Blog written by: Nancy Braid, Fuze Celebrant / Photography credit: Euan Robertson Photography
Off to Dalduff Farm for the Big Day
As a humanist celebrant with Fuze Ceremonies, I have the joy of helping couples craft a wedding ceremony that truly reflects their values and personalities. For Grant and Helen, choosing a humanist wedding was a natural decision—one that allowed them to celebrate their love in the most meaningful way. Their wedding was especially meaningful as they both worked alongside me in the past, so being a friendly and familiar face for them both on their special day meant a lot.
Their wedding took place at the always beautiful Dalduff Farm in Ayrshire, a venue that offered the perfect mix of rustic charm and stunning Scottish scenery. With 102 of their closest family and friends gathered, the atmosphere was one of warmth, love, and excitement.
A Love Story Years in the Making
When I first met Grant and Helen, I knew their wedding would be something truly special. Their love story began back in 2009, when they met while working in the hospitality industry. From long shifts to shared adventures, their bond grew stronger, leading them to study at Strathclyde University, where their friendship deepened into something truly special.
Fast forward to Hogmanay 2020, under a starlit sky in Helen’s parents’ garden, Grant got down on one knee at five minutes to midnight—the exact moment Helen had said “yes” to going out with him all those years ago. With fireworks set off by neighbours, Helen, of course, said “yes” again, sealing their love story in the most romantic way.
Featured in Tie The Knot Scotland
Grant and Helen’s love story and incredible wedding have also been featured in Tie The Knot Scotland—check out their full feature HERE for more details and stunning photos from their big day!
A Ceremony Filled with Meaning
Every part of Grant and Helen’s wedding ceremony was designed to reflect their journey together. Some of my favourite moments included:
The Ring-Warming Ceremony: Before the vows, Grant and Helen’s rings were passed around their guests, allowing each person to hold them and offer silent well wishes. A beautiful tradition that made their wedding bands even more special.
The Handfasting: Using both Helen and Grant’s family tartans, I bound their hands together in the traditional Scottish Handfasting Ceremony, symbolising their lifelong commitment to one another. This is a traditional Scottish Handfasting ceremony, originally its meaning was to symbolise you would be betrothed for a year and a day, but Helen and Grant your journey has already begun and that commitment made and so today’s hand fast will be for life, and if you ever wondered where the expression tying the knot came from you will know in a moment.
The Cog Ceremony: A wonderful Scottish wedding tradition! Alongside their mothers, Shona and Marianne, pouring a Gin and Tonic into a shared Orcadian Cog, this toast symbolised the blending of their two families and the start of their new adventure as husband and wife. The cog is simply a circular drinking vessel. Hand-crafted from wood, it is formed from staves held securely by wooden or metal hoops. Two or three long upright handles rise from the brim of the vessel allowing the bride and the groom to carry the cog around from guest to guest. Grant and Helen used a fine Scottish Gin with a locally produced tonic to toast their future.
A Celebration to Remember
From the moment Helen walked down the aisle to Etta James’ ‘At Last’, to their epic confetti send-off as The Proclaimers’ ‘I Met You’ played, every part of the day was filled with love and laughter.
An extract reading from Liz Lochhead’s ‘A View of Scotland/Love Poem’, made the ceremony even more emotional and meaningful.
Following the ceremony, the celebrations continued with delicious food, drinks, and dancing, reflecting their shared love for travel, adventure, and, of course, great food!
Who Made It All Happen:
Fuze Celebrant Nancy Braid, Fuze Ceremonies
Venue Dalduff Farm
Photography Euan Robertson Photography
Wedding Dress Wedding Wise
Bride’s shoes Monsoon
Bridal Hair Comb Lily Luna
Bridal Pearl Earrings IBB John Lewis
Bridal cape Ebay
Bridesmaids dresses David’s Bridal (now closed)
Groomswear Kilts 4 U
Cake Dunlop Dairy, I.J. Mellis
Lego cake toppers Minifigs.me
Catering Dalduff Farm
Flowers J Dunlop Florists
Stationery Printed by Minuteman Press, designed by the groom’s sister Heather who has an Etsy shop
Favours Mini Schnapps bottles
Tartan ribbons for the decor and fabric for handmade tartan cushions Fabric Bazaar
Neon Sign Kustom Neon Falkirk
Engagement/wedding rings and jewellery Hodgkinson, Clarkston
Reception ceilidh and disco The Jim Jam Ceilidh Band
Hair & Makeup Honey Love Make-up & Hair
Nails Tan Oz, Netherlee
Wedding website, save the dates, registry and invites withjoy.com
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 Nancy and all of our amazing celebrant’s live availability for your special date click here!
Blog written by: Nancy Braid, Fuze Celebrant
