+ from chaos to clarity

Kelly
Sep 10
4 min read

Updated: Oct 6

My wild ride at a Scottish Elopement Retreat

31st March to 5th April | Scotland, UK

+ the dream

I booked this retreat with one big dream in mind. Gain hands-on experience in destination elopements and to take a bold step into the world of intimate wedding photography

It was my first retreat, my first deep dive into anything wedding-related, and honestly? Within the first couple of hours (before I'd even made it there), I was thinking, "Oh my god, what the hell have I got myself into?"

Before I dive into the chaos, I want to be completely honest with you. That’s something I promise to always be in my business, 100% real. The photos I captured during those whirlwind days? They’re some of the most breathtaking images I’ve ever taken. But the experience behind the lens? Far from glamorous...

+ the chaos begins

The retreat was held over four days in Scotland. Sounds dreamy, right? Think again

It kicked off with what was supposed to be a simple bus trip from Edinburgh to our Airbnb and turned into an anxiety-inducing ordeal involving three buses, getting lost in a foreign country and a massive headache!

The worst part? Once we finally figured out how to get there, we were dropped off in the small town of Falkland (gorgeous, yes, they filmed Outlander there!), but we were left waiting in the freezing cold for four hours! The strangest part? We didn't even shoot there! Instead of staying closer to our first shoot location in Edinburgh, we were over an hour away, in the middle of nowhere!

+ castles, mayhem and crumbling walls

Safe to say tensions were high after the first day, and it was pretty clear this wasn’t what we'd paid for (and it wasn't cheap 😤)

The host was disorganised, constantly changing the plan, and by the time the "Luxury Scottish Castle” session rolled around, we were clinging to hope. Everyone was buzzing, picturing sweeping stone staircases, turrets wrapped in mist, and the kind of fairytale backdrops photographers dream of

Instead, we arrived at what was basically a very dramatic pile of stones! A condemned castle, complete crumbling walls and danger signs. Oh, and before? Our bus got stuck scraping a fence on the driveway, so we walked the rest of the way. Beautiful views, yes, but bloody never-ending!

By that point, everyone was cold, hangry and over it! The host had a meltdown mid-shoot, an argument broke out and it nearly turned physical. It was wild!!

+ the days that followed

Each shoot started late and ended late. We’d get home exhausted and starving, only to find everything in the tiny village already closed. The “short walk” to town was ten minutes along a road with no footpaths. The whole week was disorganised and draining, a complete nightmare!

But because I like to keep it real, I'll admit something... I almost didn't book this retreat at all. It was a huge investment and halfway across the world. The only thing that tipped me over the edge? The promise of a ride on the Hogwarts Express!

Yes! The real steam train that crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct (the one from Harry Potter). Anyone who knows me knows I’m a massive Potterhead (diehard Hufflepuff). When I saw it on the itinerary, I thought, 'Accio ticket!' (Spoiler alert: we didn't get to go on the train, or even near it 😭

+ finding the magic

Amid the complete shit-show, something extraordinary happened!!

I met some of the most generous, talented, and supportive people I’ve ever known, photographers who took me under their wing, shared their wisdom, and gave me the encouragement I didn’t even realise I needed

Because of them (and my Mum 💕), I made it through, and I captured absolute magic! When I saw the photos, I couldn't believe it! They looked like something straight out of a magazine, soulful, cinematic, the kind of images I’ve always dreamed of creating

The scenery was breathtaking (the Isle of Skye, oh my heart 🤎), the networking invaluable and the couples? Just incredible. No awkward posing, no pretending. Just raw, real love.

Despite the chaos, it changed everything!!

+ clarity among the clouds

This experience taught me more than any polished workshop ever could. It exposed me to the worst of the worst, but it gave me clarity about where my heart truly lies

Big, traditional weddings? They’re not for me. What I love are the quiet moments, the intimacy, the laughter, the warmth between two people completely themselves

It's about remembering a moment and holding it close, years from now, like it just happened

This retreat was messy and maddening (and it may have been permanently traumatised me 😅), but it gave me fire, focus, and the beginning of something truly beautiful...

+ behind the frames

Now, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves…

Just know that behind every frame is a story of madness, courage, and a creative heart learning to fly, even if it involves a lot of flapping, floundering, and the occasional face plant!