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"

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"

Music For The Grand Entrance

Photograph used with permission

For many couples, the entrance is a special part of the wedding ceremony and the music played at this moment is important in setting the atmosphere and will be remembered by the happy couple for years to come.

Traditional wedding music is very popular, such as Canon in D major by Johann Pachelbel, which is lovely played live by a string quartet, harpist or classical guitarist. Another firm favourite is Highland Cathedral on the bagpipes. Others prefer more contemporary music, and this can either be played live or through the venue’s PA system.

Here's my own personal Top Ten, selected from my 2015 weddings:

1. Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet (Nino Rota)

2. Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles)

3. Hoppípolla (Sigur Rós)

4. Baby I Love You (The Ramones)

5. Bitter Sweet Symphony (The Verve - Instrumental)

6. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (Rod Stewart)

7. Feeling Good (Nina Simone)

8. Drops of Jupiter (Vitamin String Quartet, Train cover)

9. How Long Will I Love You (Ellie Goulding)

10. Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)

Zara and Rob's Wedding at the Royal Botanic Garden

Zara and Rob wanted to have their wedding at the Botanics because when they are there, it's easy to feel like they've stepped outside of time. It's the perfect place to take pause from everyday life and reflect on what they value. It's an oasis.

During walks there, it has often hit them how much they love their lives together, their little routines, and how attached they are to this wonderful city. It felt like the right place to come to celebrate their love for each other and the many special connections and relationships present at their little gathering.

Contributions from family and friends made Zara and Rob's ceremony very special. Rob's friend Niall read an excerpt from Plato's Symposium, chosen because of Zara's and Rob's interest in ancient classics, which was one of the courses they studied together at university. In fact, when they first became a couple, Rob gave Zara a copy of The Symposium because it had been such an influence on his idea of what love means and he wanted to share it with her.

Another lovely moment in the ceremony was when Rob's cousin Laura sang 'The Way I Am' by Ingrid Michaelson.

Zara and Rob 'Tied the Knot' with ribbons that had special significance for them both. One was made from Zara's Gran, Carol's wedding dress and the other was knitted by Rob's Nan, Pearl.

By joining these ribbons, two families joined and accepted Zara and Rob as a unit within them. Because the ribbons themselves were so meaningfully gifted from an older generation of their families, Zara and Rob also thought it would be nice to ask two younger members of their families to bring them forward; Zara's sister, Leah and Rob's brother, David.

Many thanks to Zara and Rob for sharing their beautiful photographs by Catching the Moments Photography.