A super-sweet autumnal elopement at Portavadie Marina, Loch Fyne

 

 

Rebekah and Dylan love exploring their homeland so when they first got engaged, the search was on to find a gorgeous venue that would show Scotland at its most beautiful.

“We knew we wanted somewhere with fantastic Scottish scenery that would make for amazing wedding photos,” remembers the bride.

Luckily, they hit upon the spectacular Portavadie for their autumnal elopement, captured here by the talented The Gibsons.

Read on to find out all the details of this special wedding.

Rebekah and Dylan first met online before going on their first date in Glasgow’s West End.

Then three years later Dylan proposed on a lodge weekend away to Tarbert, the day after her birthday.

The fuss-free couple knew from the start they wanted to elope, but the question was where to?

“On one of our weekends driving aimlessly around Scotland years before we got engaged, we stumbled upon Portavadie,” smiles the bride.

“When we got engaged, I remembered thinking of that resort in the middle of not much else, surrounded by beautiful scenery and right on Loch Fyne. Plus, it looks across the water to Tarbert – where we got engaged!”

They booked a meeting with the wedding planner and set a November 2020 wedding date the day they went to view the venue!

While a 2020 date proved so difficult for so many couples Rebekah and Dylan’s plans were unaffected by the pandemic.

“Our wedding went 100% as it was planned from beginning with no guests, just us in the middle of not much else,” says Rebekah.

Deciding on a November date, the couple opted for autumnal tones in their décor with Daisy D Does and Forgoodnesscake sticking to reds and oranges for their gorgeous artificial flowers and delicious cake.

Rebekah made sure she kept an open mind going dress shopping, though she knew what she didn’t want and what wouldn’t suit her.

She fell in love with her beautiful Morilee gown, the very first one she tired on. Then, the team at Alter Girls added half sleeves to make it her dream dress.

 

Having an elopement stripped out any pre-wedding stress or last minute organisation the night before.

Instead Rebekah and Dylan were able to just chill out in their private hot tub after dinner at the marina restaurant.

The bride remembers being so excited when she woke up on her wedding morning. However, she says she had to remember not to get too ahead of herself as the wedding wasn’t until 5pm.

They had a lovely, relaxed morning and everything was very calm until they realised the hairdresser had got the date wrong.

“I did my own hair with 45 minutes to spare and our photographer Chantal helped me into my dress.”

In fact, the couple say they couldn’t have done their day without Scott and Chantal from The Gibsons.

“Scott helped Dylan get ready, doing his tie and fixing his plaid,” remembers Rebekah.

“We had such fun with them getting photos all around Portavadie and the surrounding area, climbing up hills and onto beaches.

“Scott was even one of our witnesses.”

When it came to walking down the aisle Rebekah says there were no nerves at all.

“I would have hated this with an audience, but with only our intimate wedding it was lovely,” she says.

Rebekah walked down the aisle to Sufjan Stevens’ Mystery of Love. Their celebrant Carolyn Stewart flew in specially from Orkney.

“We had only ever spoken to her over zoom so it was lovely to meet her for the first time,” smiles the bride.

“She did a lovely ceremony, personalised exactly how we wanted it.

“We had a handfasting ceremony.

“We wanted something personal, with some Scottish tradition included.”

Dylan used traditional wedding vows while Rebekah decided on Celtic vows.

While an elopement made many things a lot easier, the coordination definitely kept the couple on their toes.

“Because we were getting married far from home I had the to-do list of all to-do lists,” says Rebekah.

“Things like making sure we had time to stop in at Dunoon for our marriage documents and ensuring we remembered all of our wedding attire.

“The last thing we needed was to realise we’d left something in Glasgow on the day of the wedding!”

Now it’s all over, the couple love looking back on their beautiful wedding photos.

“I still cannot believe how good they are,” says Rebekah. “Our photographers did an amazing job and captured exactly what I wanted.

“They are photos to treasure for a lifetime.

“I think they’re the best wedding photos ever, but I might be slightly biased!”

And what advice would they give other to-be-weds?

“Make the decisions that you want, not that please other people.

“We had an elopement because we hate fuss and wanted no stress, but if you love a big party then go for it.

“I can say it was the best and most fun day of my life because it was exactly how we wanted it.”

And remember to get a photographer you love.

As the bride says, “After the big day is all over all you have are your photos to look back on.”