From choosing a meaningful location and preparing for Scotland's ever-changing weather to understanding how your setting will shape your photographs, experts share their advice for saying 'I do' in the great outdoors
Celebrant Rona Burstow loves seeing unposed moments – such as this one between Alex and Neal – captured forever. “They’re so powerful.” (Photo: Andrew Rae Photographer)
Thinking about saying your vows outdoors? From choosing the right location and preparing for Scotland’s unpredictable weather to making the most of your photographs, wedding experts share what couples should know before planning an outdoor ceremony.
There’s something undeniably romantic about getting married outdoors. Whether it’s a windswept beach, a secluded woodland or a dramatic mountainside backdrop, an outdoor ceremony has a way of making the day feel intimate, meaningful and deeply connected to its surroundings.
In Scotland, the beauty of it is that couples really can get married almost anywhere, as long as the legal requirements are in place. But while saying 'I do' in the wild can look wonderfully effortless, the reality is that the best outdoor weddings are carefully planned.
From choosing the right location and preparing for every type of weather to knowing how the setting will shape your photographs, a little groundwork can go a long way. We asked celebrants, photographers and wedding professionals who know Scotland’s landscapes inside out for their advice on planning an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Photo: Joy Story
How to choose the right outdoor wedding ceremony location
The setting you choose will do more than provide a beautiful backdrop. According to humanist celebrant Rona Burstow, the landscape can directly influence the tone and pace of the ceremony itself.
“I often feel the landscape is witnessing the ceremony – it shapes the mood and the pace,” she says. “Being somewhere vast and dramatic can give you great perspective on life.”
Isle of Skye photographer Andrew Rae agrees that couples should think about how a place feels, not just how it looks. “The landscape plays a huge role in how a wedding or elopement actually feels, not just how it looks,” he says.
For Andrew, coastal settings are especially hard to beat. “You’ve got the movement of the sea, the constantly changing light, and weather that keeps things interesting. It gives the day a natural energy without you needing to overthink it.”
Hills and more remote locations can bring a different kind of atmosphere. “Gaining that bit of space away from anyone else allows you to slow down and take everything in,” he adds.
“Your wedding stops feeling like an event and becomes quieter, more personal – just the two of you.”
Photo: Joy Story
Lean on people who know the landscape
Going off-grid doesn’t mean turning up without a map. In fact, the more remote or weather-exposed your dream location is, the more valuable experienced local suppliers become.
One of Andrew’s biggest pieces of advice is to trust the professionals who already know the area. “They’ll know the landscape well, they’ll have spent years exploring secret and private spots, and they’ll have a plan B (and C and D) if needed,” he says.
That kind of knowledge can make a huge difference when plans need to shift. A local photographer, celebrant or planner will know which locations are likely to be busy, where parking is realistic, what the light does at different times of year and which sheltered spots still feel special if the weather turns.
It’s also where a planning collective like Wee Wild Weddings, a package-based planning solution for couples eloping in the wild, can be especially useful.
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“In Scotland, conditions can change quickly,” laughs photographer Andrew Rae. “But that’s part of the charm! Embrace it – some of the most memorable moments happen when the weather isn’t perfect.” (Photo: Andrew Rae Photographer)
How to prepare for Scotland’s unpredictable weather
Even if your outdoor ceremony vision involves blue skies and golden light, Scotland may have other ideas. The key, experts agree, is not to fight the weather but to plan for it.
“Come prepared for all weather and embrace it,” says planner Catrina Duthie of Fin Flükra, who is part of Wee Wild Weddings.
“If you want an outdoor ceremony on the condition ‘it has to be sunny’, you might need to rethink if this is for you,” Catrina says.
Claire the Humanist, of Humanist Society Scotland and Wee Wild Weddings, is equally direct about the importance of proper clothing. “You can get into serious trouble out on the hills if you’re not prepared, and it would be awful if, for the lack of thermals and good solid boots, something unpleasant happened on your wedding day. Bring a damn coat!”
