A Guide to Getting Married on the Isle of Skye
We may be a little biased, but we think our island is one of the most beautiful places in the world for tying the knot — or as we say in Scotland, handfasting. Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a celebration with family and friends, there are many gifted people living on Skye who can help you create a special day that’s unique to you and your partner.
If you’re about to deep dive into the first stages of wedding planning, or you know someone who is, we’ve created this guide with recommendations from the Òr team to help you choose the best location and talent that Skye has to offer.
Where should you get married on Skye?
Photo: @belleartphotography
Outdoor elopements
With its rugged mountains, ancient brochs and coastal trails, you won’t be in short supply when it comes to finding a memorable location for your ceremony on Skye. One of our favourite spots, especially for small groups or elopements, has to be the Quiraing. This scenic setting offers awe-inspiring views across the Trotternish peninsula, with its sweeping landscape, spectacular cliff faces and rocky outcrops, making it an iconic place to exchange vows.
Neist Point is another renowned landmark on Skye, but for good reason. The famous lighthouse rests on the edge of the island, making it a beautiful spot for small gatherings, especially at sunrise or sunset. Admire it from a distance or make your way down the steps and enjoy the views from Skye’s most westerly point.
For those in search of a whimsical wedding spot with otherworldly charm, the Fairy Glen and the Old Man of Storr are two beautiful places to host your ceremony. The rolling, mossy hills and breathtaking views at the Fairy Glen make it a highlight on Skye, whereas The Storr is for more adventurous couples who like to do things a little differently. As long as you’re happy to don your hiking shoes on the day, then you can’t fail to be impressed by its magical views from the top.
Historic Scottish wedding venues
For an indoor celebration which retains the heritage found on our island, choose a castle wedding. Dunvegan Castle & Gardens rests on the north-west coast of Skye while the fairytale Eilean Donan sits along the gateway to our island. Both are steeped in Scottish clan history and offer incredible views of the lochs surrounding them.
The best wedding photographers on the Isle of Skye
Photo: Joanna Gull
Joanna & Nathan Gull
Skye locals Joanna and Nathan are experts when it comes to capturing intimate moments in a steady, relaxed style. With experience spanning across the island and beyond, they like to create candid shots of the couples they work with.
“My husband Nathan and I photograph and film elopements as well as sessions with couples throughout Skye and further afield. Our approach is slow and intentional, allowing us to take our couples on an adventure and capture meaningful images that don’t feel posed. Some spots we love are Elgol, the Quiraing and Sleat Peninsula,” says Joanna.
Discover more of Joanna and Nathan’s work on Instagram @joannaelizaphotography and joannaeliza.com
Hannah Morris
Òr team member Hannah Morris wears many hats here on Skye! As well as working in our shops and making sure we always have beautiful items in stock, she moonlights as a freelance photographer.
“I’m a digital photographer who’s used to taking photos in the mountains in my home state of Colorado, so I enjoy capturing them here on Skye as a backdrop for my wedding shoots. My pictures tend to take on a moody style to capture that atmospheric look which the island is so well known for. I like to make sure people feel comfortable in the moment too by seeing what poses come naturally to them,” says Hannah.
You can find more of Hannah’s work on Instagram @hannahmorrisphoto
Becy Stabler
Becy is an exceptionally skilled Skye-based elopement and portrait photographer who loves creating cinematic, fine-art style images and films.
“Working with medium format digital and film, I create fine art photographs that are cinematic and deeply atmospheric, drawing on the island's wild landscapes and ever-changing light. Blue hour is my favourite time to create, just before sunrise or after sunset, when colour deepens, everything softens and the whole island seems to slow down,” says Becy.
Explore Becy’s portfolio on Instagram @belleartphotography or belleartphotography.co.uk
Our favourite Skye florists
Photo: Joanna Gull
Emma Quinn
Having hosted workshops with Emma here at Òr, we can say with certainty that she’s wonderful to work with and has a natural eye for floral arrangements.
“As an experienced wedding and elopement florist based on the Isle of Skye, I draw on my design background to help couples realise their specific vision and create a ceremony that looks and feels authentic to them. Skye weddings often focuses on an ethereal, organic look that combines classic romantic florals with a wilder aesthetic rather than hyper-traditional styles. However, time has taught me that the island's magical appeal draws on many different aesthetics,” says Emma.
Discover more from Emma on her Instagram @skyebloomfloristry or her website skyebloom.co.uk
Photo: Joanne Clenaghan
Symbolic Scottish weddings
Whether you’re attending as a guest or are the bride or groom to be, we’ve curated a few thoughtful pieces from our collection which are representative of good fortune for the celebration.
The Heather Pendant is inspired by the sprigs that brides would traditionally carry in their bouquet; the Cowrie Ring is cast from a shell found by the shore on Skye and is known as a symbol of luck; and the silver or gold-plated Feather Kilt Pin is fashioned after the downy Ptarmigan Grouse, a mountain bird native to the Scottish Highlands.
The Whisky Quaich is another symbol of tradition used at weddings and celebrations in Scotland. Handmade from Skye sand mixed with clay, our contemporary take on the traditional design is symbolic of the joining of two families. You can discover more about the quaich's story on our journal.
Explore our curation of special, handmade pieces in our wedding gifts.
