WEDDINGS A Celtic connection

The Joining of the Clans

This month’s couple were counting down the days until they could marry... 1,203 days to be precise. But the best things come to those who wait, such as an enjoyable wedding with Celtic connections. Here, Jess Tuckey and Ross McLuckie let us into the secrets of their big day!

Wedding Photographer: Matt Selby Photography, 07855 036209, www.mattselbyphotography.co.uk.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY would lead us to believe that it has dating all wrapped up, and old fashioned notions of fate and chance meetings are a thing of the past. Not a bit of it. Ross McLuckie was returning to his home in North Hykeham from the University of Salford, travelling on the train on the same day and at the same time Jess Tuckey was returning from a visit to Brighton back to the University in Nottingham. Only briefly were the two in sufficiently close vicinity for Tinder to be able to flash the two up on each other’s screens. A few minutes here or a distracted glance away from a phone screen there, and the two might never have met. Happily, the two did begin speaking, and once more their romance was sealed by the fickle hand of fate... this time on a crazy golf course, though. “I’ve always considered myself a man of science, not faith,” says Ross, “But the final hole of a crazy golf course rarely leads you awry. At the final hole I won a free game, and then Jess did too. That second game, I reckon, was just enough time to guarantee true love... somewhere between the windmill and the loop-the-loop hole, I think.” The couple met in 2014 and Ross popped the question on a cruise the couple were enjoying together in June 2019. Nobody said that the course of true love is easy, even if you are a deft touch with a crazy golf club. As Jess worked in a branch of Ernest Jones during her University days she was surrounded by many diamonds, day in, day out and so had quite a particular eye for the engagement ring she was keen to place on her finger. “I was working away for a couple of weeks and in the evening I spent most of the time emailing a diamond merchant discussing princess cut diamonds and shoulder settings,” doing so proved to be time well spent though. Ross proposed on the ship one evening, to Jess’s surprise and delight.

“I knew that he was the one, and I guess I knew that we’d marry each other one day, but I wasn’t expecting a proposal,” says Jess. “It was a real surprise... so much of a shock in fact that I actually forgot to say yes until he prompted me!”

The couple began to plan their day and say they fancied somewhere traditional, grand, perhaps a little bit old and rustic. “We came across Stoke Rochford Hall and we immediately loved it. It’s an incredible building and such an impressive backdrop.”

“We’ve a contingent of relatives in Brighton, and Ross’s family are from Scotland, so it was quite a practical place to hold our wedding too, given that it’s just off the A1. But aside from all of our UK guests, we had loved ones from as far away as Amsterdam and even Norway. We felt really blessed and humble that so many people travelled from so far away to spend the day with us.”

The couple were really keen that as many Celtic traditions as possible would find their way into the day. Jess’s bouquet incorporated thistles, of course, and the groomsmen were kitted out in Lamont tartan. As part of the marriage the couple enjoyed a traditional hand-fasting ceremony, and even created their own bespoke whisky blend.

One of their two bottles was used for a family quaich, a toast where both families drink from the same cup, a two-handled vessel. Holding it with both hands prevents the use of any weapons, indicating peace and a joining of the clans. >>

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

JESS & ROSS

Wedding Ceremony and Reception: Stoke Rochford Hall, 01476 530337, www.stokerochfordhall.co.uk. Wedding Dress: Wed2Be, www.wed2b.com. Groomsmen’s Attire: Wiseguys, Newark, 01636 703046, www.wiseguysmenswear.co.uk. Bridal Hair: Robyn Wood, Perfect Silhouette, 07584 304535, perfectsilhouettehairdressing.com. Make Up Artist: www.clarephilpot.co.uk. Photographer: Matt Selby Photography, 07855 036209, www.mattselbyphotography.co.uk. Videographer: Charlotte Frisby, 07746 774688, www.charlottefrisby.com. n

>> The couple’s second bottle of their own bespoke blend of whisky will be saved for when their daughter Lily gets married in the future. Given that she was only nine months old at the time mum and dad married, and given that the whisky was already 30 years old, it’s reckoned that it’ll be a rather splendid 60-year old whisky when that bottle is finally uncorked. Speaking of wains, the couple had to wait until Covid was done disrupting the wedding industry before they could finally marry. And by that time, there was quite the baby boom, swelling the number of junior guests from an anticipated three to 17... perhaps there’s something in the water, or rather in the whisky? In any case, the couple enjoyed a wonderful family event, with Jess’s mum Carol contributing a wonderful five-tiered cake and with Newark’s Flower Barn providing silk flowers which, Jess says, will be passed from her to Lily... again, hopefully not for another 30 years or so. “We were also really lucky with our photographer and videographer,” says Jess. “Matt our photographer was so amazing it was like having another guest there, and the images are fantastic. Charlotte Frisby our videographer was unflappable too. In fact, during the best man’s speech, a candle fell into the one of the silk flower displays and set it alight.” “With a slight intake of breath from guests, Charlotte just calmly picked it up and dunked it in an ice bucket. A crisis averted, much to everyone’s amusement! Likewise, when my grandmother felt unwell at the reception, we had two very nice paramedics join the party... happily she recovered quickly and the medics posed for a photo!” “There were so many lovely, funny, wonderful and warm moments! It was a really happy, fun day, we don’t think you can ask for more than that from a wedding!” n

Wedding Photographer: Matt Selby

Photography, Hucknall, 07855 036209, www.mattselbyphotography.co.uk. 128