“Thank you again for being our celebrant on our wedding day! “

Courtney and Chris first contacted me in January of this year, when they were planning to have a small, intimate family wedding in April. It’s not often couples decide to get married with so little notice, but of course the pandemic intervened, and the planning process became a bit more drawn out than anyone had anticipated.

Courtney hails from the USA, and she met Chris on her very first day in Scotland; I don’t think either of them expected that evening to turn out so well, and despite all the trials of separation and long distance love, they finally got to tie the knot six months later than originally planned.

As Courtney’s family couldn’t be with us, Chris set up an iPad to webcast the ceremony to family and friends around the world; luckily he is Fife born and bred, so his family only had to travel a few miles to be with us at Balbirnie House, recently voted ‘Best Destination Wedding Hotel’ by Haute Grandeur hotel awards.

His sister Lauren gave us a reading, everyone joined in on the ‘Guest Vows’ and then Chris and Courtney spoke the vows they had written and kept secret until the day. As you can see, Social Distancing Rules were observed, even by the photographer, Mark Quinn, who shot everything on a very long lens!

I was delighted to be sent these photos and words by Chris yesterday.

We had such a great experience with you throughout the planning process as well as the day itself, I have even learned a thing or two about writing – even though I have a wordsmith of a wife.

Thank you for being so co-operative with our multiple date changes and for all your help and advice along the way; it was much appreciated and helped calm any nerves or panic attacks.

Our guests were very complimentary of yourself as well as the ceremony which incredibly spanned 4 different continents that day on Zoom.

It just goes to show that even when your lives are turned upside down and your plans have to change completely, you can still have the happiest day of your lives! Thanks for inviting me to be your celebrant, Courtney & Chris, and thanks to Mark Quinn for the great photos.