Suzanne and Monday's magical Scottish-Nigerian winter wedding

Having met and fallen in love in Edinburgh, the city has a special place in Suzanne and Monday’s hearts, and when it came to choosing where to get married they both knew there was no other city. The most important factor for this lovely couple though, was to celebrate the joining of their two families, which was shown through both Scottish and Nigerian influences on the tables and speeches. Read on …

Photographed by Sean Bell Photography

A beautiful bride on her way to her Edinburgh Mansfield Tranquair Wedding

How/where did you meet?

We met in Edinburgh. I lived in Dundee at the time and was in Edinburgh for a Hen Party. We met on George Street after being introduced by a mutual friend.

Mansfield Tranquair set for a wedding in Edinburgh

When/where/how was the big question popped?

Monday asked me to marry him on our second anniversary. On the day he accidentally called my brother instead of my Dad to ask for permission (both are called John). He had a little panic when my brother phoned me to say that he had a missed call from Monday but quickly covered his tracks. I love that he was traditional, asking my Dad for permission and getting down on one knee and also that it happened in a beautiful spot in Dalgety Bay, where we bought our first home together. 

A groom and best man wait outside Mansfield Tranquair, Edinburgh for the wedding to start

How did you end up choosing to get married at Mansfield Traquair and why?

Edinburgh is where we met and is so special to us so we both knew it was where we wanted to get married. We researched different venues with Mansfield being the second place we visited. As soon as we walked through the doors we both fell in love with it, it was breathtakingly beautiful and we loved that it gave the flexibility to work around what we wanted for our day.

A happy bride and groom outside Mansfield Tranquair, Edinburgh

Did you have a theme? What was it and why did you choose it? Did you use it for table names

and other elements of the wedding?

The day was about our two families coming together as one. We tried to incorporate this by having Scottish and Nigerian influences in the wedding. Tables were named after Nigerian and Scottish/Northern Irish places that are special to us. Our Nigerian family and guests wore traditional Nigerian wear and Monday incorporated some Igala into his speech which our Nigerian friends and family really appreciated.

A beautiful bride and groom sat with their family in Mansfield Tranquair toasting their new marriage

How did you feel walking down the aisle/standing at the altar?

Walking down the aisle with my Dad is something I'll never forget. The aisle in Mansfield is like a dream, so long and dramatic. We walked down the aisle to Pachelbel's Canon in D, played by Beeston String Quartet. It was such a magical moment that I'll never forget.

A bride and her father walking down the aisle at Mansfield Tranquair, Edinburgh

What was your ceremony like, what made it special?

We had a religious ceremony as this was important to both ourselves and our families. Making a commitment to each other and to God was the most important part of the day for us so we enjoyed that it was conducted in a serious manner.

A newly married couple cutting their wedding cake in Mansfield Tranquair, Edinburgh A wedding at Mansfield Traquair Edinburgh with a bride and groom dancing, fairy light created a beautiful backdrop for this couple's big day - photo credit Sean Bell Photography

Tell us about a favourite or memorable moment.

The moment we first met eyes on the day is a moment that I will treasure forever. The String Quartet was playing Pachelbel's Canon in D, my Dad was squeezing my hand and I was looking at the person I was about to marry. It was such a special moment surrounded by those dearest to us. A moment that I will never forget.

A happy bride and groom exchanging rings and vows at Mansfield Tranquair, EdinburghA happy bride and groom holding hands in Mansfield Tranquair, Edinburgh

Any words of wisdom for future happy couples?

As obvious as it sounds, spend the day together.  During each course of the meal we made an effort to visit every one of our guests together. This meant that later on in the day we could relax and dance the night away.

A newly married couple taking their first dance at Mansfield Tranquair, Edinburgh

If you had to describe your Big Day in three words, what would they be?

Emotional. Memorable. Magical.

A wedding Order of Ceremonies at Mansfield Tranquair, EdinburghDecorations at Mansfield Tranquair, Edinburgh

Suppliers

Venue: Mansfield Traquair

Flowers: Planet Flowers

Photographer: Sean Bell Photography

Videographer: Solar Weddings

Dress: Gemma Sargent

Make-up: Elena Spinks

Shoes: Karen Millen

Wedding cake: Sweet Sweet Success Novelty Cakes

Entertainer: Beeston Arts String Quartet, Franco

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