Isle of Harris wedding photography
Isle of Harris wedding stories
Isle of Harris wedding at the Free church and Talla Na Mara with an Indian ceremony at the Bays community centre
Isle of Harris wedding at the Free Church and Talla Na Mara with an Indian ceremony at the Bays community centre I photographed a gorgeous wedding day on the Isle of Harris recently. Anneka and Jack married on the island where Aneeka grew up. The whole day was filled...
Wedding at Borve Lodge estate and beach, Isle of Harris
The never-ending beautiful weather in May on the Isle of Harris continued for Sian and Meredith's wedding at Borve. Sian and Meredith married on the beach at Borve and the wedding was planned and co ordinated for by the Onboard Hebrdes who also provided some...
Proposal on Seilebost beach, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides
Aaron contacted me a few weeks before his proposal to his girlfriend, Megan on the Isle of Harris. He wanted to plan the trip as a complete surprise. They took a weekend trip over to Harris via the Skye ferry. Staying in Uig for one night before the Calmac ferry to...
Portrait sessions on the Isle of Harris beaches, Outer Hebrides
Last summer was filled with the most lovely portrait sessions on the Isle of Harris beaches. The weather was kind and what better place to have some portraits taken whilst you are on holiday. I am able to arrange portrait sessions relatively short notice on the Isle...
Intimate family wedding on Scarista beach, Outer Hebrides
Outer Hebrides beach wedding Lesley & Archie came over to the isle of harris to be married with their son Matthew and dog Jura by their side. They were staying at Luskentyre beach cabins and were blessed with clear weather and beautiful light. Helen Maher the...
Joanne & Murray’s wedding on Luskentyre beach, Outer Hebrides
A beautiful wedding recently on Luskentyre beach on the Isle of Harris. Joanne & Murray married on what was probably the hottest day of the year. Sunshine and happiness combined!
Jo & Sam’s wedding on Seilebost beach, Isle of Harris
Jo & Sam's wedding took place on Seilebiost Beach on the Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides in March this year. The beautiful sunshine made their wedding day even more special, especially as the previous days had been cold and wet. The couple stayed at Beachside, a...
Lauren and Michael’s wedding at Rodel Church in Harris
Lauren and Michael were married on the Isle of Harris at the beautiful church of St Clements in Rodel. This church is steeped in history and atmosphere and is the church most likely to make me emotional every time I step inside. I can see why they chose to travel down...
Luskentyre beach wedding on the Isle of Harris
Luskentyre beach wedding on the Isle of Harris Susan and Andrew married on Luskentyre beach on harris recently. Despite a pretty wild weather forecast, everything tuned out well for them, and their ceremony was simply beautiful. We headed around Luskentyre and...
Scarista Beach wedding photographer, Isle of Harris
Wedding photography on the Isle of Harris Yvonne & Adam were married on Scarista Beach on the Isle of Harris recently. They were staying at Scarista House so didn't have far to walk over to the beach with a small gathering of family and friends. They decided on a...
Wedding photography on Scarista beach, Isle of Harris
Claire & Thomas held their wedding on Scarista Beach on the Isle of Harris a couple of weeks ago. They stayed at the very beautiful Oran Na Mara and walked down to the beach. They were joined by several members of their family and lots of friends who enjoyed a...
Wedding photography on Seilebost beach, Isle of Harris
Wedding photography on the Isle of Harris I recently photographed Kay & David's wedding on Seilebost beach on the Isle of Harris. A stunning day meant that they enjoyed the white sands, turquoise seas, and a hint of warmth all to themselves. They even tested the...
Isle of Harris wedding photography
Many of my clients plan an Isle of Harris beach wedding or elopement, drawn by its fabulous turquoise seas and white sands (when the sun is out!) These fabulous beaches stretch along the coastline between Tarbert and the south of the island and are relatively close to one another. You can drive easily from one to the other within about 15 minutes. All are beautiful and often deserted!
Isle of Harris beaches for your wedding or elopement
Luskentyre Beach
Luskentyre Beach is by far the most well known and popular beach to be married on. Other popular Isle of Harris beaches include Seliebost and Borve.
Did I mention I like dogs? Even when they’re wet and sandy like these two. You’ve got to love them!
Scarista Beach
Scarista Beach is fairly quiet and has a large stretch of sand. Accessed close to Scarista house, this is ideal if staying at Scarista House. Just a 5 min walk across the road.
Hushinish Beach
Hushinish Beach is a secluded beach which is as remote as it comes. Down the end of a fabulously long single track road. You pass through Amhuinnsuidhe Castle and the small village first and at the end of the road. You’ll find this cove shaped beach with turquoise waters and white sands here. It is around a 30 min drive from the main road between Tarbert and the south of Harris.
How to get to the Isle of Harris for your wedding or elopement
Calmac provides the ferry service to the Isle of Harris. There are various routes, both direct and indirect outlined below.
Planning a wedding on the Isle of Harris
I’m not a wedding planner, but I have been photographing weddings for more than 13 years. A lot of brides are asking me for advice on venues and even just how to go about organising a wedding to the Isle of Harris. So I decided to create this short guide on getting married on the Isle of Harris.
