Catherine and Chris's windy wedding at Peebles Hydro

Catherine and Chris got married at Peebles Hydro, a grand old hotel with big grounds in Peebles, in the Scottish Borders. They got ready at the Hydro, married in a local church, and came back for drinks, dinner, speeches, a wander round the grounds and a ceilidh. It was also the windiest day I’ve experienced since living in Scotland, which matters for what happened to the veil.

A local wedding for an Innerleithen photographer

I’m based in Innerleithen, the next town over from Peebles, so I love a local affair, and the Hydro is such an iconic spot that I was pumped to be shooting there again. It’s where the classic charm of the hotel meets the grounds outside, so you get grand vibes and a relaxed day in the same place.

Getting ready at the Hydro and a church ceremony in Peebles

Catherine and Chris spent a relaxed morning getting ready at the Hydro before heading to a local church to officially tie the knot in a really personal ceremony.

The windiest confetti throw in the Borders

As they left the church to join their guests for the confetti throw, I asked Catherine and Chris if they were all set. Catherine joked, yes, as long as I don’t lose this veil. It was her grandmother’s.

Five steps through the confetti arch, a gust of wind hit and BAM. Away flew Catherine’s veil.

With my heart in my mouth I did what any great wedding photographer would do in that situation. I captured it all in EPIC photographs. (See below.)

Luckily the gust died and a distant cousin was able to retrieve the veil. Phew.

Drinks, speeches and the grounds at Peebles Hydro

Back at Peebles Hydro for drinks, canapés, some very windy group photos, dinner and speeches. Then the wind finally dropped long enough for the three of us to get out and explore the grounds. They’re a wedding photographer’s dream, and I was in my element.