In these days of swiping right, it’s rare to marry a couple who met at school, but that’s where James and Christie first clapped eyes on one another – in a Business Management Class.

They instantly clicked and began going for walks together, until James finally asked Christie to be his girlfriend, to which Christie said yes. 

After high school, James went off to study Sports Science at Aberdeen University but he didn’t enjoy it and – as he didn’t know exactly what he wanted to do – he followed Christie to Napier to study guess what? Yes – Business Management!

After 4 years they graduated with the same degree – thanks to Christie reading and rewriting James’s essays… One she rewrote the night before he handed it in even got James a higher mark than she did!

They got their first jobs, enjoyed earning their first full time wages and holidaying with friends but then Covid hit and they ended up isolating separately. 

That gave them the chance to save up for the deposit on a house. It also allowed James to rack up up a few wins on Warzone with his friends – although the Xbox and noise-cancelling headphones didn’t last long after they moved in…

Six months later, James planned a few nights away, which Christie thought suspicious because she usually planned most of their trips and she was right, because it was on that break, on a little beach called Mossyard, that James got down on one knee and asked her to marry him…

The wedding planning started not long after and found the venue they felt suited them perfectly – Cairns Farm Estate. 

After a year of settling in, they decided to add a dog into their lives – or at least James did. 

One morning James announced they were off to view some Cockapoo puppies. Of course, they had to take one, and a month later they had ‘Bad Boy Barney’. 

Everyone who’s met Barney knows he’s been a bit challenging, which is why he wasn’t with us on the day, but he’s made Christie and James very happy, and brought them many special memories.

As I always do when I begin working with any couple, I asked James and Christie to reflect on the meaning of marriage, and I loved that they got me to say, “to avoid making Christie cringe, and James cry, we’ll keep it short and sweet!” That’s something for all couples to remember. This is your ceremony. Only you can decide on what you want to say – and what you don’t!

James and Christie wrote their own personal vows.

Among the other things that James promised was to – one day – complete his ‘To do’ list, and always bring Christie a cup of tea in bed in the morning.

Christie gave as good as she got. As she said, “I promise to always make sure your beers are cold, and that you get to watch your priority list of football games… but not them all!”

Erin, Christie’s sister and maid of honour, passed her the ring she gave to James, and James’s best man Tom gave him the ring he gave to Christie. 

Back in the day, there was only one ring, which the bride wore, so I think it’s a lovely way to reflect the fact that it’s called an exchange of rings for a reason.

I love how photographer Derek Christie always seems to be in the right spot to get the shot.

Now you see me…

Now you don’t – and you never will, as every photographer and videographer I work with know…

I was very pleased when James dropped me a line after the wedding to say, “Thank you for conducting our ceremony – we thought it was brilliant!”

Just look at that smile! That is one very happy man!

Thank you again, Christie and James, not just for choosing to work with me but for sharing your story – and these fabulous photographs! I know there’s a wedding video out there somewhere, and I look forward to adding it, but – and again, this is something for all prospective wedding couples to bear in mind – wedding videos tend to take a little longer to put together than photo albums, so be patient… it’s worth the wait!