographer of the year 2024, and with more than a decade of experience, I am here to help you navigate this crucial choice with ten easy questiosn to ask all of the photographers that you consider - and obviously, I should be one of those! Contact me first.

1. What is your style of photography? It is really important to make sure that your vision aligns with what your photographer actually offers. If you really, really want 100% candid and natural, do not go with a photographer who doesn't offer that. You can check out their social media pages to get an idea of their style, editing, couples, venues, but it is always good to ask the photographer how they would describe their style. Their style won't change to match your vision. My style is to capture all of those intimate moments, as well as create some epic WOW moments for you.

2. Can I see a full gallery? You want to ensure that your photgorpaher can offer consistency, and that they can handle changgn lighting settings, different environments, if all the critical moments are captured. As photogrpahers, our social grids are covered wiht our WOW moments, or our favuourite photos, so get to see all of the day. This can also let you see what a real photographer offers - and not someone who's social pages are full of 'styled shoots' but no real weddings. (believe me, they are different)

3. What's included in the packages? Weddings are an investment and it is essential to know for sure what you are getting. My packages offer choice of digitals and albums, with lots of add on's to suit you both as a couple, but it is important to be clear about what you are signing up for to avoid any future miscommunication and disappointment . Of course, with me you also get a photographer who will shimmy on the dancefloor with your disco queens to capture those moments - but I dont charge extra for that!

4. How do you handle low light situations? Changing light situations can be tricky for inexperienced photographers and you will be surpirsed how quickly the light changes from flourescent hall lighting, to stone church buildings, to outdoors, and the beautiful Scottish seasons. Luckily, I come prepared with top notch cameras, lenses and flashguns to make the best of all sitations.

5. Do you have back up equipment? Life happens. Technology can be fickle. I always shoot to 2 SD cards (one for back up) and take extra bodies and batteries to all weddings with me.I also double back up your images at home to protect them.

6. How do you make couples feel comfortable? Awkward posing if the nightmare of most couples that I have met, and it is my job to make sure that you have fun, are relaxed and forget that the camera is there - See what my couples think

7. What is your experience like with our venue? Every venue has its quirks, and knowing how to navigate them is key. Chances are I have worked at your venue however, I love finding new venues, and really opening up creativity in new spaces.If it is a venue I have not shot at beofre, I would visit in advance to check out some photography hot spots and introduce myself to the events team.

8. How long until we will receive our edited photos? Patience is a virtue, but you don't want to wait forever. My turnaround time is clearly defined in all of out T&C's and I do remind you after the day when I produce a couple of sneak peak images for you to share, and to tie you over until your full gallery is ready.

9. Do you have any testimonials? You can find most of these on Facebook, google and the photographers website, so have a good look around your photographers pages to find out the vibe they are offering and the comments they are receiving. You can read mine here: Client reviews

10. Why should we choose you? The million dollar question! I bring passion ,energy, experience and a touch of humour to your day. I don't just take photos  that you will love, I tell your story of your day.

So, there you have it! Ten questions to ask your photographer and a few reasons why I would like you to consider me! If you want a photographer who will laugh with you, and deliver beautiful photos that capture the essence of your day, authentically, let's have a chat and make the magic happen together

Let's chat

With love and laughter

Dionne xx

Let's be honest - Weddings are magical days! Every single time. But, there is something uniquely wonderful about a love story that is second time around. It's like the sequel that outshines the original, not because the first was flawed, but because the couple is wiser, more focussed, and ready to celebrate their love with flair! Here's why I love second weddings!

The couple know what they want. Clearly. They have a vision of what truly matters to them and are not swayed or influenced by trends, or other peoples opinions. They have the luxury of choosing their friends over their family (mostly because their family were at the first wedding) and having their most important people with them.  Whether it is an intimate beach ceremony, or a grand hotel, or a rustic barn, every decision is made to reflect their love story from the here and now.

Second (and third) weddings are like finely curated art galleries - every piece is chosen with intention. Instead of a long guest list filled with distant relatives and acquaintences, it is all about the friends and family that have been on their journey with them. It's like an exclusive event where everyone present holds a special place in their hearts.

A second wedding is a much more relaxed affair - the couple realises that things can go wrong and while these things are lovely, they aren't what the day is truly about. The stress levels come down a notch when your only focus is celebrating your love. The first time around, there is always a whirlwind of excitement (and stress in some cases) but second weddings are so much more relaxed, the couple can be more present, they know the drill, and they are there to enjoy it and make the most of their day. 

Second weddings are a celebration of resilience, and this is probably the reason that I love them above any other reason. They celebrate not just love, but hope and resilience. The couple have been through life's ups and downs and they have came out stronger and wiser. A second wedding is a powerful reminder that love is not just about the highs, but also about weathering life's storms and coming out the other side, hand in hand.

So, while first weddings will always be incredible in their own right, second weddings hold a special place in my heart. They are intimate, intentional, brimming with love and thoughtfulness. They are testament to the couples journey and a celebration of their future and mostly, they are a beautiful reminder of the power of love, and of never giving up on finding your forever person.

