Blog written and created by Yvonne Hannah Fuze Celebrant – Photo credit on all images to Cara Frew Photography
Real Life Wedding Love Story – Hannah & Nic
I knew we were going to have a lot of fun the moment I met Hannah, Nic, and Hannah’s mum and dad—Debbie-Ann and Angus—at the very first ‘Love at the Barns’ wedding show at Pratis Barns, Leven. In fact, it was Angus who said to me: “You’re going to marry these two. We’ll book today—see you next June!”
And book they did!
Fun and laughter as we get down to ceremony business!
The Ceremony Brief
Hannah and Nic’s vision was clear, they told me:
“We’d love a relaxed, upbeat, fun and personal celebration of our love and the happiness of two families coming together. We’d also love to involve our wee boy Oliver – oh, and no empty seats!”
Their wishes were my command, and we got to work planning their gorgeous ceremony over coffee at Costa Coffee, Hermiston Gait in Edinburgh.
We discussed the structure of the ceremony, who would be where, the entrance order of the wedding party, seating arrangements, music and more. Then we got stuck into the really good bit: capturing their love story!
The father of the bride walk – priceless memories
The Love Story
Both Hannah and Nic’s families are big Hibs fans, and although they’d seen each other in passing on the football bus, they didn’t actually know one another. It was their shared love of fitness that eventually brought them together—they were both regulars at the same gym.
To begin with, Hannah thought Nic was the most arrogant man she’d ever set eyes on! He’d have his headphones on while working out and would only offer a casual nod in someone’s general direction—if he felt like it. Hannah would give him a wee wave now and again and usually just got the acknowledgement nod in return. But determined to get more than that, she found him on Facebook and sent him a message. She soon discovered he wasn’t as hard to crack as he first appeared!
Hannah and Nic’s field of dreams!
Their First Date
For their first official date night, Hannah booked a fancy evening at the Blythswood Hotel, Glasgow, on 25th November 2018. They headed to Sarti’s Italian on Bath Street for a lovely romantic dinner—all very sophisticated… until they ended up in Revolution downing a couple of trays of 10 vodka shots!
After that, they went on to Malones, then Clouds nightclub at The Apollo, where they got stuck into the Smirnoff Ice! Nic ended up giving Hannah a piggyback up the road to the hotel and, true to form, as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light!
Enter… Super Sleuth Myrna!
At the time, Nic’s mum Myrna was in Thailand, so he was fairly confident she wouldn’t hear about their romantic night out. Oh, how wrong he was! One day in the kitchen, Myrna turned to Nic and casually asked, “How was your night out in Glasgow?”
Clearly Myrna works harder than the FBI and seems to have informants in every major city!
It’s all about the attention to detail!
Their Travels – Coming Home With A Surprise
Fast forward to April 2019 and the lucky couple won some money on a horse running in the Grand National. They booked a last-minute holiday to Turkey, which really cemented their relationship—and when they returned, Nic moved in with Hannah. In October 2020, they enjoyed a cheeky wee week away to the Med with Hannah’s mum and dad. After a few cloudy days in Greece and some super-strength Rekorderlig Cider… they discovered they were expecting little Oliver!
When you have a son this cute, Oliver just had to play a key part!
Ring Bearing, Sand Blending and Big Quaich, Little Quaich
Little Oliver was a total star! He celebrated with Mum and Dad in his own special way. During the sand blending ceremony, he joined in perfectly blending coloured sand with his mum and dad and handing them the rings at exactly the right time.
But the best bit? A surprise just for him—and for everyone else too! We had a baby quaich hidden behind a bottle of Smirnoff Ice on the signing table. Don’t worry – he wasn’t on the hard stuff! We also had one of his favourite Fruit Shoots at the ready.
Nic had the big quaich, and Oliver had the little quaich. As we toasted to Mum and Dad’s love—past, present and future—little Oliver joined in too. It was honestly such a special moment. Another first, dreamed up in Costa Coffee at our couple’s planning meeting!
Their I DO’s – With a Twist (a reverse twist!)
Conversation turned to their vows and how we can make them a little different and fun! Of course, wedding vows are a formal part of your wedding ceremony, and we must make the formal marriage declarations in the correct way.
However, with personal vows and I Do’s we can be a little bit creative, because they are just that, personal. An I Do, is essentially a set of promises that you make to one another before making your formal legal declaration that you accept each other in marriage with your officiant and in the presence of your witnesses.
At our planning meeting, Hannah and Nic were joking about the things that they would like each other to say I Do too, and I said… why don’t we do THAT!?
Et Voila, a new twist on this part of their ceremony was created!
Hannah and Nic each sent me their set of I Dos separately and I kept them a secret to reveal on their day, and it went like this…
Nic, Do you promise to:
*Take your shoes off when you come into the house?
*Put the hoover away when you’re finished using it?
*Lift the toilet seat when you go for a pee?
*Finish any job you start, instead of getting distracted by your phone?
Nic giggled, shot Hannah some looks, and said: I DO!
Hannah, Do you promise to:
*Pick up your pyjamas from the bathroom floor when you go for a shower?
*Replace the toilet roll?
*Finish any hot drink Nic makes you, rather than just taking two mouthfuls?
*Try to make it to the end of an episode on the telly without falling asleep?
Hannah laughed, rolled her eyes a little and said: I DO!
This twist had the whole barn in stitches—it completely lifted the formal part of the ceremony. As they went on to repeat their legal vows after me and exchanged rings, they felt relaxed and fully present for the big emotional moment. It was my absolute pleasure to declare them husband and wife—and the place erupted in whoops and cheers as they shared their first kiss as a married couple. Brilliant!
Final Words & The Dream Team
Your day is your day, so make it your way! Be creative, think outside the box, and come up with something that’s uniquely you. It all leads to the creation of incredible memories from the best day of your life.
Venue: Pratis Barns
Photographer – Cara Frew Photography
Content Creator – Sarah Stewart
Florist – Ann Jamieson (Hannah’s Gran)
Bride’s Dress – Wed2Be
Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Six Stories
Groomswear – McCalls (Tartan: Weathered Patriot)
Cake – Kirstie (Hannah’s sister)
Hannah and Nic’s ‘reverse I DO’s’ are also feature in the latest Tie The Knot Scotland magazine – click HERE and go to page 158 to see a feature I contributed to.
Blog written and created by Yvonne Hannah Fuze Celebrant
