We gathered beneath the shelter of the pines in Abernethy Forest as Storm Babet swept across Scotland. Wren’s welcome to the world and naming ceremony was possibly the rainiest ceremony I’ve had the honour to lead in all my years of celebranting. The rain only added to the fun for this small but mighty little one as she splashed about us in her wellie boots and rainsuit, enjoying the puddles.
“Wren’s Naming Day is about bringing everyone we love together in one place so that we can all celebrate her arrival and share in her joy.”
It is said that rain brings good fortune and the blessings given to Wren by her close family and guide parents were at the heart of her celebration. Absent loved ones were honoured at the start of the ceremony with special mention to Pa, Wren’s great grandpa, whose camera was used to capture memories for everyone present.
“Wren’s parents had been looking for a place they could call their own, a place in nature where they could find their own church, to celebrate and honour Wren. They both feel that this woodland in the heart of Scotland, encircled by misty mountains and beautiful lochs with its magical, storybook feel, is perfect for celebrating Wren, their wild and windswept daughter.”
A mixed faith gathering, we began the ceremony with a family reading of a prayer. Then we all paused for a moment of peaceful reflection, passing a blessings jar around the gathering. Everyone was invited, as they held the jar, to imbue in it any well-wishing thoughts or silent prayers that they had for Wren.
Beth Sutton Photography
We shared stories of Wren’s wild-spirited character: how she is such a happy, positive, bubbly child with a cackle that makes you laugh and stories that make you smile; how she is a lover of stones and singing, colouring and rainbows.
We heard that Wren’s parents named her in honour of her much-loved great grandmother, and her great great grandmothers, who were named after, and loved, birds. After all, wrens are small, cheerful and loud, which entirely suits their little one.
It felt important to Wren’s mum to include some ‘witchy’ practices in Wren’s ceremony, as she has long taken comfort from Wiccan practices. Wren’s parents welcomed her to the world with a blessings ritual. They gifted Wren her blessings jar filled with items that symbolise love, courage, creativity and confidence.
May the strength of the wind and the light of the sun,
The softness of the rain and the mystery of the moon
Reach you and fill you.
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfil you and love surround you,
May your step be ready and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live,
May you seek to love, and may you love always.
Welcome to the world, Wren!
We combined two beautiful Celtic traditions: a Handfasting to symbolise love, loyalty and connection, and the tying of a Cloot to make a wish or send a prayer or blessing to the individual or family being honoured.
Wren’s dear family and friends were invited to make a beautiful dream catcher for Wren as a symbolic keepsake, to create something protective, nurturing and beautiful that Wren can hang in her bedroom window.
“Over time, as the wind blows and Wren sleeps and plays beneath her dreamcatcher, all your good wishes will be released and carried into the world. And, when each Cloot eventually frays to nothing, that marks the fulfilment of each wish.”
Wren’s guide parents each gifted her a pebble (Wren loves pebbles!) as they made their life promises to Wren to protect and nurture her.
We closed the ceremony with a Quaich ritual. This was made all the more special for the Celtic blessing toast being shared by Wren’s granddad who was braving the elements alongside us all despite his ailing health.
Everyone took a warming sip of whisky and we all cheered Wren’s future as the wind whipped about us and the rain splashed down.
We all agreed that Wren’s celebration was the perfect way to honour this most wild-spirited, curious and joyful of beings. It was an absolute joy to share time with Wren and her family and I wish her all the wonder and magic for the future.
Thank you to Holly and Ciaran, Wren’s parents, for sharing these gorgeous details of Wren’s day with us all. Thank you to Beth Sutton Photography for the sweet photographs.
Sanju and Ruaridh first met on the famous ‘white coat pub crawl’ in their first week of Edinburgh University where they were both studying to be doctors. There were about 140 trainee medics, all wearing their white coats, and all touring the pubs of Edinburgh en masse. Apparently the medical school lecturers told the students at the time that a proportion of them would meet their future partners within that group. And, well, seven years later, we were all honoured and delighted to be celebrating Sanju and Ruaridh’s marriage in a gorgeously heartfelt and humorous ceremony at Carlowrie Castle near Edinburgh.
The weeks preceding Ruaridh and Sanju’s wedding were ones of wild storms and heavy rainfall. For a while, it was touch and go whether Sanju’s family, many of whom were travelling from India, would be able to make the journey. A blessing then, that on the day itself the skies cleared and the sun shone, and despite the road to the castle being flooded in parts, every one of their friends and family were able to celebrate with them.
As Agnostic Scotland Marriage Celebrants, our role is to create and hold a shared space for a couple and their family and friends. An Agnostic ceremony is open-minded, inclusive and respectful of the shared and varied beliefs of everyone gathered. For Sanju and Ruaridh, this was especially important to them, given Ruaridh’s Scottish heritage and Sanju’s Indian heritage. Their wish was to make their life promises to each other in a shared ceremony that reflected and respected the values, traditions, and culture handed down by their previous generations. Like their marriage, Ruaridh and Sanju’s ceremony was a beautiful blend of two individuals, two cultures and two communities.
The ceremony began with Sanju’s parents, Cynthia and Vijay, accompanying her down the wedding aisle in a gesture of love and support.
After welcoming everyone into the gathering, we paused for a peaceful moment to reflect on the dear, absent loved ones who Sanju and Ruaridh were choosing to hold in their thoughts and hearts. Then Sanju’s brother, Sanjay, and Ruaridh’s brother, Aidan, lifted everyone’s spirits with an excellent rendition of one of Sanju and Ruaridh’s favourite comics.
Calvin: What’s it like to fall in love?
Hobbes: Well… say the object of your affection walks by…
Calvin: Yeah?
Hobbes: First, your heart falls into your stomach and splashes your innards. All the moisture makes you sweat profusely. This condensation shorts the circuits to your brain and you get all woozy. When your brain burns out altogether, your mouth disengages and you babble like a cretin until she leaves.
