ALL morning, rumours came and went in Dunblane: Andy Murray and Kim Sears would be holding a wedding rehearsal at the Cathedral, 24 hours before they walked up the aisle for real.

If Rev Colin Renwick, the minister at the Cathedral, knew anything, he naturally wasn't letting on. "I'm not giving anything away about rehearsals at all," he said.

A local woman said she'd heard that rumour, as well as one that local children would be singing at the wedding. The schools, she pointed out, were on holiday, for a start.

This was Dunblane's High Street yesterday lunchtime: glorious spring sunshine, cheery messages of congratulations to Andy and Kim in local shop windows, lots of media representatives milling around. When the famous, gold-painted postbox was given a pre-wedding touch-up, the worker responsible, William Lavery, found himself the subject of an impromptu photoshoot.

The picturesque city has witnessed Murray-mania before, chiefly when Andy has been involved in key matches at Wimbledon, but this is something different.

Traders have gone the extra mile to mark the occasion: Wimbledon bangers, sweetheart burgers, Kim's big day sausages, pork and prosecco sausage, TogetherNess beer. A solicitor's window had a special poster, headed 'WEDDED BLISS' above a photograph of Andy and Kim.

The local tennis courts had a big sign wishing the couple good luck. And First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent her "warm congratulations" to the happy couple.

Irene Flaws, a long-established florist, had just sent off a spectacular floral arrangement, destined for Cromlix House itself. Commercial confidentiality meant that she was unable to say who had ordered it. Suffice to say it had been ordered by a celebrity.

The arrangement consisted of blue hydrangeas, blue delphiniums, orchids and roses. Irene had worked to a picture sent to her by the celebrity's people; the final version looked much more impressive. The celebrity later emailed to say how pleased he was with it.

"There's a lot of buzz about the town, and it has been good," said Irene. "I don't know what Saturday is going to be like, though - it will be extremely busy.

"If it's anything like the day he came home from the Olympics, Heaven help us. We won't be able to move."

The window display at John Hill's butcher's shop included framed greetings to the couple: "There is a young fella called Murray/ Who, today, should be in a great hurry," began the first greeting.

Mr Hill himself said: "It's fantastic, a great atmosphere. It's great to see the place so alive." He predicted it would be "standing room only" today.

Today he will be handing out sausage rolls and other nibbles to passers-by, to mark the occasion.

Tom Casey, chair of the Discover Dunblane steering group, said of the High Street: "It's going to look nice for Saturday, even if the forecast is for rain."

"It's fantastic that Andy and Kim have decided to get married in Dunblane; it demonstrates his passion for his home town and his connection with his family - his grandparents both still live in Dunblane.

"Despite Cromlix, being just a few miles away, the reality is that the couple could have got married anywhere in the UK or indeed the world. The fact that they have decided to get married in his home town speaks volumes for his love for Dunblane and Scotland."

Mr Renwick, who will be officiating at the wedding, said the music would be "magnificent" but wouldn't be drawn any further.

"Dunblane has had a few visits from royalty in the past," he said, "so it's used to big occasions, but this is very special.

"Andy is one of Dunblane's own. There's a genuine affection for, and pride in, Andy, and there's a great affection for Kim too." He said he expected them to be as nervous and excited as any other couple getting married.

Given the romance surrounding today's big day, who better to give the last word to than Sarah Fredricks, a romance novelist who lives a mile from Cromlix?

"I shall enjoy watching all the wedding cars drive past my house," she said. "I'm thrilled for them both and delighted they chose Scotland, especially Cromlix, as their venue.

"Both the Cathedral and Cromlix are steeped in history and will provide some wonderful, romantic memories of their special day. I wish them all the very best, for a loving wedding day and many, many happy years together."