I first met Michelle at her brother’s wedding, way back in 2014… and it was a particularly special occasion as it was my first ever wedding! Of course when she and Robert booked me for their original plans for a 2020 wedding in a Scottish Castle I was totally delighted, but pandemic postponements caused havoc for their original venue causing them to postpone their wedding indefinitely, until one day Michelle called me to see if I was still free on their date because they were planning to elope in secret in just five weeks time… Of course I said yes (cancelling our own appointment to give our notice of marriage!!!) to make sure I could be there and boy and I glad I did. We needn’t have worried about inclement Scottish weather as Mother Nature threw us a heatwave, which meant their gorgeous, personalised ceremony took place at An Ceann Mor – the Inveruglas Pyramid – with a back drop of clear blue skies. So buckle up, you’re in for Scottish wedding treat; I’m so excited to share their Loch Lomond Elopement with you.

How did you meet?

We first met at a mutual friends 21st birthday party, it was a fancy dress party. I was dressed as a 118 man and Robert was dressed as an inflatable penis.

Tell me your proposal story

Robert proposed on the edge of Loch Lomond, at a special secluded spot we have previously found whilst exploring.

The day before we had climbed Ben Lomond and that day we were out all day visiting different waterfalls around the Loch, my feet were killing and I was not up for anymore walking. Robert dragged me reluctantly to our spot, I moaned the whole way. Once we climbed down to our spot, he had our song playing from a speaker he had hidden in his pocket and he got down on 1 knee and asked me to marry him – the ring box was empty and when I said this to him all the colour drained from him, he has opened the box upside down. He was frantically searching and thankfully found the ring about a foot away from falling in the Loch!

Why did you choose a Loch Lomond elopement for your wedding day?

Our day was 3rd time lucky!

Our original venue, Boturich Castle on the banks of Loch Lomond sadly stopped doing weddings during covid so we were left with no plans and the disappointment of not getting married at the place of our dreams. Six weeks before our wedding I decided to look online at what our options were, I learned that you can legally marry anywhere in Scotland and could therefore be outside, and thats when I thought let’s get married right on the side of the Loch. I spent the day searching options and I can across An Ceann Mòr, a Pyramid monument overlooking the Loch, I loved it immediately! I contacted the National Park to ask permission to hold the ceremony there, they said it was fine as long as we understood it could not be closed off to the public (this is actually an option, however they need a lot more notice). We were so lucky that on the day we had the place completely to ourselves.

What was it you loved about your outfits and accessories that made you choose them?

My dress was simple satin and I absolutely loved it. It was what I had imagined in my head before I went shopping and when I tried it on it felt perfect. I had a beautiful bracelet my bridal party got me with my mums handwriting on- unfortunately she had passed away when I was young so being able to wear that on the day was very special. (Bracelet was from inscripture.com)

Tell me about the vision you had for your wedding including your theme/colour scheme/styling/flowers

My vision of our day changed drastically, from a large traditional Scottish castle wedding with 120+ guests to an imtimate Loch Lomond elopment with 24 guests. My final vision was simple, us, our family and closest friends and the Loch. The beautiful scenery was all we needed to make the day perfect. It also helped that the sun was shining!

What was your first dance and why did you choose it?

Out first dance was Paolo Nutini Better Man. We have both also loved Paolo’s music but I hadn’t actually heard this song until Robert told me about it. We had originally planned to have an Elvis song but Robert heard Better Man and said it made him think of me, when I heard the words I fell in love with it straight away.

What were the most wonderful parts of the day for you?

This is a hard one! I think the moment I walked down the aisle to Robert and seen the stunning views of Loch Lomond in front of us. Although I had fallen in love with the spot online in picture, seeing it in person with the sun shining was something else. And seeing Robert stood there waiting for me, after the long wait we had, I was just filled with so much excitement and happiness. I was scared of being an emotional mess on my wedding day but I was just so excited to finally be doing it and in the way we chose was absolutely perfect. I loved getting our wedding photos taken after the ceremony at our favourite spot, Firkin Point. It was lovely to get to spend time just Robert and I. That spot means so much to us, so to be able to get pictures there to treasure meant a lot.

I also loved that having a small, intimate wedding allowed us to spend quality time with the people closest to us. We didn’t have to worry about mingling, we could drink, dance and enjoy quality moment with each guest. I wouldn’t have changed it for the world, it was perfect.

AN ELOPEMENT AT THE INVERUGLAS PYRAMID

Why did you choose Hannah Hall Photography as your photographer, and what was your experience of your photography on the day?

Because I knew how lovely Hannah was after meeting her at her very first wedding (my brother’s) I followed her on social media and seen how amazing her work was. I loved how natural her pictures are and that’s what me and Robert both wanted. Hannah had said how much she wanted to do a wedding in Scotland and there is no one else I would have wanted.

What would be your best bit of advice to other couples planning their wedding?

 I would have to say keep it small. Our original wedding went from 80 – 120+ guests as we couldn’t draw the line. Then covid happened and it wasn’t a possibility. By having only 24 people, we were able to actually spend the day together and also quality time with each guest. It was less stress, less money but definitely no less amazing.

Elopement photography at Firkin Point

How to plan Loch Lomond Elopement

♥ Use the Humanist Society Scotland to find a wedding celebrant. Michelle and Robert used Ellen Gibson.

♥ You’ll need to be a member of the Humanist Society Scotland; this is included when you book your wedding celebrant.

♥ Contact Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park to ask for permission to hold your wedding ceremony at your chosen location.

♥ Be sure the plan more than eight week’s ahead if you would like your chosen wedding or elopement location closed to the public.

♥ Get planning and of course, don’t forget to book your wedding photographer.

Michelle + Robert’s Loch Lomond Elopement happened with the help of the following suppliers…

Hair Heather Robertson / MUA Carol Mcluckie / Dress Gowns & Garters, Thrapson / Bridesmaids Victoria Lou Bridal

Grooms Hire Warwicks, Wellingborough / Accomodation Bonnie Banks / Videographer Leven Films

Massive shout out to my favourite wingman and second shooter, Rhys Beddoe.

Are you planning to elope to Scotland for your wedding?

Get in touch!