It’s not often that you ask a couple how they met to be told there’s a PC and non-PC version! The PC version of how Ruth and Chris met is through a sports club (www.8thdayuk.com) that arranges more unusual activities like Street Luge, Sumo Suit Wrestling, Zorbing etc. Ruth had told her parents that she was doing a dance class… the full and unedited version of the story is they met through a mixed-pole dancing class! Yes, Chris was spinning around a pole too, and Ruth has photographic evidence to prove it! This was back on 24th August 2005, then Chris promptly went home for a holiday to Australia… he managed to get Ruth’s email address from a mutual friend and they started chatting via email. Chris asked Ruth out rock-climbing for their first date on 1st October 2005 and they got married 3 years and one day later on 2nd October 2008.
Chris proposed on the threshold of the house they couple had bought on the evening they picked up the keys. Ruth had random decorating and renovating thoughts running through her head as she put the key in the door. Chris said “before you go in…” and she turned around to find him down on one knee with a satin shoe (ring holder) with diamonds in it. He said “I want to start our life in our new home together properly, will you marry me”. Ruth completely choked, teared up and managed to nod her head – it is a rare occurrence for Ruth to be lost for words!
Ruth and Chris had planned a wedding in Australia, but with international flights and flying Ruth’s family across the country, along with renovating their house, they just couldn’t afford it. So the couple started thinking about where else they could have the wedding. Though they live in London, the couple felt it just lacked a sense of romance to get married in a Registry Office, and Vegas was just too cheesy!
Chris and Ruth both love Edinburgh, though they’d never been there together – they’d both wanted to live there before they met but as Ruth says “thankfully we both ended up in London or we might never had met!” So, Edinburgh seemed the obvious choice once they had decided upon it.
The couple started hunting around for venues and once Ruth saw Prestonfield House (www.prestonfield.co.uk), she knew Chris would love it and it was the place for them. Chris trusted her judgment completely, so hadn’t even looked at the website photos before they went in to sign the contract! Thankfully he was blown away by it!
The day was absolutely brilliant for Chris and Ruth. As Ruth said “Chris and his best man, David, relaxed with whisky and cigars in the summer house before the wedding, the Leather Room was a cosy venue for the ceremony, the grounds were exquisite for our photos, and dinner in the Stuart Room was sensational! We couldn’t have asked for more from our day.”
Ruth’s dress was made for her in Asia and tradition in her family dictates that the family aunts normally buy the headdress. But as Ruth’s Aunty Irene had passed away a number of years ago, her Mum bought her tiara in her honour. It was a pale, matt gold with pearls which matched the antique pearl necklace and earrings her Mum had given her on Ruth’s 21st birthday which her Mum in turn had received for her 21st birthday. Chris & Ruth discovered an Art Deco pearl bracelet in an antique shop in Hay on their first camping trip together which Ruth also wore on the day.
Chris wore cufflinks of black and white pearls which Ruth designed for him with Lesley of Lesley’s Designs and both the groom, bestman & bridesmaid wore hats bought at Fabhatrix on Grassmarket (http://www.fabhatrix.com).
Chris and Ruth’s shoes were important accessories on the day (Ruth’s were copied for the cake topper) and these were also bought overseas. The veil with amethysts was an eBay find! Flowers were provided by Lilium (www.liliumflorist.co.uk)
When asked why they booked Archibald Photography, Ruth said “I absolutely loved Mark’s photos on the website. I narrowed down a few photographers which we came to meet, but had told Chris that he was my favourite from the photos, so he was our first appointment in Scotland. For me, the photos were one of the most important things as it’s what we’ll keep forever. We met Mark and all hit it off from the first moment – it was more like hanging out with a (talented) friend than anything else. We’d already made our mind up when we walked out, but had promised to meet the others, but nobody stood a chance! It was easy to relax around Mark on the day, and he certainly went the extra mile getting into awkward positions just to get the right shot – we had a fantastic time and really enjoyed ourselves through the photo shoot. I think the end results show that we all had a great time!”
The couple’s fantastic cake was made at Truly Scrumptious Cakes (http://www.truly-scrumptious-cakes.co.uk), who listened to their ideas and then used their expertise to create exactly what Ruth and Chris wanted. They even created a replica of Ruth’s wedding shoe for the top of the cake from photos. The couple had a fruit layer to keep, and a delicious chocolate layers to eat, and there was no marzipan in sight as they both hate it!
Ruth and Chris’s videographer, Geoff, is also worthy of mention as they thought he was a lot of fun to work with (www.watchthebirdie.co.uk)
Exchanging their vows and listening to the readings they’d chosen really meant the world to Ruth. As did having such fun having their photos taken and sitting down to a sensational meal in a glorious setting with some of their favourite people (they are all “foodies”).
When asked if anything went wrong, Ruth said “nothing major, but the buttonholes were much bigger than I expected. I was a bit shocked as I walked down the aisle and spotted them but thought to myself that if that was the worst thing of the day, then I was a lucky girl (and I was!). The other thing would be the night ending – I hadn’t danced as much as I’d have liked!! But as we’ll do it all again in Australia next year, we’ll be able to “right any wrongs!”.
Things that made the couple laugh? Ruth said “just as Mark was about to take a photo of Chris & I with my bridesmaid Rowan, instead of ‘say cheese’, Chris said ‘say threesome’. Ro & I looked a little shocked, then cracked up laughing, which shows in the photos! Also, Chris is quite famous amongst our friends for falling asleep at almost every party. We thought it would happen late in the night, and our guests were prepped with disposable cameras just incase Mark had already left… however Chris managed a quick kip before we’d even sat down for dinner!”
