Caitlin and Andrew got legally married in a very small quiet ceremony in Edinburgh. And then sometime later they had their *BIG* wedding celebration! Caitlin hails from the USA, where they met when both went to work the summer at Camp Wilson in rural Ohio. She was an arts and crafts counsellor, he was a lifeguard and they caught each others eye pretty early on. A fun, laid back, easy friendship was established, which slowly developed into something more. When the summer came to an end and Andrew prepared to return to Scotland, neither were ready for it to be all over.
Despite living in two different countries, their relationship began. Of course getting to know each other better is obviously challenging when separated by thousands of miles, but before long Andy was back to visit Caitlin and her family. The next summer Caitlin took her first trip to Scotland and loved it so much, she decided to undertake her study-abroad course at Glasgow School of Art. Though I think Andrew might have also had something to do with it!
College ended and the next period of separation was dealt with by clocking up the air miles as they visited each other. Caitlin spent her very first thanksgiving in Scotland, eating Italian instead of turkey and Andy wore a kilt to Caitlin's brother's Kentucky wedding, where he fielded constant questions as to what he had under it! Over the following years they were apart and together but their relationship continued to flourish, all leading in one direction - to a proposal of marriage on Blackford Hill!
It's not uncommon for a couple to legally marry when there are timing issues with visas or to marry overseas first but still want to celebrate properly with loved ones at home. So having a non legal celebration at a later date is a perfect opportunity to bring everyone together for the *big* day! The ceremony won't have legal declarations of marriage of course, but other than that, it will still be a very special and significant occasion with promises, gestures and whatever else that is meaningful to the couple.
Caitlin and Andrew included lots of personal touches in their ceremony that truly reflected them. Such as Kentucky Bourbon and Scottish Whisky mixed in a quaich!
They exchanged rings as they re-affirmed their love and commitment to one another, this time in front of all the special people that they care about most in the world.
There were two lovely guest readings and they also shared why they love each other with the perfect combination of humour and romance.
I was so touched when Caitlin and Andrew sent me a lovely potted pink cyclamen afterwards, which bloomed for most of the winter on my kitchen windowsill. They told me they'd had the most perfect day and I couldn't have been happier to hear it!
As these gorgeous photos captured by US based Sarah Donley show, Caitlin and Andrew may have been separated by distance for longer than they wanted to be, but the wait was definitely worth it!
