IT’S RAIN, SET AND MATCH FOR THE NEW DOUBLES PARTNERS:
Here comes the, er, mother of the groom... wearing white!
NOTHING could take the gloss off Dunblane on the day its favoured son was marrying the love of his life. Even its shiny gold post box honouring Andy Murray’s Olympic medal was given a celebratory lick of paint.
For days in advance, local businesses and residents had worked tirelessly to make this a day to remember for the Scottish tennis star who has put them firmly on the world map.
Crowds lined the streets for what, to all intents and purposes, was a royal wedding in a kilt.
The main street was decked out with bunting, ribbons and window displays devoted to the happy couple.
Hundreds had ventured out to witness the event, despite Scotland’s topsy-turvy weather of hailstones, sleet and sunshine.
Scots had travelled from as far afield as Ayrshire, Inverness, Fife and the Borders, some taking up position as early as 7.45am.
Linda Reid Levitt, 62, left her home in West Calder, West Lothian, at 6.30am with her neighbour Amy Moffat, 15, to take their places at the front of the crowd.
She said: ‘Amy and I bonded over our love of Andy Murray. We don’t even care about the weather, we just had to be here for his big day.’
Amy added: ‘Andy and Kim make such a lovely couple. She looks beautiful.’
Fellow Murray fan Marie Colston, 62, from Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, told how she bumped into the tennis star’s grandmother Ellen Murray in their local hairdresser’s before Mrs Murray was whisked off by her son Willie to Cromlix House.
She said: ‘Ellen had an appointment at 9am and was so excited. I’ve been a fan of Andy’s since he was a boy and came through to visit his gran. He wasn’t famous then, but he’s become a fine young man as well as a great tennis player.’
Fiona Gough, 71, drove from Inverness with her daughter Elaine Smith, 51, to share in Andy and Kim’s big day.
Mrs Smith said: ‘We drove down to Stirling last night so we could arrive in Dunblane early today. We’ve watched Andy throughout his career and we’re happy for him because he really appreciates his supporters.’
Piper Ross Douglas, 16, from Dunblane, turned out to entertain the crowds by Murray’s golden post box with a selection of tunes including Highland Cathedral and Scotland the Brave. He said: ‘There’s a real community atmosphere.’
Local butchers devised a special range in honour of the couple including heart-shaped beefburgers. While a beer named TogetherNess, created specially in at the Loch Ness Brewery at Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire, was sold in Dunblane’s Riverside pub.
The TSB bank had love hearts and a picture of the couple in its window, while children at the Dunblane Centre made congratulations cards which will be delivered to the couple.
Meanwhile the Dunblane Hotel served up strawberries and cream washed down with prosecco.
THERE was no doubt she looked resplendent in white – but had Judy Murray chosen an appropriate colour for her son’s big day.
Andy’s mother and mentor picked a decidely light-coloured outfit – including a white jacket.
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp tweeted: ‘I thought traditionally the bride only wore white? But I’m unmarried, so what do I know?’
Other Twitter users responded by suggesting that her choice was acceptable – because it had almost certainly been vetted by Kim.
Another Twitter user joked: ‘Perhaps tennis folk only have a white wardrobe.’
Meanwhile the two mothers of the happy couple went head-to-head in a battle of the hats.
Judy chose a delicately balanced creation by Scottish milliner William Chambers, the Milano Twist design resembling an oversized fascinator at a jaunty angle.
Meanwhile Kim’s mum Leonore Sears decided bigger is better and opted for a huge widebrimmed pink hat topped with a sizeable bow.
ALTHOUGH actor Kevin Spacey wasn’t at the wedding, he could still add a touch of Hollywood glamour to the big day.
For years the Usual Suspects star has travelled around the world to watch Andy Murray in action and yesterday sent his best wishes – along with an enormous floral arrangement to greet the couple on their return from the cathedral.
His agent was in contact with the local florist to organise it, sending a photo of what Mr Spacey wanted. The arrangement of blue delphiniums, blue hydrangea, yellow roses and white orchids arrived at Cromlix House shortly before the happy couple, with the simple message: ‘Best wishes for the future. K.’