Scotland Elopement Guide

ElopementsResources
Written By Kaitlyn Hill

Okay, you’re ready to elope in Scotland. Now what? Scotland is one the best places to have an incredible elopement experience. Between the Highlands, unique culture, castles, and moody scenery, it’s easy to understand why this place attracts those that have fallen in love with fairytales. Scotland is for you if you want to incorporate nature, exploration, and moody aesthetic into your elopement! The best part is that the process isn’t as intimidating as it may seem - I got you boo!

Keep reading for details and ideas on how to plan your elopement in Scotland!

STEPS TO ELOPE IN SCOTLAND

1.Hire your elopement photographer

Consider this an unofficial step to elope in Scotland. You don’t need to hire your photographer first, but I recommend doing so because they’ll know how to choose a location based on your wants and needs, how to create a timeline, plan the logistics for you, and more.

2. Choose your date & location

When choosing your date keep in mind:

  • Season

  • Dates with meaning

  • Weekdays (more privacy & more vendor availability)

  • Photographer’s availability (if you’re set on hiring a specific photographer)

When choosing your location keep in mind:

  • Season

  • Scenery & landscape you picture in your elopement vision

  • Privacy

  • Accessibility

3. Make it legal

The legal documents you’ll need to legally elope in Scotland:

  • Marriage Notice Form (M10)

  • Marriage Visitor VISA

  • Marriage Schedule

  • Celebrant & Witness Form

You’ll also need:

  • Celebrant

  • 2 witnesses

What you might need:

  • CONI - Certificate of No Impediment

  • Declaration of Immigration

  • Birth/adoption certificate

  • Evidence of residency

  • Valid passport

  • Decree of divorce/dissolution/death certificate

4. Timeline

Timelines are useful to ensure you do everything you want to do for your elopement. If you hire a professional elopement photographer, they’ll likely create the timeline for you and keep track of it throughout the day so you don’t have to.

5. Book vendors, travel & accommodation

Once you know when and where you’re eloping to and have the documents in order, it’s time to start booking everything else.

With the Wedding Boom happening, it’s best to get your vendors booked asap to avoid scrambling closer to your date or missing out on the vendors you really want to work with.

6. Wedding attire

Eloping doesn’t mean you have to skimp on your wedding attire. Wear the dress or suit of your dreams! Your photographer will help you with the logistics of hiking in your wedding attire.

7. Elope

Have the most intimate adventure of your life!

GENERAL ELOPEMENT TIPS

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Between unpredictable weather, wardrobe malfunctions, delayed flights, and more you need to expect the unexpected. No matter how many details you plan for your elopement, some things aren’t predictable.

However, hiring a professional elopement photographer who is an expert in your location will know what to do if something unexpected comes up.

PREPARE FOR COLD & RAIN

Scotland is famous for experiencing all four seasons in the same day. Dress in layers to keep yourself warm and dry.

HOW TO LEGALLY ELOPE IN SCOTLAND

Getting married legally in Scotland does involve a bit of paperwork, but it’s not as daunting as it may appear! Here’s an abbreviated step-by-step guide:

  1. Choose a location

  2. Apply for your Marriage Visitor VISA

  3. Marriage Notice Form (M10)

  4. Receive Marriage Schedule

  5. Elope

Check out my full Elope in Scotland legally guide HERE.

WHEN TO ELOPE IN SCOTLAND

There’s really no wrong season to elope in Scotland. It all depends on what you want and what your vision is. To help you narrow down your date, here are a few things to think about with each season: 

SUMMER (JULY TO AUGUST)

  • Busiest time of year

  • Everything is green

  • More midges

  • Heather blooms late summer/early autumn

AUTUMN (SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER)

  • Quieter

  • Heather blooms late summer/early autumn

  • Landscape is moody with reds and orange colours

WINTER (NOVEMBER TO APRIL)

  • Many ferries may be closed

  • Cold

  • Many attractions may be closed or have reduced hours

  • Mountains will see snow

  • Quietest time of year

SPRING (MAY TO JUNE)

  • Quieter

  • Daffodils everywhere

  • Best for finding puffins

  • Heather blooms early spring

BUSY VS. QUIET SEASONS

Scotland’s busy season coincides with the warmest months - July and August. It’s also fairly busy in June and September, but not as busy as summer. During the busy season is when it’ll be harder to find privacy at popular locations.

The quieter season in Scotland is generally from October to May. It’ll be easier to find privacy during this time but many services and tourist locations will be closed or running at reduced hours.

TEMPERATURE

It’s a good idea to understand the average temperatures for the season you’re planning to elope. Although Scotland has mild temperatures, it’s colder than what you’ll experience in the rest of the UK. Keep in mind that you can experience all four seasons in one day regardless of what month you’re visiting.

Check out Travel Online for average temperatures and rainfall in each month.

WEEKDAY

Weekday elopements are THE BOMB! There are no negatives to opting to elope on a weekday rather than on the weekend. Here are a few perks:

  • More privacy

  • More vendor availability

  • Have the weekend to celebrate a mini-moon as newlyweds before heading home

SUNRISE VS. SUNSET

I encourage all my couples to consider sunrise or sunset for their ceremony and/or portraits. This is because the lighting is the most flattering and beautiful at these times. Another bonus is that you’ll usually have the location all to yourself! Trust me, waking up early or staying up later is so so worth it when you elope in Scotland!

