Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung
Nothing you can say, but you can learn how to play the game
It’s easy
Nothing you can make that can’t be made
No one you can save that can’t be saved
Nothing you can do, but you can learn how to be you in time
It’s easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
The Beatles
It seems the perfect time to hold on to these wise words given the challenges people all around the world are currently facing. When these gorgeous photos from Vivienne and Donald’s Wedding Ceremony popped into my inbox this morning – thank you so much, photographer extraordinaire, Rachel Hein – I felt a welcome pang of reminiscence for the time when we could all gather in groups, hug each other and spend the whole day outside if we wanted to. It’s hard to believe the speed at which we’ve all had to adapt and shift our lives and working practices around the current global world crisis. So, in a bid to cheer us all up… I’m sharing these beautiful photos of a wonderful, if a little stormy, and very romantic day in January.
Vivienne and Donald exchanged their marriage vows in the gorgeous Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh. Viv arrived in a beautiful vintage MG, which her Dad had restored over a number of years and completed just in time for her wedding.
The Dovecot Studios building was once a victorian swimming bath and has since has been transformed into a beautiful and totally unique gallery, event space and tapestry studio in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town.
The ceremony was held in what is usually the weaving floor and the beautiful reels of thread in the background definitely added to the vibrant atmosphere.
Vivienne’s sumptously dressed and impeccably well-behaved niece and nephews accompanied her up the aisle.
And the grey skies outside did nothing to dampen the spirits of the joyful gathering of family and friends who sang their heart out to two excellent songs – ‘Love is All you Need by The Beatles and ‘We’ve Only Just Begun by The Carpenters’.
Vivienne and Donald exchanged their vows with these beautiful vows:
I take you my heart
At the rising of the moon
And the setting of the stars.
To love and to honour
Through all that may come.
Through all our lives together.
Then they sealed their promises with a kiss.
All guests were then invited to sign the Wedding Book, following the Quaker tradition – a gorgeous way to invite everyone attending to be witnesses.
Two of Donald and Vivienne’s relatives then read a beautiful Celtic blessing in both Gaelic and English:
Mìlefàiltedhuit le d’bhréid,
Fad do ré gun robhthuslàn.
Móranlàitheandhuit is sìth,
Le d’mhaitheas is le d’nìbhifàs.
A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage.
May you be healthy all your days.
May you be blessed with long life and peace,
May you grow old with goodness, and with riches.
The whole day was relaxed, informal and laughter-filled … exactly as Donald and Vivienne had wanted it to be.
Congratulations Vivienne and Donald. It was my great pleasure being your Celebrant. Thank you! Wishing you all the very best for your many years to come.