Calvin: THAT’S LOVE?!?
Hobbes: Medically speaking.
Calvin: Heck, that happened to me once, but I figured it was cooties!
An extract from Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
I shared the story of how Ruaridh and Sanju found each other: how Sanju thought of Ruaridh as a nice boy who was both very tall and very Scottish with his bright red hair and distinctive accent; and how Ruaridh thought of Sanju as the very pretty girl who he was far too nervous to talk to. We heard how Ruaridh totally stole the show for Sanju in the fourth year medics comedy show and how, a few months later, when Sanju was sitting in the computer lab pretending to work – when actually she was watching Buffy on her iPad and flicking through the online dating app, Tinder – she realised that she had been matched with Ruaridh. Of course, she swiped right …
Derek Christie Photography
We reflected on times Sanju and Ruaridh had shared, adventures they had enjoyed and all that they had supported each other through. With their permission, I revealed some secret thoughts that Ruaridh and Sanju had written for each other – the sweet, poignant and hilarious – about their love and connection.
We paused for a moment of peaceful reflection during which time, Sanju and Ruaridh prepared for their vows and their friends and family were invited to say a silent prayer or send a well-wishing thought or blessing to them both.
Ruaridh and Sanju read their vows from scrolls, speaking personal words to each other, reflecting on the many ways that they continue to enrich each other’s lives and their hopes and dreams for the future. They gifted each other a ring with the words “You’ll do!” inscribed on the inside of each band (a longstanding joke between the two of them).
Derek Christie Photography
I have the joy of being with someone who makes every day special, makes the boring things fun and who picks me up when I am not at my best. Every day I am thankful for your kindness, your love and, yes, your patience. I feel so fortunate to know that I am with someone who I can rely on to stand by me in any situation and who pushes me to be the best I can be.
I love you so much and if you give me the chance I will spend the rest of my life making you feel as special as you make me feel.
Ruaridh and Sanju
I vow to be faithful and show up for you every day. I vow to appreciate you, our relationship, and be grateful for the wonderful memories we have made and those that we have to come. I promise to stand by you when times are difficult and life throws us challenges. I promise to try and make you laugh, because moments of happiness and joy can be found even in the darkest of days. Whether that is on purpose or because of my constant clumsiness I can’t say.
Finally… I promise to never take you for granted.
Sanju and Ruaridh
In honour of the Indian tradition, Sanju and Ruaridh gifted each other a garland as a symbol of their acceptance of each other in life and love.
They sealed their Marriage Vows with a Celtic Handfasting with two scarves; one representing Ruaridh and his family, and one symbolising Sanju and her family.
Derek Christie Photography
While we signed the Marriage Schedule – that little piece of paper that says ‘I love you’- Ruaridh’s father, Andrew, said a few words for the newlyweds then played wonderful music with Aisling and Caitlin, Ruaridh’s cousins.
We closed the ceremony with a reading about love and a Quaich ritual: Ruaridh and Sanju both declaring the honesty and trust in their relationship by sharing a sip of whisky from their wedding Quaich.
It was an absolute joy to lead Ruaridh and Sanju’s ceremony. Their ceremony captures everything I value about being an Agnostic Scotland celebrant; creating a ceremony that reflects the personalities, values, shared beliefs and customs of the people involved; bringing people together in a way that feels right and meaningful for everyone.
I was so happy that, after the ceremony, Sanju and Ruaridh’s parents each gave me a tearful hug and expressed their happiness at having been part of such a warm, inclusive ceremony. I couldn’t agree more … it was an absolute joy to be a part of Ruaridh and Sanju’s beautiful, effervescent day and I’m over the moon for them both.
Thank you so much, Ruaridh and Sanju, for sharing these sweet details with us all. We wish you a thousand blessings in your lives together.
Thank you to fabulous photographer and all-round lovely person, Derek Christie, for sharing these stunning photos.
Happy New Year, Everyone! I hope this year brings you wonderful times. I’m excited to bring in the new year with a beautiful blog showcasing some of the places close to where I live in Wester Ross.
A wild wedding isn’t for everyone but if you are planning an outdoor ceremony in the Scottish Highlands, somewhere away from the beaten track, then Wester Ross is an ideal location.
This remote northwestern corner of the Highlands boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland and is far less busy in peak season than the usual ‘go-to’ Scottish elopement destinations such as Glencoe and Skye. From sandy beaches and ancient forests to dramatic sea lochs and mountain ranges, there are many beautiful and secluded places that are perfect for an outdoor wedding.
Can I legally get married anywhere in Scotland?
In Scotland, it is possible to make your legally binding Marriage vows to one another in any location – even if that location is simply a sat nav reference. Provided you have the landowners permission in areas where it is required, this means the entire landscape opens up to you.
For those who prefer an accessible spot, you can choose any one of the epic viewpoints scattered across our beautiful country. Walk less than 50 metres from a quiet road or car park and you can feel like you are in the heart of the wilds. The above photograph, for example, has been snapped at a spot that is a few minutes and a short scramble from a single-track road above Loch Torridon, and yet it has the same breathtaking wonder and dramatic views of a secluded place one might have discovered after a long hike.
Accessible weddings in the outdoors
Depending on your wedding party, it may be necessary to have wheelchair access, or a relatively flat surface leading to your ceremony location. It is absolutely possible to find locations that might suit your needs. I’ve highlighted four beautiful spots that might be suitable.
Gairloch Beach
Gairloch Beach is a calm, sheltered beach with a backdrop of dunes and woodland and stunning views of the nearby islands. There is a wooden boadwalk from the car park to the beach, making it easier for wheelchair access. There are also community toilets in the car park. For those wishing to climb above the beach, there is a gorgeous view point overlooking the bay and Gairloch that is especially lovely in autumn when the woods and heather moorland are aflame with russets, ochres and golds.
