The Isle of Islay 25th August

Jax & Dougie's big day out!

On the 25th of August this year they got to tie the knot and become husband and wife on the beautiful Isle of Islay. I thought the easiest way for everyone to have a look at how it went and what all the fuss was about was to create a little blog for them. So here's how it all panned out...

This was our view of Port Ellen as we approached on the ferry.

A sleepy little fishing port that looked like it had been lifted straight off a biscuit tin.

Small boats bobbing about on the calm waters in the morning breeze.

Port Ellen looked as if it was welcoming us...

And the port from the beach side once we got off the ferry...

Some of the beautiful wild flowers near the beach....

Used in the bouquets as well as on the table decorations.






This is the little church where the big deed was going to take place.

The church was in need of decorating inside with the local ivy and bows that we were making up in preperation.

Once it was done it looked as much a picture inside as it did out.




The beach outside the White Hart Hotel which was where the "meet and greet took place.

It was also where I went for my morning walk after the big day to try to clear my head.

I've always been drawn to the sea no matter what time of the year it is. I just wished that I could have had the bears with me... they love the water.

All of the flowers that were used were locally picked. The catering was done by the local St John's Hall ladies who had made everything from scratch. Home cooked food and lots of it.

The tables were all named after the distilleries and a decanter of whiskey was put on each table... this was obviously going to lead to headaches but hey who cares?

The St John's Hall where the reception took place.
The view from outside the Hall.

Jax & Dougie getting piped out of the church after one of the best services I've ever been to.

Martine also gave a wonderful reading managing not to cry at the beutiful words (which is more than can be said for me & Marie).

Tash looked stunning as her Mum's bridesmaid though I still can't believe that she's grown up so much, it seems like yesterday I first met her, just a little girl with the same big grin.


Martine & Kez all dresssed up in their finery (that's before Kez got the opportunity to get his tie off).

Nice necklace Martine!

Laura, Me and Marie.

Just for the record that's not part of my hat dissapearing up the photo and yes, that is before we got started on the copious amounts of wine, whiskey and port.






And one of Laura on her own to prove that she doesn't have a blue flower growing in her cheek.




I got to tell you how great the Hall looked once we'd decorated it with ribbons and bows and ivy. It couldn't have been a more pretty venue for the reception.

And the cake!

The views are stunning. I don't think you could ever get bored with looking out on this could you?

The beaches are full of little shells which sparkle in the morning sunlight.

After all the mayhem of the reception where it seemed that all of Dougies family had talent it was nice just to get my head clear and look a bit more at the scenery.

And at the end of the stay we got back onto the ferry and Dougies brother (also on the ferry) piped us off and back to the mainland.

Dougie & Jax came to see us off and at least a couple of us had a tear in our eye as we waved each other farewell for a while.

Happy Rest of Your Lives You Two!