Stacey and Brian’s beach walk setting with Inchcolm Abbey as their backdrop
By Mo Ackroyd, Fuze Celebrant
I first met Stacey at a Wedding Show in Edinburgh and soon after met her and Brian to discuss their big day plans. They shared a few surprises they had lined up for their guests and we chatted through some ideas for their unique and bespoke ceremony.
The wheels were in motion and only a handful of people, including their suppliers, knew what was in store for their guests. Thankfully during the planning and lead up, the guests were none the wiser, and on their wedding day itself, their very surprised reactions said it all.
Stacey and Brian’s story and more amazing photos are also featured on Tie the Knot Scotland
Our Bride and Groom wanted to be married at Inchcolm Abbey on Inchcolm Island. The island is one of the most beautiful and magical islands on the Firth of Forth. You can see the Abbey as you approach the island by boat and it claims to be one of the best-preserved monastic buildings in Scotland with so much history steeped in this medieval church from the 13th century. The island is located four miles from the east of the Forth Bridge, one mile from the Fife coast (by Aberdour) and just six miles from Edinburgh City Centre. This unique venue certainly delivered a memorable wedding for Brian, Stacey and their guests alike.
Stacey and Brian pictured with their twin Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
Surprises Lay Ahead
Normally it’s pretty straightforward for me as a Celebrant to just arrive at the venue, conduct the ceremony and then take my leave. This one was a bit more complex and Stacey’s organisational skills certainly have to be admired. Brian may well have come across as the most disinterested groom EVER as he wouldn’t discuss the wedding plans for fear of giving away any surprises.
The invitations to their guests were sent and they were all invited to arrive at the Bride’s parents’ home so naturally expected the whole wedding to take place on the grounds in a marquee. The Groomsmen had only been told a day or so before the wedding when they were given their instructions for their ushering, DJ and best man duties and were sworn to secrecy!
Then – SURPRISE – as the unsuspecting guests arrived, they were all ushered onto Red and Green Double-decker buses to take them to the next stop in their journey.
First Leg Of The Journey
It was a beautiful day as my husband dropped me off at Hawes Pier in South Queensferry. The sun was shining and the streets were buzzing as it was the annual Ferry Fair. It was bustling with families, bikers and tourists all enjoying the good weather and the fairground rides.
The Bride, her two Bridesmaids, MOB and FOB arrived first, got on the boat and hid in an area which was sectioned off so no one could see them. I managed a quick five minute chat with our very beautiful bride and wife-to-be Stacey, just to say hello and calm any last-minute nerves but there were none as the bridal party were super excited for this long-awaited wedding day.
The vintage Edinburgh buses drew up allowing the groom, groomsmen and guests to board. They walked along the pier wearing VIP lanyards detailing the order of the day thus letting them all in on Stacey and Brian’s secret wedding day plans.
I eventually spotted our groom Brian looking very dapper in his wedding attire with black velvet jacket to dickie bow tie and he was beaming from ear to ear as he had enjoyed seeing and hearing all the reactions from their guests as they boarded the double deckers.
Stacey gets ready to board after her car ride to Hawes Pier with her Dad
All Aboard
The next leg of their adventure on the Forth Belle boat as it made its 30 min journey under the 3 bridges and towards Inchcolm Island. There was very much a party vibe and atmosphere on the boat as it sailed along the Firth of Forth with the 120 guests, their videographer, photographer and caterer and bar staff.
The journey there was pretty breathtaking – in Scotland, we are very spoiled with amazing shorelines and coastlines. I spoke with Brian and you could see he was enjoying the adventure so far with all his guests. I whispered to him that his bride Stacey looked stunning and couldn’t wait to be married – he almost set us both off with emotion as the reality of 3 years of planning was about to happen.
As we sailed up to the Island we could see the stunning Inchcolm Abbey in all its splendour, up the short hill and there were many tourists already sightseeing when we arrived. The boat docked and the wedding suppliers hopped off first so we could race ahead and set up in readiness for the ceremony to begin as we were slightly behind on timings. When we arrived on the island there were a few surprised tourists who thought maybe we might be a bit overdressed to be sightseeing as we all marched up the wee hill to Inchcolm Abbey.
Mo grabs a celebrant selfie on board
On The Island
The Groom, Best Man and music maestro followed the suppliers up to the Abbey leaving the trusted team of Ushers to ensure that no guests were left behind. Once the guests were seated I checked that our Bridal party had arrived and then we were ready to begin the ceremony.
Stacey’s bridesmaids are twins and also sisters to our bride and they certainly made a memorable entrance and when they were halfway up the aisle, the music tempo shifted to something more upbeat and they danced the rest of their way down the aisle much to the delight of the guests! This was an additional surprise for our unsuspecting groom, Brian.
Once Stacey and her dad Stewart arrived their short but beautiful and emotional ceremony got underway. Stacey and Brian exchanged their vows as they held each other’s hands – the hands of best friends now about to become husband and wife. They exchanged their wedding rings traditionally by repeating their legal vows and finally signing their marriage schedule with their two witnesses. They had patiently waited for this day for two long years and were finally married to a lot of cheers ringing out from their wonderful guests. There was just time for a quick group shot, and some official photographs before their guests were onboarding the boat for their return journey.
Now that’s an aisle entrance to remember
My journey with the newlyweds and guests came to an end at Port Edgar in South Queensferry, where the double deckers were waiting not only for the guests but the newlyweds too. They then journeyed with their guests to continue the celebrations at the original destination of the bride’s family home. Under the setting of a garden marquee they enjoyed food and entertainment followed by dancing the night away. It was all just perfect.
Island Beach Walk
What a wonderful and memorable experience not only for the new Mr and Mrs Hutton but their guests and also for me as their Celebrant. To be able to be on this journey with them through the wedding planning to their journey to Inchcolm Abbey on their wedding day – with them arriving separately as Bride and Groom and leaving as Mr and Mrs was just precious! I hope to be able to experience this again and maybe one day I will go back and get to explore Inchcolm Island as a tourist.
It really is Your Day Your Way when you follow your dream!
The who’s who of Stacey and Brian’s Wedding:
Celebrant: Mo Ackroyd, Fuze Ceremonies
Venue: Inchcolm Abbey, Inchcolm Island
Dress: Bridal Courtyard
Suits: Moss Bros
Waistcoats: Little Bows & Sews
Groomsmen Suits: The Kilt Studio
Photographer: Jacqui Chic Photos
Videographer: Boda Productions
Marquee: Purvis Marquees
Catering: Food Creations Catering
Cars: Wedding Taxi Edinburgh
Buses: Lothian Motor Coaches
Cake: Daly Delight Cakes
Hair: Joanne Mccabe Hair
Make Up: Alana Mason Make up Artist
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 humanist wedding 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 Neil and all of our amazing celebrant’s live availability for your special date click here!
Mo Ackroyd,
Celebrant at Fuze Ceremonies
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