Torridon
Torridon is a small, pretty village nestled beneath the epic Beinn Eighe, Beinn Alligin and Liathach mountain ranges. A short walk from the cafe at the heart of Torridon is the sacred open air church of Am Ploc, on the banks of a sea loch. This is a place steeped in local history and you can feel its quiet hush as soon as you enter. Am Ploc is a perfect setting for a private elopement or an intimate family ceremony and, while not wheelchair accessible, it is a low-level walk of less than ten minutes from the village.
When we met you spoke of the feeling of familiarity you had when you connected through that first kiss. The feeling of a love between two old souls being renewed, rekindled. It was as though you had found each other again, and you were meant to be together. You have since shared a deep knowingness in the rightness of your connection. Today, you are choosing to affirm your love and deep connection by making sacred and eternal vows to one another.
Florentine and Roy – married at Am Ploc, Torridon
Mellon Udrigle Beach– Camas a’Charaig
The crystal clear, turquoise waters and silver sands of Mellon Udrigle make it a firm favourite. A perfect swim and nature-watching spot, this beach has big skies and panoramic views of the Assynt and Coigach mountains, and the Summer Isles. There is a wooden boardwalk leading from the car park to the sandy beach. Here you could make your life promises on a narrow spit of land encircled by the beach on one side and the crystal waters of Gruinard Bay on the other, with the Highland mountains stretched out all around you.
For those up for a wedding wander
Rather than choosing one location, you might prefer your ceremony to unfold along a beautiful hike with your closest family and friends. A kind of magic happens on these wedding wanders; all the conversations, laughter, scenery and exhilaration of the day are threaded into the ceremony, creating an authentic and memorable wedding adventure.
We might begin your ceremony in one of the remnant ancient woodlands that populate the west coast, then walk on to pause by a lochside and reflect on the journey you have shared as a couple so far. We could journey on to witness you making your Marriage promises to each other beneath the boughs of an ancient tree, then share in your first toast as a married couple on a hill top (or even a mountain top for the adventurers). The options are limitless and can be adapted to the skills and hiking experience of the wedding party.
It is hard to not be awed by the pink sands of Red Point South beach and panoramic views of the Torridon mountains, the isles of Rona, Skye and the Outer Hebrides.
This beach is a fifteen-minute, muddy walk from the car park at Red Point, ten miles south of Gairloch. For those happy to embrace the mud, it is well worth the effort. Great northern divers, dolphins and sea eagles are frequent visitors to this dramatic double-crescent beach. At low tide, there is a grassy knoll dividing the beach that makes for a fabulous ceremony location and picnic spot. It is also possible to walk to Red Point South from the northern beach at Red Point, incorporating a stunning headland walk of around two hours into your day. Here’s a shimmering seas clip with views of the beach taken along that walk.
A quicker route takes you from the car park directly through the dunes to Red Point North beach, which is also beautiful.
The Fairy Pools at Badachro
Three miles above the pretty bay by the Shieldaig Lodge Hotel, near Badachro, are a series of lochans: Na Lochan Sgeireach, known as the Fairy Pools. While the walk up is steep and can be very boggy, this is an ethereal place that feels almost otherworldly in its beauty. Even in summer this is a quiet destination (possibly because of the rugged path) and it’s possible to discover you are the only person walking among these lochans.
Being in nature is perfect. Here we are invited to respond to the shifting moods of the world around us, to be authentic and free. There is an ancient Celtic expression: thin places: places where the veil between two worlds is gossamer thin, places that bring you closer to the divine, the spiritual, where thought falls away and only a luminous feeling remains. Places where we can be our true, essential selves. This Wester Ross landscape, with its enchanting wilderness of water and rock, is surely such a place. The perfect place for you to make your sacred and eternal vows to one another.
Loch Maree and the Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve
Another glorious ceremony location is beside Loch Maree; the fourth largest freshwater loch and arguably the most dramatic in Scotland. Here you could make your vows amidst the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest overlooking the loch, nestled beneath the towering Beinn Eighe mountain range.
Simone Smith Photography
There is a steep waymarked three hour trail at Loch Maree, the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail, which is an easy route to follow, and one that brings great rewards in both adventure and views, for those who do fancy a hike.
There are pretty spots all along the lochside for those who prefer to stay at ground level.
The Kernsary Loop by Poolewe is a picturesque 10km low-level walk of around three hours that takes in some breathtaking scenery. While permission would be required for a ceremony to be held here, this walk showcases some of the very finest of Wester Ross scenery; lochs, mountains, ancient trees and red deer! There are so many places like this across Wester Ross.
For the outward bounders … Glen Torridonhikes
Of course, Wester Ross is renowned for the mighty Torridons; mountains considered to be among the most dramatic peaks in the UK, made of some of the oldest rocks in the world.
While scaling a munro might not be everyone’s idea of a fun wedding day, there are gorgeous locations across Glen Torridon for those who are keen to incorporate a lower level hike into their wedding day … Some with the welcome option of a post-ceremony freshwater swim.
This pretty spot by the river (below) is a short, gradually inclining hike of around 30-minutes along a well-established path from the car park above Torridon.
Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair
A longer hike up the valley leads to the breathtaking Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair, an impressive corrie with a lochan enclosed by three almost vertical giant rock buttresses, including Beinn Eighe’s Triple Buttress, and with awesome views over the valley below.
I hope this has given you some insight into why Wester Ross is known for having some of the finest mountain and coastal scenery in the UK. Whether you are looking for a location that is a short stroll from the car, or are up for scaling the nearest hill, if you are keen to elope to the wilds of Wester Ross, I’d be delighted to chat with you. Please do get in touch.
Thank you to the lovely couples who gave their permission for their photos to be used in this blog, and thank you to the photographers for the fab pics.
