‘Our hope for a hitch in time’
Couple’s big day turmoil
A Denny couple are hoping to still go ahead with their post-lockdown wedding after a nerve wracking few months.
Jody Kilgannon, 34, and David Stirling, 30, who live in Stoneywood, are desperate to be married on July 25.
But with so many regulations still in place as lockdown continues to be eased, there are still question marks over just how the wedding will go ahead.
HR manager Jody and senior estimator David, are scheduled to be married at Our Lady and St Ninian Catholic Church in Jody’s former home of Bannockburn on their chosen date, followed by a reception at The Parsonage near Airth.
The pair have been planning the big day ever since David proposed on the banks of Loch Lomond at Christmas 2017.
Jody said: “We had originally planned for roughly 180 guests to attend, including my family from Ireland, however due to the current circumstances this is no longer a possibility.”
There were initial hopes that there could still be around 30 guests for the reception, but this may even have to be cut as low as eight, with the couple still in a quandary over the arrangements.
Jody added: “Both of our hen and stag dos abroad had to be cancelled - my hen originally booked for Ibiza and David’s stag originally booked for Prague however my bridesmaids held my virtual hen on July 4 which was very different but just as amazing with the amount of effort they put into it.
“I am intending on having a ‘wife do’ next year in Ibiza to make up for this year and I am sure David will do something similar.
“Our honeymoon is also something that has been cancelled due to Covid. Our original plans were to leave on the Monday after the wedding and start in Singapore, Maldives and then Dubai. Again, we are hoping that we can get this booked up again for next year however David has told me he has booked a surprise mini-moon for after the wedding which I am looking forward to.”
She went on: “We’re also planning a small celebration in Aug/Sept in Ireland to celebrate with those of my family that are not able to attend the wedding here.”
They are desperate not to postpone the wedding for a number of reasons, particularly as the date is also her parents’ wedding anniversary, however their “big day” could be radically different to their original vision, and the couple are still in talks with the venue over what might be achievable.
The bride-to-be, who had her first - and last - dress fitting just last week - said: “It’s been a stressful, nerve wracking and emotionally draining few months.”
As of this week, places of worship can re-open for congregational services, communal prayer and contemplation with physical distancing and limited numbers and there is an easing of restrictions on attendance at funerals, marriage ceremonies, civil partnership registrations, with physical distancing and limited numbers.
However, the Scottish Government has said that the changes apply to ceremonies only and wakes and wedding receptions must continue to follow the limits on household gatherings and indoor hospitality.