Belladrum does the trick for magician's wedding

BBC Newly weds Alan Innes and Vicki WeaverBBC
Newly weds Vicki and Alan

Magician Alan Innes and bride Vicki Weaver tied the knot at Belladrum - after a "rehearsal" on the festival's second biggest stage.

The pair were married on Friday watched by about 30 family and friends, including Vicki's mum who is in her late 70s and aunty who is in her 80s.

On Thursday, they were invited up on to the Garden stage by Nathan Evans, the Scottish musician who became an overnight star in 2020 when a sea shanty he posted on social media went viral.

Vicki said: "We had our practice run in front of thousands. It was amazing. I was unexpectedly calm."

Wedding party
Alan and Vicki were joined by family and friends for their big day

Alan, from Keith, said he felt nervous taking to the stage to practice their vows.

Their friend, hairdresser Pauline Catto, had helped to arrange the surprise.

She said: "I was so happy for them."

The couple got their idea to get married at Bella after Vicki's cousin got wed at the Highland festival last year.

"We came as guests and loved it," said Vicki.

"We thought it was the perfect venue."

First festival

The wedding party got dressed in two motorhomes.

Vicki said: "The boys were in one and the girls in the other. People were falling over each other trying to get into the one tiny toilet to get organised - but we managed."

She added that her mum and aunty were enjoying their first festival, and the wedding party was looking forward to meals booked from one of the site's food stalls.

And Alan and Vicki's wedding band?

They have a few to chose from - including main stage performers Ocean Colour Scene and James Arthur.

Getty Images James ArthurGetty Images
James Arthur is to perform on the Hot House main stage later
Dead Pony at Belladrum
Glasgow band Dead Pony performing on the Hot House stage

Earlier, The Laurettes and Dead Pony were among the acts across the festival's different stages.

On Thursday night, Sugababes and Sophie Ellis-Bexter drew huge crowds to the Hot House stage.

About 25,000 people are expected to attend the Highland's biggest music event over its three days.

New traffic management and parking arrangements avoided a repeat of last year's hours-long delays to get into the site.

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