Karen and Gerard Bush Married 4.10.204.10.2016
I wouldn’t change a thing. We had a lovely ceremony and it was the best day of our lives
Photographer Karen, 33, said: “When I married officer manager Gerard, 35, we were very fortunate.
“We had a lovely ceremony at St Margaret’s Church in Johnstone, Renfrewshire followed by a reception at Solsgirth House in Dollar.
“Months later that venue closed leaving a lot of couples out of pocket. “We were lucky in other ways too. “While the costs all added up we had a lot of help from family, friends and even colleagues.
“I run a photography business, Heyes Images, and do a lot of weddings.
“Some of the stuff we paid for I did in exchange for me doing jobs at other weddings.
“In all, the day cost between £25,000 and £30,000. On top of that there was £6000 we spent on our honeymoon to Hong Kong and Bali.
“My brother gave me a terrific wedding dress, which was by a famous designer and costs around £5000 – a bit higher than the national average!
“I had to travel to London to get alterations on it done before our big day.
“We also booked the big day for October. But that wasn’t to get a cheaper deal – I thought I’d be quieter with work. “However, that was far from the case. “I was inundated with offers and had to turn down a lot due to getting married as well as going on honeymoon.
“I’m not surprised to learn Scots are increasingly getting hitched in October – our summers are such wash-outs couples are beginning to wise up.
“Is spending £30,000 on a wedding too much? No, but Gerard may disagree!
“Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. It really was the best day of our lives.”