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There are so many ways to introduce pops ( or explosions) of colour to your wedding day, from make-up to outfits and everything in between.

One of the easiest ways to add colour to your wedding day is with your bridesmaids dresses/suits. You can really mix it up to match the florals, to add your favourite clour, to coordinate with the kilts, or to match the bridal dress. You can compliment their skin and hair tones, as well as their favourite colours and really inspire some personality from your team.

When Sam and Kit got married, they chose vibrant, velvet gowns for their bridesmaids, and mix and matched wedding bouquets to compliment.

And you can be as bold and as daring as you like and choose brighter versions of seasonal hues - yellows in Summer, instead of lemon, and burnt orange, and emerald green in Autumn..

You can also be daring enough to be a bride in a colourful wedding dress, either block colour like Tanya chose (emerald green velvet) or coloured, embroidered overlays like Kit and Siobhan both chose to do:

You could even both choose to go bolder than white and its traditional neighbouring hues, just as Laurie and Hannah chose to do:

And of course, we can always rely on the boys to introduce some great colourways, either to add personlity and spice, or to compliemnt the wedding colour theme:

Naturally, you can use your other wedding details, like your bridal bouquets, wedding shoes,  and wedding cakes to bring some colour to the party:

Some brides are adventurous enough to go with a statement colour on the make up and really own the colour vibes. Bright red lip anyone?

And one of the most traditional ways to inject colour, is using confetti on your wedding day - my favourite Confetti queens offer my couples an exlcusive discount too!

And finally, the season you choose can influenece, not only your colour theme, but it can also bring a magnificent flurry of colour - rhododendrons in summer and golden leaves in autumn.

So, how do you feel about colour on your wedding day, and how will you choose to introduce it? Are you bold and daring, or serene with pops of colour scattered troughout your day?

You can see lots of other colourful wedding inspiration over on my website alongside how to check my availability too.

Happy planning.

Dionne xxx

The romance of running away together to Scotland for a beautiful elopement on the rugged, stunning coastline of Dunbar, was the vision for David & Tanya after many years of being together.

They chose the absolutely beautiful The Harbour Chapel in Dunbar for their intimate ceremony, which was a complete secret from all of their friends and family, and they tied the knot with all of the usual wedding touches from walking down the aisle together, to tying the knot and quaiching.

Before exchanging rings with very personal vows and a lifelong commitment to each other.

And after signing the official registry, with Fiona (the owner of the Chapel) and Kris as offical witnesses, we cut the cake in front of the original organ pipes from the chapel and then headed for a walk around Dunbar Harbour for some beautiful celebratory photos.

Before taking a short drive to the very famous Bridge to Nowhere for some final photos and good conversation

And a final trip back to the Chapel for a glass of fizz and some time to relax for Mr & Mrs Shaw ahead of their evening meal at The Creel restaurant, Dunbar.

An elopement is a beautifully, intimate way to celebrate your love, in a totally free, and unscripted way. There are no time pressures to adhere to, you can choose which elements you really want and which you don't, and you can carefully choose your photo locations with your photographer to make sure you have the best memories of your day.

David and Tanya were a dream couple - her green dress and colourful flowers were a treat and she looked incredble, and it was my honour to be a part of such an intimate day.

Elopements are the day you want, your way.

If you are planning an elopement in Scotland and would like to work together on your very intimate day, let's start a conversation Check availability

It was no April's Fools when Chris & Nadia decided to get married at The waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh on April 1st.

This rock star duo had a wonderful morning of wedding prepration in the suites of the hotel with Nadia opting to have her bridesmaids, mother in law and Gran with her:

And the most beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle, as your morning delight.

The wedding morning was a very relaxed affair, with lots of great chat, and the MUA's working their magic on all of the wedding party

The Waldorf Astoria has lots of incredible spaces for those stunning detail shots too... I had great fun hanging the gown in the entrance hall of the wedding suite

Chris & Nadia had a graphic designer add a personalised Joker/Batman playing card to their table decorations to bring more of thier personality to the day.

The beautiful couple then decided to have a first look with each other ahead of the nuptials, in the honeymoon suite, and this gave me the perfect opportuntity to grab a few portrais of the groom before he saw his bride for the first time

Then it was the first look and a few quiet moments for them both

Before sharing a dram and heading on to the ceremony room of the hotel

The ceremony was on the first floor of the hotel, officiated by Fiona Flanagan, and attended by all of their family and friends.

And Nadia was traditionally led by her bridesmaids before her flower girl scattered flowers along the aisle for her and her father to walk along

The ceremony was scattered with lots of personal details about the couple, and included the tradional Scottish act of tying the knot (handfasting) using fabric from Nadia's gown and tartan from Chris's family.

Before officially sealing the marriage with a kiss.

The grand staircase provided the perfect spot for a group photo of all of the wedding guests.

