Secluded forest micro-wedding in Glen Loy

Tucked away between the pines in a secluded forest, you might have stumbled across a wee micro-wedding in Glen Loy, just as Autumn was beginning to wake.

Randi and Clay (a US couple) were never really sold on the idea of a big wedding… They wanted their wedding day to be about them and were really excited to plan an intimate micro-wedding in Scotland, with their closest family members.

Being avid hikers, they were looking for a ceremony location somewhere off-the-beaten path. Somewhere quiet, where they could be surrounded by trees.

They kept finding themselves drawn to Glen Loy. I love that even though they could have chosen a more well-known location in nearby Glencoe, they opted to find a spot that was a little more secluded.

The couple got ready in separate wooden log cabins, and then Randi shared a first look with her Dad amongst the trees before heading up the trail for a private first look with Clay. His face lit up as he first saw her, similar to the moment when they first met and had an instant connection.

After a few private moments together the couple slowly walked to join their guests for their micro-wedding in Glen Loy

Guided through a corridor of pines, forming a natural aisle, the couple were greeted by their guests and Celebrant Alyson who started the ceremony with a reading. 

Afterwards, they shared beautiful vows and tears whilst holding an oathing stone. And then completed their ceremony with a traditional handfasting and celebratory drink from the quaich.

Following their heartfelt ceremony full of Scottish traditions with family and friends, they headed off to enjoy one of their favourite activities together – trail walking. 

Randi and Clay love hiking together and the idea of doing a trail together felt perfectly fitting for them, as they can often be found hiking with their dogs back home.

We headed along one of our favourite walks in Scotland towards one of the most dramatic waterfalls you can find. I am so glad that we got to be their guide and share this with them. 

We took them on this beautiful easy trail through woodlands, walking alongside dramatic views and rock formations before opening out to the waterfall. 

You can get up close and personal with the waterfall if you’re willing to brave wading the river or walking the tightrope bridge. 

 A private adventure in a beautiful glen near Fort William

Nothing can prepare you for shuffling cautiously across that tightrope bridge but Randi and Clay managed it with ease and grace. Can’t say I was as cool and collected despite having walked across it a couple of times before! (Even less so when taking our equipment across!)

There’s something special about standing at the bottom of a tall waterfall, the power is immense. It makes you want to throw your arms open to the spray. And, surprisingly, there aren’t a huge number of waterfalls in Scotland that can give you that kind of experience. 

This felt like the perfect spot to dip their oathing stone so their vows would be sealed into the stone forever

On the way back we waded through the river for ease and quickness. I’ll never forget the sight of Randi and Clay river wading in their finery. We said our goodbyes as they rushed off to warm up and meet their family for a lovely hot meal to celebrate their wedding day.

This pair were just so chill about embracing the little challenges of this trail. I am so grateful that they trusted us to take them on this more adventurous route, allowing us to share some of our favourite spots with them. I got a real sense of how they are in everyday life too. Walking hand in hand into whatever gets thrown at them 🥰

Here’s what Randi and Clay had to say about their micro-wedding in Glen Loy…

“Let me start off by saying you WANT to hire Raini and Dave as your photographer and videographer for your elopement. They were absolutely amazing leading up to, during, and after the wedding.

Our wedding planner became somewhat obsolete because Raini and Dave did so much in helping us prepare for our elopement. Leading up to the wedding day, they actually went above and beyond what we were expecting. 

Now I am not the type to take a lot of photos. One thing I loved about Raini and Dave was that I didn’t have to go through a bunch of poses. It was all very natural and easy to do! They just took photos as we went and that was great because we get awkward when we have to pose. As far as the elopement day, Clay and I were very nervous at first when Raini and Dave showed up. But they put both of us at ease pretty quickly and by the end of our adventure it was like we had known Dave and Raini for years! 

They are amazing people to be around and our elopement day could not have been better even if we tried! Everything went perfectly and I think that was in large part because of how awesome Raini and Dave are at elopement photography!!! The only thing I regret is not bringing them to dinner as a thank you with my elopement party afterward because they fit so well with everyone.“

– Randi + Clay

Suppliers from Randi & Clay’s micro-wedding:

Accommodation – Lochaber Lodges

Celebrant – Alyson Stewart

Planner – Two Elope Scotland

Envisioning your own secluded forest micro-wedding in Glen Loy?

If a magical elopement or micro-wedding in the woods sounds like your idea of an ideal wedding day then get in touch to start planning now. I’ll be there to help you figure 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.