Greg and Robin met on May 19th 2005. He had signed up for a program called Camp America that recruits international staff for American summer camps, and he chose to work at Camp Stewart in Hunt, Texas. Robin had also decided to work at Camp Stewart that summer. Greg is from Dalgety Bay, in Scotland (just north of Edinburgh) and this was his first visit to the US. They dated throughout the summer, but knew that a long distance relationship would be impossible. After being inseparable for an entire summer, they knew that they would at least stay in touch. Greg and Robin talked nearly every day, and he came to visit her family that next Christmas, and made several more visits over the next 2 years. Things were extremely difficult being separated so much of the time, but they had such a strong bond. There was no one else that they would rather be with, even though most of the time Robin and Greg could only be together through web cams and microphones.

After the first few visits, Greg began having an extremely hard time getting through customs when he came to visit. Robin could only go visit him once because she was still in school at the time. Robin’s Dad had purchased a plane ticket for Greg as a present for her a while back, but the government was convinced that Greg was working for her Dad illegally, and threatened to send him back several times. When he came in the spring of 2007, they told him that he would not be allowed in the country any more after this time. They were broke after so many long distance trips, especially with Robin being in school and Greg having to find a new job after every long visit to the US. They knew that if they did not get married then they would never see each other again. “I know that part is not very romantic, but the choice was obvious for us; we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.” Said Robin.

Greg applied for his fiancé visa in May of 2007, and was approved in January 2008. He flew over as soon as possible, and in accordance with the visa they were married within 90 days of his arrival, on March 8, 2008. “I love the fact that I had 2 weddings, so different but both so beautiful and amazing,” She said. She only had a few weeks and no budget to plan the first wedding, and only a few of her family members and friends could make it. The young couple had the ceremony at Chapel Dulcinea (a beautiful, free outdoor wedding chapel. Although they loved their first wedding; Greg and Robin both wanted to have a big celebration where their families and friends could get together and celebrate.

The first decision during the planning of the wedding made was the colors; Greg actually decided, he chose yellow for sunny Texas and gray for cloudy Scotland. Everything after that was much more complicated unfortunately, and Robin never realized how complex wedding planning can be. She said that she didn’t know what she would have done had it not been for Amanda Dudley, her amazing wedding planner. Finding a dress was one hurdle. Luckily Robin’s Mom found a small boutique in north Austin called Austin Bridal Shoppe, which also did all of its own alterations. She found the perfect dress. Everything went relatively smoothly. Robin could not have been happier with the locations, flowers, cake, photographer, and every detail seemed to come together perfectly. Almost everyone who came in from out of town for the wedding stayed at the hotel where she works, the Omni Austin Southpark, and it worked out wonderfully. They were able to mingle and relax by and in the giant indoor-outdoor pool, and her mom stayed in a suite where they had a lingerie shower for Robin, everyone got their hair and make-up done for the wedding, and had a small brunch the morning after the wedding. “It was kind of strange hanging out at the place where I worked on my wedding weekend, but I am so glad that everyone was in one place because we all had more time with each other than we would have had if they had been spread out all over Austin,” said Robin.

The wedding ceremony was held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Although Greg and Robin were already legally married, this was their chance for a “real” Catholic wedding (Robin had been raised Catholic, Greg is non-denominational). They hired a bagpiper to play traditional Scottish music, and Greg and all of the groomsmen wore dark gray kilts. Robin’s father walked her down the aisle (again) and overall it was a short but traditional Catholic ceremony.

The reception was help at Vintage Villas. Greg and Robin absolutely loved everything about it from the first time they visited. The cake was just as beautiful as she had imagined (and even better tasting), as were the flower arrangements. Robin’s maid of honor and sister, Kelly, and Greg’s best man and brother, lee both gave excellent speeches for their toasts, but Robin’s favorite was Greg’s toast.

Among other highlights were an impromptu runway show by the groomsmen, Greg and Robin. Also there was a grand march, and a traditional Scottish dance to Loch Lomond, except in the traditional version the crown circles around the bride and groom and run in to squeeze them in a tight circle; in Robin’s and Greg’s case they decided to alter the tradition slightly so instead of just squeezing them, they kicked them as well. “Between the beautiful scenery, meshing of different but wonderful families and cultures, and perhaps the open bar we definitely had the most amazing wedding any bride could ask for,” said Robin.

The newlyweds are planning on going on a honeymoon some time this fall, probably to Cancun. Robin said that she has never understood why people plan a honeymoon at the same time as their wedding then immediately rush off on a luxury location before the wedding craziness wears off. After the wedding Greg and Robin spent a few relaxing days at a ranch with his family and friends, and are looking forward to a sunny beach as soon as it starts to get cold and gloomy here.

Austin Resources

Ceremony:
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

Reception:
Vintage Villas

Wedding Coordinator:
Amanda Dudley of Big Day Event Productions

Photography:
Eric Doggett

Videography:
Nil Buan

Bagpipes:
Nick Classen

Flowers:
Bouquets of Austin

DJ:
HDR Enterprises

Cakes:
Wildflower Bakery

Hair:
Color Salon

Make-up:
Jennifer Muster (Mary Kay)

Dress/Alterations:
Austin Bridal Shoppe/Bridal & Formal Sewing Center

Guest Room Accommodations:
Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark