Gary and Isobel celebrated their island home with an easy-going wedding on Arran, complete with sea views, local suppliers, a yellow campervan and a ceilidh
Gary and Isobel Gunn hosted their Isle of Arran wedding at The Dougarie Boathouse, an exclusive-use coastal wedding venue on the island's west coast.
With an outdoor ceremony, nautical-inspired details, local suppliers and a lively ceilidh, their relaxed Scottish wedding reflected the place they call home – with a few memorable mishaps along the way!
Wedding highlights at a glance
Venue | The Dougarie Boathouse, Arran
Date | 19th July 2025
Photography | Meggy Mac Photography
Guests | 80
Ceremony | Outdoor humanist wedding ceremony
Decor | Nautical-inspired touches, historic boathouse interiors and coastal scenery
Entertainment | Traditional Scottish ceilidh and a covers band
Why they chose The Dougarie Boathouse
Issy had her heart set on this Arran wedding venue long before the proposal. “When we got engaged, I could picture marrying there right away,” she says.
The 19th-century boathouse's wooden beams, stained-glass windows and panoramic sea views appealed to the couple, who have both worked in private yachting.
TTKS visits the Dougarie Boathouse on Arran
“I wanted the day and the overall vibe to be really joyful and reflect not only the coast but our nautical background – in a fun and non-clichéd way,” explains Issy.
The island's community also mattered.
“There’s an amazing community here – everyone looks out for one another, and people go out of their way to help you.”
Planning an Arran wedding with local suppliers
The couple booked The Dougarie Boathouse in winter 2023, working with events manager Malin Stewart around Gary's changing leave dates at sea. They sent invitations to 80 loved ones and chose island-based wedding suppliers wherever possible.
“Being on an island encourages you to book people who are based here – and I’m so glad we did,” says Issy.
They needed little extra decoration: the historic boathouse and surrounding landscape provided much of the atmosphere. On the morning itself, hair and makeup artist Natalia helped settle Issy's nerves while Malin and the team kept things running smoothly.
A campervan adventure before an outdoor ceremony
The main drama began the night before, when Issy's dad arrived from Cornwall with a bright yellow 1970s VW campervan as a surprise wedding car. Unfortunately, he wasn't sure its engine would make the journey.
A compromise saw Issy travel most of the way in a reliable car before swapping into the campervan near Dougarie.
“A journey that usually takes 40 minutes ended up taking twice as long, with all of us holding our breath that the van would make it!”
Discover more wedding transport suppliers across Scotland
Issy had also considered arriving by boat, fittingly for a skipper, but the tide wasn't right. Once safely at the venue, she and Gary exchanged vows outdoors overlooking the coast.
Meggy Mac Photography captured candid moments during the drinks reception, allowing the couple to spend more time with guests rather than pose for lengthy portraits.
A flaming speech, coastal dining and ceilidh dancing
The next unexpected moment came during Issy's dad's speech.
“He’d held it too close to one of the candles and the paper went up in flames. One of my bridesmaids saved the day – she chucked a glass of wine over him to extinguish the fire!”
After the excitement, Number 16 Arran served sharing charcuterie boards, plated mains and desserts, with stovies and pasties later in the evening.
Fantastic Scottish wedding food and drink suppliers
The celebrations continued overlooking the beach, despite some determined midges. Band Slam Dunk got everyone dancing with a traditional Scottish ceilidh before switching to rock and indie music.
“Our guests from down south loved experiencing a Scottish wedding by the sea,” says Issy.
And for the couple, the verdict was simple: “It was the best day ever, surrounded by all the people we love.”
Wedding suppliers
Venue The Dougarie Boathouse, Isle of Arran
Photography Meggy Mac Photography
Catering Number 16 Arran
Celebrant Sarah Pomfret, Caledonian Humanist Association
Marquee Visit Arran
Wedding dress Valentina by Grace Loves Lace
Shoes Zara
Hair and makeup Natalia Hair and Makeup
Spray tan Lorna at Island Hair and Beauty
Bridesmaid dresses Six Stories
Flowergirl dresses Next
Wedding jewellery Love for Diamonds and Chisholm Hunter
Groomswear Kilts 4 U
Flowers Eleanor’s Flowers
Cake Elie’s Delight Cakes
Favours Arran whisky from Lochranza Distillery and Plymouth Gin
Reception music Slam Dunk via Hireaband
Transport Stagecoach
Confetti Flutter Darlings!
