ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PLANNING an Elopement in Scotland
My name is Lukas, I am an wedding and elopement photographer in Scotland. I created this wedding guide for all of you to give you a jumpstart when planning your elopement in Scotland.
Scotland is simply magical, from rugged mountains and breathtaking waterfalls, to deep lakes, mystical forests, and ancient castles, this country has it all!
There are so many things you need to know if you have never been there. Scroll down and learn everything about your future elopement in Scotland.
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO
ELOPE IN SCOTLAND?
There are many reasons why Scotland should be on the top of your list when it comes to elopement & wedding locations. The abundance of unique landscapes is only one of them.
Scotland is known for its heritage: you can find a lot of ancient castles and wedding venues that are filled with mystic tales, folklore, and legends.
Scotland offers you so many different jaw-dropping landscapes, from snowy mountains, beautiful lakes and little islands to rough cliffs and sandy beaches. But what are the best locations for an elopement in Scotland?
THE BEST WEDDING VENUES IN Scotland
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is home to an abundance of wildlife, historical monuments, woodlands, and rural activity. This stunning wedding location sits at the heart of the 42,000-acre MacLeod Estate on the Isle of Skye. It offers wedding couples a variety of indoor and outdoor areas.
You can book their Drawing Room, Main Entrance Hall, North Room, or Dining Room for your big day or enjoy your celebration at one of the estate's gardens. This venue caters to up to 65 people, which makes it a perfect elopement location.
If you would like to get more information about this breathtaking location, check out my Isle of Skye wedding guide.
WEDDING VENUE Scotland
Dunvegan Castle
ISle of Skye
If you are planning a romantic runaway wedding that is hidden in the Highlands, then the Kingshouse Hotel might be your perfect wedding venue.
Enjoy jaw-dropping
loch-side and mountainside views as well as locally sourced food. This location gives you panoramic views of the Glencoe valley and is a perfect starting point for an adventurous elopement hike to many lochs and mountain peaks.
You can get married at the Kingshouse hotel from October to March, which makes it a perfect winter wedding venue.
WEDDING VENUE Scotland
Kingshouse Hotel
Glencoe
Imagine getting married in the Pentland Hills and having your reception at the Secret Herb Garden.
The Secret Herb Garden is a stunning and unique wedding venue that gives you panoramic views of the rolling Pentland Hills.
You are surrounded by flowers and vines in the Glasshouse and can enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the garden.
WEDDING VENUE Scotland
Secret Herb Garden
Edingburgh
Two properties of the Stuckogowan Estates lie directly next to Loch Lomond and offer you a perfect location for getting ready on the day of your elopement.
When you are getting married at Lock Lomond you are surrounded my the most serene landscape you can imagine.
The calming water and the rough mountains provide a perfect backdrop for exchanging vows.
The family owned business offers you two five star locations for your stay at Loch Lomond. Enjoy the natural beauty of Scotland at this private location.
WEDDING VENUE Scotland
Stuckogowan Estates
loch lomond
The Famous Blacksmiths Shop is an historic house located in the heart of Gretna Green village. It is known for being a home of the anvil wedding and has been used for elopements since 1754.
This location is the first stop over the boarder for runaway lovers and thus soon became a symbol of enduring love and true romance.
If you are looking for a Scottish wedding venue with lots of history and tradition, then this venue might be just the right one for you. You can choose between three ceremony rooms and host ceremonies with up to 40 guests.
WEDDING VENUE Scotland
Famous Blacksmiths Shop
Gretna Green
The Skeabost Hotel gives you the hotel wedding you have been dreaming of. Located near the main town of Portree, this venue is perfect for exploring the island.
It features 18 bedrooms, 23 acres of woodland, situated on the edge of a loch, and offers views to the sea and crofting hamlets.
You can host a micro wedding as well as a full-scale wedding with up to 120 guests there.
If you would like to get more information about this breathtaking location, check out my Isle of Skye wedding guide.
WEDDING VENUE Scotland
Skeabost hotel
Isle of Skye
Torridon Estate is a breathtaking location that sits on the northern shores of upper Loch Torridon. The small village Torridon is surrounded by breathtaking hills, mountains and the tranquility of the water.
The property is one of the most beautiful locations and dramatic sceneries in Northern Europe and is perfect for those who seek tranquility, nature and privacy.
