Ever wondered what a wedding in Scotland would be like? Well, I can share this with you and I can't wait to tell you the story of this beautiful couple who got married at Maryculter House Hotel in Scotland. Being a Nottingham wedding photographer, I have had the chance to shoot at some truly beautiful locations but Scotland has always been on my list. It's not very often this happens, but I have been lucky enough to get the script that was read on the day of this wedding. And to be honest, I do not want to change anything in this as she did such an amazing job, but I also want you to feel like you were actually there the day of the wedding. So, grab a coffee and get comfortable as this is a beautiful story of how this couple found each other.
Good afternoon & welcome everyone to the beautiful Maryculter House Hotel. My name is Kirstin Cruickshank, I am a Marriage Officer with Independent Humanist Ceremonies & it is with great pleasure I will be conducting Catriona & Craig’s ceremony today. They are sharing today with all the special people in their lives and they want you all to enjoy today as much as they intend to, to that end the ceremony is going to be informal & relaxed making it one you will all remember. Catriona & Craig
who are here for the best reason ever ….. to get married!
They hope you enjoy this most beautiful setting on the banks of the River Dee, the stunning scenery & spectacular outside space. I’m sure you'll agree it’s a fitting and stunning venue for their special day & hope
you all enjoy being here & the surroundings as much as them. No matter how near or far you travelled, each of you are important because Craig & Catriona invited you to witness & share their wedding
day. Everyone take a moment to look all around, there will be people you have known your whole life, some you haven’t seen for years, some you have never met before. Across the course of today, and by the end of tonight, I hope these families and friends will have all mixed & shared in the happiness of these two who have brought you all together today. Wedding ceremonies take many different forms; couples may choose to exchange their vows in a religious ceremony, others in the presence of a registrar. Catriona &
Craig decided to celebrate their relationship with a Humanist wedding ceremony, they feel it is personal, best represents who they are & how they live their lives. Having chosen the content & words for their ceremony, selected the music & vows, means it will be uniquely special to them. Humanism is not a religion - it’s a very old and very simple philosophy that represents the views of hundreds of millions of people around the world. There are lots of definitions out there, but as we say here in Bonnie Scotland, “We’re all Jock Tamson’s bairns” – meaning we’re all the same under the skin! We hope that each of you, whatever your beliefs, will kick back & enjoy this occasion. Today is about things that bring us together in life rather than the things that might divide us, the most important being love. This is the best kind of celebration when we witness two individuals coming together, strengthening their bond & celebrating their love for one another. The ceremony will put the love and respect Catriona & Craig have for each other at the forefront. Later they will make the most significant commitment & vows to each other & become united.
Our bridal party is made up of a great bunch of family & longstanding friends all looking gorgeous.
Craig & Catriona, you are on the threshold of a new and exciting chapter in your relationship, but it is what’s happened in the past that led you to this significant point, so, let’s take a moment to reflect upon some of the events that have shaped your journey so far. It was just before midnight on the 1st February 2018 Catriona crashed into Craig’s car on Union Street, Catriona tried not to cry looking at this
"cool looking surfer" only to later find out Craig can’t swim! Craig thought Catriona was a "muppet," They exchanged details & next morning via polite texts they agreed not to involve insurance. What started as
conversations about fixing his car quickly turned into bonding over our shared love of Banff and Lake Louise in Canada, where Craig was planning a snowboarding trip. From that day on, we never stopped talking & the messages became flirtier. Instead of saying good night, we’d text until one of us fell asleep, only to wake up to each other’s messages. I kept checking with my friends to make sure I wasn’t imagining things, wondering if Craig was flirting too. To this day, he insists he was “just being nice.”
Craig was offshore when Catriona met his grandparents to sort out his car repairs. Granny immediately liked Catriona & even suggested they went on a date, not realizing this had already been planned for 2 weeks later. At Catriona’s flat she burnt the chips, and had a little tiff within five minutes, but we felt so comfortable together. We went out for drinks at Orchid afterwards, and Craig came back to my place the next day. Craig returned from his snowboarding trip to Banff they officially became a couple. He brought maple syrup & matching Canada wooly hats and a cuddly toy “Albert” that still sits on our bed, Easter 2018 Craig met Catriona’s parents for the first time. Dad, Billy, loved Craig’s car, though didn’t know it was due to the car they had met. Catriona found it funny that they were dressed almost identically.
Catriona was in hospital with a broken ankle, Craig texted calling her the clumsiest person he’d ever met, but said he loved me anyway. June 2018 was their first holiday camping to Skye. Catriona forgot the
air bed pump so slept in the car the first night. We were bitten by midges and had to pack up early due to a storm, but we had the best time, and Craig enjoyed his first tent holiday. Craig practically moved in with Catriona & bridesmaid Abby. Even when he went home to his own place he often came back a few hours later. Her neighbours must have hated his car’s loud exhaust! Although quickly after meeting, we moved in together, signing a six-month lease just in case things didn’t work out. Deep down, we knew that we would love being together in our own home and in March 2020 just before lockdown, they moved to Ellon.