*** We now have a dedicated wedding planner available on the island. Contact On Board Hebrides if you need help to plan your wedding or elopement!
Isle of Harris wedding celebrants
Once you have thought about a possible date, the celebrant is one of the first things on your list to organise.
Just contact or call : Registration Office, Isle of Harris. Tel: 01859 502367 Email: registrars@cne-siar.gov.uk
A useful page on the technicalities of getting married in Scotland is here: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/getting-married-in-scotland/how-do-i-go-about-it
Kay Falconer is an celebrant who lives on the island and works with Fuze Ceremonies. You can contact here here
If you are looking for a humanist here are some that are happy to travel over
Isle of Harris wedding venues & accommodation
There is an overlap here with some of these suggestions as your accommodation in the Isle of Harris can also be the back-up plan for your ceremony. I have to say though, that in all my years of photographing beach weddings on the Isle of Harris, I have not yet seen one rained off!
Tala Na Mara
Talla Na Mara has just been built and is now open for fully catered weddings on Harris. You can either have your ceremony on the beach or at Talla na Mara and then have your reception at the venue. Talla Na Mara holds up to 120 day guests and up to 80 additional evening guests. With Talla Na Mara you have exclusive use of the main hall and gallery, use of the decking and full use of the grounds. Directly facing out towards the water, this is a venue with a difference.
The facilities are all brand new, the hall is spacious and filled with light and the staff are welcoming. There is even a room available for brides to have beauty treatments or massages before the wedding. You can visit this venue as it is also a gallery space, has artists space and is home to a lovely cafe / restaurant – The Machair Kitchen.
Talla na Mara, Pairc Niseaboist, Isle of Harris, HS3 3AE (01859)503900 Email:anna@westharristrust.org
Sound of Harris
The Sound of Harris is self catering in the south of the isle of Harris. The perfect setting for your wedding or elopement. Its’ clifftop location and stunning views make it a good choice for those wanting peaceful luxury.
The Big House, in particular, is an ideal venue for an intimate wedding or elopement. If the weather is good you wouldn’t have to go far . From the back door to find yourselves standing on the edge of dramatic cliffs with stunning views all around and not another soul in sight whilst saying your vows. Couples travel far and wide to find little gems of locations like this to be married at and here you have an amazing location on your doorstep.
The living area in the big house is large enough to hold a small wedding if the weather be less than ideal outside. Scarista Beach and other beaches are only about a 15 min drive away if you wanted a beach wedding. The accommodation consists of two adjoining houses which both sleep two adults. Therefore it would also be possible to have very close family or friends to stay whilst still having your own private house to yourselves. I love the main bedroom which is complete with its own Japanese style soaking tub for two.
Website t 01859 520 208 e info@soundofharris.co.uk
St Clements Church, Rodel
One of the most stunning churches I have seen is in Rodel in the south of the Isle of Harris. St Clements church was built around 1520. It is open to the public and run by Historic Scotland. Suitable only for smaller weddings due to its size! You can see more images from weddings at St Clements Church on my site here
Scarista House
A beautiful Georgian manse overlooking Scarista beach, this is the place to stay for great food in a fabulous setting. Maximum number for a wedding at the house itself is 28, but the beach is a stones throw away so an outdoor small wedding is perfect if you are staying here. Listed in the Michelin guide, good food guide, as well as being named by The Times amongst the top 10 places to eat by the sea in the UK.
Borve Lodge Estate – The Broch
A stunning three-storey tower built into the landscape overlooking Borve Beach. The inspiration originally came from Scottish dwellings during the iron age. The beach is within walking distance from the Broch …. a wonderfully unique place to stay that’s made for two!
Borve Lodge estate – The Rock House
Overlooking Borve Beach, the Rock House is blended into natural rock terraces. With walls made of huge rocks and a turf roof, you can stay at this unusual house and watch the waves roll in through the panoramic windows facing out towards the water. The Rock House is just minutes walk away from the beach if you are looking for a beach wedding that you can access easily.
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle
I find it almost as difficult as it is to pronounce the name of this castle as to describe its stunning location. This is a unique venue which can be hired out exclusively for your wedding. It is also available on a nightly basis during the summer months. Catering for larger weddings where the whole castle is taken by your wedding or you can use it as a base for your elopement. I have photographed larger weddings and elopements and both work well at this castle. Hushinish beach is about a 15 minute drive away.
Food for your Isle of Harris wedding
Alan The Niseach Chef
Private catering for your wedding on location. Alan is an incredible chef available for dinner parties and weddings. I would highly recommend!
Provide outside catering, lunches, beautiful cakes and grazing stations. As well as complete wedding planning.
Additional Isle of Harris wedding details
Below are a few places that come highly recommended and need to be included in this guide.
Skoon Art Cafe is open Tues to Sat. This a small cafe which sells a unique combination of cakes, bread, soup and art. You’ll find it at the end of the most unusual and hair-raising roads just off the main road. You will feel like you have had a road trip all of its own just driving to get to the cafe.
Two lovely self catering bothies right by Scarista Beach
A self-contained, boutique style accommodation with a wood fired hot tub close to the beaches of harris