Owl swoops in for wedding vows of happy couple in Ayr

Jul 16 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

IT was no flight of fancy when an owl swooped in for a wedding ceremony.

Stunned bride Carol Graham took cover as the bird of prey joined her at the alter.

But the dramatic entrance was all part of a grand plan from hubby-to-be, Euan, whose special sidekick was delivering the rings.

And the couple, who tied the knot at Ayr’s Castlehill Church, say their feathered friend became the star guest.

Carol, 30, laughed: “Puc the owl was the topic of conversation on everyone’s lips.

“He was only part of the ceremony for five minutes but he made quite an impression.

“When I saw him flying towards us, I was just stunned into silence.

“Nobody in the church said a word because they couldn’t work out what was going on.

“Then I saw the best man, Gavin, reach behind the font for a falconry glove and started to put two and two together.

“Puc was carrying our rings on his feet and delivered them to the minister. It was amazing.”

The couple, from Ayr, had discussed the idea of having an owl deliver their rings in the build up to the ceremony.

But the idea was apparently ditched, leaving Carol even more shocked at her surprise.

She said: “Euan had talked about the owl a few months ago, but I didn’t think he was serious about doing it.

“Apparently my face was a picture when Puc appeared in the church. It was a really lovely moment and has certainly given us a story.”

Carol’s mum, Elizabeth, admits that a gatecrashing owl was something she hadn’t bargained for.

She said: “I was absolutely gobsmacked and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“Euan and his best man had planned this lovely gesture and everyone just sat in a happy, stunned silence while it all took place.

“It certainly made for a ceremony with a difference.”