Things to consider – the small print
In Scotland, it’s important to be mindful of the weather and always have a back up plan in case it’s blowing a hoolie. All hiking or wedding wanders are enjoyed at the couple’s discretion and risk. While I can help with recommending kit, provisions and clothing, it is essential that hikes undertaken match the level of expertise and experience of those involved. For anyone wishing to enlist a mountain guide (I always suggest this for the more epic munro hikes) then I can put you in touch with some excellent local guides. And, for anyone considering an outdoor ceremony in Scotland, you do need to be aware that on damp days with no wind during May-September midges can be an issue. Being near the coast or choosing a more elevated position will make all the difference in keeping midges at bay, if they are about.
Wester Ross has some beautiful venues too
In addition to all these fabulous outdoor locations, there are some incredible wedding venues for larger gatherings and so many excellent places to stay. I hope to share details in a future blog post.
Iwona and Kate, I know you are proud and overjoyed to be standing here today, surrounded by the people who care deeply for you and who are delighted to share in the happiness of your union, as you declare your love and make your life promises to one another.
Kate and Iwona
When I first met Kate and Iwona, they were preparing for the arrival of their son. It was a beautiful privilege to get to know them at such a special time as they attended my birth preparation course. So, it was such a lovely honour to be invited by them, two years after the birth of their little boy, to lead their wedding ceremony.
On the morning of their wedding, the plan had been to gather by Dunsapie Loch on Arthur’s Seat but, as she so often will, Edinburgh was blowing a hoolie. So, instead we gathered at the creative community hub at Summerhall in Edinburgh, which felt apt given that Kate is a lecturer and Iwona an artist.
Kate and Iwona’s closest friends arrived with boxes of handmade decorations, fizz and confetti. We decorated the lecture hall with a chalk flower arch on the blackboard and twinkling candles. Then an intimate gathering of Kate and Iwona’s dear friends and family filled the room with their loving presence.
Iwona and Kate’s ceremony was calm, joyful, emotional and loving. We spoke of the feeling of instant connection they shared when they met in a Leith pub many moons ago, the strong pull towards each other and a comfort, ease and happiness that made the rest of the world fall away whenever they were in each other’s company.
We have both found a place we completely belong. We are each other’s home.
We heard stories of Kate and Iwona’s time together, how nature and the sea have been an accepting and silent witness to their love and the strengthening of their bond. From the white sands and blustery winds of East Lothian where they have enjoyed so many adventures together, to their engagement in the wilds of Angus on the windswept Lunan Bay.
We heard how Iwona and Kate are proud to have created a loving family home where they can dance, sing, cook, laugh and share with friends and family. And how the magical journey of becoming parents together has deepened their love and strengthened their bond.
Yours is a story of two hearts and a gorgeous family. A story of two people who simply could not be without each other. In choosing love, you have had to overcome and learn to live with many challenges. Ultimately, yours is a brave and heartening story of two people who have faced these barriers together and who now feel love, joy and peace in all that you share.
Iwona and Kate’s friends sang the most incredible rendition of Into my Arms by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds; a songthat shares something of the certainty, power and need for love between two people. An especially poignant song as it was also the song that welcomed Kate and Iwona’s son into the world. During the music, we passed Iwona and Kate’s wedding bands around the gathering, so that each person could hold them close to their heart and bless them with their well-wishing thoughts.
Iwona and Kate spoke heartfelt vows to each other, affirming each other as their one true love and declaring their wish to be equal life partners for all time to come.
The hall resounded with cheers as everyone celebrated through their happy tears and Iwona and Kate sealed their Marriage vows with a kiss. Then we all toasted Iwona, Kate and their little boy with a fizz toast to wish them all well in their life together.
Kate and Iwona, it has been such a gift getting to know you both. Thank you for trusting me with your ceremony. So much love to you all and congratulations to you both!
Kate and Steve, you spoke of the feeling of familiarity you had when you connected all those moons ago at the crossroads between your two Leith homes. A feeling of comfort and ease between you both, it was as though you were meant to be together. You have since shared a deep knowingness in the rightness of your connection. Today, you are choosing to affirm your love and connection by making eternal vows to one another.
It was an absolute joy to accompany Steve and Kate on their wedding adventure in the North West Scottish Highlands. We met at the foothills of Stac Pollaidh on a day of fleeting sunlight and blustery clouds. Their wish was to savour every moment of their ceremony as it unfolded on a hike through the Assynt landscape; an enchanting wilderness of water and rock with mountains among the oldest in Scotland. Their wedding party was intimate: just the two of them, their two brilliant photographers, Raini and Dave, and me.
We set off at noon ascending steadily through heather and mixed woodland to reach open moorland. The stony path to the summit curves beneath the towering flanks and spire pinnacles of the mountain and it wasn’t long before the wind buffeted us as we climbed.
Pausing on a rocky outcrop, we took in the spectacular views of Sgùrr Tuath across Loch Lurgainn below and of Cul Beag to the east. Then we began the ceremony with an Oathing Stone ritual.
It is an ancient Celtic belief that vows made in the presence of water and stone are especially binding. Today, you have chosen to include an Oathing Stone in honour of this ancient belief. This is a very special stone as it is one that has come from Germany. This stone brings to mind memories of a loving family home, long woodland walks, getting lost in the forest and listening to the many jokes and colourful language of your grandfather. This stone is a blessing, a connection to Germany and Kate’s roots, and I invite you to both place your hands on your Oathing Stone now.
As Kate and Steve held their Oathing Stone, they reflected on the journey that had brought them to that place and that moment. I shared an Apache blessing that had special meaning for them both. Then they placed the stone on the earth close to them, as is tradition.
It was important to Kate that their wedding ceremony include honouring the memory of her beloved dog, Toby, who had been her close companion for eleven years. In the wide expanse of that beautiful place, Steve and Kate released Toby’s ashes into the wind, so that he may always be a part of their special day.
