What started with forgotten tent poles on a windswept beach turned into the most personal wedding day James and Stephanie could imagine
Dreaming of a relaxed Scottish elopement by the sea? James and Stephanie’s romantic Achnahaird Bay wedding in Wester Ross is proof that simplicity can be spectacular.
With panoramic Highland views, a personal humanist ceremony and their dog Olive as ring-bearer, this beach elopement captured everything they love about Scotland’s rural landscape – freedom, connection and a touch of adventure.
Wedding highlights at a glance
Ceremony 'venue' | Achnahaird Bay, Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands
Date | 22nd April 2025
Photography | Alison White Photography
Guests | No guests – only two witnesses and a celebrant
Ceremony | Humanist beach ceremony with personal vows, handfasting and a quaich toast
Entertainment | Post-ceremony meal at Delilah’s Lochinver
From forgotten tent poles to the perfect beach elopement
James and Stephanie first met on a night out in 2018, bonding over their love of Scotland’s outdoors. Four years later, during a summer trip to the remote Coigach peninsula, James planned to propose on Achnahaird Bay – but forgot the tent poles.
“We had to make a makeshift shelter,” he laughs. “But at sunset I got down on one knee – and she said yes.”
Two and a half years later, they returned to the same beach to marry. “A big wedding just isn’t our vibe,” says Stephanie. “We wanted something chilled and completely on our own terms.”
How to plan an elopement in Scotland
Planning a personal Scottish elopement
When they decided to elope, the couple contacted Lynn Munro, a celebrant with the Humanist Society Scotland. “Lynn was amazing – easy-going, supportive and based nearby,” says Stephanie.
The ceremony included personal vows, a handfasting using Malcolm tartan ribbon in tribute to James’s late stepdad, and a toast from a quaich filled with artisan limoncello.
Read more about celebrant organisation, Humanist Society Scotland
Their beloved dog Olive carried the rings in a handmade leather pouch. “We worried she might sprint off down the beach,” laughs Stephanie, “but she behaved perfectly.”
A Highland elopement wedding photographer
Photographer Alison White was the perfect fit for their relaxed day. “We searched for ‘elopement photographers Scotland’, but most were dark and moody,” says Stephanie. “Alison’s work was bright, natural and unposed – exactly what we wanted.”
After the heartfelt ceremony, Alison photographed the newlyweds at Ardvreck Castle and nearby heather-covered hills before they continued to Lochinver for dinner at Delilah’s. “We sat outside in our wedding clothes with Olive at our feet and people kept stopping to congratulate us – it felt so special,” says James.
Discover more wedding photographers in Scotland
A week later, the couple hosted a larger reception for 200 guests at the Broadcroft Hotel in Kirkintilloch. “It started small but grew arms and legs,” says Stephanie. “We had a brilliant night with friends and family – but no regrets about eloping first.”
Collecting the marriage schedule
One key piece of advice from the couple: “Factor in plenty of time for collecting and returning your paperwork at the registration office nearest your ceremony (for many couples, that means it won’t be your local one). For us, it required an eight-hour round trip to Inverness a few days before the wedding to collect our marriage schedule,” say James and Stephanie.
Wedding suppliers
Ceremony location Achnahaird Bay, Wester Ross
Celebrant Lynn Munro, Humanist Society Scotland
Photography Alison White Photography
Wedding dress Wed2B
Groomswear Slanj Kilts
Wedding rings Beaverbrooks and Paula Lindsay Jewellery
Flowers The Artisan Dried Flower Co
Accommodation The Turf House, Stac Pollaidh
Post-ceremony meal Delilah’s, Lochinver
Reception venue Broadcroft Hotel, Kirkintilloch
Reception DJ Gordy Is A DJ
