Fonab Castle Elopement
Photographs from Arla and Mike’s Scottish Destination Elopement at Fonab Castle
American visitors Arla and Mike fell in love with the idea of a Scottish destination elopement and chose the incredible Fonab Castle for their wedding venue. Fonab Castle is a 19th-century luxurious five-star hotel nestled on the banks of Loch Faskally in Perthshire and was an absolutely perfect place for Arla and Mike’s tiny wedding.
How Long Will I Need an Elopement Photographer For?
When couples ask me how long they will need me for on the day my answer is usually the same – four to five hours, or thereabouts. There are, of course, lots of things to factor in such as travel between venues and what your post-ceremony plans are. I typically begin my elopement day with the bride and groom at their hotel or cottage around 90 minutes or so before they leave for the ceremony. This way I can capture some of the buildup and last-minute preparations and, equally as useful, get to know you both a little better and hopefully put you more at ease in front of the camera.
Once the ceremony has finished we usually move between a few beautiful locations (of which Scotland, of course, has no shortage) to take some more photographs and capture some of the scenery before parting ways. Having photographed well over a hundred elopements I find that all of this tends to take about 4 to five hours.
However, there are definitely exceptions. For Arla and Mike’s elopement at Fonab Castle they wanted me there for just a couple of hours to capture the ceremony and some nice portraits afterwards in the beautiful surroundings. As a documentary storyteller, I love having the time to capture the full story—the little in-between moments that often hold just as much meaning as the big ones. But I also understand that for some, it’s all about the key moments, and that’s absolutely fine too. Whether it’s the full elopement or just the highlights, my goal is always to document your day in a way that feels true to you.
Can You Photograph a Longer Elopement?
As I’ve mentioned above, most of the elopements I photograph are around four hours, which is often the perfect amount of time to cover the key moments—your ceremony, some beautiful portraits, and a little bit of the adventure in between. But what if you’re planning something bigger? What if you want to take your time, explore more, or simply have the full story told?
I absolutely love photographing longer elopements. Whether you’re planning a sunrise-to-sunset adventure, a multi-location journey, or just want the space to soak everything in without feeling rushed, I’m more than happy to document it all. Some of my favourite elopements have been those where I’ve spent the entire day with a couple—capturing the quiet anticipation of the morning, the excitement of the ceremony, and all the unscripted, joyful moments that unfold as the day goes on.
Some locations, such as the Isle of Skye, are peppered with so many beautiful viewpoints it seems a real shame to have to rush and in the past I’ve spent a few hours with my couples driving right around the island, photographing along the way.
Whether you just want a couple ouf hours of photography, like Arla and Mike’s elopement at Fonab castle, or you’re wondering whether a longer coverage might be right for you, let’s chat about what you have in mind. Remember, no matter how long you’d like me to photograph your elopement, you can be sure it will always be a relaxed and enjoyable experience—never stressful, never about posing all day. My goal is for you to truly enjoy your day together, with photography fitting seamlessly into the adventure, not taking over it.
By the way, how AMAZING was Arla’s dress!
