Planning your stress free Scottish elopement.
It’s Valentine’s weekend, so we thought we’d spread a little love by uploading a blog onto the website. Now, we understand that this might not sound particularly romantic; however, it does show that we care because it aims to talk you through planning a stress-free and last minute elopement, and what’s not to love about that in these uncertain times?
On a similarly WILD weather Valentine’s Day last year, we were conducting and capturing Zahra & Angus’s glorious beachside elopement at Driftwood House near Arisaig. We LOVED this couple! Not only were these fabulous Fifers great fun to work with, their vision and laidback approach to their wedding day was one we wholeheartedly embraced. We’ll explain.
One late December afternoon, Paula was out and about walking Shelley the Lurcher when she received a phone call from a newly engaged Zahra & Angus, who were looking to seal the deal on their L-U-R-V-E on Valentine’s Day, just eight weeks later! Was it possible to organise a luxury micro-wedding on the wild west coast in just eight weeks with zero stress? Absolutely!
While we fully understand that many couples need or want several months or even years to put together their dream day, Zahra & Angus proved that it’s perfectly possible to create wedding GOALS in a very short timescale, here’s how:
The Legal Stuff
In order to become legally married in Scotland, a couple must submit their paperwork to the Registry Office closest to their chosen venue/location a minimum of 29 days before the big day. Therefore, it’s completely possible to get married just four weeks after you’ve decided to get wed! Zahra & Angus simply printed off and filled in this form and that form and sent them to the lovely Registrar in Fort William, who prepared their Marriage Schedule for them with oodles of time to spare.
Time of Year
Okay, so last minute wedding planning becomes a lot trickier in high season, mainly due to those old chestnuts, supply and demand! Zahra & Angus would NEVER have been able to book Driftwood House from the spring onwards as it’s pretty much fully booked from March until the beginning of January. Therefore, why not consider saying “I do” out of season? Not only will couples get the pick of accommodation, which can ordinarily be booked up years in advance in the high season, there’ll also be massive financial savings to be made and it’s more likely that wedding suppliers will be available on your date. Oh, and what’s more beautiful than that glorious winter light casting its otherworldly glow across the Scottish wilds?! You can read all about this in our guide to the best season to elope here.
Shared Vision
Zahra & Angus were definitely singing from the same hymn sheet when it came to what they wanted from the big day. This REALLY helps! If a couple share the same vision then it’s really just a case of full steam ahead, no compromise.
Stylish AF!
Now, we understand that not everyone is blessed with the same level of style and panache as Zahra, but if you’re one of those lucky buggers with a natural flair for making EVERYTHING look completely fabulous, you will have no problem at all creating a truly memorable wedding.
Ask for Advice
99 percent of our couples come to the Highlands to marry from out-with the area so it’s completely understandable that they will have no idea where to start when it comes to choosing suppliers, accommodation and ceremony locations. So, don’t be shy, make like Zahra & Angus and just ask. Zahra & Angus had booked Driftwood House near Arisaig so with this information to hand, within about two minutes, we pointed them in the right direction for a brilliant local caterer (Claire Gunner), a fabulous florist (Serena at McDonald Bros) and a wondrous piper (Angus Binnie). You’ll be amazed at how many wedding suppliers are hiding in some of Scotland’s most quiet corners, so please just ask. The “middle of nowhere” nature of the Highlands doesn’t mean you can’t have everything you want on your big day.
While you’re here, why not check out Trevor’s blog from last year to get a photographer’s view of Zahra and Angus’ elopement on Arisaig Beach.
