Fantasy inspired cottagecore Cairngorms elopement
Bex finally got to live out her fantasy cottagecore Cairngorms elopement dreams, where every magical moment she and Matt spent on their wedding day felt like stepping into their own fantasy world.
Story is at the heart of what we do, so before B+M’s day, we took our time to get to know both of them. Turns out Matt is into horror films, so I knew he and Dave would bond over their mutual love of recommending must-watch movies and dissecting their favourite plot twists.
During our planning call, Bex had always said she’d be perfectly content living like a romanticised cottagecore forest fairy every single day. Feeling as if she’d stepped straight from the pages of her favourite fantasy novels.
Coming to Scotland to dance amongst ancient woodlands with fairies, goblins, and all the enchanted forest dwellers that seem to hide behind every moss-covered tree was exactly how they envisioned spending their wedding day.
When it comes to creating a fantasy cottagecore Scottish elopement, your outfits are just as important as the whimsical setting
I’ll start with Matt, who showed that a getting ready ritual should be enjoyed by the gents just as much as the ladies, complete with skin prep and an elaborate Viking hairstyle featuring plaits and a half-bun.
Bex looked gorgeous, getting ready in her vintage robe, a treasured find from a local vintage store in Edinburgh.
The vintage, cottagecore-inspired details perfectly captured the vibe of the day, especially Bex’s gorgeous wedding dress with its off-the-shoulder, billowing sleeves and flowing green cape, which reminded me of something a woodland fairy would wear.
They both looked as if they had stepped out of another time and another world.
Bex’s recent tattoo of a single pine tree down her back spoke to her deep connection with woodland and forest life, making her even more at home amongst Scotland’s ancient trees.
We decided the Cairngorms would be the perfect location for their elopement
I suggested the Cairngorms for their elopement because this region has the largest density of Caledonian rainforest remaining in Scotland. When planning a fantasy elopement like this, choosing the right mystical location is super important, and Scotland offers endless possibilities for couples seeking an otherworldly backdrop.
The misty, moody and magical atmosphere of the Caledonian rainforest with ancient Scots pine was certainly the perfect backdrop, especially surrounded by the soft moss that carpeted the forest floors.
We headed off to a quiet little spot for a beautiful, emotional ceremony led by the lovely Mairi Phillips, brimming with Celtic traditions to honour the land.
B+M exchanged handwritten vows that spoke straight from the heart, sharing promises and a handfasting ritual that brought tears to all of us (especially Bex) and echoed through the ancient forest.
To finish off the ceremony, they shared a traditional Scottish quaich (featuring a dram from Glenfiddich, gifted by the distillery) as a symbol of their trust and unity.
Afterwards, these little forest pixies frolicked in the ancient woodlands, communing with animals and booping mushrooms
After spending the day with these two, we began to wonder if they weren’t truly fae after all… ✨
Wandering the forest, befriending spiders and booping mushrooms, they decided to have a wee picnic on a fallen log. Fuelled by Scotland’s magic dew (aka Irn Bru), we headed off on another adventure into the hills (which coincidentally was Bex’s maiden name, well, Hillpath), another little sign from the fairies.
Their hope had been for mist on the hills, and boy, did this location deliver. As the sun set, it only got moodier through the drizzle. Perfect for a cloaked lantern-lit couple to live out their cottage-core-meets-enchanted dreams.
They ended the day as only fantasy lovers could, finding refuge in a cosy pub for dinner and a well-deserved dram. And that’s how this beautiful cottagecore fantasy story draws to a close.
Raini was not only our wedding photographer, she was also our guide and personal cheerleader.
BEX + MATT
She spent so much time with us before the day of helping us plan and figure out what to do and where to go, and provided so many helpful resources as well. She was so easy to talk to and made us feel so much less anxious about the entire process, since neither my husband nor I have ever had professional pictures taken of us before. While we had an idea in mind of what we wanted out of the pictures – romantic, moody, magical vibes – Raini helped hone that into an actual plan for the day. Her knowledge of the area we chose for the ceremony was immensely valuable to us, and her photography skill and style perfectly captured what we’d asked for.
On the day of our wedding, Raini and her wonderful husband and partner Dave showed up as we were finishing getting ready. This worked out perfectly, because we were able to start getting comfortable with pictures taken of us before our ceremony even began. While my husband and I are pretty shy introverts, we immediately clicked with Raini and Dave as if we had been friends for years. I specifically remember Raini coming into the room as I was finishing my makeup and gently asking how I was feeling. It made me feel so much more relaxed, just knowing she was looking out for me.
The whole day, Raini and Dave were such a positive force, encouraging us and helping us feel relaxed and comfortable. They were so prepared too, with plenty of snacks and water should we need them! Also, when I spilled some of my sandwich on my sleeve, Raini was right there, scrubbing it off with a wet wipe! Her style of photography worked so well for us, since we much preferred a more candid style of picture. So many times throughout the day I would hear Raini start to ask me for a type of pose, then stop herself and say, “oh, never mind, keep doing what you’re doing, you look perfect already!
Suppliers for this fantasy cottagecore Scottish elopement
Celebrant – Mairi Phillips
Dress – Anthropologie Weddings
Hair – Bonny’s Wonderland
Suit – Walker Slater
Cloak – Costurero Real
Envisioning your own fantasy cottagecore Scottish elopement?
If a fantasy cottagecore Scottish elopement where you can dance with the fairies and exchange vows in ancient forests sounds like your ideal wedding day then get in touch to start planning now. I’ll be there to help you figure out the best time of year, ceremony location, timeline for the day, local suppliers as well as lots of advice on how to elope in Scotland.
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