Sonia and David appear outside as the newlyweds – perfectly photographed by Imac Images Photography
By George McLean, Fuze Celebrant
Sonia and David’s wonderful Boclair House Hotel wedding was a dream to be part of. Creating their ceremony was a team effort from the start and I loved how much detail and passion they both had for ensuring the ceremony script had the perfect amount of love, sentiment and humour whilst retaining and celebrating both of their family cultures and traditions.
David and Sonia’s wedding was also featured on the Tie the Knot Scotland website.
Click HERE to see the full feature.
Sonia is safely walked down the aisle to David by her dad Salman
The Love Story
Here’s David and Sonia”s love story journey taken direct from their wedding day ceremony script.
First encounter
“Our happy couple first met back in 2017 with David inviting Sonia on a first date to his beloved, and members only, Hospital Club in the city. Which has now sadly closed – thanks COVID!
This creative industries venue was usually reserved for David’s Tuesday night catch ups with best man Kenny, so Sonia was understandably excited to be invited to David’s club for their first proper encounter. But, was David ready and waiting for Sonia when she arrived? NOPE!!
It was to be fifteen nervous minutes later before David finally, and apologetically, rushed through the door. Luckily for David, they spent the whole evening chatting, laughing and he even ‘taught’ Sonia to play pool. Sonia told me that David’s very competitive side came out at this point, as he showed no mercy to his opponent. Sonia soon realised that pool wasn’t for her.
Of course Sonia also spent a good part of their date teasing David for being late. Fortunately though, he made up for this by being the perfect, and very attentive, gentleman the entire evening. This was helped along the way by a certain ‘Miss Mojito and Mr Negroni’. Their chatty free flowing conversations continued into the night, with both feeling that a natural connection had been made between them.
Despite very sore heads the next morning, it was clear they both wanted to see each other again. They were to have a second date the very next week, which again went well, with their connection moving up a notch. David realised he was falling for Sonia after he discovered her small appetite, meaning he would always have two dinners.
Soon after, Sonia was to leave David for a whole two weeks as she had a planned holiday to Brazil in her calendar.
They say ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’, well for David and Sonia this was absolutely true. Whilst in Brazil, Sonia could be spotted practically standing on one leg, with her hand in the air trying to get phone a signal to communicate back with David.
Sonia and David enjoyed hearing poems read by Kirsty and Noreen during the ceremony
The Dating
This signalled the start of their dating proper. But of course a seal of approval had to be sought first by two of Sonia’s bridesmaids, Malissa and Helena. They were privileged to be amongst the first people to meet David. So picture the scene, whilst out celebrating Malissa’s birthday, David walks into the room, Helena turns to Sonia and says; “He looks like a member of One Direction!” David has never forgiven her!!!!
Sonia’s sister Saamia and brother in law Junaid were next to give the thumbs up when they met David during a ‘couples’ dinner at an up market food chain in picturesque Edgware for some chicken and Peri Peri chips. David ordered a ‘Super Green Salad’, which his waistline loved, but his future in laws found very strange. Nevertheless, Saamia and Junaid enjoyed their culinary afternoon with new friend David.
And the deal was further sealed by Sonia’s brother Zain when he discovered David’s love for Manchester United matched his. A ‘score’ all round!!! Sonia met David’s parents around five months into their relationship and they were immediately like a second family to her.
Signed and witnessed by Zain and Kirstie
Families
David’s family all adore Sonia, and they don’t even mind that she tends to make fun of him a lot. Something that she exaggerates when David’s dad Tom is around, but dampens down somewhat when David’s mum Marie is in the room! Just remember Sonia, that’s Marie’s ‘wee boy’ after all!!
And Sonia was delighted when she found out David’s sister was studying medicine. With Kirstie’s rapid diagnosis skills, Sonia said she’s looking forward to her GP waiting time being cut by at least 90%.