As key workers during COVID both continued working, Catriona as supply teacher from home whilst Craig went to work. Being away from and not seeing family was tough but they grew closer as their own “little family.” And Solidified their wee team. Craig helped Catriona navigate multiple applications, interviews, and rejections and eventually, she managed to secure a permanent job. Hobbies enjoyed together vary from visiting castles & wildlife parks, camping & holidays, moving the mattress into the living room and having boxset days, dog sitting for friends and family, baking, footgolf, bingo, nightly wordle time and annoying each other. As much as Craig & Catriona love their home, they like nothing better than getting away, holidays can be anywhere. City breaks to Barcelona & Berlin, camping trips to Skye, Tarland, Fort William & Manchester, UK trips to Aviemore & Chester, journeys across the globe to Dubai, Krakow
& Calpi in Spain and both are super excited to be heading to Banff and Lake Louise for their honeymoon—a place that brought them closer.
The proposal came on 13th November 2022 after Craig had been scheming with the parents, Catriona was busy feeding the ducks at Aden Country Park when she turned around Craig was on one knee with a ring. Shocked, it took me a few moments (and some expletives) before Catriona finally said "yes." From there wedding planning started, and they now stand before us hand in hand on their wedding day, radiating
pure happiness about to embark on their new chapter. I asked them to tell me what they love about each other & like you in a moment, they will hear these words for the first time. Catriona told me this was hard, we’ve been through so much together & every challenge has made us stronger as a couple. It feels like I can’t fully articulate how much Craig means to me. When we met I was sworn off any new relationship, I was determined to focus solely on getting my First Class Honours – & she did - but fate had other plans. Catriona told friends she didn’t want to end up with someone who worked offshore or played golf – she got both & wouldn’t have Craig any other way. Meeting Craig was a complete coincidence, but it was the best thing, everything changed. His family welcomed me with open arms, I felt like I had roots for the first time. This quote is particularly true for him and I felt it so early on ‘Home is not where you are from, It is where you belong Some of us travel the whole world to find it, Others find it in a person’ There are so many little things I love about him; His eyes light up when he smiles or laughs. When he leaves in the morning & I’m still in bed, he props a pillow against my back so it feels like he’s still next to me. He
might look tough, but deep down, he’s a massive softie for the people he loves. I have called him a “teddy bear” since the day we met because I saw through his tough exterior right away. He’s unintentionally funny, especially when he says things without thinking. I’ve grown up with Craig by my side, always quietly supporting & pushing me to be a better version of myself. He calls me out when I’m being
bratty or hangry, early in our relationship, my mum said we were “well-suited because he challenges me while always wanting the best for me,” and I think that’s so true. Craig truly makes everyday life meaningful, he’s brought so much joy, love & strength into my life, I couldn’t ask for a better partner to face the future with or singing karaoke in the car! Craig said expressing my feelings has never been easy, I find it hard to explain just how much Catriona means to me and how much I appreciate having her in my life. I was all for the easy life and being single was the way for me – or so I thought! I wouldn’t change her for the world or ever go back to those ways . When we met all I basically did was go offshore or play golf & the PlayStation in my room at my Granny’s. I was never one really to go visit or even speak to anyone. Catriona has challenged me in many ways, thanks to Catriona relationships improved and I see more of both my parents and wider family. When I leave her sleeping when I go to work I tuck her in & put a pillow behind her back to mimic me because I know it makes her sleep better and I don’t have a grumpy Catriona ha ha ha. There are so many things I love about her: Her smile when she is happy or when I have made her happy lights up my day. We both love dogs and ensure that each other sees one while we are out, can’t wait to get our own. She always makes the little tasks enjoyable at home and out, coming to walk around the golf course with her book to keep me company. She helps me through all the good times and helps me more than she is aware of. Catriona will support me no matter what silly ideas or rubbish I came out with. She calls me out when needed, and knows how to deal with me and my childish ways. As the old cliché goes Catriona is genuinely the love of my life.
I would like to introduce Catriona’s Godfather David, he will be reading the poem ‘Marry Your Best Friend’ by N'Tima
Marry your best friend, I do not say that lightly
Really, truly, find the strongest
happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with
Someone who speaks highly of you
Someone you can laugh with
The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort
The embarrassing, earnest, healing kind of laughs
Wit is important
Life is too short not to love someone who lets you be a fool with them.
Make sure they are somebody who lets you cry, too
Despair will come
Find someone that you want to be there with you, through those times
Most importantly
Marry the one that makes passion, love and madness combine
and course through you.
A love that will never dilute
Even when the waters get deep and dark
Catriona & Craig you stand before us, not two new individuals coming together, but two individuals celebrating their love for one another, strengthening their bond & the life shared together. It is a partnership in which each can continue to grow You have become an integral part in each other’s lives & become part of one another’s families. Marriage joins 2 people who trust in the love that they have found. The symbolic vows you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, you know all those things we’ve promised, hoped & dreamed. Well, I meant it all, every word. Look at one another & remember this moment in time, before this moment you have been many things to one another - friend, lover, partner, even teacher, for you have learned so much from one another over the years. Next, you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold and things between you will never quite be the same. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this - this is my husband & this – this is my wife.
