A simple tweet was all it took for one love-struck Aberdeen couple to win their dream wedding, which is believed to be Scotland’s first ever social-media wedding. Gemma Milne and John Millar got hitched on Saturday 20th September, after picking up the prize offered by Thistle Hotels in the Granite City.
The couple triumphed over dozens of other hopefuls to claim the prize, simply by tweeting the secret to a long and happy relationship: “Marry your best friend. Your best friend brings out the best in U, laughs with U, dreams with U, lives for U & loves U.”
Gemma and John tied the knot at the Thistle Aberdeen Altens and celebrated in style with a wedding package worth £4000. Under the hashtag #thistlewedding, the couple’s big day was documented from start to finish on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Gemma, an event management student, entered the competition after hearing about it through Thistle Hotels’ Facebook page. Chosen as one of six finalists from dozens of entries, she and now-husband John, then had a week to enlist the help of their friends, family and followers to claim the prize by retweeting and favouriting their entry. With 212 retweets and favourites, the lucky couple were the clear winners.
Gemma says, “I can’t believe how quickly everything has happened – it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind. It seems like it was only yesterday that I was writing my tweet and now I’m Mrs Millar! When we found out that we had won, I couldn’t believe it. Words can’t describe how amazing it felt. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our amazing family and friends though.”
The couple could choose any one of Thistle’s three hotels (Aberdeen Altens, Aberdeen Airport and The Caledonian) in which to tie the knot, but it was Thistle Aberdeen Altens that stole their hearts.
Vicky Stephenson, manager of Thistle Aberdeen Altens, says, “The buzz in the hotel for the last few weeks has been amazing. Everyone was very excited to be part of Scotland’s first ever social-media wedding. So many wedding guests now tweet, Facebook and Instagram their way through the ceremony and reception that we were inspired to turn it on its head and offer a couple the chance to hold the ultimate social media wedding.”
As part of their prize, Gemma and John exchanged vows at the hotel before being treated to a three-course wedding meal, an evening buffet and bridal suite, all co-ordinated by the hotel’s wedding team.
Search the hashtag #thistlewedding on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see more from John and Gemma’s day.
01224 877000, www.thistle.com