It’s all about love.

Ying and Ao

Ying and Ao first contacted me just six weeks before their planned wedding celebration. They had already made their legal Marriage promises to one another in an intimate ceremony in China and were delighted to discover soon after that they will be welcoming a new member to their family. Their Edinburgh wedding was an opportunity to celebrate their love and commitment – and their exciting news – with their wider friends and family.

Their ceremony was simple, beautiful and relaxed. It took place at the gorgeous Carberry Tower in East Lothian on a beautiful, sunny day. We shared words in both English and Mandarin to honour Ao and Ying’s heritage and their love of Scotland.

Family is at the heart of Chinese culture and it was really important to both Ao and Ying that their families be included in their day. We heard funny, heartfelt, poignant words from their close friend and Ao’s uncle. And, as Ao and Ying’s parents were unable to make the journey from China, another close friend surprised them both with a message in Mandarin from their parents, which we had kept secret until the day.

We talked about love and family, Marriage and commitment. Ying and Ao shared personal vows and gifted each other a wedding ring.

They affirmed their Marriage Vows with a traditional Handfasting.

Ying and Ao, this cord is a symbol of the lives you have chosen to lead together. The cord is woven from a red ribbon, white ribbon and gold string. Red in Chinese culture represents luck, happiness and strength. White represents their pure love and heart, and the golden string represents prosperity and wisdom. These cords are intertwined to represent your hopes and blessings for your future.

Ao and Ying toasted their future with a shared sip of Irn Bru from their Quaich to honour their decision to make their home in Scotland.

It was such an honour to be part of this gorgeous, fun ceremony. Thank you, Ying and Ao, for trusting me to be your celebrant and for choosing to share these sweet details of your day with us all. Wishing you all the best for the future and all the exciting times ahead.

Thank you to Little Forest Studio for these lovely photos.