I'm Ashleigh, a Scottish elopement wedding planner & photographer. I specialise in creating elopement experiences right here in Scotland (where I live) for couples looking for a small, stress-free, wild and magical day surrounded by scenic hills, lochs and nature. I believe that your day should be about the two of you, not how much you have to spend, or who you forgot to invite! Your day should be about your love for one another and your story. Let me help you plan your perfect Scottish elopement.
Let Scotland be the place you get to remember as your most treasured memory.
Elopement/Small wedding in Scotland
Looking to have an elopement or small wedding right here in Scotland? I can help plan your dream day by getting to know you both, understand exactly what you are looking for and supporting you to find the people you need to make your day extra special. I have supported many couples to elope in Scotland but each and every single one of my clients are different and I always ensure each of my couples have a personalised plan for their day and individual timeline relevant to their specific day making it a personal day to you. Eloping or having a small wedding is an incredible way to make your wedding day personal and unique to you. A Scottish elopement provides plenty of options of different backdrops due to the amount of authentically Scottish locations e.g. hills, mountains, lochs, beach, islands. I always recommend using google maps to pinpoint some different locations to explore more and I can help to guide you using my knowledge of Scotland to help you both choose your perfect spot.
What I do
Firstly, when I receive an enquiry, I will try to be in contact within 24 hours of receiving the enquiry. I will email with information on what I do and how I can help and offer a phone/video call to get to know one another and find out if my service will suit you both. If you feel I am just what you need, I make sure I know exactly what you are looking for and begin planning your day and contact any suppliers you require to find out if they are available for your day. I then gather all of the information relevant to your elopement/small wedding and put it all into one easy to manage 'Elopement Plan' which will include links to your suppliers and people you require for your elopement. I also provide a draft timeline along with your 'Elopement Plan' to allow you both to visualise your day. Finally, I am on hand each step of the way for all of your questions. On your day, I arrive with my camera and snap all of those special moments, provide you with transport to all of those beautiful Scottish scenic spots for photo opportunities and finally send you a preview of your photo gallery within a few days of your elopement.
Investment
I am always upfront with the cost of my services as I believe that the biggest factor in deciding if you should elope or have a small wedding in Scotland is if the price is right! I am happy to support couples who have small or large budgets I feel that each couple should have the opportunity to marry within our beautiful country no matter how much money they have to spend on their day. Below is the investment I ask you to put in to fund the following parts of your elopement/small wedding:
Celebrant
Bagpiper
Elopement Plan
Timeline
Elopement guide
Documentary photography by me
Witnesses to make it legal!
Support right up until you say "I do!"
Transportation between accommodation and ceremony spot (if required)
£1850
I am still able to support couples with smaller budgets by only including parts of my package so please get in contact what ever budget you have, I can work with you!
Investment plan
£50 to secure my planning service before any planning takes place
£800 once you have received your 'Elopement Plan' and timeline
Remaining balance to be paid 6 weeks before your big day
I may be required to add on extra travel costs if your chosen spot is out with 50 miles of my base in Pitlochry.
Eloping History
Scotland has always been well known for elopement weddings. As far back as 1754, young couples aged below 21 looking to tie the knot were forbidden in England and Wales without their parents' permission so they began secretly marrying in Scotland where it was legal without their parents permission which involved "Eloping" which back in the 1700s meant "to run away secretly in order to get married". Nowadays, "eloping" can include guests if you couldn't imagine your day without support from a loved one or friend. I always work with you both to ensure I can plan a day which reflects you as a couple and genuinely enjoy getting to know you both and what I can do to help make your dream day a reality.
A beautiful elopement planned by The Scottish Elopement Service. Create memories which last a lifetime!
Contact me
thescottishelopementservice@gmail.com
Please email me with an enquiry and let me know the following:
Your names
Where you live
When you would like to elope
Also, if you do have a specific budget you would like to stick to please just let me know.
Meet us!
I'm Ashleigh (on the right) Meghan (on the left) we eloped in 2021 to a beautiful part of Scotland not too far from Glenfinnan (where the famous steam train runs along the viaduct in harry potter!). We then realised that not every couple wanted a traditional wedding these days and wanted to share our experience of eloping in Scotland with other couples so they could do it too. Combined, we have the ability to create something magical for your day and we are happy to zoom call, text, phone or WhatsApp which ever method suits you both suits us! I (Ashleigh) take care of the planning aspect of your day and do all of the communicating with suppliers, celebrants and people for your day. Meghan updates the social media accounts to bring you all the highlights of our business! We can't wait to meet you to hear your story!
FAQ's
What do you actually do?
I plan your elopement/small wedding, I am there for you both each step of the way including communicating with suppliers to ensure everyone is on the same page, supply you with your own 'personalised elopement plan' and timeline, I turn up on your day and bring along my camera to capture some special moments, once you are both married I bring out the whiskey (or Irn Bru) so you can have a toast (The Scottish way!). I also provide transport on your day if you require it.
Can I bring my family/friends?
