Car failed to put brakes on couple

FOR some lucky couples, it’s the fact that they’re so different that makes them stronger.

And you’re not going to find a better example of this than the very chilled Wayne Don and the vivacious and irrepressible lady he’s just married — Vikki Patterson.

The wedding was at stunning Piperdam and marked a key moment in a relationship which was first sparked 11 years ago when they were both working at Ninewells Hospital.

Vikki, who grew up in Old Craigie Road, is a staff nurse and Wayne, who hails from Charleston, is a supervisor. Vikki, 32, said: “I still remember the first time I saw him in the hospital and I thought to myself he’s a bit of alright.

“I was a student nurse back then, and on March 12 2006 on a night out in Fat Sam’s, I turned around and literally banged into him. Our first actual date was the next week. I

picked him up from The Charleston Bar in my first car and we went to McDonalds before going to The Esplanade at Broughty Ferry.

“Maybe I’d left the lights on or something, but when we went to leave the car wouldn’t start.

“He was trying to push it, I was trying to start it and in the end we both had to get lifts home. I thought how embarrassing, I’m never going to get a second date.”

But by that summer they were an official couple and they have never looked back.

They first had a flat together in Menzieshill when Vikki qualified and today they have their own home at the western end of Perth Road, not far from Ninewells.

In 2014, little Layla came along and while a wedding had never been on the cards, things were changing.

Vikki recalled: “It was the December before Layla had arrived and there I am on Christmas morning feeling awful — 12 weeks’ pregnant and generally moaning.

“Suddenly Wayne gets down on one knee and presents me with the ring. I was in total shock.”

Wayne said: “I’d never been that interested in getting married, to be honest, but we were going to be a family now, and I thought it was time to step up and do the right thing.”

The wedding was superb and the couple were joined in a humanist ceremony by celebrant Brenda Reid.

Maid of Honour was Vikki’s big sister Emma Bambury and the Best Men were long-time pals of Wayne’s Allan Murray and Craig Reid.

The bridesmaid was Erin Davidson, who Vikki has known since they were both six. Erin’s daughter Mollie was a flower girl, as was Layla, and Vikki’s nephew Jaden was ring-bearer.

Vikki’s show-stopping dress came from Annarose Bridal in Dundee and she was given away by her dad Gavin.

Vikki added: “There are so many people we’d like to thank. Downfield Studio were brilliant photographers, the band Eat The Peach were amazing and my make-upma artist Carol Paterson, of Make Me Up Artistry, was excellent.

“The wedding planners at Piperdam, BethBet and Stewart, were fab and put in loadsload of extra effort.

“As for Wayne, what can I say? I’m so luckyluck to have met him — he’s kindhearted,hea down to earth, very loving and alwaysalw makes me feel at ease.” AndA Wayne’s thoughts? HeH said: “It’s not every day you get to marryma your best friend and soulmate, is it?itit?”