An Eilean Donan Castle Elopement for Two Beautiful Brides

Lynn and Dawnmarie told only their mothers what their plans were when they left Orkney to travel to Skye for a couple of days break on Skye. This Eilean Donan Castle elopement was top secret until they got home with a car full of everything you need for a party!

They packed up their car with their dresses and headed off to the ferry and no-one back home in Orkney was any the wiser. Once the ferry reached the mainland they headed for the supermarket (anyone who lives on a Scottish Island knows how important a stop that is!) for treats treats and champagne.  Then they drove all the way on to Eilean Donan Castle where they had taken an apartment. They decided not to tell anyone but their mums (who only found out at the last minute) what they were up to. Their mums were given the link to the castle’s live video camera so they could watch their daughters walk over the bridge together to get married.

I met the girls at the Eilean Donan Apartments to photograph them in their dresses and the take them over the road. We laughed at how similar their taste in dresses were. They had bought them without the other seeing and couldn’t believe how alike they were when they showed them to each other! Lynne from Skye Beauty Salon was on hand to do their hair and makeup. When I arrived had transformed the tired travellers I had met the day before into two beautiful, but nervous, brides. Donald from Loch Duich Plants delivered two similar, but slightly different, bouquets and after a few pictures, and one or two calming glasses of fizz we set off for the castle to be married by Sonja of Heart and Soul Ceremonies.

Neither Dawnmarie or Lynne like to be the centre of attention. They were really nervous as they set off across the bridge. I think my favourite picture of the wedding is of them waving enthusiastically to the crowd in the carpark who let up a huge cheer as they saw them on the bridge. As soon as the cheering started they seemed to relax and enjoy the photoshoot before the ceremony before heading into the castle to marry in the courtyard over looking the sea. Their Eilean Donan Castle elopement ceremony was magical, with lots of obvious love and I cried! More champagne, more photos, and then the evening treated us to a spectacular sunset, a perfect end to a very special day.

The next day Dawnmarie and Lynn headed back to Orkney. They went via the supermarket, laden with party supplies ready to break the news to all their friends and family and celebrate with an impromptu open house party.

Here is how their elopement unfolded:

For ideas to plan you perfect Eilean Donan Castle elopement check out my guide here.