A Bilingual Auchen Castle Wedding on Film

Alex and Azu brought two families and two languages together at Auchen Castle for a wedding that felt relaxed, personal and full of movement. Everyone stayed in the same place near Moffat, so the whole day unfolded around the castle and its grounds, from the morning preparations to dinner at four and a very lively evening.

The ceremony mixed Spanish and English and was led by two friends before a registrar completed the legal part. It suited them perfectly: warm, informal and shaped by people close to them. They kept formal traditions light, with Belén as maid of honour and Ryan as best man, and asked me to focus on natural photographs that reflected what was actually happening.

A bilingual ceremony at Auchen Castle

The ceremony began with two of Alex and Azu’s friends speaking in Spanish and English, before the registrar joined them for the legal part. Their speeches happened here too, woven into the ceremony rather than saved for dinner. It made the whole thing feel close, funny and personal, with both sides of the family able to follow what was being said.

With no large wedding party, the focus stayed on the people around them. Belén stood with Azu as maid of honour and Ryan was Alex’s best man. After the ceremony we kept the family photographs organised but quick, then let everyone get back to the castle, the grounds and each other.

A wedding photographed on 35mm film

Azu is a keen lover of 35mm film, so analogue photography felt especially important here. It was not there as a trend or a filter. She already understood the slower pace, the grain, the colour and the small element of chance that makes a real film photograph feel different.

I photographed the day on film alongside digital, choosing 35mm for the loose, in-between moments as well as the quieter portraits around Auchen Castle. Film asks you to pay attention before pressing the shutter. That suited Alex and Azu’s request for natural photographs that reflected what was actually happening, rather than turning the day into a long series of setups.

The stone interiors, soft window light and greenery around the castle all worked beautifully on film. The analogue frames have a texture that belongs to the setting, while the digital coverage made sure the fast parts of the day were there too. Together they give a fuller account of how the wedding looked and felt.

Flowers for their mums and a bouquet for Belén

Alex and Azu planned two lovely surprises during the meal. Their mums were given flowers between the starter and main course, then Azu passed her bouquet to Belén during dessert. There was no cake cutting and no need to manufacture another formal moment. The gestures that mattered were already part of the day.

Dinner was called at four, leaving plenty of time afterwards for drinks and music. Mark, the venue’s DJ, took over for the evening and the pace shifted naturally from a relaxed castle wedding into a proper party.

The team behind the wedding

The people who helped Alex and Azu bring the day together:

Venue: Auchen Castle
Hair and makeup: Gaynor at Elegant Bridal Hair Styling
Flowers: Hollie at Sprigs & Berries
Venue coordinators: Lynne and Sarah at Auchen Castle
Evening music: Mark, provided by Auchen Castle

Planning an Auchen Castle wedding?

If you are getting married at Auchen Castle, near Moffat or elsewhere in Dumfries and Galloway, and want relaxed documentary photography with genuine 35mm film woven through the day, get in touch here. I would love to hear what you are planning.