Real Weddings Scotland: Lisa and Scott’s Isle of Skye wedding

“We met in the new traditional way - online!” says Lisa. “Scott messaged me first, although he will disagree and say I messaged him! Our first date was a coffee at Silverburn Shopping Centre in November 2016. Coffee is still a constant in our relationship now.”

An unusual proposal...

Scott proposed in a jewellery shop on Kilmarnock High Street. “Scott is very unromantic!” says Lisa. “I would always stop at the window of this shop, to look at one particular ring. Eventually, Scott took the hint and bought it. The ring was gone the next time I walked passed the window and I thought, ‘Oh, my ring is away! Better go in and see where it is'. Then the jeweller bought it out and measured my finger and I didn't really have a choice or option to say no! Although, I never would have done. Luckily, Scott followed this up with a romantic dinner.”

Lockdown anxiety

“I put on weight during lockdown, so my original dress no longer fitted, and I was really embarrassed,” says Lisa.

“It caused me overwhelming anxiety and didn’t think I would feel comfortable in anything I tried from that moment forward. I felt like I let myself down and I only had six weeks until the wedding."

Finding the perfect dress

“Eventually, I plucked up the courage to go dress shopping to get something that suited my new body,” says Lisa.

“I went to WED2B’s Glasgow store and the warm, friendly and welcoming staff saw me straight away. It was a great experience, even with the Covid precautions in place. I bought the last dress I tried on, which was picked out by Eve, the store assistant. It was a wildcard and not a style I ever thought I would want, but I loved it. My dress was Wini, a beautiful A-Line gown with the most amazing details on the bodice and a killer satin train, plus pockets! I also wore a delicate Leonie belt to complement it, and they went together so well. I finished it off with Willa, a cathedral-length tulle veil.”

An Isle of Skye wedding

The couple eloped and got married on the 17th August 2021. “We chose a wee secret spot outdoors on the Quiraing Walk, a picturesque walking route on the Isle of Skye. The original plan was Las Vegas but after three failed attempts, due to Covid, we decided on an Isle of Skye wedding instead. We’ve visited Skye many times as a couple and every time we go back we fall in love with the landscapes all over again. We both love nature and the outdoors and we know we made the right choice when we look back at our wet and windy photographs. I can’t imagine having it anywhere else now. The Quiraing has featured in so many movies that we love, we just knew that was the spot.”

The Misty Isle

“The day started with mimosas to calm the nerves, shortly followed by the arrival of my bridal hair and makeup lady,” says Lisa. “The morning went by so fast and, before I knew it, it was time to get dressed. It was untraditional. Scott was getting ready in the same house and we saw each other on the day, as we eloped with only two witnesses. I still kept my dress a secret until I walked up to meet him, though."

"We also had a small wedding cake delivered on the morning of the wedding, to try and keep some tradition. It was white chocolate and raspberry flavour and it was delicious.” 

A personalised ceremony

“My celebrant and my piper were there to meet me at the location. It was pouring down with rain and it was so windy, but I didn’t expect anything less from the Misty Isle. I choose to be piped in to the song ‘Highland Cathedral’, as I love it on the bagpipes. My brother walked me down the aisle - well up the hill! - and it was a really special moment that I’ll cherish forever. We opted for a humanist ceremony, as we wanted something very personalised and it truly was, filled with so many stories and happy memories."

"My brother Craig gave a reading and we also opted for a hand-fastening ceremony to truly ‘tie the knot’. We drank from a Quaich, a traditional Scottish friendship cup, and ended with a Celtic reading. Afterwards, we went for photos at different locations around Skye and then for a lovely meal at Kinloch Lodge, our favourite restaurant on the island.”

Smiling, laughing… and slipping!

“My most memorable moment was being piped back down the Quiraing to the tune from Star Wars,” says Lisa. “I, unfortunately, lost my footing and slipped, and I nearly took my new husband down with me! My brother caught me on film and I won’t ever live it down. Luckily my long train saved me from getting dirty!"

"Once we were back in Portree town centre we also got a huge cheer and traffic literally stopped for us. I felt like a celeb at my Isle of Skye wedding, it was amazing. I didn’t stop smiling and laughing all day!"

My top tips…

“Take some time to just be in the moment with your husband and take the day in,” says Lisa. “It’s such a cliché to say but the day just disappears and, before you know it, it’s time to go to bed. Do what makes you happy and don’t be pressured into having a day neither of you will look back on and say, ‘we loved it’. Don’t be scared to get your dress dirty either (mine was filthy). It’s amazing what dry cleaners can do! Just enjoy strutting around like a celebrity!”

Lisa’s Dream team 

Photographer: Sam McYoung at Ezra Studios 

Flowers: To A Mountain Daisy 

Hair Piece: Emma Rose Creations 

Hair & Makeup: Skye Beauty Salon

Cake: The Skye Bakehouse 

Humanist: Francesca Leigh 

Piper: Castle Piper

Quiach: Uig Pottery

Kilt: Franks Gold Room at Kilts 4 U 

Shoes: Converse 

Hand Fastening Ribbons: A Wee Favour 

Restaurant: Kinloch Lodge

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings, like this Isle of Skye wedding, please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch.