It was a match made in heaven for a pair of keyworkers who tied the knot after winning their £10,000 dream wedding thanks to their hard work during the pandemic.
It was a wedding nearly 10 years in the making, but Nicola Findlay (nee Vaughan) from Livingston got hitched to Asda deputy store manager Steven Findlay from Alloa at an intimate ceremony at the Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee.
Nicola and Steven met in 2005 while both working at Asda in Livingston. They got engaged eight years later on Christmas Day in 2013.
The couple planned to get married in 2021 but had to put their dream wedding on hold as the pandemic hit.
They became one of five couples to win an all-expenses paid for wedding courtesy of Apex Hotels and Operation Recuperation.
The initiative was set up to reward NHS staff working at some of the hardest hit hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nicola and Steven’s was the fifth and final wedding after other Apex Hotels properties in Bath, Edinburgh and London hosted four ceremonies earlier in the year.
Like many NHS front line workers, Nicola and Steven - who now stay in Dundee - had to put their lives on hold during the pandemic, including having to delay their dream wedding.
Nicola (47) worked nights as a theatre practitioner at Ninewells hospital in Dundee, while Steven worked as a deputy store manager at Asda Milton of Craigie.
Managing their workload was one of many challenges the couple faced during a gruelling 18 months.
Nicola said: “I’m not going to lie, it was tough during lockdown, but as front-line workers there were a lot of people relying on us.
“I work alongside a fantastic team of nurses, support workers, surgeons, anaesthetists at the hospital. We all love our job, but the long night shifts certainly took their toll. We all turned up and did the best we could under difficult circumstances.
“In between there was all the home-schooling to do, as well as weekly Zoom quizzes and dance offs with the family and coming up with activities to keep the kids entertained.”
Steven continued: “It’s been a while coming, but we both felt now was the right time to tie the knot.
“We’ve already got four beautiful kids so had the luxury of taking our time. When we heard about Operation Recuperation and Apex Hotels giving away free wedding packages, we jumped at the opportunity.
“To be honest we didn’t think we’d win. I’ve never won anything in my life so when we got short listed then finally won the wedding, it honestly was a dream come true.”
Nicola was given away by her eldest son Ciaran (23) and father and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Their sons Noah (8) and Logan (14) also had an important role to play with Logan being best man alongside Steven’s best friend and Noah in charge of the rings. The bride and groom’s daughter Katie (15) was also there providing much needed support for her mum and dad.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a three-course meal before the evening reception in the City Quay Suite. The couple’s first dance was the aptly named ‘At Last’ by Etta James, before local DJ Flex Disco got the party started with some of his greatest hits and family favourites.
To show their appreciation for the couple, local suppliers got together to provide a range of free wedding services.
This included DJ Keith Ramsay from Flex Disco, Sparkle Magic Events who supplied a stunning set of chair covers and table centres, a three-tier wedding cake made by JM Bakery, flowers by Dawn Falconer from Forget Me Not Florist.
Nicola also arranged a set of unforgettable pictures taken by Paige Anderson Wedding Photography and a stunning Flower Arch and Urns by Louise from Basketcase.
Nicola said: “The wedding was perfect. We were bowled over by the level of service, the venue and food, everything. It was more than we could have wished for. We all had a lovely day surrounded by our family and best friends. We’re so grateful to Apex Hotels and Operation Recuperation for such a wonderful gift.”
Steven added: “We had an amazing day. I was cool, calm and collected until the moment I saw our daughter Katie as a bridesmaid. Then when our son Ciaran and my father in law gave Nicola away, the tears started rolling. It was an emotional moment. Thanks again to Apex Hotels and all the fantastic suppliers who made this such a perfect day for us.”
Michael Stott, Commercial Director, Apex Hotels said: “I can’t think of two more deserving people than Steven and Nicola. They have both worked tirelessly during the pandemic and it has been fantastic for Apex Hotels in partnership with Operation Recuperation, to give them something back.”
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here
