From Max and Jillian’s first email about their Torridon elopement we were hooked;
“WE ARE ELOPING!!!! Originally we were going to have a Vermont wedding on top of a mountain, but the more we got into the thick of wedding planning the more it turned into something that wasn’t us. So we decided to use our already planned Scotland trip to elope and enjoy our union privately and in the great outdoors”
We feel like fate definitely aligned for these two. Max had just got back from Patagonia, and Jillian from France when they separately decided to go to a friends party. They both remember seeing each other and immediately thinking “you’re new!”
We adored getting to know this pair of lovebirds. Seeing as Torridon is pretty remote, we spent the afternoon and evening before their wedding adventuring around, flying Liam’s drone and generally having a ball. Thanks for the awesome memories Jillian and Max :)
Keep scrolling for Jillian and Max’ thoughts about their Torridon elopement…
What was your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
“The only issue was being thousands of miles away and trying to find the perfect place to have this amazing special moment. Everywhere in Scotland is like making every possible fairytale or Harry Potter scene become real life. And so we were able to overcome the vast and overwhelming amount of options by speaking to the one person who would know what’s best, our Jo :)
Jo listened to what we wanted and where we originally planned to have our ceremony (Skye) and gave us a few more options that she thought would best suit what we were looking for. In the end, we chose Torridon Estate over Skye because it was less of a tourist hub, and more of an up and coming place that still had that unique “tucked away” feel, and would be totally unique.”
Looking back, what was your most vivid memory?
“We have so many memories of that day, and many vivid and hilarious moments that I can’t thank Jo and Liam enough for because most of those moment happened because we felt so comfortable being around them and being ourselves.
I think having 1 million midges being stuck to my back during our ceremony and Jo and the officiant trying to act calm was HILARIOUS, and stopping the ceremony to spray, and then wipe, and then move to a new place, was just too much.
Then when our host surprised us with her violin and played Sea to Skye for us as our wedding song. It was a beautiful moment that I was not expecting and made our day so special.
And chasing the light and never wanting the day to end.”
Why did you choose Torridon for your elopement adventure?
“Torridon is a small piece of heaven on Earth. The large mountains, the beautiful loch, twisting rivers, and magical forests. It was tucked away enough to give us the privacy/isolation we wanted, but had things to do that would make the day feel special like dinner at the Torridon Inn, feeding wild deer, or taking a relaxing walk around the pebble beach hours before our ceremony. In one word, it was breathtaking.”
During your planning, was there anything that came up that wasn’t anticipated, good or bad?
“We expected rain, and then ended up with a beautiful blue and warm day.
We expected to get married under a gorgeous old tree, and then we were eaten alive by midges.
We expected to feel awkward with Jo and Liam taking pictures of us, but we felt like they were close friends that we had known our whole lives. (SoulMATES).
All in all, we tried to be as laid back about the process as possible (since we were eloping in a foreign country), so the unanticipated things that did come up seemed so minor. And in all honesty, I think the months leading up to our wedding and the day of, was smooth sailing.”
If you could go back and tell ‘newly engaged you’ anything about your Torridon elopement, what would it be?
“I would say… don’t feel like you have to appease and meet the expectations of anyone.
Which is something I had trouble with for a while, but soon realised that a wedding, while about family, is more about the love you share with your S.O, and you need to make your wedding how YOU want it to be. In the end, your family will love and cherish you no matter what you decide to do. Eloping was the best thing that we could have done, and I would not change a single thing.”
Jillian’s dress was from BHLDN Wedding Dresses, and Max opted for a beaut blue Miltons suit.
If you’d like to see Jillian and Max’ full gallery you can do so here…and if you’re planning your own Torridon elopement? Check out our handy guide and get in touch!
Jillian and Max were also featured on the ever awesome Braw Brides, so if you want to hear more from them check it out here :)
Jo + Liam :) xx