“Love is the greatest adventure of all, a journey that takes us to the highest peaks and deepest valleys”
Elopements are a beautiful alternative to a traditional wedding, and, as you can legally marry anywhere in Scotland, it is the perfect place to do it!
Kind Words
“When planning my elopement I wanted a photographer that not only understood the aesthetic, but would bring good energy to the equation. Elopements are a unique situation where it’s private intimate moment with your lover planked by strangers capturing your sacred day. It can create room for awkwardness…not possible with Susie though. From the moment I opened my door her shinning personality warmed all my nervous thoughts. She was instrumental in creating a calm, beautiful, and productive day”
Savannah and Bill, Edinburgh Elopement
Eloping in Scotland has become incredibly popular in recent years and it’s easy to see why. Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the whole wide world. (fact checked + true!). We have castles, mountains, deserted white sandy beaches, lochs, waterfalls and glens. O’h aye and whisky, we have whisky.
Who are Elopements for?
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Eloping allows you to share your special day in a private, intimate way. You can do this with a few close friends, or no-one else at all. Just two people in love, committing to each other.
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Weddings can become very expensive. The more guests you have, the bigger the venue, the more mouths to feed etc. It can be a lot of money to spend on one day! Many couples feel the money would be better spent on a deposit for a house, or for home renovations, or travelling!
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If you are a little more introverted or shy, the idea of everyone staring at you all day might fill you with dread!
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If you are a couple who love the outdoors, who feel most alive when faced with the elements, who spend all of your time exploring forests, mountains and lochs, why not spend your wedding day like that? Your day should represent who you are as a couple and incorporate the activities you love!
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Unfortunately weddings can be very wasteful. Left over food, disposable decorations, invitations, menus, flowers… all end up in landfill after a wedding. Eco conscious couples are more frequently opting to elope, to reduce waste.
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Eloping can be a thoughtful choice for people with complex family dynamics for several reasons. Many families have unresolved issues or ongoing tensions and these may pop up during a traditional wedding.
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Maybe you have already had your family so just want to be married, without all the fuss!
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For people who have already had the big wedding previously and now just want to do it in a simple way!
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For couples who like to rebel against what’s expected! Those who like to surprise people!
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Elopements are for anyone and everyone!
How to Elope in Scotland
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Things to consider - when can you get time off work? How long do you want to be away? Consider what the different seasons bring. Scotlands landscape changes over the seasons, from lush green and vibrant in Spring and summer, to rich reds and burnt oranges in the Autumn (fall), to snow capped mountains in winter. Would you prefer a quieter experience? Scotland is very busy in the summer months! (June- August) with Edinburgh Fringe festival bringing in millions of visitors and the Highlands being overrun with motorhomes. But our days are nice and long! In winter we have very few daylight hours but smaller crowds, cheaper accommodation and sometimes the most beautiful winter light. September - November are very popular times to elope. The colours of Autumn are so vibrant and beautiful and you are more likely to find a quiet spot for your ceremony.
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You are spoiled for choice in Scotland! We have gorgeous cities, lovely wee coastal towns, deserted beaches, epic mountain ranges, ancient castles and more! And the best bit? You can marry anywhere! Edinburgh is a popular choice for a city elopement because of its ‘oldy worldy’ romantic charm, medieval architecture, little cobbled streets and hidden courtyards. Glasgow is another great choice (the ‘cooler’ choice) with its amazing arts and cultural scene, street art and friendly locals! Then you have all of the beauty of Perthshire (the best place to enjoy the Autumnal colours imo) and the mountains of the lowlands and the highlands. We have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and, because the weather is so temperamental, you can often have it all to yourself! Check out places like Glen Affric, Assynt, the outer Hebrides, Mull, Glencoe and Isle of Skye for 360 degrees of dramatic scenery! You can marry next to a loch, up a mountain, on a beach…… so many options!
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One of the requirements to a legal marriage in Scotland is that the ceremony is officiated by an authorised person. This could be a humanist or agnostic celebrant (most popular), a religious leader or a registrar from the local council. We are super lucky in Scotland to have celebrants who love elopements and are happy to hike to conduct the ceremony!
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Because Scotland is so popular with eloping couples, things can get booked up pretty quickly so as soon as you have your date, location and your celebrant booked in, you should now think about what else you might need! Hair and makeup artists, florists and, of course, a photographer! If you can also manage a videographer you will absolutely not regret it. And since you’ll be saving money on food for guests and a party, a videographer is a brilliant investment.
Accommodation is also important so think about where you would like to spend your time. We have hotels, lodges, castles and cabins, and of course, Air BnBs! Something to suit most budgets.
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To legally marry in Scotland you both have to complete a ‘Notice of Marriage Form’ (or form M10) and send it to the registrar in the area you will be married in, at least 29 days before your elopement date (but not before 3 months).
