Marion and Ross were meant to get married in May. They had a small wedding planned with immediate family and close friends, and three spaces booked in Glasgow - a registry office ceremony, a restaurant dinner then a cosy drinks reception. But it's 2020 so nothing goes to plan, does it?
Covid-19 came to town and we were all trapped by lockdown. It wasn't long before we realised their wedding just wasn't possible. Postponing a wedding is more than confirming a new date with a long list of suppliers and reissuing invitations, it's emotionally draining. Even trying to plan a week ahead was (and still is) difficult while there are daily changes to everyone's lives. I can only imagine the upheaval that went on when they realised they'd need to postpone, but it had to happen and I know Marion and Ross were taking lockdown as seriously as I was.
Four days ahead of their new wedding date in September, Marion, Ross and I had a chat on the phone to go through their new plans. It was great to catch up with them and hear their take on a 2020 wedding. Because as we all now know, a 2020 wedding is like no other. Their original ceremony room couldn't even hold the small number of guests they wanted due to social distancing, so everything was moved to her sister's back garden. And it's only ten minutes from my flat! Hurrah! All sorted.
Hours after our call, it changed again. Nicola Sturgeon announced a local lockdown in Glasgow, which threatened to scupper Marion's preparation plans and wee get-togethers with their parents after the ceremony.
My brain hurt so I can only imagine the pain in Marion and Ross's brains and hearts as they tried to figure all this out again.
But they did. And it was amazing. Ross found a floral wedding arch on Gumtree two days before their wedding, which was a beautiful touch. Marion's sister, Donna, painted her shed to mark their 'banais taighe' ('house wedding', a tradition from the Western Isles but please don't ask me to pronounce it) and rearranged the garden. Small gazebos were bought in case the Scottish weather did its usual thing (as it was we only had a few minutes of drizzle, which was frankly a miracle). Donna's neighbour said that I could climb into his garden to shoot from there. I've never climbed a fence during a wedding ceremony before but let's just say I'm glad it was behind a hedge because I looked ridiculous. He even set up a small platform to boost my lack of height (I didn't use it) and agreed to me taking a few group photos on his lovely lawn.
It was a pleasure to be part of their wee big day, even if it was just for three hours! We'll do it all again when they are able to have a party.
Here's a sneak peek at a few of Marion and Ross's wedding photos. I've credited their wedding suppliers at the bottom of this page.
Credits:
Bride's hairdresser: Jenna Marie Zanre (Bloom Aveda Lifestyle, Glasgow)
Bridal make-up artist: Gosia Majewska
Bride's wedding dress: Elizabeth Wallace
Florist: Vanilla Rose Flowers
Wedding venue: Donna's back garden!
Photographer: Julie Broadfoot | Tiny Wedding Photographer
