PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN LECKIE
MORAY AND MICHELLE
first met, ironically, at a wedding in July 2006.
As the location of the reception was somewhat remote, inevitably they both had to endure a one and a half hour bus journey home. This wasn’t so bad though, as the journey was the ideal opportunity for the couple to get to know each other and just enough time for Moray to pluck up the courage to ask Michelle out on a date! They both knew very quickly that they had each found their soul mate and were destined to be together forever.
Read all about the incredibly romantic proposal and wedding nuptials of Mr & Mrs. Barber in the words of proud husband - Moray…
THE PROPOSAL
Michelle and I had both been so busy with work and a night-in was just the tonic. I wanted the proposal to be special and private. Michelle had no idea, the only person who did guess was the check-out girl in Sainsbury’s who as I went to buy the food for the meal (some fresh smoked salmon, a bottle of champagne
and other assorted delicacies), said “You have either been a very naughty boy or you are going to propose!” Fortunately, it was the
latter. After I had made Michelle dinner (and sat nervously through three courses), I lead her to the piano. I performed a song that I had written especially for her, and then asked her to marry me, to which she replied - ‘yes’!
SETTING THE DATE
Michelle found out that she was pregnant in March 2008, so we set the wedding date around the arrival of our baby. We felt that September 2009 would be best as this gave us enough time to plan, also, Michelle wanted time to lose all her ‘baby weight’! It all worked out perfectly and our beautiful daughter Olivia was born in January 2009. Our chosen venue was Drumtochty Castle. After attending a friends wedding at the venue we loved the castle and knew it was perfect for us!
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING
We loved Drumtochty Castle for various reasons, one of those being that we were able to arrive on the Friday afternoon (day before the wedding) and stay there until the Sunday giving ourselves, friends and family the whole weekend to celebrate.
On the Friday evening, our friends and family tucked into a delicious BBQ before gathering to view a surprise PowerPoint presentation which had been secretly put together by my best man Andy Watson and chief bridesmaid Clair Tew. Adopting the style of ‘This is your Life’, Andy and Clair had successfully managed to find some amusing photos of Michelle and I as little kids and as teenagers, but the surprises didn’t stop there! When I was 13 years old I featured on the TV show ‘Young Krypton
30 www.dedicated2weddings.com
Factor’, amazingly my ushers had managed to contact the presenter Ross King (now based in Hollywood) who agreed to record a spoof re-run of the show’s grand final! This time round however, I was the winner! It was hilarious and so unexpected, not to mention the fact that Ross King took time out of his sched- ule to wish us well!
Later that evening, Michelle and I exchanged our wedding gifts to each other before heading our separate ways to get a good night’s sleep before the big day itself.
THE BIG DAY
Michelle and her bridal party had amazing fun getting ready. The fact they didn't need to go anywhere gave them time to relax with a glass of champagne while getting their hair and make up done. Michelle thought the girls from Preen Beauty did a truly amazing job with all the bridal party’s make up! Michelle’s hairdresser of ten years, Rachel from The Hair House, knew exactly the styles that Michelle would like and on the day the bride and her brides- maids were delighted with their hair.
I spent the night before the wedding in one of the Drumtochty apartments and woke feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. Some of the guests went to play a round of golf at Auchenblae Golf Course that morning, but since playing that game stresses me out rather than calming me down I opted for a morning of rest and relaxation and going over my speech. It felt like I would have hours of time to myself but, before I knew it, the videographer had arrived wanting to film myself, best man and ushers getting suited and booted and then I was on my way to the church.
My bride arrived at the ceremony by horse and carriage (provided by Drumtochty) which added to the fairytale. My good friend Steve played the organ and he also managed to secure a choir for the ceremony, which we both appreciated greatly.
Michelle looked breathtakingly beautiful walking down the aisle in her stunning dress which she purchased from Avorio Bridal of Fochabers. She said she wanted something different opting for a cappuccino, vintage-style Maggie Sotterro gown with intricate detailing and layered netting on the bottom half. Michelle loved her dress so much that she didn't want to take it off!
Will you marry me?
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