In these days of swiping right, it’s heartwarming to tell you the story of a couple who met the old-fashioned way.

It was November 2019, and after winning their match, the Abertay Football Team headed out into the bright lights of Dundee to celebrate – minus Calum, who’d had a a few too many nights out in the previous weeks and was determined to save his cash, but eventually the peer pressure got to him, and he joined them, with only £10 in his wallet. 

There was no Dance Team social that night, but Kirsten convinced a friend to come out and that’s how she met Calum on the dancefloor. He was wearing what Kirsten thought was a white Versace t-shirt – only later to discover it was actually a pyjama top… 

To this day, Calum doesn’t think he’ll ever make a better financial decision than spending £2 on a blue VK for Kirsten. They left before Mr Brightside came on, exchanged Snapchats and just over a week later, they had their first date at a Café. 

That was where the fun really started because Kirsten and Calum decided to play the “Mr & Mrs Game”. Before the ceremony, the groomsmen had laid paddles on all the chairs. Kirsten was on one side and Calum was on the other, so the first question I asked was “who got themself into a pickle by ordering something really strange to eat? 

Calum describes himself as a very fussy eater and in an attempt to avoid embarrassment, he ordered a fajita, with just peppers and salsa. The woman behind the counter looked confused, and repeated it back several times to check, before bringing him what he’d ordered – a wrap overflowing with peppers and salsa – but no chicken! It was just one of many times his fussy eating has backfired massively!

During lockdown, they couldn’t be together, but they FaceTimed at least once a day and it was during this time they mutually realised something… they loved each other. So who do you think said, “I love you” first?

Correct!

After Kirsten graduated, she taught in Glenrothes, while Calum moved home to pursue sports massage, but then came the big test; he was offered with with Birmingham City Football Club – starting less than a fortnight after the interview. So who do you think was more nervous about the move?

Correct, but fast forward a few months and Kirsten was painting the walls of their one-bed Warwickshire flat and big Tesco shopping in Birmingham, making the most of their new life, and seizing every opportunity they could. 

Then, on the 21st of December 2024, Calum asked Kirsten to marry him. He spent weeks planning it, and her reaction made it perfect. Afterwards he suggested going somewhere fancy, but Kirsten said she just wanted an Indian – with him – and they both say that honestly, they wouldn’t have had it any other way.

A 16th Century Merchant’s House, Riddles Court is one of Edinburgh’s cutest wedding venues. Tucked away in a close near the top of the Royal Mile, it was painstakingly restored by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, and it made a beautiful setting for Kirsten and Calum’s ceremony.

Calum’s father is Christian and he gave us a reading of Corinthians XIII, which was an excellent choice. As I said when I introduced him, Humanists share many values with people of faith, and we agree with Saint Paul that the greatest of them all is love.

Then it was vow time, and Calum and Kirsten decided to keep theirs a secret until the day.

I then invited Best Man Jake to come up with the rings, which gave him a fright because he didn’t have them!

That was Calum’s wee joke – his sister Lauren had them so she handed them over as they made their legal declarations.

I then pronounced them married and performed my signature disappearing act…

When they got back from their mini-moon in the Lakes District, Kirsten sent me these lovely words.

“Thank you so much for all your help. We initially chose you because we loved how flexible and creative your ceremony ideas were. With your guidance and support we really feel our ceremony was just perfect for us. 

On the day, your help and wise words were much appreciated since neither of us have been at a wedding ceremony that we can remember. 

We loved the way you came and spoke with us both individually before the ceremony. 

We also both agreed that you were both calm and funny, helping us feel more relaxed at the altar. We’re so glad you were part of our day! 

Thank you so much for sending over the information about the tree. What a lovely thing to do! Very much appreciated. 

Calum and I are looking forward to our honeymoon next week in Turkey, but I’m excited to see our blog! Maybe we can inspire other couples.“

 I’m sure you will, Kirsten & Calum – not least because of the way you made your wedding video.

Again, in this age of videographers and content creators, it’s easy to hand over the image making duties to the professionals, and there are good arguments for doing that, but there are equally good arguments for asking your family and friends to shoot their own movies and then give them to a skilled editor who can weave them together, and that’s exactly what you did.

It keeps it real, and I was very pleased to get this clip from Mark at the aptly named, “Edit Your Wedding” who do exactly what it says on the tin…

And you may well inspire other couples to check out your photographer, Jennifer Glen. As you said, “she’s an angel!” and I love how she unobtrusively captured your guests every bit as well as she did you.

Offer to buy her an ice cream at Luca’s in Musselburgh, and I’m sure she’ll be delighted to meet you!