Plan Your Elopement In Less Than Two Months: A Real Couple’s Story
When Hannah and Jon first approached me, little I knew we would have planned a micro-wedding together in less than 2 months! Hannah and Jon are an Australian-English couple who fell in love in England. They recently had a very beautiful baby, and it was really important to create a plan that would fit around his needs, all the while his beautiful mama could enjoy her day as a blushing bride.
Travelling from Cambridge, Hannah and Jon decided to elope to Scotland! Having visited Loch Lomond last year, they found Scotland to be the perfect scenario to elope with their baby and two friends. When they first got in touch, they told me three things:
They wanted to get married in a forest under some big trees
They were looking for a place that had nature, history, away from busy places, but close enough to all services for their little baby
I had a little over 6 weeks to make it all happen! And with Hannah being Australian, times were tight for the wedding papers.
Fortunately, I knew just the place…
With a little less than two months to make it all happen, the first priority was to find where to elope in Scotland exactly. I wanted to avoid overly popular places such as Glencoe, to keep the ceremony more private, and practical for the newly parents.
I knew about Lake of Menteith: the only lake of Scotland due to having been an attractive destination for English holiday makers in the past, who kept calling it “lake”, not “loch”. What’s more, in the centre of the lake sits a lovely little island, that of Inchmahome, where the priory for Augustinian canons was built around 1238.
Bingo! History, a quiet lake, nearby the lush Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, and with lovely views on Ben Lomond. This was also the time to find a celebrant that could perform a Humanist Ceremony, as per their wishes, and after a few chats over the phone, I brought Steven Sim into the team. He is a great speaker, and able to make your ceremony heartfelt and fun, plus he has a lovely Scottish accent that I think makes the whole experience even more real!
But… where could the ceremony be held?
Hannah and Jon trusted me in scouting the Forest Park nearby: their boots on the ground, I explored different areas until I found a lovely clearing among tall pine trees. When they got my photos and videos, they were awe-struck!
We saved the coordinates, and liaised with celebrant Steven so they could get their papers sorted on time. In the meantime, I connected them with my trusted vendors: Sunflower and the Bear for her dried flowers bouquet, Ezra’s confetti for biodegradable confetti packs, Wildflower Nanny for their childminder, and Hairstylist Lou at Simply Styles Hair studio. I love supporting local businesses and connecting them with couples who share their working style and ethic! It was an happy ... marriage.
But then, I got an unexpected message…
4 weeks before the wedding, plans changed.
Their plan had evolved, and their elopement had become a small wedding with 8 guests and their baby to take care for! They needed a place easy to walk to, in vicinity to services, but still quiet and beautiful.
Hannah and Jon felt dinner had to be a lovely, curated meal in a private room. We still had to choose an accommodation that could now host all 10 of them, plan activities, and choose wedding favours.
With 4 weeks left for planning, and a now tighter budget, I got in touch with the lovely teams at Lochend Chalets, who have wonderful and classy accommodation on the waterfront, and Nick’s at Port of Menteith, a fantastic, high-quality restaurant by chef Nick Nairn. They had been incredibly accommodating, allowing Hannah and Jon to plan their dinner in a private room and stay in a way that worked for them and their guests.
Finally, we got the green light from Historic Environmental Scotland to organise their “Just married” photoshoot at the priory on the island, and get a boat and historical tour of the priory!
On their wedding day, I got there first thing in the morning, making sure each supplier knew where to go and when. As much as possible, I like the bride not having to worry for anything. I handle all communications and coordinate the daily schedule, so that she can get ready peacefully and not worry about a thing.
Having a plan B in place for bad weather was a must- I got in touch with Blackbull Inn in Gartmore, close enough to the forest and noticeable for a lovely historical room that could have been used as a backup ceremony area, if needed. Hannah and Jon loved the idea of seeing this room so much they ended up spending a few night in the Inn too, as well as having an informal wedding lunch after their ceremony!
In the meantime, I started snapping some photos…
Luckily, the weather held up well, and Hannah and Jon had the most romantic ceremony in the forest, just as they wished.
The afternoon was dedicated to their historical visit to Inchmahome priory. Needless to say, they ran away as soon as they could to get some quiet time together and honour their elopement. We ended up with some incredible photos at sunset, and while everyone had some chill-out time (much needed after a busy day!) I headed to Nick’s restaurant to set up their dinner table. Hannah and I agreed on repurposing her bouquet as a center piece, and with a little expense at a local art shop, Amazon and Canva, we decorated the table with ribbons, placeholders, and meaningful wedding favours made by local artists.
Organising an elopement in less than 2 months is possible. Of course, the more you know the area, the suppliers available, and the legal process, the easier it will be to make it all happen. Plan logistics, locations, book photographer, celebrant, bagpiper, and all the elements that make your elopement unique.
Or, skip the stress and let me handle all that for you. I organise experience-led elopements in Scotland for couples seeking a memorable, wild outdoor wedding. As your specialised elopement photographer and planner, I offer story-led, romantic photos, full planning guidance, and a completely personalised package design. I can modify any elopement package to suit the vision and desires of each couple.
Expect bespoke planning, a seamless, stress-free experience, and post-celebration moments that lean into adventure. Whether you choose to elope to Glencoe or have a dramatic wedding on a wind-swept cliff, your wedding will be an intimate, unforgettable day. Consult my destinations page for information on elopements in Glencoe, Isle of Skye, and more.
Hello! I’m Isabella…
Elopement Photographer and Planner in Central Scotland
I am your specialised elopement photographer and planner based in Central Scotland. I love getting to know you and what inspires you. I work with you in crafting your bespoke wedding, handling the difficult parts so you can enjoy the day. As your photographer, I gently guide you through romantic posing, letting you focus on your intimate love while I quietly capture your love story.
I’ve been hiking the country high and low, scouting all the secret spots for epic elopements. In my free time, you will find me doing sports outdoors, or immersed in a romantasy book indoors. My love for romance and fantasy books has inspired me to become an elopement photographer, and I strive to recreate that feeling of enchantment and fervent love in my photographs.
