A micro-wedding weaving Scottish and African traditions at Leven Parish Church and The Cow Shed Crail

Lumvwano and Lucy had even more obstacles to overcome than the average 2020 couple, not least because the groom was stuck in Zambia due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and visa delays.

Then coronavirus meant their first two venues fell through but it was third time lucky when they hit upon The Cow Shed Crail, despite reducing their guest list from 120 to just 19.

“All of our original plans went out of the window,” remembers Lucy.

“However we can highly recommend a micro wedding and had the most perfect day in the end, despite everything.”

Read all about their gorgeous day below, with beautiful photos by Graeme McInnes Photography.

Lucy and Lumvwano first met when she was volunteering as a doctor in Zambia, providing medical care for rural communities.

They met through mutual friends in Livingstone and after four years of dating Lumvwano proposed at Victoria Falls. Talk about romantic!

The couple were originally meant to marry in August 2020 but because of Covid-19 restrictions they had to postpone till that November and their first two venues didn’t work out.

But Lucy was delighted when they secured The Cow Shed Crail.

“From the outset we were blown away by how helpful the team were and what a beautiful venue it was,” she says.

With the space chosen they set about decorating it and were keen to weave some Scottish and African details into the day to reflect each of their cultures.

“My mum and sister Alison made beautiful bunting with blue tartan and African fabric and my mum was a lifesaver in the DIY department,” says Lucy.

“She made the cake sponges, wedding favour boxes and a Tunnock’s teacake tower.

Lucy remembers really loving the dress-shopping experience, having a fun tour of bridal boutiques in Edinburgh, Fife and Perth before finding her stunning Catriona Garforth skirt, bodice and pearl embellished jacket at Kudos Bridal in Edinburgh.

She kept her accessories sentimental with her grandma’s pearl jewellery and her mum’s veil, topped off with a beaut floral crown.

Lucy had seven bridesmaids including her sisters but sadly Lumvwano’s family and friends were unable to travel because of Covid.

Lucy’s best friend Alastair Faulkner stepped in to be his best man (and their videographer) and her brothers-in-law made up the rest of his bridal party.

It was actually the bride’s birthday the day before the wedding and she spent a lovely evening relaxing with family.

She admits the morning of the wedding was “slightly strange” as she couldn’t get ready with her bridesmaids but said it was lovely being with her parents.

With their numbers restricted to 20 Lucy and Lumvwano were lucky their talented guests could step in to play music at their ceremony at Leven Parish Church.

Lucy’s sister Alison and her brother-in-law Danny are professional violinists – The Miller Duo – and played a selection of Robert Burns music when she walked down the aisle and an arrangement of Africa by Toto when they left the church!  

The couple had a Church of Scotland ceremony and their minister Gillian really put them at ease.

“Lumvwano said a vow in Tonga (his tribal language in Zambia) which made it even more personal,” says Lucy.

Following the ceremony, the couple went for their gorgeous photos along the coast before joining their guests at The Cow Shed Crail for a drinks reception and a delicious ice cream bicycle from Janetta’s in St Andrews.

The speeches according to Lucy were “memorable” with an emotional one by her dad and her oldest friend Charlotte’s even included dressing up props for the groom.

And even though there was no ceilidh allowed after their wedding breakfast they say the atmosphere was “jubilant!”

“Everyone was so happy that the wedding could go ahead and it was probably the only social gathering that most of us had attended all year,” says Lucy.

“It was the most perfect day.”