Lord of the wedding rings

Wednesday 29 December 2010

Lord of the wedding rings

Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd was today tying the knot with long-term partner Ali McKinnon in Glasgow’s West End.

The 42-year-old, best known for his portrayal of Pippin the Hobbit in Peter Jackson’s smash hit films, and ballet dancer and yoga instructor Ali have have a four-year-old son, Jack.

Rather than opt for a lavish Hollywood wedding, the couple chose Oran Mor, just round the corner from their West End home, for today’s ceremony and reception. Oran Mor’s wedding co-ordinator, Louise Turner, is thrilled that the couple chose the Byres Road venue for their big day. Louise, who was named Wedding Co-ordinator of the Year at the 2010 Vows Awards, said; “I’m delighted Billy and Allison have chosen Oran Mor for their wedding, it’s very exciting. “I’ve met them a few times to discuss the wedding and they have been lovely to deal with. “I think the couple chose Oran Mor because it’s a little bit different as a wedding venue, and of course it’s local for them too.” It’s certainly the most high-profile wedding Oran Mor has hosted since it opened its doors in 2004 in the converted former Kelvinside Parish Church. But Louise has planned a ceremony for a famous face before – SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon married Peter Murrell at Oran Mor in July. Despite Billy having legions of fans around the globe and counting Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood and Sir Ian McKellen among his close friends, today’s ceremony will be attended by very few people. Louise said: “The ceremony itself is for around 30 friends and family and the reception later on will be for about 160 or so. It’s not a massive bash and it will be quite intimate.” As well as his stint as a Hobbit, Billy won acclaim for his performances in films The Stone of Destiny, The Flying Scotsman and On a Clear Day. He has also appeared on the small screen in Taggart and Still Game and has a successful music career as frontman of the band Beecake. Billy, once voted ahead of Prince William as Britain’s most eligible bachelor, met Ali at a 2002 panto in which she was appearing.

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