We climbed again to a plateau on the north side of Stac Pollaidh, overlooking the mighty Suilven, where we heard stories of Steve and Kate’s time together – the highs, the lows, the hilarious, the loving. I then shared secret thoughts that Kate and Steve had shared with me when I asked them about their love and connection.
As we reached the summit, the five of us took shelter from the wind to enjoy delicious snacks and revel in the peaceful surroundings. Then Kate and Steve made their way to a rocky outcrop to make private, personal vows to each other and gift each other a ring.
In that elemental place, Steve and Kate made their Marriage declarations to each other with a Handfasting, sealing their life vows with two eternity knots.
“As I give you my hand, so I give you my heart. Anywhere, I will follow you. My heart is your heart, my soul is your soul, now and forevermore.”
I can’t think of a more perfect way to honour a life commitment than along a relaxed wander through a wild place. To be invited to share in Kate and Steve’s day was a great privilege and it was my absolute joy to declare them both married with the mountains and lochs, and Raini and Dave, as their witnesses.
We celebrated their marriage with a whisky toast from the Quaich in a peaceful spot on the wander down the hill. Then Kate and Steve danced together into their married future before heading to enjoy a wedding feast in Lochinver.
Sending so much love and congratulations to you both, Kate and Steve. Thank you for trusting me with your wedding adventure and for sharing these details of your epic day with us all.
Maddy and Mike affirmed their love and made their life promises to each other on the banks of Loch Garten in the Scottish Highlands.
Maddy and Mike, ever since your first visit together, all those years ago, you have loved sharing time here in the Cairngorms …. hiking, splitboarding, biking and adventuring. So, I know it means so much to you both that you are able to make your life promises to one another here, beneath these rocky mountains, next to this beautiful loch, in summer, in Scotland, in the place that means so much to you both.
An intimate circle of Maddy and Mike’s closest family joined them for a relaxed weekend of wedding celebrations. On the morning of their wedding day, the whole family enjoyed a mellow time getting ready together in a beautiful house outside Aviemore before heading on a short drive to their chosen ceremony location.
As Mike stood with his back to the mountains, flanked by three generations of their families, Maddy walked between the tall pines, up their wedding aisle, to join him at the lochside.
To open the ceremony, we all shared a peaceful moment drinking in the scents and sounds of that special place, listening to the chattering of the birds, the gentle lapping of the water and considering the importance of the moment.
We shared stories of some of the epic adventures Maddy and Mike have enjoyed in their seven years together. How they met during ski season in Revelstoke, Canada, where they were both working at the time. How they bonded when Maddy cracked a joke that no one else found funny but Mike thought was hilarious. And how, once they got chatting, it quickly became clear to both of them that they shared a similar outlook on life, as well as the same sense of humour.
Mike and Maddy, today is a celebration of seven years together and many wonderful adventures. It’s clear from our conversations that you live life to the full and that the cornerstones of your relationship remain the same after all these years – travelling, laughter, family and fun.
We heard about Mike and Maddy’s time together, how they gradually fell in love one adventure at a time. And how, over the years, they have built a treasure trove of incredible memories. We heard how, when Mike proposed on a glorious day on a snowshoe hike in Canada, it wasn’t unexpected but it was a lovely surprise – to everyone, including Maddy! But, like so many decisions that this brilliant, laid-back couple have made together, Mike and Maddy knew what felt right to them both at the time.
When we were planning their ceremony, Mike and Maddy had written secret words for each other which I shared during the ceremony, with their permission, to the surprise and delight of everyone there.
We spoke of love and what it means to them both. How they live life by the day, making the most of their time together. And how, even though they have quite different personalities, they complement each other brilliantly, and they bring out the best in each other.
We heard how Maddy helps draw Mike out of his comfort zone, encouraging him to have more fun out and about with friends. And how Mike helps to ground Maddy, bolstering her confidence and encouraging her when needed. Like the time they both took a particularly difficult route up the mountain and Mike pushed Maddy just a wee bit too far, resulting in her actually breaking up with Mike right there on the mountainside … but then once they were down the slope and the anxiety effect had worn off, they both found it hilarious and they went back for another go!
As the wind rustled the pine trees, Maddy and Mike made their Marriage promises to each other and gifted each other a ring. It was my pleasure to declare Mike and Maddy married as their families clapped and cheered. Then we all wished them well as they stepped into their married life together.
Mike and Maddy, now that you are married, go forward in your life together with the heartfelt good wishes of those of us here today. May all your hopes be fulfilled and may you always be each other’s dearest friend and greatest love. In the words of this sweet Celtic blessing:
“We wish you always;
Walls for the wind
A roof for the rain
Coffee beside the fire
And the love and laughter of all those you hold dear.
May you have many wonderful adventures in the years to come, with all the bluebird powder days, epic travels, endless talks and happiness you could ever wish for.
Maddy and Mike’s “no fuss, laid back ceremony” was perfect. Being in nature, nestled between the trees, and overlooked the mountains they both love, felt so right for these two brilliant, nature-loving people. It was such a joy to be a part of their sweet day.
Congratulations to you both, Mike and Maddy. Thank you for trusting me with your ceremony and for sharing these gorgeous snippets of your wedding adventure with us all. Sending all the love and adventures to you both!
Thank you to the wonderful Simone Smith for capturing these moments so beautifully. Thank you to the wonderful Sarah and Garry at Wild Weddings Scotland for organising their gorgeous day.
As we fast approach the September equinox and all the gilded beauty that autumn brings, it’s been a joy to look back over a very busy time of weddings and family ceremonies. It’s been almost a year since I moved with my family to live in the Scottish Highlands, in the remote and windswept hamlet of South Erradale just south of Gairloch. These past twelve months have been an unfolding pilgrimage of journeys across Scotland to honour long-planned ceremonies in beautiful venues and wild places. Now that the wedding season is easing into a steady thrum it feels good to have time to pause and reflect and to share some of these beautiful moments with the kind permission of the couples and families involved.
