Eilean Donan Castle Wedding – a winter love story in one of the most iconic castles in Scotland.
Eilean Donan is the ideal location for a truly romantic Highland wedding.
Couples from all over the world have been married at Eilean Donan. You can see why it’s such a popular choice for marriages and special ocassions.
With some magnificent views to die for and the iconic castle taking centre stage (after the newly weds ofcourse), it is simply the stuff of dreams.
It was certainly a dream come true for local bride Ashley and her husband-to-be Alex. They decided to tie the knot at Eilean Donan Castle on the shores of Loch Duich.
With it’s world famous Highland hospitality and scenery that truly is breathtaking you have the perfect recipe for an unforgettable day.
Weathering the conditions
Ashley and Alex decided that Eilean Donan was the perfect location for their wedding. Who could blame them – it is gloriously unique!
The bride, Ashley grew up nearbye in the equally beautiful Isle of Skye whilst the groom Alex, originated from Edinburgh.
It was a blustery morning as Ashley’s bridal preparations got under way at her parent’s home in Portree. The clouds were distinctly moody as the rain swept in over the bay. The prospect of a dry wedding at Eilean Donan Castle was looking bleak. The notion of weathering the conditions was certainly on their minds.
The wedding dress did however look beautiful as it hung on the window overlooking Loch Portree.
Back at Eilean Donan, Alex the groom had arrived with his best man and was carefully inspecting the weather conditions as wedding guests began to arrive.
Here comes the bride
The wedding ceremony was taking place in the Banqueting Hall. It can accommodate approximately 70 people and as everyone piled in, umbrella’s in hand, thoughts turned to the Bride’s imminent arrival.
Sure enough, after a 40-mile journey in a vintage wedding car, the bride arrived accompanied by her father David.
With the rain clouds clearing I took the opportunity to capture some posed shots of Ashley and her father. I took these with the bridge over to the castle as a backdrop. I also took the opportunity to get some shots of Ashley and her bridesmaids whilst it was dry.
A room full of wedding guests
The ancient paintings and decor of the Banqueting Hall make for a unique ceremony and a real sense that you are in a special place! Whilst the room is fairly lowly lit, this makes for a cosey atmosphere and with the room full of wedding guests it’s truly majestic.
Following the celebrants service and the final questions came the “I do’s” culminating in a warm round of applause. Ashley and Alex then celebrated with their first kiss as Husband and Wife.
It was then downstairs to the Billeting Room for a champagne reception.
Due to the conditions outdoors, the bride and groom agreed that having the family photos indoors would be best. I set up my lighting upstairs in the Banqueting Hall ahead of the group photos.
Grabbing opportunities when the showers halted
Following this, the wedding party then departed for the wedding reception in Portree. The bride and groom remained at the castle. We managed to get a break in the weather which resulted in some spectacular light. It was the perfect time for getting photographs of Ashley and Alex in the stunning castle grounds.
Once we captured some truly memorable photos of the happy couple we decided to depart for Portree. The light was beginning to fade but Ashley & Alex asked to stop for photos at Sligichan Bridge enroute to the reception.
This was tricky as far as timing was concerned given that it was November. We managed to stop and get some lovely shots of them both before heading for Portree.
(You can see the Sligichan and the evening reception and dances in Portree in my other blog post here.)
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