Business as usual for Maddy minister

Rev Susan Brown will marry the couple on Friday

The showbiz wedding of the year may be praying on her mind, but it was business as usual for Reverend Susan Brown on Friday.

The minister was set to marry Madonna and Guy Ritchie at Skibo Castle in the Scottish Highlands that evening.

She has admitted to getting nervous before wedding services - and one attended by some of the biggest names from the worlds of film and music will be no exception.

It would be an unusual couple if either party didn't have a turn of nerves before the event

Reverend Susan Brown

But that was not enough to knock the colourful minister - who has been known to rollerskate down the aisle during family services to keep the attention of the children - from her usual schedule.

She geared up for the star-studded ceremony by hosting an end of term school carol service in Dornoch Cathedral earlier in the day.

She welcomed about 70 people and pupils from Dornoch Academy to the cathedral which only hours earlier had seated stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Sting and Rupert Everett for the baptism of Madonna's son Rocco.

The minister had joined pop star Madonna and film director Ritchie at Skibo Castle after the ceremony, staying until after midnight.

Time out

But on Friday, used candles lining a ledge below the stained glass windows were the only evidence left of the previous night's event at Dornoch Cathedral.

"We have had a few special people passing through this building over the last week, while not more special than you," she told the school service.

She also took time out before the marriage ceremony to speak about the task which lay ahead of her.

Guy Ritchie, Madonna and baby Rocco

"I hope the service is one we can enjoy above else. It's good a couple want to commit themselves to each other for life," she said.

Rev Brown hoped the wedding would have a note of celebration and be meaningful and memorable.

She said: "It is a big day for them and their friends and family."

Asked if the couple had pre-wedding nerves, she replied: "It would be an unusual couple if either party didn't have a turn of nerves before the event.

"I get nervous before every service."

Toilet rolls

Asked if she counted Madonna and Ritchie among her friends, she said: "I regard each couple the time I marry them as people whose company I can enjoy and whom I can respect."

Rev Brown has previously admitted that she does not own any of the singer's records and has not seen the director's films.

It has also been reported that she would present the couple with toilet rolls, to illustrate the fact that their union will be long and strong, as a wedding gift.

But she dismissed those rumours on Friday, before joking: "You have blown my cover!"