It was an absolute honour to be invited by Elliott and Siobhan, friends of dear friends of mine, to be part of their autumnal celebration of life, family, love and togetherness at the eclectic Netherbyres House in the Scottish Borders. Theirs was a day of vibrant colours, soulful harmonies, booming laughter and gorgeous affirmations.
We heard the story of how Elliott and Siobhan met on a tropical, paradise island in the South Pacific. How Siobhan’s first impression of Elliott was that he was rather rude, not listening to the tour guide explaining where they were going when in fact, Elliott had been concentrating – but mostly on Siobhan – as he had immediately noticed her and clocked her Scottish accent. How together they stayed up all night under the stars talking about the deep and meaningful things in their lives. And how they have been together ever since.
We reflected on all that Elliott and Siobhan have shared in the years they have been together. We spoke of their hopes and dreams and how brilliantly they complement each other.
I shared some secret thoughts that Elliott and Siobhan had written for each other when we were planning their ceremony – the sweet and funny, poignant and insightful – bringing laughter and tears to the gathering.
We heard how buying their first home together was really just an excuse to get a dog and welcome their beloved Penny into their lives. And how, even though she keeps her cards close to her chest, Penny means the world to them both.
1. Tell love you are going to Junior’s Deli on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn to pick up a cheesecake, and if love stays, it can have half. It will stay.
2. Tell love you want a memento of it and obtain a lock of its hair. Burn the hair in a dime-store incense burner with yin/yang symbols on three sides. Face southwest. Talk fast over the burning hair in a convincingly exotic language. Remove the ashes of the burnt hair and use them to paint a moustache on your face. Find love. Tell it you are someone new. It will stay.
3. Wake love up in the middle of the night. Tell it the world is on fire. Dash to the bedroom window and pee out of it. Casually return to bed and assure love that everything is going to be alright. Fall asleep. Love will be there in the morning.
Extract from Who Knows How to Make Love Stay by Tom Robbins
Elliott and Siobhan spoke personal words to each other that they had written and kept secret until that moment.
We all paused for peaceful reflection and grounding while two of Siobhan and Elliott’s friends played a stunning piece on the fiddle and piano that they had composed especially for Siobhan and Elliott.
Then Siobhan and Elliott made their life promises to one another.
To make this commitment to you, today, in front of all our loving family and friends is the greatest achievement of my life. I can’t wait to continue in our great adventure together as husband and wife, filling our lives with happiness, love and dogs.
You are my shining light, my unfaltering north star and I love you fully with all my heart.
I can’t wait to spend my life with you, share my love, happiness and joy with you, laugh with you and watch you grow older and grumpier, explore new places, travel to new countries, eat delicious food and meet more dogs,
I feel so lucky to have met you and that I get to spend every day with someone as kind and loving as you.
It was a great pleasure to declare Siobhan and Elliott legally married to the whoops and cheers of the people they love most in the world,
Elliott and Siobhan sealed their vows with a kiss, as is tradition.
To toast their marriage, the newlyweds shared a first sip from their wedding Quaich.
Today, Elliott and Siobhan have chosen to share a drop of Macallan in their wedding Quaich. This bottle belonged to Siobhan’s paternal grandfather, Walter, who loved to enjoy a wee dram with Siobhan’s maternal grandfather, Gilbert. This is in honour of both Walter and Gilbert, who Siobhan and Elliot are holding in their thoughts today.
We invited everyone present to toast Siobhan and Elliott with whisky miniatures. Then we closed the ceremony with a blessing before Siobhan and Elliott walked hand-in-hand into their married life.
Siobhan and Elliott, now that you are married, go forward in your life together with the heartfelt good wishes of those of us here today. May your home be a haven and your relationship be truthful and honest. May all your hopes be fulfilled and may you always be each other’s dearest friend and greatest love. May you have many wonderful adventures in the years to come with all the beautiful walks, great talks, delicious food, awesome travels and happiness you could wish for.
Congratulations to you both, Siobhan and Elliott! Thank you for trusting me with your ceremony and for sharing these sweet details with us all. I smile every time I think about your wedding celebration. Sending so much love to you both and to Penny.
Ever since your first visit to Scotland together, all those years ago, you have loved sharing time here in the Cairngorms … picnicking, hiking, swimming, and adventuring. I know it means so much to you both that you are able to make your life promises to one another here, beneath these snow-capped mountains, next to this beautiful loch, in winter, in Scotland, the country where you have made your home.
James and Lina’s elopement on a frosty day in February was gentle, beautiful and loving. We gathered in a secluded spot between the ancient Caledonian pine forest on the shores of Loch an Eilein, a stunning freshwater loch in the heart of the Rothiemurchus Estate in the Scottish Highlands. Their ceremony unfolded to the sound of water lapping and birds singing, and we all of us felt held by the stillness and tranquility of the surroundings.
There’s a relaxed ease that comes with an elopement; the ceremony unfolding at a pace that feels right in the moment and the quiet solitude to be authentic and true to the emotions of the day. For James and Lina, their elopement was an opportunity to affirm their love for one another in a way that felt personal and natural to them both.
We opened the ceremony with an Oathing Stone ritual to honour the ancient Celtic belief that vows made in the presence of water and stone are especially binding. As James and Lina placed all four hands on their Oathing Stone, they took time to reflect on all that had brought them to be where they are today, in this place, in this moment. Then, when they were ready, they placed the stone on the earth close to them, as is tradition.
One of the most lovely parts of planning a ceremony is getting to know the couple so that the words shared on the day are a thoughtful reflection of their time shared, the adventures they’ve been on, the support they’ve given, the ways in which they complement and balance each other’s personalities, and their hopes and dreams for the future. While I had met Lina before at weddings (she’s a brilliant wedding photographer … check out her work here), it was so lovely to get to know her and James in the months leading up to their ceremony.
