Scotland’s Highland Specialists
Scottish Highlands Elopement Photographers
Mist-wrapped mountains. Ancient glens. A wedding day that feels like stepping into another world.
The Highlands are not just a location
They are a feeling. Silence so deep you can hear your own heartbeat. Mountains that have watched over this land for millennia. If you want your wedding day to mean something, there is nowhere quite like it.
We’re Matt and Jodie, and we’ve been photographing elopements in Scotland for over a decade. We live on the edge of the Highlands ourselves, which means we know this landscape intimately. Not just the famous spots you see on Instagram, but the hidden glens, the quiet lochs, the places where you can stand on a mountaintop and not see another soul for miles.
More than 200 couples have trusted us to capture their Highland elopements. About 85% of them have travelled from the United States and Canada. We know what it takes to plan an adventure like this from the other side of the Atlantic, and we’re here to make it feel effortless.
Why the Scottish Highlands?
Few places on earth evoke such a powerful emotional response. The Highlands have been drawing travellers for centuries, and for good reason. This is a landscape that demands you slow down and pay attention.
At almost every turn is a vista that will stop you in your tracks. The bluebell woods and gentle hills of Loch Lomond. The primeval grandeur of Coigach and Assynt, where ancient peaks rise above expanses of gnarled gneiss that are billions of years old. The moody drama of Glencoe, where mountains plunge into deep valleys carved by ice age glaciers.
But it is not just about the scenery. History runs deep here. Crumbling forts and monastic cells were once home to Gaelic chieftains and Irish saints. Lonely beaches and mountain passes still echo with the memories of clan battles. Empty glens are haunted by the ghosts of the Clearances, when entire communities were forced from their homes.
When you elope in the Highlands, you become part of that story. Your vows join the countless others spoken on this land over thousands of years. There is something deeply grounding about that.
“We hired Matt and Jodie as our elopement photographers, and we couldn’t have chosen any better! They made our day truly special. The pictures and the video are simply amazing!”
— Leonie & Tobi
What a Highland elopement actually looks like
Forget everything you think you know about weddings. A Highland elopement is not a stripped-down version of a traditional wedding. It is something else entirely.
You wake up in a cosy cottage or a castle hotel, surrounded by mountains. No alarm clock. No schedule crammed with hair appointments and bridesmaid duties. You have coffee together, maybe a dram of whisky if the mood takes you, and get ready at your own pace.
We arrive and spend some time getting to know you as you prepare. Jodie can help with finishing touches on hair and makeup. Matt will probably crack terrible jokes. We take a few photos, but nothing forced. This is not a photoshoot. It is just the beginning of your day.
Then we head out into the landscape together. Maybe it is a windswept clifftop with views stretching to the sea. Maybe it is a quiet lochside where the water reflects the mountains like glass. Maybe it is the ruins of an ancient castle, or a forest clearing carpeted with moss. We help you find the spot that feels right for you.
You say your vows. Just you, your partner and the mountains as witnesses (plus us and your celebrant). Some couples write their own words. Some use traditional vows. Some just speak from the heart without any script at all. There is no right way to do this.
Afterwards, we explore. We might hike to a viewpoint, wander along a river, or simply find a beautiful spot to sit and take it all in. This is where the magic happens photographically. When you are relaxed and happy and completely present, that is when we capture the images you will treasure forever.
Then you celebrate however feels right. A fancy dinner at a Highland lodge. Fish and chips on the harbour. A picnic with champagne as the sun sets. Room service in your dressing gowns. Your wedding, your rules.
Yes, it rains. No, that’s not a problem.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Scottish weather is famously unpredictable. It can rain sideways, mist can roll in without warning, and four seasons in one day is not just a saying up here.
Here’s the thing though: some of our absolute favourite elopement photos have been taken in wild weather. Rain creates atmosphere. Mist adds drama. Wind whipping through your hair and veil looks incredible on camera. The couples who embrace whatever the weather throws at them almost always end up with more striking images than those who get picture-perfect sunshine.
That said, we are not going to make you miserable for the sake of photos. We always have backup plans. We know which locations are sheltered. We know where to find cover quickly if a storm rolls in. And we know when to call it and get you somewhere warm and dry.
We have been doing this for over ten years. Matt can feel when the pressure is changing and rain is coming. We know how to read Highland weather in a way that only comes from living here. You are in safe hands.
Our advice? Bring layers. Bring waterproofs. Bring boots you can walk in. And then forget about the forecast and trust the adventure.
Where in the Highlands?
The Scottish Highlands cover a vast area, and different regions offer very different experiences.
Glencoe
Glencoe is where we cut our teeth as elopement photographers. We lived there for years, and it remains our most requested location. The drama here is unmatched. Towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, the iconic Three Sisters ridge. If you want that jaw-dropping reaction when people see your photos, Glencoe delivers.
