IT had been dubbed the equivalent of Scotland's Royal Wedding and yesterday thousands of people crowded the streets of Dunblane as Scots tennis star Andy Murray wed his long-term girlfriend Kim Sears in his home town.

Around 3000 onlookers braved freezing rain showers - and enjoyed some spells of sunshine - to help celebrate the occasion as the couple wed in a ceremony held at the 12th century Dunblane Cathedral.

The newlyweds, both 27, said their vows in front of a small gathering of family members and close friends. Despite Murray's star status, the guest list included only a handful of well-known names from the tennis world, including his coach Amelie Mauresmo, Tim Henman and his wife Lucy, former Davis Cup player Ross Hutchins and Murray's former coach Miles MacLagan.

Murray's brother Jamie, his divorced parents Judy and William, and grandparents Shirley and Roy Erskine were among the family members who attended.

Anticipation had been building well in advance of the late afternoon ceremony. In the street leading up to the cathedral, local shops had rolled out the bunting and displayed messages of support in their windows.

Among the well-wishers waiting in the streets to catch a glimpse of the happy couple was Marie Donaldson, who travelled by train from South Queensferry with her 14-year-old daughter Eilidh Ryan. "I watch all of Andy's matches, we are big fans," she said. "It is a lovely atmosphere here today.

"Eilidh's big sister is getting married in September so we are looking for ideas. I am looking forward to seeing what Judy and Kim's mum are wearing."

However Cheryl Stevenson and her husband Michael, from south Scotland, were slightly bemused to find the crowd-lined streets when they arrived in the town while on a short break. "We actually didn't know anything about it," she admitted. "We walked from Bridge of Allan and were like oh, it seems like there is something going on.

"It is a very nice atmosphere and we are Andy Murray fans - so it will be good to see some of it while we are here."

Morag Scott, 58 and her sister Elizabeth Johnston, from Cumbernauld, were perched on a garden wall. "We are hoping to get a good view from here," she said. "We are big fans of Andy and they are such a nice couple."

Brenda Watson travelled from Ochiltree in Ayrshire with a friend to join in the celebrations.

She said: ''We're so excited about seeing them and the atmosphere is great, it's been well worth coming.''

Sheila Penman, 59, from Rosyth in Fife was visiting the town with her husband John, 58, and six-year-old grandson Alfie. She has tickets for Wimbledon for the first time this year, a treat for her 60th birthday.

She said: ''It's lovely to be here on such a happy occasion for Andy. Hopefully I'll get to see him in the final this year and he'll win.''

Huge cheers went up as a series of minibuses and coaches dropped off the wedding guests - with one false alarm involving a stray lorry passing by. The loudest welcome was of course reserved for Murray, who sported a kilt and arrived with his brother Jamie at 4pm.

Half an hour later a silver wedding car quickly whisked Sears and her four bridesmaids - who were dressed in pink - to the back of the cathedral.

But the crowd's long wait was finally rewarded when with bells ringing out, the couple walked down the path from the cathedral, allowing the onlookers to get a much-anticipated view of Sears' embroidered white gown with three-quarter length sleeves and a long veil.

Guests lined the path from the cathedral doors and showered the couple in confetti as they left the church, but despite rumours they would go on a walkabout to greet fans, the newlyweds - perhaps mindful of gathering rain clouds - only paused to wave to the crowd before getting into their grey Bentley wedding car.

The reception was held at Cromlix House, a £1.8million luxury hotel near Dunblane which Murray owns. Guests had been asked to donate to charities chosen by the couple - including Unicef and the World Wildlife Fund - rather than buying gifts. And with Murray heading off to resume his tournament schedule following the wedding, the honeymoon is being postponed until later in the year.

Earlier Murray had tweeted a preview of the day in emojis which included pictures of a church, a ring, a kiss, cake and drinks as well as hearts, a face throwing a kiss and several Zzzz icons for sleep.

Commenting on the changeable weather his mother Judy tweeted: ''Hailstones. Marvellous,'' and then a few hours later: ''Snowing. White wedding.''

Fans posted their best wishes on social media and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also offered her congratulations.

The couple met in 2005 through tennis circles - Sears' father Nigel is a coach and former head of women's tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association.

They moved in together in 2008 and briefly split the following year before rekindling their relationship.

As the newlyweds were driven away a passing rain shower meant the crowds lining the streets of Dunblane dispersed rapidly. One woman who was rushing to get a train back home to Aberdeen said: "I have been standing here since 10am this morning - I must be crazy. I even had to go and buy some extra clothes from the charity shop as I had come dressed for summer.

"But it has been worth it - I had a great view and I am a huge fan of Andy Murray."