Lina and James, today is a celebration of 10 years together and many wonderful adventures. It’s clear from our conversations that you live life to the full and that the cornerstones of your relationship remain the same after all these years – travelling, laughter, photography and fun.
It was my pleasure to share the story of how James and Lina met; how their love of photography brought them together; how, on their first meeting, they almost disappeared under a rogue wave while photographing the sunset at an Australian beach; how they were so soaked by the wave that they dried off at a local cafe; how romance snuck up on them when they were least expecting it.
During their ceremony, we reflected on how Lina and James road tripped across Australia, falling in love one weekend adventure at a time. How they are as happy chilling at home, playing board games by the fire as they are on their outdoor adventures in remote places. And how, while they don’t tend to plan too far ahead, preferring to focus on the next six months or the next year, they have always known that they are each other’s future. In their words, “we can’t imagine life without each other.”
As James and Lina held hands and gazed lovingly at each other, I shared some secret thoughts that they had shared with me when planning their ceremony – the sweet, the poignant and the funny – as a lovely surprise for each other. We spoke about Marriage and what it means to them both, and how in choosing to make their life promises to each other they were celebrating their deep and loving commitment to one another and giving thanks for all that they have brought each other so far, and will continue to bring to one another as they journey through life together.
James and Lina, Marriage is about finally making official what you have both already felt and known for a long time. And I know you are so excited for all that the future will bring … continuing to see each other grow into your new roles, experiencing more adventures and seeing the world together, making a home, growing vegetables and flowers, and chilling by the fire.
Their dear photographer friends and I then gave Lina and James some privacy as they exchanged heartfelt personal vows that they had written for each other. They read their vows from two beautiful handmade books, then gifted each other a ring as a symbol of their deep connection and their enduring love.
James and Lina chose to seal their Marriage vows with a traditional Handfasting, a beautiful ritual that symbolises many of the values they hold dear in their partnership: love and loyalty, hope and trust. By binding their hands together, Lina and James declared their love and their intention to share their lives together. A Handfasting binding symbolises the coming together of two individuals and two families. It was an honour to declare James and Lina married.
Following these declarations made before me and these beautiful mountains, this loch and these trees, James and Lina, it is my happy duty to pronounce you husband and wife.
It is always an honour to be invited to lead a ceremony, and an even greater honour to be invited to be celebrant for a lovely colleague in the wedding sector. Thank you, Lina and James, for trusting me with your ceremony. I am so glad it was all you wished it to be.
So many beautiful blessings to you both, and in the words of your chosen blessing by Robert Sexton:
May every dawn bring you joy.
May every sunset bring you peace.
May all your days be blessed and brightened
By the love you’ve come to share.
Heartfelt congratulations! Thank you for sharing these gorgeous details with us all.
Thank you also to the wonderful Evelina and Artur at Eve & Art Stories for these stunning photographs.
The woods were alive with birdsong and dappled sunlight on the day Anita and Adrian reaffirmed their love for one another in the heart of Roslin Glen in the North Esk Valley.
We gathered beneath the ivy-robed ruins of a 19th century mill, cocooned by the gentle hush of the river and it was hard to believe we were only thirty minutes from the bustling festival atmosphere of Edinburgh’s city centre.
Anita and Adrian’s Vow Renewal ceremony in August was a celebration of 20 years of Marriage, 22 years together, and many joyful years of family life. It was a chance to reflect on their journey so far, to acknowledge all that they have achieved together, to renew their Marriage vows, and to set their intentions for the coming years.
Planning Adrian and Anita’s ceremony with them was an absolute delight. It became quickly clear during our conversations that they make the most out of their time together and they have a great time whatever they are doing.
From their wedding adventure where Anita and Adrian exchanged Marriage vows on a private wildlife reserve in South Africa in a ceremony blessed by two love birds chirping, to their tenth anniversary where they renewed their Vows in Las Vegas, with not just one but three Elvis’s officiating, Anita and Adrian live life to the full.
It was Adrian and Anita’s wish to celebrate their 20th anniversary in an intimate gathering with their son and two of their dearest friends. Their ceremony reflected their cheeky sense of humour and their deep and supportive connection.
We reminisced about their time together; from the early days when Adrian joined “the most expensive dating app on offer” in the hope of meeting more ‘eligible women’ to Anita clearly being won over by the cheeky chap who wouldn’t take no for an answer. And how, after months of weekly, banter-filled phone calls from Adrian, Anita agreed to a first date. The two of them had such a great time bonding over their love of adventure, Latin dancing, food and culture, they have been “inseparable ever since”.
We heard beautiful readings, shared words about their thoughts on love and Marriage, and we spoke of all that is at the heart of their partnership and how it is clear to all who know them that Adrian and Anita are soulmates.
“Most people get married believing a myth that marriage is a beautiful box full of all the things they have longed for: companionship, intimacy, friendship… The truth is that marriage at the start is an empty box, you must put something in before you can take anything out. There is no love in marriage, love is in people, and people put love in marriage. There is no romance in marriage, you have to introduce it into your marriage. A couple must learn the art, and form the habit of giving, loving, serving, praising, of keeping the box full. If you take out more than you put in, the box will be empty.”
J. Allan Peterson
Adrian and Anita shared some words with each other that they had written and kept secret until the day then they gifted each other a commitment ring. We were all caught up in the emotion and romance of the moment. It was especially lovely to pause between the trees, to take time to honour all that they had shared. Then, when they felt ready, we ambled down to a sheltered area by the river for their Handfasting.
Anita and Adrian affirmed their Marriage Vows and their love for one another with a traditional Celtic Handfasting. Their Eternity Knot was made up of ribbons symbolic of their international lifestyle and heritage.
