When Larissa and Basti from Germany first reached out, they told me about their wish to celebrate their wedding in a way that felt free, light, and deeply connected to nature. Their message was full of warmth, and it was clear from the beginning that Scotland wasn’t just a backdrop, but a place with real meaning for them. A few years earlier, they had set off on a two-year world trip together – and their very first stop had been Scotland. Those first weeks had been filled with excitement, freedom, and a sense of possibility, and they wanted to bring exactly those feelings into their wedding celebrations.

They had already planned their civil wedding in Germany, but what they longed for was something more personal in addition – a ceremony held outdoors, somewhere wild and open. Basti, in particular, wished for the vastness of the coast. At first, they weren’t sure where exactly that might be, but as we talked through ideas and I shared my love for the landscapes of the Northwest Highlands, we soon agreed that this corner of Scotland was the perfect fit.

Once we had found them a wonderful base at The Albannach in Lochinver, everything else fell into place quite naturally. The ceremony itself came together smoothly through a string of emails and some video calls, and by the time the big day drew closer, it felt like we had already built a lovely connection.

Monika accompanied us as our celebrant for our free ceremony on the Scottish coast and made the day truly special for us! The coordination with her beforehand went smoothly, and from our conversations she created a wonderful and very personal wedding speech. Monika’s way of being is uncomplicated yet professional, very warm and at the same time pleasantly calm. We can wholeheartedly recommend her to all couples who are looking for a truly special celebrant to accompany the most beautiful day of their lives!
Thank you for everything, dear Monika! Larissa & Basti

When they finally arrived in the Highlands, we met the evening before to go over the details. Sitting together in person made everything feel relaxed and easy – as though we had known each other for much longer.

The next day brought us the gift of nice weather. Their chosen spot was the little beach at Achmelvich, a place that feels almost otherworldly in its beauty. Larissa and Basti decided to begin the ceremony on a grassy rise just above the bay, with the sea stretching wide before them. There, we marked the moment with a handfasting, the cords binding them together in a symbol of the promises they made to one another.

Afterwards, we wandered down onto the beach itself. Here, they added a personal and moving touch: they had brought with them small stones from home, each one inscribed with a message from friends and family who had celebrated their civil wedding in Germany. One by one, the stones were thrown into the sea, carrying those voices and wishes out into the water.

What followed for them was simple and joyful – a toast with champagne, laughter, time for Debbie to take some photos of beach fun, and time to savour the moment. It was everything they had hoped for: wild, free, and deeply personal. A day full of lightness, love, and the wide horizons that Scotland had given them once before – now as the beginning of their life as a married couple.

It was a real pleasure to mark this occasion with Larissa & Basti and support them with a ceremony in my native language of German. Vielen Dank!

Photos: Debbie Thornton Photography