MY GUIDE ON HOW TO ELOPE IN SCOTLAND
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GET ELOPED IN SCOTALND
Hi there! I'm Laszlo, aka Weirdie Grizzly.
I specialize in helping all the beautiful people from around the world elope in Scotland. If you want timeless photos, a lifetime intimate Scottish wedding experience and no stress at all, then you are in the right place!
I am a full-time Scotland Elopement Photographer, Planner and Guide in Scotland - Documenting intimate weddings on the Isle of Skye, Scottish Highlands, Glen Coe, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Cairngorms and Torridon - To name the most popular locations in Scotland.
After photographing many elopements in Scotland, I made a guide to help you get married on the hillside of the Isle of Skye, on the endless white beaches of the Outer Hebrides, in the peaceful forest, next to a calm loch or a running river in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, in the evergreen pine forest of Cairngorms National Park, or somewhere in the remote location of Torridon.
THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS AND THE ISLE OF SKYE HAVE THE MOST UNIQUE LANDSCAPES IN THE UK
Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, according to millions of people who have already visited. The Scottish Highlands, with its diverse scenery, is a perfect destination for elopement and the wedding of adventurous couples with love and fire in their hearts.
The breathtaking glens, the mysterious deep lochs, the cold and fast rivers, the iconic mountains, endless white beaches and the rough peaty hillsides are all trademarks of Scotland that you can not find anywhere else.
The Isle of Skye is my awesome couples' favourite destination on their elopement day, but Glen Coe … is my eternal love with its dramatic scenery and history.
HOW TO START PLANNING YOUR SCOTLAND ELOPEMENT EXPERINCE FROM ABROAD?
How and where in Scotland can we legally marry?
All you need to marry in Scotland legally is a marriage schedule, a celebrant, and two witnesses. In case you do not have your witnesses, my partner and I have witnessed intimate elopements. People who are not from the UK are also able to marry in Scotland, but you may have to apply for a marriage visitor visa. Please check further information here.
You can get married basically anywhere in Scotland if you get a registered celebrant officiating your ceremony. Remember that the turnaround between applying to marry and getting hitched is around 30 days. The Marriage Schedule is granted by the registrar local to your wedding location and can be collected in person up to seven days before the big day. You can find more information and download a Marriage Notice form here.
How do we find our humanist for our elopement?
Depending on your preferences, you can choose either Religious, Registrar or Humanist for your Scottish elopement. You can contact the local registry office nearest your desired location for a Registrar wedding. Please see the list of Registry Offices at this link . Church of Scotland ceremonies can usually be held in most places with approval from the church by a minister. Humanist ceremonies can be one of the best ways to tie the knot when you elope to Scotland. They can be personally tailored to your ceremony and offer many traditional gestures like hand-fasting or drinking from a Quaich. I've worked with many amazing humanists over the years and can recommend some for you. You can find your perfect humanist on the following websites - Humanist Association Scotland - Humanist Society Scotland
Where should we choose a location for our Scottish elopement?
One of the best things about Scottish elopement is that you can legally get married pretty much anywhere in Scotland! On top of a mountain, on the shore of a calm loch, in an accident rain forest of the Scottish Highlands, on the endless white sand beaches, anywhere is possible.
Here are some of my favourite locations: Isle of Skye, Glen Coe & Glen Etive, Loch Lomond, and Trossachs National Park. The Outer Hebrides are still on my bucket list.
BEST SEASON AND TIME TO ELOPE IN SCOTLAND
What is the best time - the season for an elopement and adventure couple session in Scotland?
In my opinion, the best months - to elope in Scotland - are February to May and September to December, but the Scottish highlands and isles will be magical all year round, whatever the weather is
Spring (March, April and May)
It's a quiet time of year to elope in Scotland before the busy tourist season starts, and you can book your lovely accommodation. The days are still shorter, and we can easily take your beautiful photos in the golden light of sunset in the afternoon. The early spring days can still be a bit cold and wet, with plenty of snow on top of the mountains. This time of year, Scotland can show you four seasons in a day.
Summer (June, July and August)
Summer is the most popular and busiest time in Scotland. The days are warm and long; the tourist season is at its peak, and it is harder to book the right accommodation. During the summer days, some locations - like Glen Coe and the famous spots of Isle of Skye - are overwhelming, and it is hard to avoid the horde of tourists and midges. :) The Scottish Highlands is blooming in a million tones of green, but the light -the most crucial element in photography- is very strong during the day. This is why I highly recommend quieter morning and evening times for your relaxed elopement or photo session with beautiful summer lights.
Autumn (September, October and November)
Autumn is my absolute favourite time for elopement photography. The Scottish Highlands have become a picturesque elopement location with their brown, gold, orange, claret, and less green landscape colours. The most popular and busy locations have fewer tourists as the season slowly ends. It is a great time to experience the landscape more or less alone. The light on a clear day in autumn is absolutely spectacular and creates beautiful images. The early autumn days can still be nice and warm. The days can be wet from mid-October, and the first snow arrives around November on top of the mountains. Again, this time of the year, Scotland can show you four seasons in a day.
Winter (December, January and February)
The Scottish Highlands have a fantastic charm and vibe in winter when snow covers most of the landscape. I love this time to hike and work on really slowed-down and intimate elopements. Winter days are colder and shorter, and the tourist season is extremely quiet this time of year in Scotland. Even at the most popular locations — like Glen Coe and Isle of Skye — you can enjoy the view of landscapes by yourself.
What should we wear on our Scottish highlands elopement day?
The Scottish weather can change dramatically and fast all year round to show the different faces of the Scottish Highlands.
The best advice for my couples is to not worry much about the weather. Enjoy your elopement experience, as the Scottish Highlands will be magical, whatever the weather is. As your elopement photogrpaher and guide, I highly recommend waterproof (hiking) boots for my couples all year round - especially for winter elopements - for the best grip on the various terrain of the Scottish Highlands and for your safety. I also recommend a warm top layer over your dress and suit / kilt during hiking or walking between shooting locations in the spring, autumn and winter. Also, I have water and windproof jackets for my couples, which are handy kits all year round.
Hiking boots are essential piece of kit for your Scottish Highlands elopement day
How can we organize our whole Scottish highlands elopement planning from abroad?
Organizing your elopement from abroad can be challenging, but I will be here to support and help you with your dream elopement day planning. I can also help you out by recommending many other suppliers, like videographers, florists, and makeup artists. When you consider eloping in Scotland, choose weekdays as vendors are usually busy with local weddings. My best tip is that the earlier you book your vendors and accommodation, the better — especially for summer elopements.
Timeless Elopement Photography in Scotland - Isle of Skye - Glen Coe - the Cairngorms or the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Asynt, Torridon ... Anywhere in Scotland.
