A beautifully romantic elopement at The Hermitage, Dunkeld

 

 

Cheshire couple Brittany and Liam first met in 2014 but separated for a while before eventually coming back to each other in 2018.

Within three months they knew they wanted to be married and in the words of the bride, “solidify our team.”

After spying Andrew Rae Photographer’s work on an elopement on the Isle of Skye they knew that was the style they wanted and started planning their own Scottish elopement.

Read all about their big (wee) day below…

Brittany and Liam kept their elopement on the down low, so much so that Brittany didn’t wear an engagement ring.

“Liam actually bought me a Cartier love bangle to wear, so we knew what it meant but nobody else did,” she explains.

The couple planned their elopement for February 2020, choosing The Hermitage at Dunkeld for their venue, but it was touch and go for a bit whether they could actually marry.

“I hadn’t realised we had to book the Hermitage, so until about three weeks before I hadn’t booked,” remembers Brittany.

“Thankfully as it was just myself and Liam, plus Andrew, the celebrant and her partner we were allowed.”

Brittany and Liam chose to stay in luxury at Gleneagles Hotel before the adventure of their wee outdoor wedding.

Eloping outdoors, they didn’t need a particular colour scheme or theme but they did incorporate some blue thistle into their day and an arrangement on their dinner table back at the hotel that night.

And with travelling up from England they booked Weddings by Sara Jane to coordinate everything from hair and make-up to reservations.

She even helped Brittany arrange gift hampers for their family.

Because their elopement was such a secret Brittany went dress shopping alone but loved the experience.

She went to a bridal boutique in Cheshire, knowing exactly what dress she wanted.

“I tried it on and although beautiful I was very underwhelmed,” she says.

“I saw my dress and decided to try it. I knew instantly it was my dress – it was so romantic and just lay so beautifully.

“I had sleeves added – an outdoor wedding in Scotland requires sleeves!”

And in keeping with their wild wedding both Brittany and Liam wore Le Chameau boots with their outfits.

The night before the big day the couple stayed in separate rooms and Brittany admits there were a few butterflies. “But, I’d never been more sure about something before,” she smiles.

“I was excited more than anything.”

In the morning the team from AMM arrived to do Brittany’s hair and make-up and helped her into her dress as she was by herself.

“It really was such a fab morning, they were great,” she says.

Then the couple did a first look at the hotel with Andrew.

“I had actually spotted Liam outside from our hotel window and my butterflies totally went,” says Brittany.

“He actually text me saying ‘I’m waiting x’ and any nerves went.

“I was giddy after that.”

The couple then drove themselves to the Hermitage and celebrant Niki Smith performed the most beautiful ceremony.

“She made sure it was very personal to us for the story, we said very traditional vows and then Niki added a beautiful poem to end,” says Brittany.

“Niki really got to know us beforehand. She’s a very kind, lovely woman and Ian her partner acted as a witness for us too.”

Saying their vows, both Brittany and Liam felt emotional but in a positive way.

She says, “We’re each other’s biggest support and this was just a way to set it in stone.”

Following the ceremony they went for a walk with Andrew to get their beautiful shots and then back at the car Gleneagles had packed them a hamper with snacks and hot toddies to warm up.

“The beauty of having our wedding with just us two was we could do whatever we wanted during the day,” smiles Brittany.

“We had walked for miles. My dress was so heavy with mud and sticks and water I actually had to stand in the bath to take it off!”

Back at the hotel they were so exhausted they nearly ordered room service but they went down to dinner in Gleneagles’ Birnham Brasserie and enjoyed a wedding breakfast of steak, chips and champagne.” Sounds gorgeous!

“It was perfect for us that we didn’t have to entertain guests or go through all the motions of a traditional wedding – something neither of us would have enjoyed.”

Then after dinner they went over to the hotel’s Blue Bar where they bought a bottle of Johnny Walker that sits in a cabinet with their name on waiting for them to enjoy when they’re back at Gleneagles.

“We had a few drinks and a cigar and it was the perfect end to the perfect day.”

Brittany and Liam married before elopements and micro-weddings had become the norm but they would definitely encourage other couples to embrace a wee wedding.

“It was so special for us to totally enjoy being married to each other and celebrating how we wanted to,” says the bride.