Budget Scottish wedding at a self-catering cottage

[StrongInside]

Hi,

I’m trying to figure everything out before pitching it to my fiance. In my mind, I would like a small wedding (around 15-20 guests) somewhere in Scotland with a nice backdrop for photos where we will need only minimal decorations. Somewhere modern looking.

I can’t stand expensive formal hotel weddings with tartan carpets, boring white table linen and bog standard decorations. My idea is hiring several self-catering cottages for everyone to have their privacy, with an on-site place for the ceremony and maybe gathering around a chimenea in the evening (relative can bring theirs) or having lawn games. I want to choose my own suppliers so not keen on venues offering packages.

To give you an idea, I initially wanted a destination wedding on a beach with bright pops of colour where the sun, palm trees and blue sky provide a beautiful backdrop in themselves. We have now decided on staying put as it will be easier for us with a young baby and two toddler nephews. When I look at Scottish wedding ideas, they all look so boring, expensive or gloomy in some field where guests are in wellies.

Any location ideas that could bring a relaxed destination wedding vibe to Scotland? I can obviously put pops of colour around if the venue is plain, but would be nice not to spend two days on decorations.

Also, I know we could just find a big lodge with cottages next to it and have the ceremony in the lodge’s living room with re-arranged furniture if it rained. Just don’t know how to find such a place.

I know the weather is a hit or a miss so no preference on time of the year, hopefully next year.
Thanks!

Well it's August now and we have been having torrential rains and high winds in Scotland. I've had a gazebo blow away during the summer months. Don't rely on good weather.

So how about some of these Airbnb options (prices for 2 nights in September? You could put a large gazebo in the garden for your ceremony, and other guests could stay somewhere nearby (assume they would be paying for themselves). Not all the properties are in your £1K budget, but you know....

near Loch Lomond
Perthshire with 7 acres of woodland
Gleneagles on the doorstep if your guests want a spa!
Loch Tay, plus I think this location has other houses that could be hired for your other guests
Couper Angus, has children's play facility too

To be honest I'd advise against trying to rock up in a 'public' location near a beach / waterfall etc with a gazebo and 30 guests. You are advised to have the permission of the landowner before holding a marriage, and if you tried to do this in the Loch Lomond National Park, or Bracklinn Falls, or in the Trossachs you'd be surprise by how quickly a ranger or forestry commission staff member would turn up. Too much stress to worry about for a wedding.

If you're holding your wedding at an Airbnb place then you should always tell your host that you're having a 'family party' and how many guests will be there. You will also need to be clear about music etc.

If your total budget is £2K (as per your destination wedding) then after paying for accommodation in the examples above you only have about £30 per head for food and drink - that's tough even if you're buying buffet food from M&S. Plus some decorations, cake, the gazebo, something to wear.... And the cost of your ceremony and legal paperwork. To be honest I don't think it's do-able for £2K, you risk seriously overspending (or some of your family will end up spending much more than they expected).

Surely in August-September there won’t be torrential rain with strong wind in Perthshire, Moray, Loch Lomond or nearby?

We’re in Perthshire right now. It’s been torrential most if the weekend!

I am seriously starting to think that the only way for me to have a nice wedding on a low budget is to go abroad. Can’t even rely on the weather.

Venusandmars, thank you for taking the time with the links. The Loch Lomond one is so beautiful and modern!! They would all suit location-wise, but how would we decide who stays there paid for by us and who gets their own? These and other houses I have seen are too large for our family (apart from one perhaps) and not enough for all the friends.

To be fair no-one who has ever arranged wedding has been able to rely on the weather anywhere in Britain, never mind just in Scotland.

I have been looking at cottages again, and thinking about the gazebo in the garden of one of the properties suggested. How would we decide who stays in the house? We want to pay for our parents, which is two rooms, but there are obviously more bedrooms in a large house so someone else will get their accommodation for free. First come, first served?