Cloe and Gareth kept things intentionally low-key for their Scottish Highlands wedding. They married with just sixteen guests, all staying together in a large lodge, sharing meals, views and the pace of a few slow days away. The setting did most of the work, so their brief was simple: natural tones, hints of lilac and light sage, and nothing that competed with the landscape.

The ceremony took place at Am Ploc Open Air Historical Church in Torridon, with the reception held later at their lodge in Strathcarron. “A musical duo played while our guests arrived,” the bride told us. “My dad walked me down the aisle to Malibu by Mumford and Sons. Our ceremony was celebrant-led by the brilliant Halde Pottinger, who made everyone laugh and cry tears of happiness as he retold our very own love story. The whole ceremony was special as we were overlooking the landscape while making the commitment to each other in front of our closest family and friends.”

After the ceremony, and some rainy photos on the beach, everyone returned to the lodge. The ceilidh barn on the grounds became the centre of the evening. Guests helped decorate it together. Bunting was strung up, a flower arch was assembled, and retro prints from Cloe and Gareth’s life together were pegged onto string around the space. A mountain-shaped sign with their names and wedding date sat on an easel, filled with handwritten messages by the end of the night.

There was no formal entertainment schedule. One of Cloe’s bridesmaids brought her PA system, sang a few songs, then handed over to a playlist. Alongside dancing, the barn offered snooker, darts, table football and ping pong. An Instax mini camera was passed around, with prints added straight into the guest book.

They kept costs down by using what they already had around them. Gareth’s mum made the cake. Friends and family helped dress the lodge and barn, everyone shared cars, and Cloe arrived at the ceremony in their orange campervan.

“Don’t plan your wedding based on pleasing anyone but yourselves,” Cloe concluded. “You don’t want to look back at your wedding and wish you had done the things that would have made you happy. Make time for each other as a couple on the day, away from guests. And if your wedding is outside, be prepared that it might start to rain.”