We then escaped for some couple shots, with Danny at TLC Media, and some downtime for them both

Some family shots on the staircase and and then we were on to cutting the most beautiful cake from the dessert table

Before speeches from Nadia's wonderful father, the groom and his best man

And then some serious dancing in to the evening with live entertainment

It was an absolute joy and privilege to be their chosen photographer for this spectacular, fun, Edinburgh wedding. Check my availability

It was also poignant that I was able to capture the final photos of Nadia's gran, who sadly passed away shortly after the wedding. She was a vibrant, beautiful soul who relished the ocassion and was surrounded by an abundance of love and joy.

With the utmost respect, I feel honoured to have shared a small space with her.

In the midst of East Lothian's stunning landscape, amidst rugged coastlines and ancient woodlands, Dunglass Estate stands as a beacon of timeless romance. On a beautiful summer day in July, the estate played host to an unforgettable celebration uniting two souls, Rachel and Robert, surrounded by their beautiful daughter Rowan, and loved ones who had journeyed across the Atlantic to share in their joy.

From across continents, friends and family gathered, their anticipation palpable in the air. The sun shone, setting the scene for a day filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments.

As the ceremony approached, Pixie Rose's enchanting floral arrangements adorned the venue, adding to the magic of the occasion. The bridesmaids, resplendent in shades of blue, radiated elegance as they took their place by Rachel's side, a testament to the beauty of friendship and sisterhood.

But one member of the bridal party stole the show in his own right - Otis, the beloved family dog, ring bearer extraordinaire, with an air of regal dignity, his presence a heartwarming reminder of the bond shared between humans and their furry companions.

If you are looking for a rustic wedding vibe in Scotland, with or more beautiful than this. Having worked at Broxmouth over the years - the 'new' Courtyard has elevated an already lovely venue into the upper echelons of gorgeous! All just 30mins from Edinburgh.

I first met Shannon & Ross ( & Evie) after they had already chosen their wedding venue as Broxmouth. We had an incredible pre-wedding shoot on Belhaven beach one gorgeous evening before finalising the details of their wedding day.

When you arrive to Broxmouth, you head along a long, winding, welcoming drive, surrounded by the most amazing gardens and woodland, until you arrive at your courtyard. There you have plenty of spaces for getting ready, with windows so you can spy on your arriving guests, and all of the spaces are well lit, well decorated, and adequate space for you and your whole party. Shannon chose to get ready with her bridesmaids, her mum and her beautiful daughter Evie - there is so much space for everyone to get ready wth large full length mirrors, dressing tables, cosy couches, a bathroom and also a lovely high space for hanging those all important outfits!

Shannon chose to have a first look wiht her bridal party and her dad! I have to admit - there were tears! And not just from them!

 Reflecting on Winning Southeast Scotland Wedding Photographer of the Year

As I sit down to write this blog post, I find myself filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and excitement. After four years of being a finalist, I am incredibly thrilled to announce that I have been named the Southeast Scotland Wedding Photographer of the Year for 2024! This recognition is not just an honor for me, but a testament to the countless couples who have trusted me to capture their special day.

From the very beginning, my passion for photography has been driven by the desire to freeze moments in time, to tell stories through images, and to create memories that last a lifetime. Each wedding I've had the privilege to photograph has been a unique and magical experience, filled with love, laughter, and joy.

Being a wedding photographer is about more than just taking beautiful pictures; it's about building connections with my couples, understanding their vision for their day, and going above and beyond to exceed their expectations. Every couple has their own story to tell, and I am honored to be entrusted with the task of capturing it in all its beauty.

Winning this award is a testament to the dedication and hard work that goes into my craft. It's about constantly pushing myself to evolve as an artist, to hone my skills, and to embrace new techniques and technologies. It's about investing countless hours behind the lens, striving for perfection with each shot, and never settling for anything less than extraordinary.

But perhaps more than anything, this award is a celebration of love. Each photograph I take is a celebration of the love shared between two people, a testament to the power of connection and the beauty of human relationships. To be able to freeze those moments in time, to capture the fleeting glances, the tender embraces, and the heartfelt emotions – it is a privilege beyond words.

As I reflect on this incredible achievement, I am filled with gratitude for all the couples who have allowed me to be a part of their special day. To my couples, past and present, thank you for trusting me with your memories and for allowing me to share in your joy. To my friends, family, and colleagues who have supported me along the way, thank you for believing in me when I doubted myself, and for inspiring me to reach for the stars.

And to all the aspiring photographers out there, never stop chasing your dreams. Believe in yourself, follow your passion, and never be afraid to push the boundaries of what you think is possible. Because with hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of love, anything is possible.

As I embark on this year ahead as the Scottish Wedding Photographer of the year for Edinburgh and the Lothians, I am filled with gratitude and excitement, and a renewed sense of purpose. Here's to capturing many more love stopries, making memories, and taking on all of the adventures 2024 has instore for me.

Thank you, Scottish Wedding awards, for this incredible honor. I am truly humbled, grateful, and beyond thrilled to be named your Wedding Photographer of the Year. Here's to many more beautiful moments captured together!

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