Of course! I recommend making your day as personal to you as possible and if that means bringing along some loved ones who you couldn't imagine getting married without, then bring them with you!
How can I pay?
I have both bank transfer and PayPal available.
What happens at a humanist wedding ceremony?
Meet with your celebrant at your chosen spot
Celebrant usually introduces themselves
Celebrant tells your story of how you met right up until now
Vows
Ceremonies such as tying the knot take place
Sign the legal paperwork
Are you there on our day?
I am now always there on your day to ensure everything runs smoothly, I am in the background taking photos of your day, and if you need a lift I can take you around spots of the area to have your photos taken. Unless you do not require me to be there.
How many photos will we receive and where will they be once we are married?
I do not like to give a number of photos which you would receive on your day as it does vary from couple to couple. I aim to provide a gallery which tells the story of your day and like to focus more on the quality of your images over quantity. Once you are married, the evening or day after your wedding, I aim to have a preview gallery sent to you both and then aim to have the rest of your gallery uploaded within a two weeks to a month depending on time of year. Your gallery will be a private, downloadable album dedicated to you which you can share with your loved ones.
When do I pay?
I ask for a £50 fee upfront which secures your service with me and I get to work on your plan and timeline for your day. Once your plan and timeline is complete, I send you both this along with your invoice and ensure you are completely happy with it. Once you confirm you are happy with everything, I ask for your next instalment of £600 to be paid within two weeks of receiving your invoice. Your last instalment of £1000 can be paid six weeks before your big day.
What do other couples usually do on their elopement wedding day?
Each day is very unique to your both and every day is different as small weddings are a great way of having your day your way! However, typically, I see a lot of couples hiring an Airbnb or hotel room near their ceremony spot, getting ready there on their day, having their photographer meet them at their accommodation to capture your "first look" moment and some other natural photographs of the two of you getting ready to leave for your ceremony. We then head to your ceremony spot where your photographer takes more photos and captures your raw emotion throughout your ceremony. Afterwards, you can explore the Scottish landscape and have your photographs taken within the beautiful landscape of Scotland, creating memories which last a lifetime.
Afterwards, some couples choose to have a lovely meal together, some opt for a tour of the area, its entirely up to yourselves! That's the beauty of eloping, doing things YOUR WAY!
Terms & Conditions
Please read our terms and conditions carefully:
The Scottish Elopement Service strives to deliver excellent customer service in all aspects of the business. Please see below the terms and conditions of the business. You can accept these terms and conditions by ticking the box on your enquiry form where we ask if you accept these terms and conditions.
1.Information:
The Scottish elopement service protects your privacy by agreeing to never disclose any of your details unless you have allowed us to do so. We follow the strict guidelines of the Data Protection Act 2018.
It is important that you let us know of any inaccurate information at the earliest possible opportunity. If you do not we cannot be held responsible for any such information which impacts on your plans.
2. Third Party:
By agreeing to the terms and conditions you accept that we cannot be held responsible for actions of any company, person or supplier we recommend to you.
Whilst using goods or services from third parties you accept that you are entered into a contract with them and the Scottish elopement service will not be involved with your contract with any third parties.
You accept that any complaints you may have regarding any company, person or supplier will be between yourself and them and we are unable to become involved in any complaint procedure regarding any third party.
We strive to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information for you. by agreeing to the terms and conditions of our business our website and its components are offered for informational purposes only - our business shall not be responsible or liable for the accuracy, usefulness or availability of any information transmitted or made available via the website, and shall not be responsible or liable for any error or omissions in that information.
3. Age:
By agreeing to the Scottish elopement service's terms and conditions you confirm that you are over the age of consent to marry in Scotland and we cannot proceed with our planning services should you be unable to marry due to being underage.
4, Visa:
The Scottish elopement service will not be liable and are unable to issue a full refund should you be unable to obtain a visa to enable you to legally marry in the UK.
5. Deposit:
Clients agree to pay a non refundable fee before any service can commence and it is the discretion of the business owner as to how much your fee will be. Clients also agree to pay their instalments in the agreed time schedule, if the clients are unable to do this within the agreed time schedule they should let the business owner know at the earliest opportunity, if the clients do not, it is the business owner's right to withdraw from any future plans or business operations with the clients due to failure to pay within the specified time schedule.
6. Cooperation:
You agree to supply any relevant information required by the Scottish elopement service in a timely manner to enable us to provide an accurate service for you. We have the right to terminate our service with you if we are unable to obtain important information we require to enable us to plan your wedding.
7. Photography:
Clients must fill out the enquiry information form to ensure all details required by the Scottish Elopement Service are correct.
It is the responsibility of the clients to wear appropriate clothing and footwear to partake in a photography session and advice on this will be given prior to your photography session based on the location you have chosen. The Scottish Elopement Service cannot take responsibility should a client fall ill whilst partaking in a photography session.
Please ensure you let your photographer know prior to your session about different shots you would like to have taken e.g. a particular shot in a certain spot.