Legal Vows & Rings If not already, I will ask you to face each other & hold hands This brings us to the heart of today’s ceremony where Catriona & Craig will make their legal declaration to each other, exchange vows & wedding rings. In this country, we wear our wedding ring on the 3rd finger of our
left hand, it is believed the “vein of love”, Vena Amoris on that finger runs directly to the heart.
Your wedding rings are a symbol of your commitment, unity and infinity & the unbroken circle of love; love so freely given it has no beginning & no end. After your rings are placed on your fingers, may they always serve as a reminder of how you feel towards each other & be something to look back on and smile.
Logan please come forward with rings, pass Catriona's ring to Craig Craig, Please repeat after me as you place the ring on finger left hand I Craig Alexander Chalmers, accept you Catriona Emily Beattie In marriage as my lawful wedded Wife I ask Craig, do you promise to love, respect & protect Catriona as your
best friend & wife, remaining faithful to her above all others? Will you stand by her side for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness & health, support her in all of life's decisions during triumphs &
uncertainties, through laughter & tears, for as long as you both shall live?" Craig answers “I do” & pushes ring on finger
Logan please pass Craig's ring to Catriona Catriona, please repeat after me as you place ring on finger left hand I Catriona Emily Beattie, accept you Craig Alexander Chalmers In marriage as my lawful wedded Husband I ask Catriona, do you promise to love, respect & protect Craig as your best friend & husband, remaining faithful to him above all others? Will you stand by his side for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness & health, support him in all of life's decisions during triumphs & uncertainties, through laughter & tears, for as long as you both shall live?" Catriona answers “I do” & pushes ring on finger
Legal Declaration Catriona & Craig you have chosen to marry, and have pledged your love to each other, following these declarations made before me & in the presence of your witnesses & guests, it is my
pleasant duty to declare you legally married. I am absolutely delighted, to pronounce you Craig & your Catriona husband & wife. Craig you may kiss your beautiful bride
Handfast Catriona & Craig have chosen to include the ancient marriage ritual of Handfasting. If you have ever wondered where the expression ‘tying the knot’ came from, now you are about to see! We will tie pieces of material representing their separate families as a way of confirming their union. A section from Catriona’s wedding dress, some Weathered MacDonald Tartan that Craig’s dad wore on his own wedding day and Grey Spirit tartan that Craig is wearing today. A hand fast is no knot of steel, Craig & Catriona are not tied to each other by force. This is a strong knot symbolising the strength of love & commitment for each other This knot will serve as a beautiful keepsake of today, hold it safe as a symbol of your individual love for the other and in respect of your joining. May it never come undone under the strain of the storms of life.
Quaich To finish off their ceremony & to further reinforce these bonds made Craig & Catriona are going to have a traditional Scottish welcoming by drinking from a Quaich. Drinking from a quaich is part of ancient traditions of hospitality from the Celtic honour system, whoever had shared a cup could not do injury to the other, hence the name ‘loving cup’ King James VI of Scotland gifted Anne of Denmark such a cup in honour of their marriage in 1589, since then, many couples have celebrated their nuptials with a first drink from the loving cup. Drinking from the loving cup symbolises a commitment to share everything that life brings to you. Today we will be toasting this union with Locksley Craft Gin in Cocoa & Coffee flavours using a quaich Craig won in a golf tournament
Drink to your love in the present, this your wedding day Craig
Drink to your love in the future & forever more Catriona
Drink to loved family and friends no longer with us Craig & Catriona
As you have shared from this loving cup, so may you share your lives. May you find life’s joys heightened, its bitterness sweetened, and all of life enriched by the love of family and friends. Catriona & Craig many congratulations & thank you for asking me to be part of your special day. I hope throughout married life, happiness fills your hearts & home and that your love be as deep as Loch Ness & your troubles as rare as the monster
If there is anything you remember of this ceremony, remember, it was love that brought you here today & that love for each other will make it a glorious union that your marriage will endure. I ask everyone to treasure the memory of this special day & to join me in wishing Catriona & Craig the greatest of success in their future lives together.
Thanks to the team here at Maryculter, the gents behind the lenses for capturing the magic of today. As you exit the ballroom please take some confetti & make your way outside to the courtyard for group
photos & a confetti tunnel, thereafter there will be drinks reception. Family & friends, I am sure you will all enjoy the rest of today. Our Newlyweds have a Guestbook, and ask that during the course of today
you take a minute to write some well wishes for them, they will serve as a wonderful memory of you all being here, it is located in the foyer behind the bar.. Catriona & Craig, love isn’t always perfect. It isn’t a fairytale or a storybook. And it doesn’t always come easy. Love is facing challenges, overcoming obstacles, holding on & never letting go. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define & impossible to live without. Love is work, but most of all, love is realising that every hour, every minute, &
every second is worth it because you are together.
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