10 Reasons to Get Married on Islay
The Top Ten Reasons to get Married on Islay
1. The Weather
Are you sure? Yes I’m sure. You want the most amazing dramatic pictures and an amazing experience, yes Islay weather is for you! It may not be blue skies everyday, but who wants blue skies everyday? The weather’s not great? Wait half an hour!
Kevin and Margerite experiencing ‘a fair breeze’ at Saligo Bay. Sea foam confetti!
2. The Light
The variable weather creates the most fantastic light, coupled that with the fact we’re on a small (ish) island means there will always be a location for you. On a beach at sunrise? No problem. At a bay overlooking the Atlantic? We can do that too! Winter gives us drama and moody images, spring and autumn give us wonderful glowing light and summer gives us incredible long evenings for your images!
A Saligo Bay Sunset, March 2020
3. The Whisky
Whisky defines and shapes this island, whatever your tastes there will be an island spirit for you, plus providing the most amazing backdrops to your wedding images. Experience a dram on the beach whilst the Atlantic waves roll in, there’s nothing like it in the world! Which leads me on to…
A bottle of Bruichladdich Classic Laddie - enjoy your dram on Machir Bay.
4. The Beaches
37 beaches. Numerous bays, rivers and lochs give us any number of options for your wedding or your images. Saligo and Machir Bay are two of the most well-known (and photographed!) but there’s always somewhere special for you.
The hidden away ‘secret beach’ of Lower Killeyan.
5. The Registrars
When you’re planning on coming to a place that isn’t your home, you need to know that the people conducting your ceremony are wonderful, and indeed they are. Friendly and with innumerate smiles, they’ll help the most important part of your day go smoothly.
An Autumn wedding at Ardnave.
6. The Venues
There are no shortage of venues across the island to cater for any and every need. From big weddings at Islay House or the Machrie, by your favourite distillery, alongside the history of Finlaggan or Dunyvaig, or simply outdoors on your favourite beach, there’s a multitude of options to suit your personality and you.
Kevin and Marguerite’s ceremony hosted by Rachel MacNeill (Islay Whisky Academy)
The ceremony was held on the pier at Port Charlotte
7. The Exclusivity
It always surprises me Islay isn’t an even more popular wedding destination. As the masses of fellow elopers depart for Skye and the Highlands, you can be sat on the Atlantic coast, sipping your dram. Knowing you’ve come to the perfect place, knowing your wedding will be unique.
Make your own footsteps in the Saligo Bay sand.
8. The Landscapes
For a small place, Islay is a rich and varied landscape. From the hills and woods of the southern Islay bays, the dramatic cliffs of the Oa to the machair of the lower central belt and the windswept majesty of the Rhinns, you have Scottish landscapes distilled down into and wonderful and magical place, just waiting for you to find your perfect spot.
A Portnahaven Sunset
9. The People
Islay people are a special folk, as the song ‘Westering Home’ attests. Whether they are Ileach from birth, or those who have found their heart has called them here; they are some of the most kind and helpful folk on the planet.
10. The History
Steeped in history, and Celtic folklore, Islay is a wonderful place to explore. On the island you’ll find ancient Celtic crosses and the Ancient Seat of the Lordship of the Isles at Finlaggan. We are traditionally the heart (and the Queen) of the Hebrides - you can still feel the atmosphere and magic about the place.
In more recent history you can chart the rise, fall and rise again of the distilleries and watch the birth of the new ones. Islay is place much changed, yet much unchanged, across the ages.
Michael and Melanie from Germany experienced the beauty and history of Finlaggan at their ceremony.
11. The Sunsets
I was told the best things go up to 11, so I added a wee extra! The perfect sunset location changes across the year as the seasons roll on, but watching the sun set over the Atlantic is just one of those things you have to be here to experience it. Dram in hand… I don’t care what you’ve planned, just get here!
Watching the sun set over the Altlantic waves.