A Perfect Last Minute Two Days Elopement on the Isle of Skye, Scotland in February
HOW TO PLAN YOUR ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE ONLY IN 4 WEEKS FROM THE USA WITH MY HELP AND RECOMMENDATIONS?
MY NEW RECORD TIME FOR HELPING A COUPLE ELOPE IN SCOTLAND IS 4 WEEKS ONLY. SOPHIE AND MARCEL FROM NEW MEXICO, USA INQUIRED JUST AFTER NEW YEAR, WE JUMPED ON A ZOOM CALL, THEY BOOKED ME TO PLAN & DOCUMENT THEIR TWO DAYS ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE AND ONLY FOUR WEEKS LATER THEY WERE IN SCOTLAND GETTING MARRIED!
I`M AN ISLE OF SKYE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER & PART TIME TOUR GUIDE IN SCOTLAND WITH NEARLY 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS AND ISLES
“Thank you for helping make our elopement dreams come true - it was everything we could have hoped for to celebrate our love!”
ELOPE TO SKYE IS TRULY ONE OF THE MOST ADVENTUROUS, PERSONAL & MEANINGFUL WAYS TO GET MARRIED IN SCOTLAND
Where should I start? On the 4th of January 2022 Sophie inquired about their Scotland elopement in February - after she found me on the Instagram. They were hoping to have their elopement in just 4 weeks including an intimate ceremony on some epic spot with a humanist celebrant, but they were still unsure of the location. After a few conversations, ZOOM calls and my recommendations they decided to choose the Quiraing as the location of the ceremony on the first day of their two days Isle of Skye elopement experience.
When they arrived at Glasgow Airport unfortunately their two big suitcases didn't - including the wedding dress and outfit. Sophie and Marcel spent the first day shopping in the city and I recommended moving their elopement a day later as it suited better for weather conditions too. We managed to change the plan slightly with other vendors too and Sophie & Marcel approached Skye after a stay in Fort William and an adventurous drive through the Scottish Highlands .
On the next morning when we met at their luxury bothy, nature was raging with hail, extremely strong gusts up to 60mph. We started the day with a morning ceremony on the Quiraing then we discovered the North of Skye visiting various locations -like rocky beaches, waterfalls, lovely glens and ruins of an ancient castle- to take their elopement photos until sunset. After the first day full of adventure and outrageous weather I visited The Hungry Gull at Staffin and I had a great takeaway for dinner.
On the second day we went back to the snow covered Quiraing with Sophie and Marcel to witness the first sunrise as a wife and husband under the stormy black clouds with a heavy hail shower in the foreground. Then we followed our journey to the South of Skye and finished the two days adventure elopement experience at the Eilean Donan Castle. We did embrace the extreme weather conditions and they had an unforgettable two days elopement experience on the stormy Isle of Skye exactly four weeks after they first contacted me.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
“We met in college at the University of Pittsburgh. My friends and I were moving into the South Oakland house that Marcel and his friends were moving out of - so we bought some of their furniture and Marcel gave us a great deal :) a few months later we ran into each other at a bar (RIP Peter’s Pub) and a bit after that we started dating. Since then we’ve started our careers, moved to New Mexico, adopted a rez dog (Dante), and bought a house! Marcel proposed May 2021 at the bottom of a waterfall in Colorado. With COVID and everything going on - we decided on a last minute elopement (planned in January for the beginning of February!!) so we could get married and start our next chapter.”
How did you find your elopement photographer?
“I was browsing elopement photographers for inspiration and Weirdie Grizzly popped up on someone’s Instagram story. The drama, the wild scenery - all of it was breathtaking and perfect so we reached out to Laszlo. We were so fortunate that he was available at such short notice.”
How did you choose your shooting locations?
“We listened to Laszlo and his recommendations. He knows the Isle of Skye very well and since we eloped in the middle of winter, our initial choices weren’t feasible due to the gales, rain, and snow. We had a great time anyways and were able to explore most of Skye while celebrating our love!”
What was the inspiration behind your elopement photo session?
“We wanted our ceremony and elopement to be intimate and somewhere out in the wilderness surrounded by the beauty of nature. Once we started looking into Scotland and the Isle of Skye - we realized it would be perfect for our marriage. It was even better because it was winter, the lighting was great, and there was barely anyone around!”
What was your favourite moment from your elopement day(s)?
“The entire experience was surreal and perfect despite the crazy weather! We spent two days snuggling, enjoying each other’s company, and adventuring - which we hope to continue throughout the rest of our years. Just a few of the many notable moments - the crazy winds at the castle ruins that almost blew us away, waiting for the storm to pass at the rocky overhang on the beach while we drank whiskey out of our quaich, having a rushing waterfall all to ourselves, exploring the Fairy Glen, and going to the Quiraing for a second time on day 2 and finding it blanketed with snow (and then getting pelted by hail!).”
Do you have any advice for other couples?
“Enjoy every moment. Stay flexible with the crazy Scottish weather. Bring snacks. Listen to Laszlo :)”
Vendors and details
Humanist, celebrant: Ashton Easter
Hair and makeup: by Sophie the bride
Bouquet and buttonhole: Sunflower & The Bear
Footwear: Kodiak boots
Accommodation: Bealach Uige Bothy Luxury Modern Self Catering
Photographer: Weirdie Grizzly - Scotland Elopement Photographer and guide