Adrian and Anita, these cords are a symbol of the lives you have chosen to lead together. The two fabrics have been chosen by you to symbolize the intertwining of your lives.
A plaited ribbon of black, yellow, white, green, red and blue to symbolise the colours of the flags of the countries that have meaning for you both.
Red, white and blue for the Australian flat, the country were Anita was born and where you now live as a family. The red and white of the English flag where Adrian was born.
The black, yellow, white, green, blue and red from the flag of South Africa where you were married. And the red, white and blue from the American flat where you renewed your vows after 10 years.
The second swathe is a Spirit of Scotland tartan to represent today and renewal of your vows after twenty years of being married.
As these ribbons are tied together, your lives – your pasts, presents and futures – become intertwined in thought, word and action. This cord may stretch but will always remain strong; it connects you throughout life.
It was my honour to declare Anita and Adrian life partners to the joyful cheers of their son and friends. Then they celebrated with a shared drink from the Quaich in a sunny spot encircled by the river before cracking open the fizz.
Anita and Adrian, wishing you both so much love and happiness for the future with many more exciting adventures, and all the fancy dress parties, family board games and fun you could hope for.
Thank you for trusting me with your ceremony. Yours was a day that makes me smile every time I think about it. It was an absolute pleasure and an honour to be your celebrant – and thank you for bringing the Australian sun in your suitcase!
After twenty one years together, and many years already referring to each other as husband and wife, Judy and Jeremy’s celebration of love and life was not your average wedding day.
Two of the coolest, most laid-back people you could hope to meet, Jeremy and Judy are not only partners in life but also in work. Their shared passion for music, design, film and pop culture has carried them through many wonderful and obscure experiences. In their time together, they have travelled across the globe and have built a thriving business that grew from a humble office, where they entertained their first client with lunches of homemade grilled cheese and canned soup, to having four different Manhattan offices over the years with employees from over twenty countries.
“We are friends, lovers, adventure buddies and business partners. Rather than finding satisfaction in the comfort of the known, we try to see things with an open mind, with fresh eyes, like beginners. Our wedding day was no exception. It was a celebration of our love.”
Judy and Jeremy
It was immediately clear when chatting with Jeremy and Judy that they live life to the max and they are never not planning their next adventure. From dogsledding and camping in minus twenty degrees centigrade on Svalbard; to kitesurfing in six foot swells in St Maarten; to eating the best steak frites in Montmartre after the opening of their art show at Collette, the ‘trendiest store in the world’; they’ve had some epic times.
It was their wish that their Marriage ceremony be a reflection of the passions they share, the choices they have made, and the creativity, curiosity and wonder that is at the heart of their partnership. Importantly, they wished to invite the people attending – their dearest family and friends – to share some words during the ceremony. So, we invited everyone attending to share a memory, anecdote or reading that spoke of times enjoyed with Judy and Jeremy, reflections on their love and partnership, adventures they’ve had, and their wishes for their future. It was my pleasure to liaise with Jeremy and Judy’s relatives in the lead up to their wedding, to weave their thoughts into the ceremony, so that their words would be a loving surprise for them both on the day.
On a tranquil day in August, twelve of us gathered on a semicircle of wooden benches at The Free Company, an idyllic farm and seasonal restaurant in the foothills outside Edinburgh. As bees and butterflies flew lazily between flowers on the nearby vegetable plots, Judy and Jeremy’s ceremony took place in a sheltered stone courtyard.
In a heartfelt and emotional exchange, their relatives surprised them both with their personal reflections, bringing laughter, tears, warmth and hugs.
We spoke about Marriage and what it means to Jeremy and Judy; how their hopes and dreams perfectly align; how they will always give each other the space to follow their hearts; and how they are each other’s home.
“Marriage is about being fluid and growing with each other. It’s about making space for each other and helping each other to remain fearless, to be brave and to experience all that we hope to as we journey through life together.”
Judy and Jeremy
Judy and Jeremy’s relationship began with a spark at an industry party in New York where after a few caipirinhas they ended up tying their shoelaces together, so it seemed entirely apt that they should affirm their life commitment to one another with a Handfasting. Their beautiful ribbons, which they had handmade from Scottish felt and wool, were gifted by each of their siblings Each one represented the shared passions that have bound them together over the past twenty one years, and the intentions they wished to weave into their partnership going forward.
The first ribbon symbolises adventure, something that will always be at the heart of your partnership. May you have many more elemental, ‘feel alive’ experiences as you continue your journey together, living life to the max.
This second ribbon represents curiosity that you may always be interested in the world around you, learning and deepening your knowledge and understanding, growing together both as individuals and as a partnership.
The third ribbon symbolises nature in all her beauty and power. May you always feel grounded and peaceful, appreciating the wonder of the mountains and the thrill of the sea, the shifting moods of the sky and the tranquility of the trees. May you always find perspective in the immensity and intricacy of the natural world.
The fourth ribbon represents creativity which runs like a thread throughout both your lives. May you always be playful, seeking solutions, exploring possibilities and most of all having fun together as you journey through life.
And the fifth ribbon stands simply for love.
Judy and Jeremy made their life committment declarations to one another and it was my absolute privilege to declare them both legally married to the whoops and cheers of their loved ones.
They shared a sip of champagne from their beautiful handcrafted Quaich then we closed the ceremony with a blessing for their future.
Here’s
to the wind always filling your kites
to bluebird days of champagne powder
to the sound of hooves carrying you across open moors
and to the beauty of endless ribbons of gravel ahead of you.
To Jeremy and Judy! Slàinte Mhath!
Judy and Jeremy’s ceremony was authentic and loving. It was an absolute pleasure to be their celebrant and share in the magic of their day.
Congratulations to you both, Jeremy and Judy. Thank you for sharing these gorgeous details with us all. Sending so much love and happiness to you both.
