Monday 27 June 2016

Peter and Erica's Wedding at Harvest Moon, Tyninghame


Peter and Erica got engaged at the highest point in East Lothian, Meikle Says Law. So it was fitting that they chose the stunning Harvest Moon Beach in Tyninghame as the location for their wedding. 



They often walk along the beautiful beaches of East Lothian close to their house and the opportunity to get married there was too good to miss. Also, that everyone could stay on-site in the glamping facilities was an added bonus!




Peter and Erica chose some wonderful poetry which added depth and meaning to their ceremony and conveyed their thoughts about love and marriage. Guests also read lovely poems from Northumberland and Canada, the couple's original homes.

A first for me in a wedding ceremony was the inclusion of a quote from a scientific study about the benefits of marriage for happiness, health and longer life. Just goes to show that science has an important place, even at weddings!




Thank you, Peter and Erica for sharing your beautiful photos by GWS Photography.



"Fiona, thank you so much for such a fabulous ceremony, it was perfect! We got lots of great feedback from our guests. Some people even thought we were good friends, it was so personal."

Friday 22 April 2016

Deborah and Steve's Wedding at the Secret Herb Garden



Nestled at the foot of the Pentland hills, the Secret Herb Garden is a truly special place, especially if you like herbs, good food, and all things vintage. The perfect venue for Deborah and Steve's wedding!

This venue was featured recently on The Wedding Collective blog and was described as “a dreamy, plant-filled glasshouse and garden space with laid back bohemian vibes.”




Deborah making her big entrance with her dad David. Mind those leaves!


Deborah and Steve chose to get married there quite simply because it is a beautiful, unique setting and not a traditional wedding venue. They went for lunch there a couple of weeks after they got engaged and instantly fell in love with the place. They both enjoy camping and being outdoors and for them it's the perfect rural escape, close to the city, where they love spending a Sunday.



Steve and Deborah met at work in 2003. Steve says they got on straight away as Deborah seemed like a really nice genuine person; Deborah says she instantly knew they were going to get on as Steve had such a happy outgoing personality and was very chatty. 

Steve also recalls thinking Deborah had good taste in music and an awesome handbag - a star wars lunchbox she was using as one!



For Deborah and Steve, marriage means a new level to their relationship. Not a changing of who and what they are together but a deepening of the already strong bond they have together. 

And of course, a wedding is also a great excuse for a knees-up!


One of the readings during the ceremony, called 'The Cramond Question' was very fitting as it was written especially for the happy couple..... Hmmm, I wonder who Big Beardy Boy could be?



The Cramond Question by Steve Kell


Big beardy boy and his fair lass
Went down to Cramond Isle
There was a question to be asked
One he’d pondered for a while

Shirt all ironed, beard all combed
Looking just so smart
It would no longer be postponed
Time to follow his heart

Wine all chilled, the scene as set
His courage all gathered in
He took her hands, held her gaze
Then popped the Cramond question

The sun stood still, world held its breath
Was if the answer it could guess
But the answer to the Cramond question
Was, of course, just a simple yes




Deborah and Steve, congratulations and a huge thank you for asking me to be a part of your special day, and also for sharing these lovely photos by Rab Stout!

“Fiona, thank you again for being the one to marry us, help make our day so fantastic, and for all your help in the run up.”

Sunday 10 April 2016

Rosalyn and Michael's Wedding at Dynamic Earth


Roz and Michael's ceremony was full of joy and laughter and perfectly suited their fun-loving personalities. Roz tells me that Michael makes her laugh every single day, and their wedding day was no exception!



They chose this unique setting for their big day as it offered the best of both worlds, a city centre location with stunning countryside views of Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags. 




Family members were a central part of the ceremony, with Roz's brother Steve playing guitar and Michael's cousin Simon, his fiancee Stacey, and Roz's aunt and uncle, Rosy and Roger doing readings. The happy couple also had a handfasting with ribbons made from their family tartans to symbolise the joining of their families.



A lovely photo of the happy couple with their witnesses, Best Man Peter and Bridesmaid Lynsey

The readings were thoughtfully chosen and perfect for the occasion. 'I'll Be There For You' by Louise Cuddon was chosen for its light-hearted but everyday show of love and support. 'Love Monkey' by Edward Monkton captured the essence of Roz and Michael's relationship, the journey they've been on, their connection as a couple and the joy they share together. 



These two guests look like they're enjoying the rain!



Congratulations, Roz and Michael and thank you for sharing these great shots by Derek Christie Photography.





"Fiona, thanks so much for doing such a wonderful job. The ceremony was exactly what we wanted and so many of our friends and family commented on how personal and meaningful it was. You really made everyone feel very relaxed and at ease in the run up to and on the day of our wedding and it really couldn't have been more perfect despite the typically wet Scottish weather! Neither of us would hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for a celebrant in the future"

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Nadine and Sandy's Relaxed Home Wedding



When I first met Nadine and Sandy, they were so friendly and laid back I knew this was a wedding I was really going to enjoy!

They wanted, in their words, a 'non-weddingy' wedding, short and simple, in their own back garden. Low key, just themselves and their two witnesses, Nadine's best friend Gina and Sandy's brother Christo. And not forgetting their cocker spaniel Cosmo, a couple of cats and three chickens in attendance....



We chatted about their ceremony and it was only as they were getting ready to leave that Nadine casually mentioned that she (and Gina) would be wearing pyjamas for the ceremony....

And what lovely pyjamas they are too!

After the ceremony, the couple had a fabulous party with family, friends and neighbours at the Edinburgh Film Studios near their home in Nine Mile Burn. 



Photograph courtesy of Merlin Bonning

Of course, it was only fitting that their guests should come dressed as film characters.




Sandy dressed up as Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee's character from The Wicker Man) while Nadine was intent on wearing her PJs for getting married and partying!



Sandy even worked his choice of character into his speech, explaining who he was and what better costume to wear than than that of a messianic, pagan overlord of a small rural community.... 

Nine Mile Burn will never be the same again!

Nadine and Sandy, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your laid back and fun wedding! Thanks also to Sandy's brother Christo for the photos.

"We're enjoying married life and are in agreement that our wedding was the best we've been to - fortunately! It was a great day and we were buzzing from it for a long time after"