I had the pleasure of conducting what could have been an emotionally difficult ceremony. Andrew & Kerrie travelled from Australia with her parents and their delightful children, Kai, 4 years & Georgina 15 months. They stopped off in England to collect Andrew's Mum & Dad, but due to extreme ill health his Mum was unable to travel. She had always looked forward to seeing Scotland as her husband had worked here & declared himself in love with the country.
Their ideal was to come to Scotland to be married in a Scottish Castle. Dalhousie Castle in Midlothian certainly lived up to all their expectations! The marriage room is entered by a zig-zag oak staircase which leads to a large period window.
I had met the family the Sunday before to show them some of the "touristy" bits of Edinburgh's Old Town, to make them feel welcome & give Andrew some support when he was disappointed that his parents couldn't attend, as well as to put finishing touches to the script.
I helped Andrew, Kai & Grandpa get organised with their kilts & the other strange bits of the outfits before going to set up the room for the ceremony.
I met with the photographer, falconer and piper. A little later I saw Andrew coming into the room video in hand trying to work out a "selfie" with not a lot of success. Having only 4 adults & 2 children at a marriage doesn't leave a lot of spare hands.
"Highland Cathedral" led The Bride & her Dad into the room. Kerrie looked stunning, her blonde hair was up in a French Roll, as we used to call it , but angled slightly, and held in place with some bling grips and a tailored fascinator which fitted in to her face just below her eyes. Her dress was cream lace & strapless. Fitted to the hips & then out to a short train, but not a fishtail. She also wore matching fingerless elbow gloves. Andrew was like the proverbial Cheshire cat.
After the introductions I read Burn's Red Red Rose, which started Kerrie's tears, for the right reason I'm glad to say.The handfasting was a new thing to Kerrie's parents, we used green & gold ribbons (Australia's sports team colours).
Kerrie laughed at the surprise…An owl brought the rings from the back of the room. I had to help Andrew get the gauntlet on, get him into the rehearsed position to receive the owl, take the rings from the pouch on the Owl's leg & get the glove back off again.Exchanging the rings found Mummy & Daddy with a contented toddler each in their arms. It was a little complicated, but fun.
As we drank from The Quaich, the sun beamed through the window, as if on cue.
Our Piper led us back up to reception and out into the garden for a few remaining photographs.
It is always our aim in Fuze to make each ceremony as individual to the couple as is possible. I hope Andrew & Kerrie feel that we managed this. I certainly did!