You're here either because you're considering booking a Marischal College wedding ceremony or because you have booked one and you're wondering, "What now?"
I'm an Aberdeen wedding photographer and I am here to help.
Why choose a Marischal College Wedding?
I love a Marischal College wedding - and it's good thing, too, given that they make up around 80% of my bookings (here's one and another and another)!
The ceremonies take place in a beautiful room and, as short as they are, the general vibe is relaxed and intimate. I've only ever seen the registrars treat their couples with respect.
But, forewarning: your registrar will generally only go over your plans and how everything works with you one week before your wedding. Because of this, I have couples asking me the same set of questions over and over again - so I've pulled the answers together for you here.
NOTE: This is based on what I've been told by both my couples and the registrars, but, if anything's going to have a big effect on how you plan your day, please do double check with Marischal College.
What's The Plan? When and Where Do We Meet Everyone?
Your registrar will ask you and your guests/witnesses to meet them in the waiting area just inside the main entrance of Marischal College fifteen (or, occasionally, thirty) minutes before your ceremony. Unless we've agreed otherwise, this is when and where your photographer will meet you, too.
If you're in town on a weekday, you can pop into the main lobby of Marischal College and you will see the waiting area to your left.
On your right, the wall opposite the main entrance is wooden with frosted glass windows set into it - this is the Grant Room, so you don't have far to go for your ceremony. There is disabled access and there are toilets in the corridor outside.
Do We Enter the Room Separately Or Together?
This is up to you. I have seen couples enter the room together accompanied by all their guests/witnesses. I have seen couples enter the room together, after their guests are seated. I have seen one partner walk down the aisle towards the other, having already seen each other in the lobby. And I have seen one partner hide in Starbucks and have somebody run across the road to get them after everybody else has gone through to the Grant Room (this does cut into your time quite a lot, though, so I would only recommend doing this if you're happy to do group photos outside!).
How Long Does the Ceremony Last? What Are the Timings Like?
A straightforward exchange of vows can be done very quickly - the legal requirement is only a couple of sentences each, followed by signing the register. Even if you have opted for longer or for more unique vows, added in readings, or have chosen to have a special tradition (e.g. a hand fasting), Marischal College ceremonies generally take no more than twenty minutes, including signing the register.
This leaves us with around fifteen minutes in the room for any group and/or couple photos you would like to have taken indoors. I recommend keeping your indoor shot list as short as possible - generally no more than five combinations - as this gives us time to make the most of the gorgeous room and get some pictures of just you two.
What Do We Do At the End of the Wedding?
At the end of the ceremony, the registrar and I will work on the assumption you're going to walk/wheel/boogie down the aisle together, unless you tell us otherwise.
You can come back down the aisle and stop when you reach me; you can exit the room and take a few moments to yourselves; or you can stay right there, where you said your vows, and have your guests/witnesses come to you. It's really useful if I know what you're planning to do beforehand, so please do tell me when you fill in your pre-wedding questionnaire!
Where Do we take Group Photos?
Depending on your preferences (and, to a certain extent, the weather), we can take group photos at the back of the Grant Room and/or on Broad Street. The Quad at Marischal College (which is mentioned on the Council's info page) is currently unavailable.
If you've booked me for longer coverage, we can also take some group shots at your reception.
Where Can We Go For Our Couple Photos?
If you have booked me for two or more hours, we have the option to go exploring! We have the whole city centre within walking distance and most of the prettiest parts of Aberdeen a short taxi ride away.
Couples often opt to go to the place where they first met, first dated or first got engaged. If there's nowhere with special significance, there are loads of beautiful options within the city, and I'm always happy to give advice.
However, it's your wedding and it's up to you - if you don't want to spend a lot of time taking photos, we won't; ten minutes in and around Marischal College is absolutely plenty.
Should We Book a Photographer?
Okay, I am obviously biased here! I want you to book me (and you should). But, if you're swithering, please, please book a photographer. Even if that photographer isn't me (I weep).
No matter how tiny and low key your wedding - even if you're having it in jeans and T-shirts with two witnesses grabbed off the street, claiming not to be "wedding people" - this is part of your story and every part of your story deserves to be told well. Those photos will become more precious to you, the more that times goes on.
What am I not saying? Wedding photography isn't cheap; you may well pay more for your photos than for the actual legal process of getting married. To try to make things easier on your pockets, I offer a one hour rate for weekday Marischal College weddings (and for Saturdays with under two months' notice).
We Stumbled Across This Page by accident and Now We Want to Book You
WONDERFUL! You can find out more about my wedding photography packages here or drop me a line to check my availability. I would love to hear from you.
Do You Have Any Other Questions?
Please do let me know. I'm here to help your planning go smoothly.