The Cairngorms
Less touristy than Glencoe, the Cairngorms offer ancient Caledonian pine forests, mountain lochs and rolling hills that glow golden in autumn. This is where to come if you want something a little more peaceful and intimate. The light here in the shoulder seasons is extraordinary.
The Northwest Highlands
Remote, wild and utterly spectacular. Assynt and Coigach feel like the edge of the world. The mountains here are older than almost anywhere on earth, rising in strange isolated shapes from a landscape of lochs and moorland. Not for the faint-hearted, but worth every mile.
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
Closer to civilisation but no less beautiful. Gentler hills, oak woodlands, and the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond itself. A good option if you want Highland scenery without venturing too far north, or if you are combining your elopement with time in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
For the adventurous
Some of our couples want to push things a bit further. If that sounds like you, the Highlands offer endless possibilities.
We have photographed elopements that involved hiking to remote summits, crossing rivers in wedding attire, scrambling up rocky ridges and exploring sea caves. If you want an adventure, we are absolutely up for it. We are both comfortable in the hills and know our limits (and how to assess yours safely).
That said, you do not need to be a mountaineer to elope in the Highlands. Some of the most stunning locations require nothing more than a short walk from the car. We will work with your fitness level and ambitions to find the right balance of accessibility and wow-factor.
Getting legally married in the Highlands
Scotland has some of the most relaxed marriage laws in the world, which is one of the reasons it has been a destination for eloping couples for centuries.
You can get married almost anywhere. Unlike many countries where weddings must take place in licensed venues, Scotland allows legal marriage ceremonies to happen outdoors, in ruins, on mountaintops, by lochs. Anywhere you can physically get to is fair game.
There are no residency requirements. You do not need to be a UK citizen or live in Scotland for any period before your wedding. You can fly in from the USA, get married the next day and fly home again if you want.
The paperwork is straightforward. You will need to submit a Marriage Notice to the local registrar at least 29 days before your ceremony (we recommend doing this 8-12 weeks ahead to be safe). You will need your birth certificates, passports and proof of address. If either of you has been married before, you will need divorce decrees or death certificates.
You need an authorised celebrant. This can be a religious minister, a humanist celebrant or a registrar. We almost always recommend humanist celebrants for elopements because they offer the most flexibility. We can recommend celebrants we have worked with and trust.
We help all our couples navigate this process. It sounds complicated but it really is not. We have helped hundreds of American couples get legally married in Scotland.
“Not only do they take AMAZING photographs but they make the day such a memorable experience.”
— Lena & Ryan, California
When to come
There is no bad time to elope in the Highlands. Each season offers something different.
Spring (March – May)
Longer days, wildflowers and lambing season. The landscape wakes up after winter and there is a freshness to the air. Weather can be changeable but the light is beautiful.
Summer (June – August)
The longest days, with light until nearly midnight in June. Weather is at its warmest and most stable (by Scottish standards). Popular tourist areas will be busier, but we know plenty of quieter spots.
Autumn (September – November)
Arguably the most photogenic season. The hills turn gold and russet, the light is soft and warm, and the summer crowds have gone. October in particular is stunning but books up fast.
Winter (December – February)
Dramatic and moody. Snow on the peaks, stormy skies, the possibility of northern lights. Days are short but the atmosphere is incredible. Perfect for couples who love wild weather.
We typically book up 9-12 months in advance, especially for autumn dates. If you have a specific time in mind, get in touch early.
What we include
When you book us for your Highland elopement, you are not just getting photographers. You are getting a planning team who will support you from the moment you enquire until long after you have returned home.
We help you choose locations based on your style, fitness level and vision for the day. We guide you through the legal paperwork and make sure nothing gets missed. We recommend celebrants, hair and makeup artists, florists and accommodation from our trusted network of suppliers. We help you build a timeline that makes sense for travel, light and energy levels.
On the day itself, there are always two of us. We handle the logistics so you can be completely present. We drive you between locations if needed. We carry spare supplies, snacks and emergency kit. We know how to keep the day feeling relaxed even when we are secretly working hard behind the scenes.
Afterwards, you receive a carefully edited gallery of images that tell the story of your day. Not hundreds of near-identical shots, but a curated collection where every image earns its place.
For full details on what we offer, visit our pricing page.
A note on driving
If you are coming from North America, you will be driving on the left side of the road. Most of our couples rent a car, and honestly, you get used to it faster than you expect. The main thing to remember is that Highland roads can be narrow, winding and sometimes single track with passing places. It is part of the adventure, but it does mean journey times are often longer than Google Maps suggests.
We are always happy to drive you on your elopement day. It takes the stress out of navigating unfamiliar roads in wedding attire, and means you can relax (and have a celebratory drink) without worrying about getting behind the wheel.
Let’s make this happen
If you have read this far, you are probably seriously considering a Highland elopement. Good. You should. Every single couple who has eloped in the Highlands with us has said it was the best decision they ever made.
Get in Touch