This year I’ve seen weddings cancelled, postponed, scheduled then rescheduled; plans have been scuppered, guest lists rewritten and ceremonies reimagined. But through all of that I’ve watched couples having the best day of their lives, marrying their best pals, witnessed by a few fortunate guests.

And so it was a great honour and privilege to be asked to carry out the duties of best man for my dear friends Andy & Laura earlier this year. It was also my pleasure to help with the groom’s outfit.

Andy had decided on black tie attire for the intimate ceremony at One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow and was looking to elevate the suit he already owned with something special by way of accessories.

Firstly we tailored some simple tweaks to his suit; nipping the waist, lengthening the coat and shortening the sleeves, very subtly changed the silhouette of the jacket. Next we went for a Marcella shirt - a smooth and sumptuous pinpoint cotton detailed with diamond woven Marcella bib, cuff and collar, complete with dress stud front. We cut the shirt slim at the waist and chest and stuck with a classic point collar to accommodate a bow tie.

Andy was keen to bring some colour into his outfit; jewel tones making up the palette of the day - think emerald, sapphire, ruby and Opal. With that in mind we set to work on a bespoke black tie set of bow tie and matching cummerbund, both cut in a rich green velvet, giving real depth of colour and perfectly complimenting the fine mohair finish of the suit.

The groom’s outfit was perfect, trumped only by that of his bride’s - who beamed in her eponymous label Laura Ironside Bridal.

As best man I donned a green velvet Prince Charlie jacket with tartan trews and black silk bow tie. The whole day was fantastic and Covid felt like that thing that was “outside” as the doting staff at One Dev made it feel like a grand family event. Subtle grandeur was brought to life through hand picked floras in thrift store vases, natural confetti, Polaroids and sparklers at nightfall.

Huge congratulations are due to the happy couple, it was a pleasure to be part of your day.