An intimate Scottish elopement at Guardswell Farm in Perthshire

When Will and Louise decided to tie the knot, they knew they wanted something simple, meaningful, and far from tradition.

Trading big guest lists for rolling Scottish hills, the couple planned their heartfelt elopement in just a few weeks – with their beloved dog Murfs by their side.

From a handfasting ceremony in a cosy cabin, to a candlelit six-course meal beside a fire, their day at Guardswell Farm was the perfect blend of adventure, romance and relaxed elegance. Read on for the full story...

Will and Louise wasted no time in becoming husband and wife. They got engaged in October 2024 and by mid-November had everything in place for an unforgettable Scottish elopement.

Rules behind getting married in Scotland

“I’m half-French,” says the bride, “and we soon found out that the legalities of getting married in France can be slightly complicated.

"So, we decided we would celebrate with our friends and family there in August, having had our legal ceremony here beforehand – we live in England, near the Peak District. But even that came with a few challenges, such as finding a registry office and working out who to invite.

“After some research, we realised Scotland would be perfect for what we wanted.

"We loved the fact that you can have your ceremony pretty much anywhere you like in the country. Eloping (with our dog Murfs, of course!) meant we could have something that was laid-back, intimate and in a beautiful setting.”

Where to start planning a Scottish elopement

With that settled, the first item on their list was finding a photographer – specifically one who could offer them an insight into how to actually elope to Scotland.

“We came across Sam McGregor’s work online and, after securing a date with him, he helped us plan it all. We followed his advice and truly placed our trust in him, and we’re so glad we did. He was so helpful in recommending Guardswell Farm, both for the ceremony and as a place where we could stay.”

The legalities on getting married in Scotland

Intimate weddings at Guardswell Farm, Scotland

Guardswell is a working farm in Perthshire, with sheep, cattle, goats, hens and more. But it is also a beautiful wedding venue that can host celebrations of up to 200 guests, and has a mix of on-site accommodation sleeping around 30.

Louise and Will hoped to marry outdoors but liked the fact they had the option of retreating indoors if the weather wasn’t great.

“This ended up being a wise decision as, due to 40mph winds, we had the ceremony in our cabin rather than outside as originally planned,” laughs the bride.

“We just moved all the furniture around to create enough space in the cabin.”

Creating a ceremony for an elopement

The couple also credit their celebrant, Isabel Lockhart, for creating an unforgettable atmosphere. “She really put us at ease and her approach to the ceremony reminded us that first and foremost this was a celebration of our relationship,” smiles Louise.

“We read a poem to each other. Will’s was ‘The Orange’ by Wendy Cope, and I did ‘Don’t Hesitate’ by Mary Oliver, and then we followed this up with a handfasting ritual.”

Everything you need to know to plan your wedding ceremony in Scotland

It’s fair to say the pair had been pretty relaxed as their wedding approached. “Two days before, we popped into a local flower shop in Perth, Lorna Davies Florist. I asked for a bridal bouquet, and even though it was last-minute, they created a beautiful one for me.

“The Infield, our cabin at Guardswell, was completely off-grid – imagine, no hot water or electricity! Will did bring a chargeable port but it didn’t work, so we had to run down to the farm to steam our clothes before the ceremony!”

It was romantic, though: “Will pointed out how nice it is that we always work together to get through challenges, whether they’re small, like this, or big.”

Although it was just the two of them, food played an important part in their special day.

“We had ordered a picnic from Redwood Wines in Dunkeld to have on the boat, while Sam captured every moment.”

The boat in question, in case you’re wondering, sits not in a loch but in one of Guardswell’s fields. Destined for scrap, it was rescued from Dysart harbour and now serves as a bothy, a cosy spot to rest if you’re on a walk around the farm. Its romantic vibe really chimed with the newlyweds.

Wedding dinner for an elopement

“Afterwards, we headed back to our cabin where the chefs from Redwood Wines cooked up a delicious six-course meal beside the fire. They somehow managed to do the majority of it outside in the dark on a Big Green Egg barbecue.

"It was so cosy and intimate for us, and the perfect way to finish a perfect day.”

Discover even more Scottish wedding food and drink suppliers

With their French celebration planned for summer 2025, the couple say they wouldn’t change their ‘legal day’ for the world. “We loved how laid-back the planning was and therefore how chilled-out the whole day felt,” says Louise.

“All we had to think about was what we wanted from the day, and there was no pressure at all.

“Our photographer deserves a special mention – he really took an active role in helping to organise our day, from the venue down to the details. We got so lucky finding someone like Sam, who is so good at what he does.”

All you need to know... how to have a Scottish elopement

Advice for eloping from a Scottish photographer

“Louise and Will’s day was the kind of Scottish elopement couples dream about – remote, intimate and full of heart. Tucked away in a quiet cabin in the hills, they exchanged vows with nothing but the landscape around them," says Sam McGregor at Sam McGregor Photography.

"The weather had a classic Scottish feel (lively and ever-changing!) but that just added something really special to every moment. They fully embraced it, running through the open fields and hillsides, letting the scenery shape a gallery of images that felt real, cinematic and completely their own.”