Here are the biggest differences between sunrise and sunset:

SUNRISE

  • Higher chance of getting the misty fog look

  • Locations are very quiet

  • Won’t run out of light

SUNSET

  • Warmer

  • Locations are quieter than midday

  • Might run out of light

  • Get to sleep in

Both sunrise and sunset offer magical lighting and moments. No matter which one you choose to incorporate, you can’t go wrong!

PRO TIP

If you don’t like getting up early or staying up late, but still want to incorporate sunrise/sunset, elope in spring, autumn, or winter when sunrise/sunset times are at a more reasonable time.

SAMPLE TIMELINES

Please keep in mind that your timeline will be very dependent on location, number of locations, how much of your day you’d like photographed, included activities, and guests.

4 HOUR 1 LOCATION

5:15am - meet at glen

5:30am - start sunrise photos

7:30am - watch the sunrise while enjoying coffee & pastries

8:00am - ceremony

8:30am - finish portraits

9:15am - photo coverage wraps up

Based on Sept. @ Fairy Glen

8 HOUR 2 LOCATION

3:30am - meet at trailhead and start hike

5:00am - start sunrise photos

7:00am - ceremony

7:30am - newly wed portraits & hike back down

9:00am - drive to beach

9:30am - enjoy coffee & pastries on beach

10:30am - portraits on beach 

11:30pm - photo coverage wraps up

Based on May @ Quiraing & An Corran Beach

10 HOUR EVERYTHING PHOTOGRAPHED

1:30pm - getting ready photos

2:30pm - drive to hike

3:00pm - start hike

4:30pm - portraits & explore

6:30pm - picnic

7:30pm - ceremony

8:00pm - start sunset photos

10:00pm - start descent

11:30pm - photo coverage wraps up

Based on May @ Old Man Storr

WHERE TO ELOPE

GENERAL LOCATIONS

These general Scotland elopement locations have hundreds of specific locations for your elopement. These are great locations to start your search.

ACCESSIBLE LOCATIONS

These locations are great for couples who don’t want to hike, have mobility concerns, or want to visit multiple locations on the same day.

HIKING LOCATIONS

The locations are perfect for the couples who want to hike and explore the local landscape. 

CASTLE LOCATIONS

Some castles are available to the public at no fee, some are fully restricted, and others are available to rent for your elopement. Let me know what kind of castle experience you want for your elopement and I’ll point you in the right direction!

WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR SCOTTISH ELOPEMENT

Scotland elopements are known for experiencing all four seasons in one day whether it’s June, September, or January. The best tip is to embrace it! It’s part of the adventure. 

But to help make it a bit more comfortable, don’t forget to pack:

  • Waterproof shoes/hiking boots

  • Leggings and undershirt under wedding attire

  • Rain jacket or umbrellas

  • Warm jacket

  • Wool socks

If you’re interested in something more photogenic, consider getting a wool tartan! The Tartan Blanket Co. has beautiful recycled tartans that are warm and beautiful.

WHAT TO DO FOR YOUR SCOTLAND ELOPEMENT

The best part about eloping is being able to do whatever you want! There’s no cookie-cutter formula or expectations like a traditional wedding. But with all this freedom it can feel overwhelming. Here are a few ideas that are perfect for your Scotland elopement:

HIKE

Hiking is one of the most adventurous activities for your elopement in Scotland! There are so many incredible hikes through the Highlands that will make you feel like you’re the only two people left in the world. 

EXPLORE

Since Scotland is a smaller country, it’s easy to fit multiple locations into your full day elopement. Spend the day exploring ruins, beautiful landscapes, and great places to eat!

DISTILLERY/BREWERY

Scotland has many breweries and whisky distilleries. Tour one for your elopement to learn about the creation process and history of your favourite scotch or beer! Some locations even have kitchens where you can stop for one of your elopement meals!

CASTLE TOUR

A castle tour is the best activity for couples who want a full on castle fairytale for their Scotland elopement. Some castles even have options to rent spaces for your elopement ceremony!

DINNER

Scotland has some of the most incredible chefs and restaurants. With excellent gourmet food at your fingertips, be sure to have a beautiful and special celebratory dinner.

PICNIC

Picnics are a fun activity to incorporate into your Scotland elopement - especially when hiking! The weather may make it challenging, but with a bit of flexibility, it’ll be an incredible experience sharing coffee and pastries in the Highlands.

WHO TO INVITE

Most elopements are just the couple and maybe a couple of guests. From my experience, I don’t recommend inviting more than 15 guests as this is when it starts to become more like a traditional wedding.

Here are a few things to think about when deciding who to invite:

  • Is there anybody I always pictured by my side when I say my vows?

  • Are there any weird family or friend dynamics that will cause stress and drama?

  • Will I feel the need to entertain if we invite people?

  • Do we want it to be just us?

Remember, no one has a right to be at your wedding. If you want to elope just you two, do it! Don’t allow others to make you feel bad for doing what feels right.
Check out my 5 ways to announce your elopement guide HERE.

WHY YOU SHOULD ELOPE IN SCOTLAND

  • Because it’s awesome!!!

  • There’s so many unique adventures to have

  • You can legally marry anywhere outside

  • To connect with nature

  • Get epic views and landscapes in your photos

  • Because you’re going on an adventure!!!!

Kaitlyn Hill
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