Photo credit: Anna Laska Photography / Blog written by: Christopher Griffin, Fuze Celebrant
A Humanist Love Story That Spans Continents
Every couple has a story, but some really stay with you – Charlie, from Greenock, and Hailey, from Texas, are a couple, and a love story I’ll never forget.
From the first time I met them, I could see how deeply connected they were. As their humanist wedding celebrant, it was a privilege to get to know them and tell the story of their love – one shaped by years of travel, resilience, and a shared sense of humour. Their journey took them across the world before bringing them together on their wedding day – and I’m delighted to share just a glimpse of that here.
A Serendipitous Start in San Francisco
Charlie and Hailey met five years ago to the day of their wedding – in San Francisco, of all places. Charlie was already staying at a hostel when Hailey arrived. He told me he instantly thought she was absolutely gorgeous. Hailey, meanwhile, was completely charmed by Charlie’s cute “foreign” accent.
From there, their connection was instant. They explored the city together – hopping on cable cars, walking the Golden Gate Bridge, and talking for hours. One moment stood out for Charlie: after a tiring hike, they paused to rest and Hailey leaned in for a cuddle. He kissed the top of her head, and just knew – this was something special.
Featured in Tie The Knot Scotland
Charlie and Hailey’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!
Long Distance Love and a Pandemic Separation
After their time in San Francisco, Charlie and Hailey kept their relationship going long-distance. There were frequent Facetime calls and cross-Atlantic visits, but the pandemic threw a real challenge their way – they went eight months without seeing each other in person.
That separation could have broken many couples. For them, it only strengthened the bond.
When Hailey moved to the UK in August 2021, they finally got to share day-to-day life – and plenty of travel adventures. They explored all over the UK and Europe together, ticking off cities like Munich, Stockholm, Paris, Prague, Venice, and more.
A Romantic Proposal at Lake Bled, Slovenia
In December 2022, Hailey got a job offer in Houston. She was due to move back to the US in February – and Charlie decided it was time to propose.
They extended a planned birthday trip to include Budapest, Venice, and Lake Bled in Slovenia. It was there, on a peaceful island in the middle of the lake, that Charlie rowed them to the historic church, rang the famous wishing bell, and made his own wish come true by proposing.
Now, I should mention – there was no engagement ring at the time. The courier let him down! But Hailey didn’t need a ring to know how real that moment was. It was the perfect end to their chapter in the UK, and the start of something new.
What They Love Most About Each Other
One of my favourite moments in a ceremony is when couples share, privately, what they love most about one another. Charlie and Hailey did just that – and I had the honour of reading it aloud during the ceremony.
Here’s what Charlie had to say about Hailey:
“It’s impossible to narrow it down to just three things. Aside from her good looks, amazing personality, and insane intelligence, it’s all the little things that make her Hailey. The way she smiles at me in the morning. The way she arranges her pillows at night (and how annoyed she gets when I mess them up!). How she belts out the ‘AHA’ in ABBA’s Voulez Vous. The way her nose scrunches when she tries to move her ears. These are the things I miss most when we’re apart – the tiny details only someone truly in love would notice.”
And Hailey said this about Charlie:
“I love Charlie’s sense of humour – it’s one of the first things that drew me in, and he still makes me laugh every day. We love the same shows and always share jokes and quotes. He’s incredibly supportive – from life decisions to silly shopping trips, he’s always in my corner. Most of all, I love his kindness and sincerity. When we met in San Francisco, he woke up early just to walk me to say goodbye – it showed me how genuine he is. He’s the person I want to share my life with.”
Celebrating a Love That Knows No Borders
Charlie and Hailey’s love story reminds us that home isn’t always a place – sometimes, it’s a person. Their ceremony was a beautiful reflection of their journey, their humour, their strength, and their unwavering commitment.
It was an absolute honour to stand beside them as their celebrant and tell the story of their love.
Thank you, Charlie and Hailey – you made my job a joy.
Supplier Dream Team
Venue and food Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian
Photography Anna Laska
Celebrant Christopher Griffin, Fuze Ceremonies
Wedding dress Signature Bridal of Austin, Texas
Bridesmaid dresses Birdy Grey
Hair and makeup The Bride Side
Groomswear MacGregor and MacDuff
Cake Cuckoo’s Bakery
Flowers The Daisy Chain
Stationery Etsy
Ceilidh band and DJ The Jiggers
Piper Rab Reid, aka Rab the Piper, supplied via Dalhousie Castle
Firepit Firepit Hire Scotland
Photobooth UpStyle Photos
Pizza truck Wanderers Kneaded
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 Christopher and all of our amazing celebrant’s live availability for your special date click here!
Blog written by: Christopher Griffin, Fuze Celebrant