In true Pakistani form, David met Sonia’s parents a year into their relationship, when she was sure David was serious about their future together. She also knew that when he tried her mum’s cooking, there would be probably no getting rid of the boy! They all hit it off from the word go, with David fitting in seamlessly amongst Sonia’s family. Her parents Salman and Farial are extremely fond of David and they could see immediately he had a genuine deep respect and love for their daughter, their family culture and its traditions.
Family means the world to Sonia and David pictured here with their parents
Similar and Different
David pulled out all the stops for Sonia. To celebrate their one year together anniversary, David swept Sonia to Paris. Seeing The Eiffel Tower all lit up at night was simply stunning and dinner in the most romantic of French restaurants topped off their trip. On the outside our happy couple exude togetherness and being totally ‘in sync’ with one another, but they are actually quite opposite: (George looks each as he reads each line out below)
David is very healthy, whereas Sonia wouId very gladly have cereal for dinner. David is extremely competitive about everything, whereas Sonia is only really interested in winning at Family Fortunes. David is amazing at all sports, whereas Sonia couldn’t even play rounders at school. David has a short attention span and can’t watch more than one movie at once, whereas Sonia can binge an entire boxset of shows in a day. David is great with numbers and spreadsheets, whereas Sonia would much rather write an essay.
And David is very gifted musically and can play most instruments, whereas Sonia’s musical abilities start and very quickly END with belting out her best Taylor Swift karaoke song, which David tends to ‘roll his eyes’ a lot at.
Despite all of these ‘opposite’ traits, they simply just seem to fit perfectly and balance each other out……..David keeps Sonia ‘grounded’ and Sonia can ‘lift’ David up a little when needed – it’s as simple as that.
Bringing family together with a video call
The Proposal
A couple of years later, the proposal was next on David’s mind so he started to hatch a plan to pop the question to Sonia. They had talked together about getting married so Sonia was expecting a proposal at some point, she just didn’t know when. A surprise trip to see David’s parents in Glasgow was planned, so Sonia started to think was this ‘IT’. She packed her new yellow dress , made sure her hair looked perfect and of course got her nails done.
A trip to the local gym was a decoy but what did this turn out to me? The stunning Gleneagles. They enjoyed a round of golf (we know who won) the hotel pool and spa and dinner together in the evening, at the ridiculously late time of 9pm.
During each stage of the day, Sonia was hanging on by a thread thinking that this was it, surely now he will ask – BUT still no question of betrothment was in site. By the time their dinner had ended and were walking in the dark across the hotel grounds, Sonia had well and truly given up on being proposed to that night – what a waste of her new yellow dress, high heels and perfect hair and make up!!
Then suddenly David grabbed his moment, got down on one knee and asked Sonia to be his wife. The answer was of course YES, with David trying to pretend he had forgotten the ring, before quickly assuring Sonia he was just kidding. Not exactly the kind of joke your future bride wanted to hear David, but the proposal really was perfect, even if it did take you ALL DAY to pull it off!!
The speeches provided many timeless memorable moments
I asked David and Sonia to describe their relationship in three words. They said effortless, loving and diverse.
Effortless– because they never need to try hard when together as it’s always so natural and easy.
Loving– because they are always conscious of each other’s needs, like Sonia’s squashes sweets addiction and David’s need to do impressions of Batman and the Jane the Virgin narrator, which does amuse Sonia endlessly.
And diverse– because well…(George gestures to David and Sonia)”
Sonia and David’s evening reception costume change was perfect
The who’s who of Sonia and David’s Wedding:
Celebrant George McLean, Fuze Ceremonies
Bride’s dress Stella York
Bride’s and groom’s Pakistani evening outfits Monga’s
Bridesmaids’ dresses “I told my bridesmaids to wear whatever they wanted!”
Hair and makeup Sandy Dosanjh
Cake Liggy’s Cake Company
Flowers and venue decor Supernova Wedding Design and Flowers
Placecards handwritten by bride’s sister
Favours organised by mother of the groom
Engagement/wedding rings Samara James
Welcome entertainment Dhol and Pipes
Wedding film Brian Scott Weddings
Transport MET Wedding Cars
Gift list Prezola
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 all of our amazing celebrant’s live availability for your special date click here!
