Mike and Mandy’s mid-May wedding was a real treat, a ceremony filled with sunshine, still water, and a sense of calm adventure. They’d been together for 20 years and knew that a big wedding just wasn’t their thing. What they wanted was simple: something quiet, outdoors, and meaningful. And that’s exactly what they got — on a little island on Loch Tay, surrounded by mountains, water, and just a few dear friends.

Mike had first reached out back in December. His message was short and to the point. He and Mandy loved canoeing, kayaking, and Loch Tay. When he came across my website, something clicked. After a few chats (and a shared enthusiasm for paddling) we hatched a plan. We’d paddle out to a small island on the loch for their ceremony. A wee adventure wedding with zero fuss and maximum meaning.

Planning was relaxed, just like them. We decided to take it easy and see how things shaped up closer to the time. In early spring, as the date came nearer, we got back in touch and started talking about their vows and the feel of the ceremony. Mike told me their story, and it was so lovely to hear how deeply they cared for each other, how they’d grown together, and how steady their love had been over two decades.

The weather is always a gamble in Scotland, even in May, but this time, luck was on our side. Day after day, the forecast said sunshine. Mike didn’t want to get too confident in case it jinxed it, but we all started to get excited.

"Can't thank you enough for yesterday, it was a lovely ceremony, couldnt have asked for a better day. It clearly shows how much you love what you do and the effort and love you put into it.", mandy & mike

And then Mandy arrived, paddling up like something straight out of a storybook. If there were mermaids in Scottish lochs, I imagine they’d look just like her. She wore the most beautiful dress, perfectly suited to the occasion and the setting, and there was a moment where everyone just paused to take it in.

We found a quiet spot with a lovely view across the water. After catching our breath and soaking it all in, we began. Their ceremony was intimate and gentle, completely shaped by their wishes. It celebrated their quiet resilience, their humour, and the love that had held them steady for over two decades.

They shared personal vows, beautifully honest and quietly emotional. There was a moment of reflection, a poem, and a handfasting that marked the start of the next part of their journey. And with the sound of birds and lapping water around us, they were married.

After a few photos and a bit of time just enjoying the stillness of the place, we got back into our canoes and paddled home. This time, Mandy joined Mike in his canoe, towing her empty one behind them. It was a perfect picture of partnership, side by side, paddling into the future together.

It was such a special day. Proof that you don’t need a crowd or a venue, just the right people, the right place, and the right spirit. Mike and Mandy’s wedding was heartfelt, peaceful, and full of joy in the simplest ways. An absolute pleasure to be part of,

Mike, Mandy and their friends and witnesses, Rachel and Michael, arrived in Killin a few days before the wedding and settled into their campsite. We had the chance for a quick catch up and planning session the evening before and when I arrived at the campsite on the morning of the ceremony, there was already a bit of a buzz. Word had clearly spread that something special was about to happen and a few fellow campers stopped by to offer their congratulations to the bride. There was a lovely mix of excitement and curiosity in the air, which only added to the feeling that this was going to be a day to remember.

Mike had paddled ahead to the island to get things ready. He even set up a small signing table and chair. A bit later, Mandy set off in her own canoe, with Rachel in another, and Michael and I sharing one. As we paddled along the river toward the open loch, a few people waved at us from the banks, cheering us on as we slipped quietly past. It was such a joyful little moment, as if the whole landscape was joining in.

Because of the low water levels, we had to take the longer route. But honestly, no one minded. The weather was glorious, the water calm, and wildlife abundant. By the time we reached the island, Mike was waiting, everything ready. He looked brilliant in his kilt, standing proudly beside the little set-up he’d created