Jen and Jim get into the party mood during their wedding breakfast, caught to perfect by Ryan Mimiec Photography
By George McLean, Fuze Celebrant
As soon as I met Jen and Jim I knew they were a couple very much in love and more than ready to tie the knot. They have been together since their teenage years so what better training and foundation to enter into marriage. They planned their big day to perfection and simply fell in love with the wonderful Boclair House Hotel in Bearsden the minute they laid of eyes on the place. Boclair is a Tudor Gothic Mansion known for its beautiful red sandstone exterior and immaculate gardens at the foot of Boclair Hill . It offered the perfect setting for Jim and Jen and with it’s luxury interior including the grand ballroom, it simply fitted them to a tee.
Flanked by their close family and friends, Jen and Jim incorporated two perfect poems into their ceremony which really brought that family feel to the forefront of their special day.
Ahead of the ceremony I also asked them to tell me, in secret, the reasons they love each then revealed these for the first time during their ceremony.
Jim said he loved how thoughtful and caring Jen is along with how her cheerful personality lights up every room she is in. Not forgetting her beautiful dazzling blue eyes.
Jen said she loved how driven and ambitious Jim is and that he’s a true gentleman and always looks after her. Oh and again not forgetting his perfect smile and teeth to match!
It was a pleasure to have written and conducted their ceremony. Here’s an extract of their love story journey taken directly from their ceremony script itself.
It was all smiles and laughter throughout Jen and Jim’s bespoke ceremony
The Love Story
“Their story started back when they were a mere 15 years old whilst both at high school, albeit 4.7 miles apart with Jen at Brannock and Jim at Caldervale. They met for the first time at the ‘dead tree’, a very cool and trendy 15 year olds hangout place. Jim’s calling in life back then was more of an interest in his Xbox than going outdoors and speaking with people in person.
But thanks to best man Graeme here, he dragged Jim off his ‘controllers’ and away from his Call of Duty obsession. Jen was at this very ‘cool’ place with none other than today’s maid of honour Louise. So I guess we have our Best Man and Maid of Honour to thank for us all being here today, but perhaps Graeme in particular for luring that very shy 15 year Jim out of his bedroom that evening……….let’s hear it for Graeme ladies and gents!
The First Date
It was to be a whole 12 months later though before Jim managed to pursued Jen to go out on a proper First Date! Jen told me she did play hard to get in those early days but eventually she couldn’t resist Jim’s irresistible charm any longer. So the day before Jen turned 16 they took their first trip out ‘officially’ together to Frankie and Bennies then the cinema. Jim was so nervous though he couldn’t eat his burger, whilst Jen polished of her spaghetti bolognese with ease – some things never change I’m told!!
Oh, and we do have a special person to thank for funding this first date. Gran Raeburn no less, as because of her pocket money funds to grandson Jim, he was able to take Jen out.
The look of love from their first date to their wedding day signatures
Family Sign Off
Meeting their respective future in-laws and close families was next and very important to them both was getting the family ‘sign off’ on each other. After his first meeting with her mum and dad, Jen knew Jim was the one for her! Following a few hours of grilling, Jim passed the test and for anyone who knows Jen’s mum Morag this was not an easy task. And as if that wasn’t enough, Jim also survived the Papa Todd grilling. I’m sure if he was with us today, he would have a wee chuckle at that one.
On the other side Jen was an instant hit in particular with Jim’s mum Linda and sister Debbie. That sadly has backfired on Jim over the years as during any arguments, they take Jen’s side, forming a definite female family alliance!! After today of course, it will be a Raeburn ladies family alliance!!
It’s fair to say that both Jen and Jim made the ‘cut’ from those early family meet ups and have always been welcomed with love and open arms from both sides.
Old Habits And Teamwork
To this day, 13 years after first meeting, not much has changed in their relationship as they still love eating out and snacking whilst watching movies together. The Amber Regent restaurant in particular is their fave place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and their Xmas eve traditional meal out. During those early years they would stay over at each other’s family homes with Jen steadily occupying extra space at Jim’s, drawer by drawer and hanger by hanger!! Of course now, in their grown up adult days, they have their own dream home which they absolutely love. Not least as it meant no more sleeping on a blow up mattress!! Our happy couple already behave like an old married couple too, as cosy nights on the couch watching movies usually result in Jim hogging the remote and Jen falling asleep two minutes into the film!!
It’s fair to say that Jim was a huge support to Jen during her years of studying for her law degree. Jen told me that she genuinely believes that without Jim helping throughout the many tears and tantrums she wouldn’t have made it through. And now Jen is getting to repay that love and support to Jim as he completes his MBA in Business. Although I’m sure Jim doesn’t suffer from tears or tantrums, probably more like the odd scream and shout as his assignment deadline dates approach!!
The beautiful bandstand at Boclair is the perfect setting for bride and groom pics
Will You Marry Me – Disney Style
Now onto the all-important proposal story. Florida 2016 was the setting and in particular on their first day and during a trip to none other than Disney’s Magic Kingdom park. After their magical day in the park, Jim and Jen got dressed up and headed out, Jim telling Jen he was taking her for dinner and then a special surprise. After their meal Jim took Jen on a private boat trip on the Seven Seas Lagoon surrounding the Magic Kingdom castle area. Then at 9pm exactly the boat stopped facing the castle as the nightly fireworks display started. Jim stood up, walked to Jen at the end of the boat, got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. The answer of course was YES, followed by lots and lots of tears, thankfully HAPPY ones!
Opposites Attract
Ironically though, Jim and Jen characteristics are so different to each other. But they work so well as ONE. Jim is an excellent time keeper, whilst Jen is forever running late. Jim loves to make spontaneous decisions, whilst Jen likes to think everything through. Jim is a quiet man and whilst Jen doesn’t come up for air! For all of their differences, they get along so well and simply couldn’t live without one another. I’d say that’s a recipe of a very long, supportive and special marriage.
Jen and Jim describe their relationship as being Easy, Fun and Perfect. Sound familiar? I’m sure you will all agree that those words just perfectly sum up the Jen and Jim you all know!!
Jen and Jim were treated to poems read to them by close family and friends
The who’s who of Jen and Jim’s Boclair House Hotel Wedding:
Celebrant – George McLean, Fuze Ceremonies
Venue – Boclair House Hotel
Photographer – Ryan Mimiec Photography
Dress – Eleganza
Tuxedos – Slaters
Cake – Special Days Cakes
Decor – Make Believe Events
Hair – Pamela Docherty
Make Up – Stacey Toner
Music – Sophie Askew
Music – Killer City Sound
Stationary – Purple Willow Weddings
Add our smiles to yours
No two couples are the same so no two ceremonies should be the same. At Fuze we work alongside our couples to make their ceremony script is unique, personal and bespoke. It’s your day your way with us, so let us add our smiles to yours. To check George and all of our amazing celebrant’s live availability for your special date click here!
George McLean,
Celebrant at Fuze Ceremonies
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