It’s not just rain and cold weather to think about either. Jean Donaldson, owner of Scottish Wild Picnics and fellow Wee Wild Weddings member, says couples should also prepare for wind. That might mean holding on tight to skirts, kilts, bouquets and written vows, as well as adding extra fastenings to hair and veils.
For an outdoor wedding ceremony, it’s worth packing:
- Warm layers or thermals
- Waterproof outerwear
- Sturdy footwear
- Extra hair pins or veil fastenings
- A secure folder for written vows
Photo: Andrew Rae Photographer
Are there any outdoor wedding locations or dates to avoid?
If you’re hoping for privacy, timing matters. Popular locations can become busy very quickly, particularly during warmer months and holiday periods.
“Time of year and popular locations should play a big part in your plans,” Catrina says. “Scotland is beautiful in every season, but in the warmer months there will simply be more people around in the popular spots.”
More visitors also means fewer places to park, especially in remote areas where parking is limited to begin with. Catrina suggests avoiding weekends, especially bank holiday weekends, where possible.
Rona recommends choosing your ceremony spot with a “mix of heart and practicality”.
“Choose somewhere you connect with, but also think about logistics,” she says.
“When you book someone who is familiar with the area, they’ll also know the weather patterns, and know safe spots if things shift and those quiet wee corners that still feel wild but work beautifully for a ceremony and photos.”
She would also steer couples away from obvious tourist hotspots. “It defeats the purpose if you have random folk watching,” she adds.
“If you’re planning on having a wild picnic as part of your day, we really need access for our van and team, so just keep in mind that the more remote a location, the longer we’ll likely require to set up,” says Jean Donaldson, owner of Scottish Wild Picnics and part of Wee Wild Weddings (Photo: Joy Story)
Outdoor wedding photography tips: making the most of your setting
One of the big draws of an outdoor wedding ceremony is the promise of beautiful photographs, but Andrew says couples should still think carefully about timing.
“Natural light plays a big role outdoors,” he explains. “The same location can feel completely different depending on the time of day and the season, so it’s worth collaborating with your photographer early on.”
Your photographer can help you understand when the light will be most flattering, how the weather might affect the mood of the images and whether your chosen location works best at a particular time of day.
Andrew also advises couples not to overcomplicate things stylistically. “Scotland’s landscapes speak for themselves. You don’t need to over-style or add too much.”
Maria Elizabeth Designs brought high fashion to the Scottish Highlands in this styled elopement shoot filled with wild florals and romantic details
Photo: Joy Story
Do you need flowers for an outdoor wedding ceremony?
While an incredible view can do a lot of the visual work for you, that doesn’t mean flowers should be overlooked entirely.
Florist Mel of Briar Rose Design and Wee Wild Weddings says floral details can help define the ceremony space, especially in a wide-open landscape.
“You might think you don’t need flowers because of the impressive landscape, but flowers at the ceremony spot can really help anchor the couple in the shot so it doesn’t just look like you’re standing in a random field,” she explains. “Flower installations and hill/loch backdrops make a great combo!”
Instead of trying to compete with the scenery, think about flowers as a way of framing the moment. A considered installation, bouquet or simple floral marker can make the ceremony feel intentional while still allowing the landscape to shine.
Before you book your wedding florist, read this
Photo: Andrew Rae Photographer
Why couples love getting married outdoors
Outdoor ceremonies are not always predictable, and that’s part of their appeal. The light may shift, the wind may lift your veil, and the weather might not do exactly what you hoped it would do. But for many couples, that sense of 'going where the wind takes you' (sometimes literally) is what makes the moment feel so memorable.
As Rona puts it: “Light, weather, space… it all works together to create something really emotional and unpredictable, which makes it super-exciting.
"It’s romantic to get married in the wild, even if it’s raining. Makes it all the more real, I think.”
So yes, plan carefully. Bring the coat, pack the boots, avoid the busiest beauty spots and listen to the people who know the landscape. Then, when the day comes, accept that the rest is officially out of your control.
