a chilled start & a first look with all the feelings

Some weddings ease in gently before exploding into a full party. Ashleigh and Jake did exactly that- an emotional, intimate daytime celebration in Aberdeen city centre, followed by an evening that went absolutely off.


Before the ceremony, Ashleigh shared a first look with her dad, one of those proper lump-in-the throat moments that, without fail, always gets me. Just real emotion between father and daughter.

A collection of wedding rings and jewelry displayed on a dark plaid fabric with scattered decorative elements.
Wedding stationery and invitations displayed on a plaid fabric with handwritten details and elegant design elements.
Black and white photograph showing torn pieces of paper with fragments of text letters scattered on a textured surface.
Decorative text and lettering details in white against a dark background with elegant calligraphic style.
Two people in white shirts demonstrate self-defense techniques in a series of connected photos.
Interior scene showing a white door frame and wall with people interacting in casual attire.
Black and white photos showing motion and movement during wedding day preparations.
Black and white abstract photograph showing dramatic shadows and light patterns on a textured surface.
A series of joyful moments captured in light blue dresses during wedding preparations.
A bridal bouquet featuring vibrant orange, pink and red flowers with greenery against a warm interior background.
A bridal bouquet with white and red flowers is held against a white dress, showing a series of detail shots.
A collage of four people holding up white plates in front of their faces at what appears to be a dinner gathering.
A bride in a white wedding dress walks down a modern hotel hallway with natural light streaming through windows.
A bride and groom stand in a modern hallway during their first look wedding moment.
A series of wedding preparation moments showing a flowing white bridal gown and floral bouquet in a hallway setting.
A bride in a flowing white gown walks down a modern hallway with natural lighting.

The Ceremony (feat. Hudson the legend)

The ceremony room at the Sandman looked incredible. Twisted Willow were recruited for the flowers and they nailed it — super-colourful, modern, but nothing over the top. There was also a bespoke neon sign from Thoughts and Crosses, a classy touch and made the space feel personal without being cheesy.


About 20 people in the room, but it didn’t feel tiny — just close-knit and relaxed.


And then there was Hudson.


He arrived chaperoned by Spotlessly Chic, strolled to the front like he owned the place, lay straight down on the floor, and spent the whole ceremony panting loudly while everyone tried not to laugh. It completely broke any tension and made the whole thing feel even more real and down-to-earth.


Short, genuine, no fuss. Exactly right.

Orange gerbera daisy and red berries arranged in decorative vases create elegant wedding centerpieces.
White curtain backdrop decorated with vibrant red and orange floral arrangements for an event at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
Wedding guests in formal attire gathered at a reception venue with white curtain backdrop.
A group of men in suits and formal attire gather together in conversation at an indoor event in black and white.
A joyful wedding reception scene shows guests dancing and celebrating together in an indoor venue.
Wedding party member in black dress holds vibrant orange and red floral bouquet.
Elegant wedding reception venue decorated with white paper lanterns and filled with guests mingling and celebrating.
Wedding guests dancing and enjoying themselves at an indoor reception with warm lighting and festive atmosphere.
A happy white bulldog smiles at the camera with a joyful expression on its face.
Candid moment between couple during wedding celebration.
A couple shares a tender moment at their wedding ceremony with floral decorations and white curtains in the background at the Sandman Signa.
Couple shares emotional first dance at wedding reception with white curtain backdrop.
A white bulldog sits with a couple in formal attire against a backdrop of colorful flowers at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen
Emotional embraces shared between guests at a wedding reception with white curtain backdrop.
A wedding celebration with floral arrangements and paper lanterns decorating an indoor venue.
Group of formally dressed people enjoying drinks and conversation at an elegant event.

Couple photos with an impromptu road closure

Reserved for their reception drinks, the whisky lounge and the Sandman Signature made for a beautiful place for group photos, warm and full of character.


Afterwards, we headed outside for some portraits. To get the walking-down-the-street shot, the groomsmen ran down the street and literally stopped traffic so we could take over the road for a minute. Cars waiting, everyone buzzing, it felt like a movie scene. One of those moments you don't plan but makes the day.


I love a good speech, and this wedding didn't disappoint. Heartfelt and hilarious from Ashleigh's dad, her maid of honour Steph, and best man Robbie.

People in black outfits dance and move through a modern hallway with warm lighting and red decorative accents.
Wedding party celebrates in an elevator while wearing sunglasses and raising their hands in excitement at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
Wedding party members laugh and smile while holding vibrant red and orange bouquets at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
Sequence of candid photos showing groomsmen laughing and sharing joyful moments at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
A couple shares a romantic dance together during their wedding reception at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
A sequence of photos showing a couple sitting in sunlight against a stone wall during a wedding photo session at the Sandman Signature, Abe.
A series of wedding photos taken against an urban wall backdrop with a modern building design at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
A romantic couple in wedding attire embraces and kisses in a stone archway at sunset at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
Wedding guests seated at tables decorated with colorful floral centerpieces during an indoor reception.
Wedding reception table setting with colorful floral arrangements and glassware in a bright indoor venue.
Wedding guests share joyful laughter during a reception celebration with warm lighting and floral decor.
Wedding guests laugh and smile during a reception dinner under elegant chandelier lighting at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.

Then the party arrived...

Once the meal wrapped up, the calm, intimate vibe disappeared pretty quickly. The doors opened, people poured in, and suddenly the place went from quiet and cosy to full-on party mode.


Ashleigh whipped off the bottom of her dress after the cake cut like something from an advert and her and Jake were straight on the dancefloor for their first dance.


And the entertainment? Wild in the best way.


Steve Brookstein (yep, the guy who won the very first X Factor) was on singing duties and had everyone buzzing straight away. Not something you see at every wedding, but it absolutely worked. Glitz Band then took over and the floor was full, well, except when Ashleigh led the conga around the ballroom..


I also started spotting familiar faces — Ashleigh and Jake are pals with Lyndsey and Grant, whose wedding I’d shot earlier this year. At this point it genuinely felt like I was becoming part of the same big friend group, just turning up with cameras every time someone got married, such a fun bunch of folk.

Guests enjoying drinks and socializing at a dimly lit party venue with white decor at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
Two friends in formal dresses, one in pink and one in black, share a candid laughing moment at an event.
Two friends enjoying drinks and conversation at an evening party with ambient lighting at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
A couple shares a sweet moment at their wedding reception against a white curtain backdrop with red floral decor.
Dancers twirl and move together on a dimly lit dance floor with sparkling lights in the background.
A couple shares a romantic dance moment under twinkling string lights at an indoor wedding reception.
A group of people dancing and celebrating at a party with festive lighting in the background.
Party guests dancing and celebrating at a festive event with string lights and decorations in the background at the Sandman Signature, Aber.
Party guests enjoying themselves with drinks and laughter under decorative string lights at an indoor celebration.
People dancing and celebrating at an evening event with twinkle lights and decorative backdrop at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.
Two people celebrating at a party with string lights twinkling in the background.
Wedding guests dancing together on a dimly lit dance floor with string lights glowing in the background.
Wedding guests dancing and celebrating on a dance floor at an indoor reception venue with white decor and candlelight.
Guests dancing and celebrating at an indoor event with string lights and blue ambient lighting.
Children wave glow sticks while dancing at an indoor party with string lights and disco lighting in the background.
People dancing and celebrating at a wedding reception with string lights glowing in the background at the Sandman Signature, Aberdeen.

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