There's something about a summer wedding at Piersland House that just works. That distinctive Tudor-style building on the edge of Troon has a warmth to it even before you factor in the weather — timber beams, ivy-covered stone, and gardens that catch beautiful light through the afternoon and into the evening. It's one of my favourite Ayrshire venues to come back to, and Lauren and Gareth's day here was no exception.
Lauren told me beforehand that she didn't think of herself as photogenic — something I hear from a lot of brides, and something I never quite believe once the day actually gets going. That's really the whole job on a wedding day: not making someone look like a different person in front of the camera, just helping them feel comfortable enough that who they actually are comes through. A little direction where it's needed, then stepping back and letting the rest happen naturally.
That came through in the message Lauren left afterwards:
"I can't sing Derek's praises enough after photographing our wedding recently. We had such a fabulous day which Derek has managed to capture so wonderfully. Our preview pictures are really special and we're so excited to see the rest of the shots. I usually describe myself as not photogenic but Derek made me and the rest of the wedding party feel so at ease, which is reflected in the photos. We have received several compliments about Derek from many of our guests all describing how considerate and helpful he was. He has been excellent, providing great communication & support throughout. Genuinely cannot praise his efforts and professionalism enough would not hesitate to highly recommend him for any photo shoot or function. So happy to have had him capture our big day."
That's the part that means the most — not just that the photos turned out well, but that Lauren, Gareth and their guests actually enjoyed having me there. A wedding day moves fast, and my approach is to stay close, watch what's actually happening, and step in with a little guidance only when it's needed — for group shots, portraits, the moments that benefit from a steady hand.
Piersland House lends itself to that really well. Between the building itself and the grounds, there's no shortage of good light and good backdrops throughout the day, whatever the Ayrshire weather decides to do.
As an Ayrshire wedding photographer based just down the road in Troon, Piersland House is a venue I know well and always enjoy returning to. If you're planning a summer wedding here — or anywhere across Ayrshire and Scotland — I'd love to hear from you.
Scottish wedding suppliers
Location - @Pierslandhousehotel
Dress - @opus_couture
Kilts - @mccallum_bagpipes_ltd
Hair - JenKen @jenkenhair
Make up - @nikmakeupartist
Florist - @kirstiesflowers
Cake - FB - Sugar and Spice Troon ltd
Band - @thehypeweddingband
Piper - @scottgardenpiping