There’s no excuse to forget an anniversary for four sets of local newlyweds, because they tied the knot on the tenth day of the tenth month in the 10th year of this century.
As well as countless fond memories, the happy couples’ special days will forever be marked by the once-in-a-century date of 10.10.10.
Some cultures believe the number 10 signifies new beginnings, while it also has strong biblical, cosmological and magical connotations. But it was an accident for Kevin Cain (28) and Hazel Clyde (29), of Lochee, who are reckoned to have been the first in the UK to tie to knot as they said their vows just seconds after midnight.
The couple’s topsy-turvy wedding had seen their guests enjoy a full reception with a meal, speeches and dancing before they stepped out on to the Hilton Hotel’s veranda over the Tay to watch Kevin and Hazel exchange vows just into Sunday morning.
Hazel relived the “magical” moment as she frantically packed her case for an early-morning honeymoon flight to the Mexican resort of Cancun watched by their 11-month-old daughter, Hannah.
“It was amazing just so romantic,” she said. “They had put candles out on the balcony for us. It was just wonderful.
“It think it was a bit strange for our guests because they wanted to congratulate us but they couldn’t because we weren’t actually married yet!”
The couple chose the day because they met on October 10, 2001, in a city nightclub and elected to marry just after midnight so they and their guests could enjoy a Saturday reception.
However, it never struck the newlyweds that they would be the first people to marry on the momentous date or that there could be some mystical or magical force at work.
“Obviously we knew it was going to be 10.10.10,” said the new Mrs Cain, “but we didn’t know there was another special about the date I didn’t look it up or anything.
“We never thought of it like that. It was just so it wasn’t a Sunday wedding!”
Meanwhile, 25-year-old student Iain Boyd and 22-year-old police officer Ross Fulton were saying their vows at a civil partnership at the city’s Landmark Hotel.
Iain, from Glasgow, and Fifer Ross met at St Andrews University exactly four years ago to the day and will now share the double-barrelled surname Fulton-Boyd at their home in Dundee’s West End.
“As we got together on October 10, we thought we should get married on that date too,” said Ross.
In all 80 of their nearest and dearest watched the pair “finally” tie the knot.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Iain, “but we always said we would get married once we weren’t both students any more.”
The civil services were conducted by two of Dundee’s registrars, who said Sundays are becoming increasing popular for civil services.
There were also celebrations at Broughty Ferry’s Woodlands Hotel as Nicola Somerville married John Preston.
The Carnoustie couple, who have been together three-and-a-half years, tied the knot in a small ceremony but were joined by many family and friends for an evening celebration.
John (36) is originally from West Sussex but has lived in the Dundee area for 20 years and works as a recruitment consultant, while Nicola (38) works in HR.
“We chose today because of the date,” Nicola told The Courier after saying her vows. “It’s quite unique and it doesn’t come around many times.”
John added, “It’s easy to remember the anniversary there’s no excuse!”
The couple, who were watched by John’s children Harry (6) and Jordan (10) and Nicola’s daughter Samantha (15), will now head to Gibraltar for a short honeymoon.
Caroline Chalmers and Brian Doyle had another 10 to contend with on their wedding day because the Ardler couple had been together for a decade before they went down the aisle on Sunday afternoon.
The date perfectly bisected their birthdays Brian’s 41st was six days before their big day and Caroline’s 36th follows six days after. Not only that, but Brian’s father was married on August 8, 1988 8.8.88.
“It must be a bit of a tradition,” said the Tesco South Road worker after the ceremony held at Baxter Park Pavilion.
Caroline, who works at Specsavers in Murraygate in Dundee, added, “We just decided to do it today because of the date. It’s been an emotional day but we’ve had a great time.”