Once everything is agreed, you will be issued a ‘Marriage Schedule’ which is the legal bit of paperwork you will both sign on the day of your elopement. This also has to be signed by the officiant, and also by 2 witnesses. If you have decided to elope just the two of you, your photographer will be happy to be a witness, along with an assistant / videographer or just a lovely soul who the celebrant has brought along to do the honour! All of this can be discussed in detail with your celebrant.
If coming from oversees you will also need a ‘Marriage Visitor’ Visa. You can of course do the ‘legal bit’ in your home country and then have more of a symbolic ceremony with vow exchange over in Scotland.
For more info visit: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/registering-a-marriage-or-civil-partnership/
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Grab a cuppa and close your eyes and picture your perfect elopement. What does it look like? What will you wear? If you plan to hike to different spots you’ll need to consider sturdy, waterproof boots! What about keeping warm with a nice tartan shawl (like bonnie wee Jeannie McColl)! Are you considering a kilt? Do you want a dress that is light that blows in the wind?
For the ceremony do you want to incorporate some of our Celtic wedding traditions? Handfasting is a traditional practice where your hands are tied together with ribbon, cord or tartan cloth, as a symbol of your union. That’s where the phrase ‘tying the knot’ comes from. Or maybe you’d like to drink Whisky from the ‘Quaich’ - where you both share a drink, to signify your bond! Maybe you’d like to hire a piper to play the bagpipes as you arrive at your ceremony spot?
How do you see the rest of your day? Do you want to go on an adventure? Are there activities that you love doing together? The beauty of an elopement is that you can incorporate things you love in your special day! Love hiking or kayaking? Ten pin bowling? Having a drink in an old haunted pub?? Plan your day to reflect you as a couple!
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Is there another area of Scotland you’d like to visit? Do a road trip! If you would like more memories documented, consider booking your photographer for another location on a different day. You can get back into your wedding attire or choose a completely different outfit!
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Today is the day! Today you get to marry the person you love the most in the whole world! How lucky are you to have found someone who will love and support you through the crazy journey of life! Someone to laugh with and hug and share experiences with! Enjoy the shit out of it, embrace the weather, breathe, take it all in, every bit!!!
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You have to return your Marriage Schedule within 3 days (NOT working days!) to the local registrar. Your celebrant may be happy to do this for you.
Why choose me to be your Scotland Elopement Photographer?
1. Having spent my whole life living, exploring and adventuring around Scotland, I know where to find the most beautiful locations for your Scottish Elopement! Whether it’s a secluded beach, a hidden glen, a castle ruin or on a mountain top, I can help you find your perfect spot!
2. I’m a mountain goat! So if your dream is to marry your love at the top of a mountain, at sunrise, I’ll be there, wagging my tail with excitement!
3. Your comfort, well-being and overall experience will ALWAYS be my number 1 priority! I’ll keep you fed and watered and most importantly….WARM! Scotland can be bloody freezing so I have Dry Robes and hand warmers and hot water bottles for you to wear during a stormy ceremony and between shoots!
4. With a wife who plays guitar and a van that doubles up as a mobile (silent) disco, you can have your first dance somewhere special!
5. I’m super chill. Nobody needs a stress head hanging about all day making you feel rushed! Elopements are often more spontaneous and unstructured and sometimes you have to change plans and adapt to things out of your control (in Scotland that’s mainly the weather!) It’s important to choose a photographer who is adaptable and embraces change with positivity!
6. If you have a baby or dog, my lovely wife Nonie can hold them, soothe them or walk them, so that you can relax and just focus on each other (p.s Nonie is a very trustworthy children’s nurse!) and she also doubles up as a second witness!
7. Our wee van ‘Disco Van Dyke’ is the perfect space for you to shelter, keep cosy, sign your wedding schedule, have a cup of tea or hot bowl of soup, and listen to my patter.
8. I’m an observer, noticing all of the subtle little gestures of affection that can go unnoticed. The quiet, unstaged, genuine moments.
9. My couples often comment on how comfortable I made them feel and how that allowed them to be their true, authentic selves. As an elopement is just the two of you, they are more intimate than big weddings and that can bring out unexpected emotions. A good elopement photographer understands this and knows when to step back and give you space.
10. I love creating art within our beautiful landscapes and with every kind of light. The ever changing Scottish weather can bring soft and harsh light and it’s important to choose someone who can work with (and get excited about) both, to create beautiful images that you can hang on your wall with pride.
11. I can help you find other suppliers for your elopement, such as celebrants, hair and makeup artists and florists. All people I have worked with and trust.
Let’s go on an adventure!
Kind Words
“……I am not a local so I have no idea on how to do things but Susie guided us through and helped us a lot and the most incredible thing is that she made sure that the wedding is what I want and 100% how I wanted.
We had the most fabulous time with her and Nonie, her wife. They are sweetest and have the brightest attitudes and made our day perfect that I could even ask for.
And of course, the photos are OUT OF THE WORLD”
Lacey and Lewis, Isle of Skye elopement
