Andrew and Anna travelled up from Cambridge for their Glencoe Lochan elopement on an incredibly sunny July day. Two days before we’d been photographing another couple in Glencoe valley and the rain was absolutely pouring, but Andrew and Anna lucked out and had the most beautiful weather. 

They stayed at the Dragons Den, a quirky and cosy cabin set at the foot of the mountain in the majestic Glenachulish valley. It’s one of our favourite accommodation options for a Glencoe elopement and comes with it’s own garden area, and wood fired hot tub, which the host Barry (the dragon slayer) will prepare for you. Barry is one of the nicest Airbnb hosts we’ve ever met and went above and beyond to ensure Anna and Andrew had everything they needed. 

Anna and Andrew opted for a day and a half elopement coverage, and so the night before their elopement we had a relaxed evening capturing them soaking in the hot tub, drinking whisky and fizz and watching the sky turn red, in a pretty incredible sunset. We stayed up late into the evening chatting, eating pizza, and getting excited for their wedding day. 

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The next morning Bonny from Bonny’s Wonderland arrived early to do Anna’s hair and makeup, while Andrew serenaded Anna with his guitar. Bonny did an amazing job and Anna looked incredible. Both Anna and Andrew wrote out their vows into their vow books that Anna made herself! Anna also made her own stationery which fitted perfectly with their mountain/forest theme. We think she did an amazing job and we wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between that and professionally purchased stationery. 

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After hair and makeup was done they got into their outfits separately, and Oli gave Andrew a beard trim. They had a first look outside of the cabin and then went back inside where Anna gave Andrew a gift of cigars in a specially made case.

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We headed to Glencoe Lochan, which is just outside the village of Glencoe for their ceremony. Glencoe Lochan is in the former grounds of the Earl of Strathcona’s estate. Whose Canadian wife was homesick so he landscaped the whole grounds to look like the Canadian Rockies. These days it is a beautiful spot to walk and see the reflections of the surrounding mountains in the water. 

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Rona, one of our favourite humanist celebrants, conducted Anna and Andrew's Glencoe Lochan elopement by the water. The ceremony included personal vows, ring exchange, a poem in Polish (Anna’s native language) that Rona surprised the couple with on her little bluetooth speaker, and a sand ceremony. A sand ceremony is a unity ceremony where a couple each pours sand into a vessel in a symbolic ceremony that binds them together. Anna and Andrew chose to have white sand from the Outer Hebrides that we collected for them earlier in the year. They poured it together into a beautiful egg timer that will always be a reminder of their wedding ceremony.

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After the ceremony we explored the Lochan and then headed into the forest to sign the marriage paperwork and to have the most incredible picnic created by Victoria from The Wandering Event Company. Anna told Victoria that she wanted a Pinterest picnic of dreams, and she certainly delivered. We feasted upon delicious charcuterie boards, and we even got our very own vegan board (thanks Anna!). Dessert was donuts, with plenty of whisky and champagne to wash it all down. All the details were beautiful and we couldn’t recommend Victoria more. 

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After the picnic Annie face-timed her family in Poland to announce their elopement.

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We eventually pulled ourselves away from the picnic and headed into Glencoe valley to explore and watch the sunset. We headed over rivers and walked up through the valley to our favourite view point of the Three Sisters. It’s high up and away from the road and other people, and we had the whole place to ourselves. Anna and Andrew sprayed champagne to celebrate their marriage and we had fun exploring and watching the sun set below the mountains.

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Once the sun was gone we headed back to the Dragons Den for picnic leftovers and to watch the England semi-final. They won, which was the perfect ending to an incredible elopement day. 

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Kind words from the couple

'We 100% made the best choice eloping with Oli and Steph. They answered all our questions from the get go, offering their best advice (they have plenty) and lots of effort to make sure we were happy! The guidance throughout and on the day was second to none, we felt heard and looked after. 

They picked amazing locations that we only could have wished for. The experience was wholly reflected in our gallery, that we still can't get over. 

Perfectly captured moments, perfectly captured emotions - everything perfectly curated! We'll always be grateful that Oli and Steph were part of our day, couldn't have asked for better witnesses and photographers! Massive thank you for being such professionals'

If you're interested in a Glencoe Lochan elopement you can find out more by checking out our comprehensive guide to eloping in Scotland and our elopement package page. Click here to get in touch.

We're Oli and Steph Prince, Isle of Skye based elopement photographers. We met in the Antarctic, eloped in Hawaii and now we live on the Isle of Skye with our two rescue pups, working with couples all over the Scottish Highlands.