hidden but not gone!

the new website is live and I'm so happy with it. There will be a brand new blog too but this blog will stay where it is forever and ever. For weddings post June 2010 then please go to www.fionamacneill.com/blog

Love Fiona xxx

normal service resumes...

Phew- panic over...my site is back in action.

Fxxx

Site down - aaaaargh

Hello - this is a bummer of a post but my site is down and will be for the next few hours while my tech people try to fix it.

I apologise to any clients trying to view slideshows but these are down also.

As soon as it is working, I'll post again.

Thanks for your patience.

Fiona x

wild flowers

Bon soir!

I am back from a very hot and sunny South of France and can't begin to say what an amazing holiday I've had. Two blissful weeks with Jason, Nina and the Boy!

So, I arrived home late yesterday and was straight back into the swing of things today with a pre-wedding shoot. I hadn't met Kirsteen and Jamie before today as they live in London so we had a good long chat over coffee before going outside for a wee practise session. I don't normally Blog about pre-wedding shoots any more but there were one or two pictures from today that I just had to share! Right next to the car park where we met was a patch of wild flowers and I just knew I had to use them. Kirsteen's Mum had told her to watch out for honey bees as they are very active in the clover right now and she was right! There were little bees on most of the flowers, especially the clover but we managed to find a trampled down patch free of clover and didn't squash any bees whilst we were there!

Anyway, I've chosen a couple of my favourites and have posted them below. I think they are so lovely and who would know that there were cars and loads of pedestrians all around us! It looks as if we are in some beautiful, lofty Alpine meadow!

I can't wait until the weekend when Kirsteen and Jamie get married at Ardanaiseig. They were naturals in front of the camera and Saturday promises to be a wonderful celebration.

I still have some availability for later in the year and a few key summer dates for next year so email me ASAP if you wish to book. Remember, every client gets a complimentary pre-wedding shoot which is brilliant fun and invaluable if you want to relax and feel at ease in front of the camera!

Fxxx

Holiday

Hey - this is just to say I'm on hols now until the 11th of July! I will have access to my emails whilst away but if you need me urgently then do call my mobile.

Fxxx

Amanda and Neil in St Andrew's

I am being a little naughty here and blogging out of order but there is a certain gorgeous newly-wed in Indiana champing at the bit to see her wedding pictures and I don't want to keep her waiting any longer. Amanda was the sweetest bride ever and the planning and preparation that went into her wedding went above and beyond anything I've really known before. My lovely Wendy from Utopia Wedding Planning was the coordinator and I think I heard her say that they had exchanged more than 600 emails in the couple of years they were planning! I love that...I also think Amanda would make an amazing wedding planner and wouldn't be at all surprised if we heard about Utopia Wedding Services Indiana very soon!

Amanda and Neil got married amongst the historic ruins of St Andrew's Cathedral with 14 of their nearest and dearest there to witness their joy, love and happiness. I met with them a few days before the wedding for their pre-wedding shoot so knew that we would have no problems on the day. They were a little nervous at first but soon got into the swing of things and were kissing and cuddling all over St Andrews by the end of the shoot. Amanda loved the results and I'm sure it helped reassure her that she didn't need to worry about the photography on the day.

Amanda and her sister got ready at The Old Course Hotel in the morning with Mum and Dad there soaking up all the excitement and anticipation that comes with getting your hair and make up done, the flowers arriving and knowing that in a couple of hours time you will be a Mrs!

The ceremony was perfect with all Amanda's little touches adding to the loveliness of the day. There was also a little surprise for the guests when a little barn owl called Finnbar delivered the rings to Troy, the best man! It was amazing and very Harry Potterish! I believe they are big fans.

We had some group photos in the grounds of the cathedral and then we went down to the castle rock pool and beach for a short photo session. I just knew the pictures would be stunning. Everything was right...the light, the weather, the mood!

Back at the hotel, the guests were relaxing and admiring the views over the Old Course while we took the opportunity of having some fun on the Swilcan Bridge. Well you can't go to St Andrew's and not get some shots there! There was an American TV crew there filming for the forthcoming Open Championship so I hope they got some footage of us having a giggle.

Wonderful, emotional and funny speeches preceded dinner and then the dancing started! Mike, my favourite video guy (from RPL Weddings) caught the first 3 dances on DVD but I managed to get some fab shots of them too. The third dance was a bit of a surprise when Amanda and her Dad, Randy performed the most hilarious mash up. I have never seen anything like it and had to keep remembering I was still working and not just gawping!

So, it was a wonderful day of joy, laughter, tears, emotion but most of all love. Weddings are always emotional for me, but this one just got me. I loved being a part of their day and wish them more love and happiness in their life together.

They are having a party for friends and family back home this weekend so I hope they all love the pictures. I have chosen just a teeny tiny few to post here so I hope you enjoy.

Fxxx

Kate and John - with much love x

Oh my poor neglected Blog has been playing on my conscience over the last month so I have finally found a spare hour or two to blog about all my lovely wedding clients and their happy days. Now, you may think that blogging is a simple, easy thing to do - especially for a blether like me but its not...its a very complicated process using all sorts of technical wizardry, which I find hugely challenging! Anyway, I'll stop complaining and tell you a little bit about Kate and John. I know them through mutual friends and during the planning process, they have become dear friends. I like to get to know my clients so that when the day dawns, we are all familiar and comfortable around each other; it makes everyone more relaxed and the resulting photographs are always the bets they can be.

So, under an impossibly blue sky in North Berwick, Kate and John tied the knot after a year of planning. The ceremony and reception was at The Marine Hotel and I have to say that everything went according to plan, much to Kate's delight and relief. Kate wore a stunning blush pink gown by Linea Raffaelli and her bridesmaids were in a beautiful, regal purple. Her niece, Nina (good name!!!) wore a cute warm gold dress and looked every bit of a beautiful flower princess!

John get ready with his boys at the hotel too and I spent some time with them in a very small, warm room! I always like to get some shots of the boys getting ready although I'm not sure the feeling is always mutual! John forgot how to tie a bow tie and the rest of them were getting hotter and hotter by the minute and wishing they could strip back off again! I have posted a shot of John below with his 'wedding face' on! John was the best man at my friends Emma and David's wedding a few years ago and I have an identical shot of him with the same expression. I love this shot and it just sums up John!

The ceremony was lovely and there were a few sniffles when Kate's two dear friends did their readings. I must admit I had a we bubble too but soon after everyone was happy again and the rest of the day followed suit. The weather was amazing and everyone braved the fierce wind for an outdoor drinks reception. I sneaked off onto the golf course with Kate and John for a ten minute photo session and we didn't even have to dodge one golf ball.

The speeches were emotional, funny, moving and just really nice. I love the speeches and always get the most amazing shots of love and laughter. After dinner, the cake was cut and the dancing commenced. I was pooped so shot off home but was assured that the band and party at night was one to remember with some of the boys drinking well into the wee small hours.

I have posted some of my favourite shots below and hope you enjoy them. Kate and John are a truly special couple and I can't wait to show them the gorgeous album I'm designing for them!

Fxxx

That's all for today but I'll be back in the land of Blog on Thursday...Nan and Brian's wedding next xxx