Bruce Watson's Wedding

The following account and photos are taken from Issue 17 of the Country Club Magazine.

Bruce & Sandra 'Tie the knot'

On Saturday 9th April 1988 Bruce Watson finally tied the knot with Sandra McCallistar after 8 years of courting (three of which they were engaged for) but to say the wedding was spontaneous is an understatement.

Bruce and Sandra had often talked about getting married and in 1988 they decided that they would definately take the plunge, either when Sandra joined Bruce in Los Angeles (where Peace In Our Time was being put together) or when he returned to Scotland. When Sandra joined him on 5th April they realised "the right time was now".

On Wednesday 6th April they told Ian Grant that they had decided to get married the following Saturday. Ian was thus landed with the responsibility of organising everything. Anyone who knows anything about weddings must know that it's suicidal to try to organise such an event in 3 days, but I'm pleased to say that they managed to suceed without any cut wrists.

The Venue
The ceremony and reception was to take place on the roof of the apartment the band were staying in.

The Vicar
Because they decided not to go for a registry office they had to find someone to marry them, and what other suitable place to find a vicar but in the YELLOW PAGES. Yes, Ian got hold of a vicar via the Yellow Pages.

The Wedding Dress
Apparently L.A. isn't the best place to go shopping for a wedding dress especially when you go shopping for it the evening before the big day. Snadra said "...all the dresses were absolutely horrendous. They all had bangles and stuff hanging from them, so I ended up buying my dress from Laura Ashley".

The Wedding Cake
The less said about this the better. I don't think I should incriminate anyone by mentioning who bought the cake. All I can say is that it was bought from an 'X Rated' shop, so the design didn't leave much to the imagination.....

The Flowers
Everyone forgot about the flowers until the day they were needed. Whilst Sandra was at the hairdressers someone told her where she might be able to get hold of some. She said "...it was like a big freezer. All the flowers imaginable were there. We picked some white orchids and white baby roses and had loads of bouqets made up. They were ready within three hours."

Because everything had to be arranged in three days a job was designated to everyone.

Ian Grant (Manager) Overseer of the whole event. He also gave Sandra away.
Barry (Tour Manager) Had to look for the ribbons
Tony (Bass player) Had to sort out the lunch.
Mark (Drummer) Had to pay the licence for the wedding to take place.
Debbie (Ian's Wife) Matron of Honour
Kirsty (Ian's Daughter) Flower Girl
Joella (Tony's Daughter) Flower Girl
Bruce (Bridegroom) Didn't do anything, he was too busy being a nervous wreck.
Bud & Vera (run the apartment) Arranged for a landscape gardener to plant flowers everywhere and had helium-filled purple and lime balloons everywhere.

Before they had time to think twice the day had arrived. They ditched the idea of getting Sandra a limousine because she decided it would be easier to use the elevator instead.

Sandra says, "I didn't have enough time to be nervous or think about anything. I would have liked my mum to be there but, because it was arranged on the spur of the moment, it was impossible. But I'm glad it took place where and when it did. It was different and very special. Very, very special. I wish I could do it all again. Nothing like it could ever happen here in England and to top it all the weather was beautiful, everything was just right".

The "I Do's" were said and there was lots of champagne and dancing to Eric Clapton records.

So if you want a wedding with that 'special' touch contact the Grant Edwards Marriage Bureau and they'll sort you out!!!

The Photos

Bruce and Sandra. Sandra with the 'little-uns'. A Group picture - Ian, Tony, Sandra, Bruce and Mark.

Click on a picture to see the full size image. Caution - Bruce has 'Big Hair'! :)


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