You can get ready in one of the rooms of the estate and walk to your ceremony site at Loch Torridon or at the mountains.
WEDDING VENUE Scotland
Torridon Estate
Torridon
Toravaig House is a small boutique hotel in an elevated position on the Sleat peninsula on the Isle of Skye.
You and your guests can enjoy views out across the Atlantic waters of the Sound of Sleat. This hotel is perfect for a small wedding or an elopement, as it can only accommodate up to 26 people.
The wild, breathtaking scenery is a perfect backdrop for your wedding.
If you would like to get more information about this breathtaking location, check out my Isle of Skye wedding guide.
WEDDING VENUE Scotland
Toravaig
Isle of Skye
What do you need to get married in Scotland?
Getting married in Scotland is pretty easy but there are some things you need to do
If you are from the U.S. you will need to look into getting a marriage visa.
Apply for a marriage visitor visa, and follow these steps:
Check if you need a visa (see here)
01
Prepare documents for evidence (see here)
02
Apply for a visa and book an appointment (see here)
03
Attend an appointment to prove your eligibility (see here)
04
05
Travel to the U.K. (see here)
And the most important thing that you need, would be a photographer that captures the beauty of your elopement in Scotland.
When is the best month TO GET MARRIED IN SCotland?
Summer
The beauty of warmer temperatures
Scotland has absolutely breathtaking locations for outdoor weddings, but the weather is usually temperamental at best.
Though you will have mild weather during summer, with late July as the warmest time of the year, it can still change without warning, and it can even snow during summer.
If your main focus is weather then late spring and summer are ideal in Scotland. Though hotel rates tend to be higher during these times too.
An outdoor location such as a garden next to a castle with indoor venues guarantees you a smooth wedding no matter what.
Winter
THE BEAUTY OF piercing temperatures
The temperature during winter is almost close to zero, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds.
The chances of rainy or snowy days are pretty high during winter.
January´s average wind speed of around 17.8 knots feels like a fresh breeze. The wind speed is at its highest during early December.
But if you are on a tight budget, rates during the wintertime are quite low. And the snow during winter gives you a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding pictures.
SPRING & AUTUMN
THE BEAUTY OF THE INBETWEEN
Tourism is relatively slow during these months due to cold and humid weather. If you would like to get married at these times, you will likely find them the least expensive months. In the fall prices become a bit more reasonable and the country's lush green landscapes change into rich autumn hues.
Spring usually feels moderately cold, and fall is quite chilly with lots of rain or snow. Temperatures rise in late spring and it can almost feel like summer. If you plan on having a cozy indoor wedding and looking for reasonably priced venues, then these seasons might be perfect for you.
Top wedding PLanners in Scotland
Wild Hearts Elopements
01
Emma and Laura are the founders of Wild Hearts Elopements, a wedding planning company in Scotland. They are specialized in organizing boutique, intimate and micro weddings in the most breathtaking locations Scotland has to offer. Emma and Laura love to assist you with your civil, religious, humanist or same-sex marriage in Scotland.
How much does it cost to get married in scotland?
One of the most asked questions by couples that are planning their wedding in Scotland is the costs!
There really is no honest answer to that as it also depends on what your wedding should look like?
The right question should be how much you really want to spend to make your wedding unforgettable.
No matter what your answer is, SCotland will make your wedding truly magical.
Ella Mai Elopement
02
Ella, the founder of Ella Mai Elopement, is an elopement wedding planner in Scotland and believes that every love story is unique. She focuses on creating unique elopements and experiences for couples and loves unconventional weddings. She will ensure that every detail of your wedding is perfect and approaches everything calmly.
Weddings by Sarah Jane
03
Sarah Jane and her company Weddings by Sarah Jane focuses on elopements and weddings in Scotland. Sarah and her team specialize in destination weddings for clients based overseas and even adapted their business hours to 10.30pm GMT two nights per week so that their clients can reach them easily regardless of their time zone. And they assist with your visa applications to assure stress free travels.
Matthew Oliver Weddings
Do you have questions about the costs for wedding photography?
04
Matthew and his wedding planning team at Matthew Oliver Weddings are specialized on international weddings in Europe. The U.K. based company has over ten years of experience in planning luxury weddings in the most breathtaking spots and their team loves to create something unique for you on your big day.
