The couple dances joyfully on a grassy hillside, surrounded by misty mountains.

A Personalized Elopement in the Isle of Skye

Knowing that eloping was always the way they’d choose to marry, Marcella (she/her) and Natalie (she/her) whisked themselves away to the incredible Isle of Skye, in a ceremony that was completely personalized, meaningful and heartfelt.

Why did you decide to elope, rather than to have a traditional wedding?

Even though so many friends and family supported our relationship, and our desire to get married, we live quite far from our family and have had to create a life and community of our own. 

We always felt like it was just the two of us – in a sense. 

We also feel like the traditional wedding was not for us. It didn’t seem to fit how we feel we belong in the world, nor how we see ourselves. 

We maintained and embraced some traditions (rings, hand fasting, quaich, vows) but felt as if it allowed us to be our authentic selves without the pressure of others watching. 

We ended up throwing a reception five months post elopement to share our wedding film to our friends and family and we all danced late into the night. 

Why did you choose Scotland as your elopement destination? 

We actually almost broke up on a trip to Scotland in 2019 because the one-lane roads and pass through spaces on the Isle of Sky are truly impossible for Marcella to navigate. Needless to say, tensions were high. 

When we finally arrived at the Quiraing Trail and took in the epic beauty of the landscape, all of our petty arguments melted away. It was a beautiful reminder of relationships and challenges, and to always keep the bigger picture in mind. 

A few years later, we googled Quairing elopement and that is how we found our photographers! Seeing The Caryls’ portfolio sealed the deal for us on why we decided to elope. 

Tell us about how you personalized your elopement ceremony. 

We personalized the entire ceremony. Natalie’s suit and Macella’s slip were custom made. We more matching boots and socks and handpicked Natalie’s suit buttons from Lous Button in Soho, NYC. 

Upon arriving in Edinburgh, we did a whisky tasting in order to choose the whisky that we’d drink from our pink Quaich at the end of the ceremony. 

We weaved our own Celtic handfasting cord out of leftover strips of our fabric from our outfits. 

We chose our own wording for the ring exchange: ‘I take you to be my wife. With this ring, we forge a new path on our adventure together. Let it serve as a reminder of today and all our hopes and dreams for the future. Know that I’m always with you, behind you, and by your side.’We custom made our engagement and wedding bands, and we wrote our own vows.

A woman sits on a bed in a cozy room with white paneled walls, reading a book. The bed is neatly made with neutral-colored linens, and a plaid blanket is folded at the foot of the bed. Above the bed, a framed botanical print hangs on the wall.
A close-up shot of a hand adjusting a boutonniere on the lapel of a brown checkered suit. The boutonniere consists of dark red and white flowers with green foliage.
Two women are indoors in a warmly lit room. One woman, wearing a brown checkered suit, stands with her hand on the shoulder of the other woman, who is sitting and wearing a white lace dress. The seated woman holds a bouquet of flowers. They are in a room with white paneled walls, a small wood stove in the background, and a window letting in natural light.
The two women walk outdoors along a road with a rocky backdrop. Both are smiling and laughing. One woman is wearing a brown checkered suit and has a backpack over one shoulder, while the other woman is wearing a white lace dress and a plaid shawl, carrying a bouquet of flowers.
The two women stand facing each other on a grassy hilltop with a scenic backdrop of green hills and misty mountains. One woman is wearing a brown checkered suit, and the other is in a white lace dress, holding a bouquet of flowers.
A close-up shot of the two women holding hands. One woman is wearing a brown checkered suit, and the other is wearing a white lace dress, holding a bouquet in her other hand.
The two women are participating in a handfasting ceremony. Their hands are bound together with intertwined ribbons and cords, held by a third person who is slightly out of frame.
A close-up shot of a book held open by one of the women. Handwritten vows are visible on the pages as the woman reads them during the ceremony.
A close-up shot of one woman placing a ring on the other woman's finger during the ceremony. Both hands are visible, one wearing a brown suit sleeve and the other in a white lace dress sleeve.
The two women share a kiss outdoors with a breathtaking view of misty mountains and green hills behind them. One woman is wearing a brown checkered suit, and the other is in a white lace dress. The wind gently blows their hair and dress.
The couple stands together smiling as flower petals are thrown around them against a mountainous backdrop.
The couple dances joyfully on a grassy hillside, surrounded by misty mountains.
The couple walks up a hill, one wearing a plaid shawl, holding hands with mist rolling over the hills.
The couple holds hands, one standing on a higher grassy mound, as sunlight streams through the mist.
A close-up of the couple's boots and the hem of the lace dress as they walk along a rocky path.
A close-up of the couple embracing, showing the details of the lace dress and the checkered suit.
A white building sits by a water edge, surrounded by dense green foliage.
The couple holds lanterns, standing on a rocky shore with a white building in the background at dusk.
A close-up shot of a hand adjusting a boutonniere on the lapel of a brown checkered suit. The boutonniere consists of dark red and white flowers with green foliage.
The couple stands by the water's edge, illuminated by lanterns, gazing out over the calm water.
The couple faces each other, holding lanterns between them, illuminated by the soft glow as they stand by the water.
A nighttime view of a small town with lights reflecting on the water, surrounded by hills.

Photography byThe Caryls

Blanket Tartan Blanket Co
Celebrant Rona Burstow
Dress Designer Jane Bourvis
Engagement Rings Ken & Dana
Florist Wild Gorse Studio
Hair & Makeup Gosia Weiss
Musician Sophia Kayafas
Shoes Thursday Boot Company
Stylist Joann Land
Suit Designer Kali Collection
Venue The Crofter’s House
Videographer Knoxland Films
Wedding Rings Ken & Dana

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