Micro wedding in Glencoe
Micro weddings became very popular since the pandemic and their popularity is still rising. More couples decide to travel far from the city to have a mini “destination wedding” – you can combine your wedding and honeymoon all in one. The Highlands are great for exploring Scotland – there is always something to do!
Glencoe wedding photographer
I’ve been photographing weddings and elopements in Glencoe since 2016, with many couple sessions in between. Glencoe is a popular stop among couples visiting for a honeymoon. I’ve had also many couples asking for an engagement shoot in the Highlands so the photos can be used in wedding invitations and save the date.
A photoshoot in Glencoe takes 2-3 hours to allow us to visit a few locations. My usual starting location is Glen Etive, finishing at the Lagangarbh Hut, but this is dependant on the weather and light conditions. Photoshoot in Glencoe is available Sunday to Monday.
Wedding and elopement photography in Glencoe is available 7 days of the week, with a minimum coverage of 3 hours.
Check availability and prices for 2024/2025
Glencoe wedding venues
So you have decided to get married in the Scottish Highlands, and you are looking for Glencoe wedding venues? The Scottish Highlands is a wonderful location with a natural beauty, which makes it a popular choice for filmmakers, deer sighting, hiking and is also one of most scenic places for Scotland elopement. I’ve photographed a few small weddings and elopements in Glencoe and here are a few tips and recommendations, starting with the venues. Getting married outdoors is a great experience but you might still need an accommodation or venue for a reception when planning a micro wedding. Some couples prefer to have a safe indoor space too in case of bad weather. There are a few suitable places in Glencoe where you can celebrate your marriage.
Here are a few Glencoe wedding venues you might like:
Kingshouse Hotel
This hotel is located opposite Glen Etive, making it a perfect location for your accommodation in Glencoe or for anyone looking for a wedding venue . They offer different wedding packages that can cater for 2 people or up to 100 guests. The indoor ceremony room has outstanding views! There is usually a stag or deer wandering around the hotel.
Kingshouse Hotel , Glencoe PH49 4HY
Dalness Estate
A Victorian luxury lodge located in the Glen Etive, Dalness Lodge is a perfect place for small weddings and elopements in Glencoe. 7 bedrooms can accommodate up to 12 guests and Dalness is dog friendly too!
Dalness Estate, Glen Etive, PH49 4JA
Isles of Glencoe
A modern pet friendly hotel with mountain views located near the shore of Loch Leven . The hotel can host weddings with up to 100 guests and weddings take place between October and March.
Isles of Glencoe, Ballachulish, Fort William, Ballachulish PH49 4HL
Ballachulish Hotel
The hotel is located on the shore of Loch Linnhe and can host elopements as well as big weddings for up to 100 guests. There are 53 bedrooms on offer and the hotel is dog friendly as well.
Ballachulish Hotel, Nr Fort William, Glencoe PH49 4JY
Glencoe House
A luxury mansion house with fourteen private suites, overlooking the Pap of Glencoe and loch, and 5 acres of private grounds. Also a pet friendly hotel!
Glencoe House, Glencoe PH49 4HT
How I can get married in Glencoe?
You can get married anywhere in Glencoe as long as you complete and send a Marriage Notice form to the registrar , anytime between 3 months and a month before the wedding – please check with Fort William Registry Office.
You can have a civil or a religious ceremony and choose your favourite outdoor location for wedding vows. “Should we have a plan B in case of the bad weather?” Yes, that would be good. Although us wedding photographers, are used to working with rain and wind, sometimes it is a good option to have some sort of shelter in case of a torrential rain.
Best locations for photos in Glencoe
Choosing a location for a wedding ceremony and spots for a photoshoot might be a bit overwhelming. There are so many scenic places with stunning backdrops!
Glen Etive – my usual go-to place for elopement photos, Glen Etive is a narrow winding road with outstanding views. It has been featured in a James Bond movie and it is becoming very popular for photoshoot locations in Glencoe.
Glencoe Lochan – a woodland area with a loch and forest trails, easy to access from the car park. I come here on sunny and cloudless days if I need some shade to create the perfect elopement photos.
Buachaille Etive Mòr– a spectacular mountain at the head of the Glen Etive. Although it can be a bit muddy, it is easy to access and provides a stunning backdrop for those wedding photos.
Wee White Cottage ( Lagangarbh Hut ) – cute little hut with a stunning mountain backdrop. This location is quite popular among wedding and elopement photographers and you can see it on many photos.
Glencoe elopement packages
Glencoe is a small village with the nearest largest town Fort William. How you can find a make up artist, a celebrant or your Glencoe wedding photographer? Many suppliers can and will travel and there are a few local suppliers in the area too. You can pick up your flowers on the way if travelling from the central belt.
Glencoe wedding celebrants
There are many celebrants that are happy to travel to conduct a wedding ceremony in Glencoe, the ones I worked with are : Claire The Humanist , Neil Lynch ( with his dog Tanni ), Onie Tibbit.
You will need 2 witnesses and your wedding photographer can act as one.
If you are overwhelmed with planning your Glencoe elopement, wedding planners can help. Not only they can save your time but also your money by finding the best deals. Check with Gabrielle who specialises in French weddings in Scotland or Cat at Fin Flükra.
Accommodation
If you are planning a small elopement then an airbnb comes in handy to book your accommodation for Glencoe elopement. Alternatively, check with hotels above or have a look at booking.com . Here are some ideas:
The Boathouse – 2 bedroom holiday house at the Loch Leven with private beach area.
Clachaig Inn – an old inn in Glencoe with 23 budget friendly bedrooms, a pub with craft ales and regular live music sessions.
Duart Cottage – 3 bedroom cottage located in the village, convenient location for exploring Glencoe!
What time is the best to visit Glencoe?
My favourite time of the year for visiting Glencoe is Autumn, when it is still warm and land is covered in heather. You might get a better chance of bad weather but rain and wind are sometimes helpful when comes to creating these dramatic moody photos. Plus you have more chance of spotting a deer at the end of the year.
No matter the season, it is always a great idea to visit the Highlands. Looking for some inspiration? Check photos from Max & Daniela’s post wedding session in Glencoe which took place in September.
