American firefighters celebrate burning love with wedding ceremony at Scottish fire station

A pair of American firefighters who met on the job have celebrated their eternal flame by getting married at a Scottish fire station.

Amanda Brooke Monroe, 38, and James Matthew Ownbey, 42, from Brunswick in the state of Georgia met in 2020 when they started working together at Glynn County Fire Department.

The pair wanted to plan a unique wedding that incorporated their love for the job with Amanda’s Scottish ancestral history and contacted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) with their unique proposal.

On February 5, SFRS staff watched as the happy couple exchanged their vows at Calton Community Fire Station in Glasgow, almost 4,000 miles from home.

Area commander David Murdoch, who oversees SFRS operations in the City of Glasgow as local senior officer, provided a musical regale for the occasion by piping the bride down the aisle as the on-duty White Watch stood guard.

James, a battalion chief back home in Georgia, said: “The day was perfect. It was better than what anyone could have imagined.

“We’re still surprised with how amazing it all turned out.

“Firefighters have a bond regardless of the department they work for.

American newlyweds mark big day with unique ceremony in Glasgow fire station. STV News

“However what the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has done for us today is above and beyond.”

Ahead of flying to Scotland on Friday, the pair completed the paperwork for their marriage to be legally registered in Brunswick at the same time they their exchanged vows in Glasgow.

Ahead of their vows, the newlyweds received a tour of the SFRS National Training Centre in Cambuslang before being driven to Glasgow’s east end for the ceremony.

Group commander Garry Marshall, who organised the event for the couple, said: “It was an honour to oversee this ceremony for our fellow firefighters and make their day as memorable as possible.

“We wish them all the happiness in the world.”

Amanda, a firefighter advance EMT, added: “It meant everything to us to be able to share this moment with our colleagues in Glasgow.

“We can’t thank White Watch at Calton, group commander Garry Marshall and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service enough.

“It was something that was dear to both of our hearts, it wouldn’t have been possible without our fire family here in Scotland, and it just really turned out to be a wonderful experience.”