Our wedding ceremony was beautifully created by Monika. She was so easy to work with. Always encouraging, helpful and clear as to what we needed to give to her so she could create a truly memorable ceremony. Monika retold our story perfectly amid the sounds of crashing waves on a windswept Scottish beach.
Lynn & Malcolm
lynn & malcolm’s ceannabeinne beach wedding
Lynn and Malcolm’s wedding at Ceannabeinne Beach was a heartfelt celebration, deeply rooted in personal connections and the breathtaking beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Our journey together began through our mutual acquaintance, Fiona, at the Eddrachilles Hotel, where the couple chose to stay before and after their ceremony. Having communicated via emails and video meetings during the planning phase, meeting for a quick in-person check-in on the morning of their special day was a lovely touch, making the whole experience feel even more personal.
After the drive up, we met in the car park, unpacking and distributing various items needed for the ceremony while also changing into sensible footwear for the walk down to the beach. The path can be uneven, so safety was a priority, but once we reached the beach, everyone swapped their walking shoes for something more festive.
We were fortunate with the weather—dry, yet with a blustery breeze that reminded us of the untamed beauty of the Highlands. Ceannabeinne Beach, known for its striking geological features, boasts ancient Lewisian gneiss formations and these rocks, some of the oldest in Britain, display a beautiful banded effect formed by billions of years of pressure and heat. The contrast between the pink granitic rock and dark layers created a mesmerizing tapestry and the serene waters mirrored these geological wonders, creating stunning reflections on the wet sand.
Often, when a couple chooses ‘the beach’ as their ceremony location, we still need to find just the exact spot on the day—perhaps near the water’s edge or tucked away at the back for more intimacy. This decision involves many considerations: how the setting looks, how it feels, the position of the sun, the movement of light, and how many other people are around. It’s a process that shouldn’t be rushed, and with Dougie’s expertise as a photographer—combined with Malcolm’s own photography experience and Lynn’s sense of space—we had all the guidance we needed to select the perfect location.
The ceremony itself was intimate and deeply personal. Lynn’s sons, Michael and Fraser, along with their partners, Katy and Harriet, shared readings that resonated with everyone present. One passage, “People are like cities… Love lets you find those hidden places in another person” (Hilary T. Smith), beautifully captured Lynn and Malcolm’s journey together. Another, from Everything I Know About Love, spoke of love’s dual nature—both grand and exhilarating, yet also quiet and deeply reassuring.
The Celtic oathing stone ritual added an extra layer of meaning while the couple made their promises to each other—Lynn and Malcolm held gemstones imbued with the energy of love and passion, sealing their vows in a way that honored both history and their own unique journey. With their vows spoken and rings exchanged, the moment arrived for the final declaration that they were now husband and wife. The joy in that moment was palpable, a culmination of a love story that had been years in the making.
The ceremony closed with a final blessing, “May you continue to have love, and find it in loving one another; may you have happiness, and find it in making one another happy,” Reflecting on this beautiful occasion, I am filled with gratitude for having been part of Lynn and Malcolm’s journey. Their love, combined with the timeless landscape of Ceannabeinne Beach, created a set of memories that I will cherish forever. it was clear that their journey together would continue to be one of adventure, joy, and deep mutual respect.
