You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”, and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.
The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”
Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.
For after today you shall say to the world –
This is my husband. This is my wife.
Laid-back cool couples, have laid-back cool weddings. I am absolutely certain of it. And Molly and Ross’s wedding day is living proof of that. Their whole approach to their wedding day was very organic, very natural, family-centric and thoughtful. It really made for the loveliest of wedding days in the happiest and friendliest environment. And any wedding where dogs are ring-bearers, you know I’ll be the number one fan!
Scottish pair Molly and Ross were keen to have a relaxed and love-filled day, which reflected them and their personalities (including lots of tartan and lots of kilts!), and it was so lovely to work with them to make sure that’s exactly what they got.
Set in the beautiful Spanish countryside of Jimena la Frontera, a village where Molly’s parents have had a family home for many years and where she and Ross have many fond memories of family holidays there together, they couldn’t think of anywhere more perfect for their wedding day.
They choose a stunning venue in the same village, in order to house all of their guests comfortably and to treat them to a rustic Spanish experience. Time now to hand over to the wonderful photos by Sheila Roberts Photography to tell Ross and Molly’s lovely wedding story.
Oh, and did I mention tartan and kilts?
The ceremony
♥ The beautiful natural setting ♥ The chilled vibe ♥ Doggie ring-bearers ♥ tartan everywhere ♥ men in kilts ♥ wild flowers ♥ a tree trunk for a signing table ♥ Pastel ribbons on chair backs ♥
There is nothing more Spanish than kick-starting a Spanish wedding ceremony with beautiful flamenco music, which is just what Molly and Ross did. They hired a local duo to sing and play as the wedding party made their entrance. Molly’s bridesmaid walked in first with the doggies, followed by Molly and her dad.
After a warm welcome and letting the guests know how special their presence was, I shared with everyone Molly and Ross’s own thoughts on love and marriage.
Molly said,
To me is about sharing my life with my lover and my best friend, my supporter and confidant. It is a life long journey which will encounter many changes but regardless of this, it is knowing and believing that that person who you have chosen to give your life to will always be there for you through the good and bad.
Followed by Ross’ words of wisdom
Marriage to me is a lifelong commitment and partnership with the person you love, it’s about building a home and family together and spending the rest of your life with the person that you can’t live without, through all circumstances which life may bring.
Molly’s brother then read Union by Robert Fulgham.
After Molly’s brother’s reading, they then took part in a hand-fasting which then lead into their personal vows. Warning: They were very, very emotional!
Their vows
Molly and Ross had two sets of vows, a question vow that they chose for me to ask them, followed by their awesome personal vows, which they wrote separately and shared with each other for the first time, during the ceremony.
Natasha: Do you Molly/Ross, choose Ross/Molly to be my husband/wife. Will you respect him/her, care for him/her, and grow with her through good times and hard times, as your best friend, companion, and partner, giving the best that you can, to fulfil your lives together.
Molly/Ross: I do
Followed by very emotional and heartfelt vows.
Ross: Molly I love you in so many ways for so many reasons and you fill my world with meaning. You are my best friend and I am extremely lucky to be standing here with you today, it will be an absolute honour to grow old with you. I will endeavour to never get it wrong but always get it right. I vow to respect you, protect you, support you and to be faithful to you forever. I promise to take care of you and never stop loving you for the rest of my life.
Molly: Ross, since we met 5 years ago, you have positively changed my life in so many. Your endless support, encouragement and confidence in me has helped me become the person I am today. And I know these qualities of yours will continue to push me to be the best version of myself which is only one of the many reasons I love you. The promises I make to you today are all the things you already give me daily and I feel so lucky to be able to say that.
I promise to always be there for you, and to give you the most I can.
I promise to be patient and understanding throughout the difficulties life will undoubtably throw at us.
And because I see the brilliance in you, I promise to challenge and encourage you always to show this.
I promise that our life together will be built on equality, I will respect you and value your opinions always.
And I promise to love you unconditionally, through all our years together.
You are my person Ross, I trust you with my heart, my life and my future and today, I give you that fully.
I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life by your side, not only as your wife but also as your best friend. And I have no doubt our life together will be full of happiness, love and probably lots of dogs.
I cannot tell you how much I loved hearing these vows. There was not a dry eye in the house! And such a beautiful way to cement the ceremony. After the exchange of the rings and signing of the register, Molly’s other brother then rounded-off the ceremony with the Bob Marley poem, ‘He’s Not Perfect.
The gorgeous couple then left the ceremony to the loudest applause I’ve heard a small crowd make in quite a while and I knew then that the party was going to be a good’un!
Mad love to;
Sheila Robert Photography for the images
Cortijo Román – wedding venue
And Molly and Ross for sharing their gorgeous wedding day.