Yes, pandalove is actually a word in the urban dictionary! Pandalove is a very special kind of love. It’s when you love someone so much that you can’t even describe it.
The story of how Gillian and David’s wedding theme came about really made us giggle. This jet-setting pair were married at Rufflets Country House Hotel near St Andrews on May 16 and their beaming smiles were captured by Tracy Gow Photography. We dare you not to fall in love with them, their affection for each other is so adorable!
Gillian and David travel all over the world, occasionally swapping the vibrancy of their base in Dubai for their country house in Crook of Devon. David runs the Oil and Gas Standards & Skills Body in the luxurious city set in the United Arab Emirates while Gillian is the owner of her personal training business. Having met over 10 years’ ago through business, their friendship, shared values and mutual respect for each other grew on the golf course of St Andrews as part of the four amigos. The other half of the foursome, their two great friends were present on their wedding day to finally see them exchange vows.
“Life is just full of twists and turns and none of us can predict the future. As our friendship grew over the years, never did we ever see, or think, that we would fall in love with each other, and get married and fulfill our lives so perfectly.”
“Being canny Scots, our first date was in a coffee shop in Dollar, where over coffee and scones, we both realised that we had fallen in love and had to be together for the rest of our lives – understanding that true happiness can be a rare visitor.”
And David stole his bride’s heart with a romantic proposal at the Dubai Desert Classic. “Our love of golf plays such a big part in our relationship – so what better place for David to propose than on the Emirates Golf Course. With Lee Westwood and Stevie Gallagher on the tee, David was down on one knee in the sand asking me to marry him. I said yes and there was a fair bit of cheering from the audience and lots of tears.”
“I was completely taken by surprise – as like a Scotrail train – you know it’s coming but not sure exactly when. I just did not expect it to happen there and then – but on reflection I did notice David was a bit anxious but I simply put it down to being his turn to pay for lunch!!”
They very aptly chose a panda theme for their beautiful affair! “During our walk on our first date, David told a bawdy joke about a panda down in Leith docks which I roared with laughter at. And from that day on we became The Pandas. So pandas featured on our invitations, wedding stationery, favors and cake. David was warned not to repeat the joke on our wedding day! The pandas became ‘joined at the hip’ so to speak when two years’ ago we both got Pandas tattooed on our nether regions!!!”
“Our wedding day was the most special and joyous day of both our lives and it was a real celebration of our love among our close friends and family but most importantly we wanted it to mark the start of our lives together.”
Rufflets Country House Hotel was the obvious choice for their stunning festivities as David used to work in the kitchens as a 14-year-old boy at school. “It had a bit of sentimental value for him – but we love this hotel and didn’t even consider another venue as we have always received a lovely warm welcome and fantastic hospitality when we stayed there. Plus we love that it has remained a family run hotel, with special attentiveness to each individual guest.”
“Our photographer Tracy was so relaxed and natural and makes the photography process great fun and not too laborious. Her photos were stunning and she offered a free pre-wedding shoot which many photographers add as an extra cost.”
David could not take his eyes off his gorgeous wife all day long. Her beautifully fitted fishtail Mae West gown was an absolute vision and she glowed from head to toe. “I love my Gillian because she is my partner in every way possible as we truly connect on all levels – her love for me gives me happiness, peace and contentment beyond anything I ever thought possible. She is the most special, gorgeous lady in the world!”
Bursting with pride, finally signing the registry was a very special moment. “It’s about supporting one another through the good and bad times and sharing the values of trust, loyalty, faithfulness, respect, and honesty. It is enormously important to us to be husband and wife because it completes us and makes us one. It’s about sharing and living our lives together in everything that we do. It’s about us being inter-dependent – and only in marriage will we have true contentment, happiness an
A huge thank you to Gillian & David for sharing their magical day with us. Best wishes for the future from all the team at WeddingDates. We would also like to thank Tracy Gow Photography for capturing each tender moment between these lovebirds.
