Bobby and Katie – Torrance Hotel East Kilbride

Bobby Inglis and Katie McCall picked a very special day to get married. It was specifically chosen to coincide with the wedding anniversary of Katie’s Grandmother and Grandfather Morton. They wed on the same date, 29th July, many decades previously and both had such a strong influence on Katie’s life. Sadly neither could be with Katie and Bobby on their special day but Bobby and Katie paid the ultimate tribute to Mr & Mrs Morton and not only ensured their wedding fell on the same date when they married in front of friends and family at the Torrance Hotel in East Kilbride, they also decided to change their surname and became Mr Bobby and Mrs Katie Morton.

I had the pleasure of photographing Bobby and Katie’s wedding and, despite the demise of our long hot summer days and the return of the rain, we managed to capture some great memories inside the hotel. Thanks to my Katie for her assistance and to Douglas (I Do Videoart) and Fawn for being so co-operative, A special thanks to Katie and Bobby’s friends and family for their patience and understanding, especially both sets of parents, Katie’s sister Lorna, her brother Alan jnr, and wee Molly – it’s always such a pleasure when you make us feel so welcome. Here are a few of my favourites………..

All images copyright (c) Gerry Wilson 2013. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Katie & Bobby Morton – Torrance Hotel EK

The Open 2013 – Muirfield

My summer of great sporting events continued last weekend with a visit to my favourite golf course, Muirfield in East Lothian, host to the world’s greatest golf major – The Open. I had the good fortune to play Muirfield a couple of years back in a small handicap invitation competition and I played so well that I won! I was inspired by the surroundings and picked up the best prize ever – a second game at Muirfield!
The course also hosted my first ever Open in 1980. I arrived through the gates from the Archerfield side to the par 3 seventh hole and on the tee, in gale force winds, was Jack Nicklaus and Hale Irwin! What an introduction to major golf! From then on Muirfield became my favourite of all the Open venues and I never miss a Championship there.
This time I took my camera along on the first practice day. It is a majestic setting and is in such fine condition it felt like I was the first person to tread the fairways in six months. It’s also a great time to visit without the massive crowds of the Championship days and you can get a bit closer to some of the superstars and get a chance to see a little more of the golf course. No doubt it will throw up another top class winner later this week – only the best win at Muirfield!

All images copyright (c) Gerry Wilson 2013. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited

Alison and Colin – Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel

Some time ago Alison and Colin spent a weekend at the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel and fell in love with the place. So much so that they decided to get married there. And who could blame them! It is the most idyllic location – the hotel sits on the banks of the river Tay in deepest Perthshire and when the sun shines like it did for Alison and Colin it becomes one of Scotland’s most beautiful wedding venues. The best weddings, of course, are all about the people rather than the surroundings and Colin and Alison are my type of people! Katie and I had a great day in the company of their family and friends. An intimate wedding ceremony took place on the lawns of the hotel in brilliant sunshine – Scotland has been basking in glorious weather, I kid you not! Guests then had the enviable task of walking all of twenty yards to the drinks reception on the terrace before adding a further five yards for the dinner reception. It was magical!

My thanks to James, Gerti, Victoria and all of the staff at the Dunkeld House Hotel for looking after Katie and I and special thanks to Colin, Alison, your friends and family (especially the Wilsons!) who helped make it such a memorable day. Oh and a special mention for Barney the boxer whose paws went straight from the River Tay up on to Alison’s dress! A quick magic photographer’s scrub and no-one ever noticed!

Good luck you two and here are a few of my favourites from your special day………………..

All images copyright (c) Gerry Wilson 2013. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Claire and Kirk Got Married!

Claire and Kirk were married in a beautiful ceremony at St Mary’s church in Hamilton. The sun shone again and the whole day was just perfect. The service was led by one of the kindest priests I’ve had the pleasure to meet – the Rev Henry McGuire. His words were very special but his welcome allowed me to relax and get some lovely photographs in and around his church. The guests all then headed to the Castle Rooms in Uddingston for a wonderful reception, including some of finest table decorations ever – Cadbury Eclair trees!! It was so difficult taking the pics without harvesting!

Here’s to you two Claire and Kirk, and to your families and friends, thank you for your patience and understanding. Here are a few of my favourites from your special day………

All images copyright (c) Gerry Wilson 2013. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited

The 2013 British Grand Prix – Silverstone

For the final leg of my prolonged birthday celebrations my son and I spent a long weekend at Silverstone for the 2013 F1 British Grand Prix. It was brilliant – 27 degree sunshine and a packed weekend of activities. The race is only a part of the weekend at Silverstone, a whole series of events take place and it’s like a massive festival with 294,000 visitors over the three days. Really worth going just to savour the noise – it’s incredible! Of course the camera came along for the ride and here are a few favourites. Red Arrows were brilliant as were the mad, mental, stunt riders from www.animal.co.uk. The marshalls opened the gates to the circuit at the end of the race and we managed to collect a few rubber souvenirs. Amazing weekend and can’t wait until next year!

All images copyright (c) Gerry Wilson 2013. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited

The Colours of Wimbledon

I had an amazing day at Wimbledon last week and finally fulfilled a lifetime ambition to get there! It was a very special and magical day in the most majestic and friendliest sporting venue ever. The colours, the smells, the sheer beauty of it all and the incredible pace in the ball bowled me over. The telly just does not do this justice, breathtaking ferocity and grace almost mixed as one in every player. I had a seat on Centre Court and loved every minute. From the stunning beauty and brilliant play in the ladies match with Ana Ivanovic and Eugenie Bouchard I just couldn’t believe my luck. Then up a gear or two and 133 mph serves in a first set from Jo Tsonga and Ernests Gulbis, a few games from Andy Murray over lunch on Murray’s Mound/Henman’s Hill then back to watch Tsonga go out. I didn’t think it could get any better but then I had that stunning match from Roger Federer and Sergiy Stakhovsky – electric atmosphere and the biggest upset for many years! Brilliant stuff and here are a few of the many pictures I managed to take. If you get the chance to go jump at it. The club has an ethos filtering through every employee to ensure the spectators have a magical day. It is breathtaking. What a day!

All images copyright (c) Gerry Wilson 2013. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited

Katie and Bobby – Soon to be Mr & Mrs!

I met Katie and Bobby at the Torrance Hotel in East Kilbride on another hot Scottish summer’s day – (really!). We got together to go over the final preparations for their wedding later in July. Katie and Bobby both work for the same bank and they absolutely have their heads screwed on – as charming and organised as I’ve had the pleasure to photograph. They wanted to set me a unique wee task and Bobby will then apply some post processing skills so watch this space to see if we manage to pull it off! Can’t wait for their wedding but here are a few pre-shoot pictures from the Hotel…………..

All images copyright (c) Gerry Wilson 2013. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited