Fun-filled Edinburgh Botanic Gardens Wedding with Matt & Alice
“Well these guys are fantastic. We found them as a recommendation from another photographer & are very glad we did. Very easy to work with before the wedding day, and we had some photos within 24 hours for including with thank you cards & sending out to friends. Really great photos – beautiful and natural, and still with time to get a few formal shots in there too. Highly recommended.”
– Alice & Matt
It feels like a lifetime ago that I was hanging out with some awesome folk and watching Alice and Matt get wed. This was a micro wedding before we knew what micro weddings were and I like to think that these two paved the way for other 2020 couples!
I spent four lovely hours with Alice, Matt and their favourite people. It was an absolute joy from start to finish. They are both so relaxed, full of giggles and so SO in love.
These two superstars managed to sneak their wedding in just a week before COVID shut the world down and, sadly, we were already feeling the effects. Close family members and a number of guests weren’t able to travel for the wedding and their band had to pull out a couple of hours before too. The Botanic Gardens stepped up and found them a last-minute DJ (love a venue that goes the extra mile!) and, much as everyone was missed, Matt and Alice were determined not to let anything spoil their day.
Edinburgh Botanic Gardens Wedding Photography
You couldn’t really pick a better venue for the wedding of two environmental scientists! The Botanical Gardens is, so I’m told, a pretty major player when it comes to conservation and biodiversity. There’s loads of info about it on their website if you’re that way inclined but forgive me for swiftly taking us back to Alice and Matt’s day – science is amazing but certainly not my forte! I’ll stick to fab couples, beautiful pictures and lusting over a sunset (seriously…I LOVE that pretty light!)
Anyway, I digress, back to Alice, Matt and those Botanic Gardens. I can’t think of a lovelier place to spend an early spring afternoon. Daffodils and bluebells carpeted the ground, the cherry blossom was in full bloom and the sun spent the day peeking out from behind a few clouds. Perfection!
Not ones for convention or tradition these two did it their way and in their own, inimitable style. Alice rocked up early so she could greet her guests, Matt and Alice had some time together before heading in to say their vows and (cutest moment of the day alert!) Matt’s daughter walked him down the aisle. She also had the single most important task of the ceremony – ring bearer – and an excellent job she did too. I’m also eyeing her up as a future Joy Story Photographer after seeing her skills with the Polaroid!
Fuss Free Family Photos
Here at Joy Story, we pride ourselves on our family photos. They are full of fun, super quick and don’t take you away from the party for too long. I went one step further at Alice and Matt’s wedding and did the more formal groups before the ceremony which meant no one had to stop celebrating to come and smile at my camera. What a win!
Getting those photos done early gave everyone a chance to enjoy canapes and explore the gardens while I whisked Alice and Matt away for a wander. Now, portraits are the one part of the day everyone tells me they’re nervous about so I keep a supply of “Dad jokes” up my sleeve, guaranteed to make even the most awkward couple giggle. Reader, I didn’t need to use any of them! Matt is an absolute wind up merchant and kept his wife laughing throughout resulting in the ultra natural, not awkward at all photos you see on this blog. Cheers Matt!
After their speeches, and a few elbow bumps, I left them to carry on celebrating. I don’t think any of us had any inkling of what was round the corner. I certainly had no idea that I was about to hang up my wedding hat for the best part of a year but oh boy, I went out on a high! Alice, Matt, what a wedding. What a day! You’re all ace!
Sarah x
Creative Team
Venue: Edinburgh Botanic Gardens
Second Shooter: Lauren Stirling Photography
Florist: Roseparks
Celebrant: Rev Vanessa Conant
Hair: Raymond Edinburgh
Makeup: Lauren @ Moi Beauty
Cake: Bibi’s Bakery
Rings: Megan Falconer
Are you having an Edinburgh Botanic Gardens wedding? Get in touch to book a consultation and find out how we, as an alternative wedding photographer, can capture your wedding day amazingness!
