The Hermitage, Dunkeld

Marrying friends is always going to be special for any celebrant, and I was truly delighted when Crispin & Paula asked me to conduct their extra select wedding at the Hermitage in Dunkeld. With only 3 couples and their kids as guests, it was among the most personal weddings I've ever been part of....

Each of the guests had a job to do in the ceremony, whether that be doing a reading, or taking over a part of the ceremony that is more usually done by me...but when the story of a couple, their lives together and the years that have gone by is written & read by someone who was there the night they met, it can only be more personal & meaningful than anything I could have written.

They did everything their own way, and added twists and ideas I've never thought of...they had chosen to have a secret "Why I love you" bit in the ceremony and Paula went above and beyond the call of duty (!) by composing & declaring hers with the aid of a heap of carefully ordered Love Heart sweets, kept safe in a mini Tupperware box, that said it all for her.


The tie they used for their hand fasting was amazing too...it was woven ribbon, but they had added all sorts of bits and pieces from around their home to it as well: toys representing their family life, and bits and bobs from both their working lives as well as contributions from the kids....and speaking of the kids, when I asked them to pose for the shot, they really outdid themselves!
 

 All the Young Dudes!

Eastwood House, Dunkeld

The beautiful Ange with photographer Nikki Leadbetter in spectacular light at Eastwood House, Dunkeld, just before the ceremony.

The ceremony and reception was actually held in a Teepee in the grounds, right on the banks of the Tay, but the venue lends itself to smaller gatherings too, and the gardens make a lovely reception space if the weather is on your side, as it was for us that day. They served cake with the Champagne after the ceremony, which everyone approved of...I think there were 5 kinds!

As well as the ones eaten after the ceremony, Andy & Ange also had this rather spectacular cake that depicts them (and a dozing Rowan!) on the Meadows in Edinburgh, where they met through the friendship of their respective dogs who - though not present at the ceremony - were honoured by the reading of "Falling in love is like owning a dog" by Taylor Mali.

Andy and Ange also incorporated a naming for their son Rowan into the ceremony, who pretty much stole the show, coo'ed giggled and sang throughout, to the delight of all!

Annie & Donny at Kennacoil, Dunkeld

Wonderful, sunny, crazy chaotic afternoon with Annie & Donny at Kennacoil above Dunkeld. All the family in attendance and of course Winston the greyhound in his collar and tie. Good look for him. 

Some of the ceremony was literally made up as we went along, as a few things had to be left out for practical reasons, but as more elements seemed to add themselves as we went along, it wasn't a problem...the first time I've seen a handfasting done by ALL the children at the ceremony, who got to pick their own ribbons from the bag too...Molly got in there first and tied her Mum and Dad up with the skull and crossbones one!

My own photo's this time but I hope to get better ones once their photographer sorts everything out.

Leanne & Alex at Dunkeld House

This was one of those perfect summer days in Perthshire...and it feels so right that you can trully imagine it being like this all the time! Though everyone was dressed up and the setting was rather grand, the wedding still managed to feel small and relaxed with lots of laughs, and really personal vows spoken by both the Bride & Groom.

Down by the river after the ceremony. Photo by David Lozowy.

I took this one myself...just amazed that so much of the river bed was exposed...where Alex & Leanne are standing will 20 feet under the Tay by the end of November!