Edinburgh Council's dedicated registrars and celebrants have been sharing some of the more unusual ceremonies they've been involved in.
From chickenpox outbreaks to photographers starting fires, Edinburgh weddings have had their share of drama over the years.
Inspired by Valentine's Day, council marriage and civil partnership staff have been reflecting on their stand out nuptials.
“A wedding was due to be held at the City Chambers when, unexpectedly, the bride contracted chickenpox," recalls Ann Burnett.
Ann said council staff pulled out all the stops to reorganise the wedding on the same day but in the couple's own flat.
As Ann had already had chickenpox she volunteered.
She said: "The bride had to wear fluffy slippers and a cool cotton wrap to keep comfortable. Chickenpox aside, it was a lovely ceremony."
On another occasion Ann recalls how an entire wedding nearly went up in smoke.
"The witnesses and I were in place, the music started, the photographer dashed in first throwing her coat on a nearby table so that she would be ready to take photos as the couple entered together.
"The couple looked beautiful and very happy but as I started the ceremony, we all became aware of a burning smell.
The source became obvious - it was the photographer’s coat!
She recalls the nylon waterproof had landed on candles and "lit up like a firework."
Disaster was avoided thanks to a quick thinking guest who grabbed the burning garment and run out to a small stone balustrade.
Her colleagues have shared other truly unique wedding memories.
Mavis Graham said: “Every single ceremony is unique. I had one where one of the guests jumped out in front of me dressed as Cupid.
"He had wings and silver shorts on that caused a commotion among the guests and staff. He danced down the aisle in front of the wedding party throwing flower petals around.”
Another tells of a resourceful bride who managed to bag herself a free dress.
Pam Coats said: “A bride had travelled from Dublin and the groom from Las Vegas to be married on Hogmanay.
"The bride managed to get a dress from a local bridal shop free - she popped in and explained her wedding was about to happen and she was desperate for something to wear.
"I think they just asked her to advertise on social media that they had helped her. She looked stunning!”
