These newlyweds had a romantic eloping wedding then celebrated by paddling in the nearest Loch…

Hannah and Peter’s first date happened to coincide with Valentine’s Day. “Embarrassingly it was the 14th February 2020,” laughs Hannah. “It was the first day we could do and we didn't realise the date until the day before. We went to the Clock Warehouse in Derby for drinks and talked for hours. It was lovely and I was so excited for our next date.”

A nice cup of tea and a marriage proposal

“Peter had the ring for about four months, but couldn't find the right time,” says Hannah. "One night, in April 2022, he asked if I wanted a cup of tea and came back with a mug that said ‘Reader, I married him’, which is a quote from my favourite book Jane Eyre. He read it for the first time when we were in lockdown, so we had something new to talk about. It was perfect.”

Shopping for the dress

Hannah found her dream dress at wed2b Derby. “It was amazing,” she says. “I was very nervous about sizing and feeling comfortable in something. Also, I didn't really know what I wanted. So, I rang ahead and felt so welcomed by the staff. There was a really lovely vibe in the store and they had a huge range, so I could try on lots of different designs.”

Hannah chose Kaur, a beautiful tulle A-line by Heidi Hudson. “As soon as I put it on I knew it was ‘The One’,” she says. “It was perfect for what we were doing on our wedding day and I've never felt so beautiful. I also bought a headband. I didn’t know I needed the headband until it was put on my head, it was just right.”

An elopement wedding

“We decided very early on to elope, because we wanted to celebrate just the two of us,” says Hannah. "We worked with our photographers, Oli and Steph, who specialise in elopements. They helped us plan the food, makeup, flowers and the celebrant. We settled on Kilchurn Castle, near Oban, for the ceremony and then spent the day in Glencoe taking the most incredible photos and enjoying each other's company.”

The big day

On the day of their October wedding the couple got ready together at the cottage they were staying at in the middle of nowhere. “Peter sat chatting with my makeup artist's boyfriend and then with Oli and Steph, as I got ready,” says Hannah. “Then he waited outside, as I put the dress on and we had a reveal at the house. The ceremony was short with a selection of readings and our personal vows. We each said these vows on an 'oathing' stone and threw them into the Loch.”

After the ceremony

“Afterwards we paddled in Loch Awe,” says Hannah. "In our wellies, of course, and then we had a picnic. The food was magnificent and we were eating it for three days afterwards. We had Taylor Swift's ‘Red’ album on in the background. At the point where we would have had a first dance, ‘Everything Has Changed’ played, so we decided against it."

A beautiful autumnal backdrop

“The colour scheme was very autumnal,” says Hannah. “We’d worked so closely with Oli and Steph it felt so laid back and very us. They catered for exactly what we wanted. We walked a lot, which we love, had a picnic and spent time enjoying each other's company and Glencoe, which is beautiful.”

The best bits…

“The most memorable moment was saying our vows and telling each other how much we meant to one another,” says Hannah. "Also, doing exactly we wanted. There was no pressure and the day was entirely about us. Getting the photos back was such a highlight. I really think we have the best wedding photos I've ever seen.”

My top tips…

“If you're worried about choosing a dress, speak to someone at wed2b,” says Hannah. "They made me feel so at ease. Plus, you do you! Don't feel the pressure to have a wedding you don't want. We're celebrating with friends and family soon, but I didn't want to have the classic big day with all eyes on us.”

Hannah and Peter’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Oli and Steph Photography 

Venue: Kilchurn Castle near Oban

Wedding dresses Derby: wed2b

Make up artist: Bonny's Wonderland 

Picnic: Creatures of Habit Cakery 

Florist: Flowers of Fort William

If you would like us to feature your big day, like this eloping wedding, then please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Your nearest WED2B is closer than you think, click here for your nearest store and here for what to expect when you visit.