The celebration will be on 7/11/09 around 3:00 p.m.
There is a cost to get into the games. Please see the Oakland Scottish Highland Games site for information.
Rather than a traditional ceremony, Rich and Val are having a Renaissance Handfasting and Celebration. The Wedding Group/Party along with willing family members will walk with the couple as they approach the site. Cheering and revelry is appreciated and expected! Immediately following the ceremony the party will be at the St Gyles Royal Renaissance Guild site with food and beverages. Children are welcome!
The guests are invited to wear Renaissance garb or traditional Scottish clothing if they choose. The groom is of Clan Wallace and the bride is of Clan MacKenzie. Otherwise, feel free to dress appropriately for a casual summer wedding.
The Dunsmuir Scottish Games:
If you are interested in visiting the games, we encourage you to come early. We participate with Living History: a journey through time in Scotland. There are Vikings, Romans, Highlanders and of course, Mary Queen of Scots and her Court. The games also feature bag piping contests, highland and country dancing, heavy games and shinty
Things to do in the Bay Area:
There is so much to see and do in the bay area. Consider wine tasting in Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz or Livermore. About 2 hours south of San Francisco is the beautiful Monterey Bay with the Aquarium and Fisherman’s Wharf. Of course, there is The City: San Francisco! Take in the sights at Golden Gate Park, Alcatraz Island, Union Square, North Beach, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Don’t miss the Irish Coffees at the Buena Vista, near Ghirardelli Square. For something different, consider a tour of the Anchor Steam Brewery! Also, the Tutankhamen exhibit will be at the De Young Museum June 27, 2009 through March 2010.
How we met:
Rich joined St Gyles with his friends Gordon and Julie Wincott in early 2006. Val joined the guild in late 2006. However, Rich and Val didn’t meet until April 2007. You might say it was love at first site. It was evident to all that the two had eyes for each other. At one point even Queen Mary was considering ordering the two to date! But, fortunately they found each other and started dating at Dunsmuir Games July 2007. Most people who met Rich and Val after they started dating assumed they were already married. These two are definitely a perfect match!