Slàinte Mhath!
If you've been to Scotland, you get it. Once you visit and get the chance to connect with the beautiful people, culture, and land, it has a way of settling into your heart and never truly leaving. Cassie studied abroad in Scotland during college and experienced this phenomenon. Which is why it only made sense that when she and Travis started planning how they wanted to begin their marriage together... Scotland was the answer.
Most of their family and friends are either in Alaska or on the East Coast, and it was going to be a destination wedding no matter what. So why not?!
These two share a love with nature that is honestly so admirable. Travis is an incredible landscape and wildlife photographer, and the shots he gets prove that he is patient, calm, and has an incredible eye for detail. Cassie has spent her life loving animals, pursuing a degree and jobs that gave her an opportunity to either work with animals, educate people about them, or have the lifestyle that allows her to enjoy the wildlife around her. I'm sure it will come as no surprise that these two met at an Alaskan wildlife conservation center as seasonal employees. Two like-minded individuals, seeking adventure in a place known for its untamed land and teeming with unique wildlife. It was clear early on in their friendship that they both were developing feelings, and it wasn't long before they became 'Cassie and Travis'. Like many seasonal employees in Alaska, they ended up staying for much longer than anticipated, and have now called Alaska home for many years. They created a family together, with their two dogs Burt and Fletcher, and their rambunctious cat, Noodle. My husband and I count ourselves very lucky indeed to be their friends. Everyone who knows them is better for it, truly. And when they asked me to photograph their intimate wedding in Scotland, I was simply over the moon. Two beautiful people in love in one of my favorite places in the world?? I couldn't say yes fast enough. But if I'm being honest, I would've photographed them getting married at a landfill with the same level of enthusiasm. They really are that great.
February 1, 2024 was a very wet and windy day in Glencoe. While some may have let the weather deter their spirits, these seasoned Alaskans were barely affected. Besides, we all know Scotland is at her best when she's wild and moody. After getting drenched during their first look, they sought shelter inside, and took the opportunity of that quiet moment to exchange their private vows. Without a doubt, it was my favorite part of the day.
After that, we prepared for their ceremony. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have never photographed such a tender and authentic wedding ceremony than the one I witnessed that day. Almost everyone in the room was crying, including myself. Cassie and Travis had been so intentional with the details of their day, incorporating things both personal to them and traditional to Scotland. At the end of their ceremony, they shared whiskey from a Quaich cup, which is often referred to as a 'love cup', a Scottish tradition that emphasizes their trust in each other as they move forward in their shared life. We headed out for some more photos, including some with the venue's antlered neighbors. Shoutout to Scotty who used a discarded boutonnière to lure them closer into frame for a few epic shots. The evening went on to feature a delicious meal, sweet speeches, dancing, and a sparkler send off that had everyone laughing (I will never forget everyone screeching in the cold wind and rain trying to keep their sparklers lit).
All in all, it felt like a fairytale.
And not just because it happened in a place where everything feels touched by magic.
