Guardian News and Media
Edinburgh


The bunting is out, the champagne is on ice and even the burgers at the local butchers are heart-shaped in preparation for today’s nuptials between Andy Murray and Kim Sears.
The population of Dunblane know the emotional rollercoaster ride of being Murray fans well. They have packed out community halls and bars to cheer his victories and lament his defeats, steeling their collective nerve through the tensest of rallies.
The only nerves today, however, are likely to be those of the bride and groom as townsfolk turn out to wish them well.
The service is to take place at the 12th century Dunblane cathedral , with a private reception at the luxury 15-bedroom Cromlix House hotel , which was bought two years ago by the local boy who in 2013 finally ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men’s singles champion.
Traffic restrictions will be in place as police anticipate crowds. Murray, who left Dunblane aged 15 to train in Spain, does not return home often, but when he does he is given a hero’s welcome.
They stood 20 and 30 deep in driving rain to see him on an open-top bus after winning the US Open and take Olympic gold in 2012.
His mother, Judy, said later he had been overwhelmed. “When Andy came back to Dunblane, that’s when it hit him what it means to the people of Scotland to share his success.”
Judging from the shopfronts decorated with wedding bows, and the messages of congratulation hung in windows, Dunblane is very proud of its own.
A gold-coloured racquet, with “game, set and match” written on it hangs in the local Sue Ryder charity shop window, along with bride and groom mannequins, and Murray and Sears cut outs.
A local bridal shop that sent Sears a crystal encrusted garter proudly displays the thank-you letter from the bride. Everyone, it seems, is getting in the spirit.
Those hoping for a glimpse of some centre court or red carpet stars may be disappointed. Murray revealed recently: “There won’t be any celebrities as such. I don’t have any celebrity friends, so it wasn’t something that was planned.”
When asked if he would be attending, Novak Djokovic , Murray’s formidable Serbian opponent in several gladiatorial clashes, said: “Not invited … but I wish him all the best.”
Murray’s Davis Cup teammates James Ward and Jamie Delgado are expected, as is the Dutch doubles player Jules Rojer and the former Wimbledon favourite Tim Henman.
Murray, who met Sears at the US Open when they were 17 and she was travelling with her tennis coach father Nigel, is believed to have three best men, his elder brother Jamie, the former Davis Cup player Ross Hutchins and Carlos Mier, a friend from his days at the Barcelona tennis academy.
Sears, an artist who specialises in animal portraiture, will have four bridesmaids.
Rather than wedding gifts, guests can donate to charities chosen by the couple, including Unicef and the World Wildlife Fund . There will be no honeymoon until later in the year, because Murray heads off after the wedding to resume his tournament schedule.