Low-key but luxe wedding at Dougarie Boathouse, Arran

Antonia Karus-McElvogue and Alex Warren 

15th June 2024

Venue | Dougarie Boathouse, Arran
Photography | Meggy Mac Photography

Antonia and Alex expected to leave Arran as newlyweds, but they didn’t expect to depart with multiple bruises and midge bites too! “The bruises came from the enthusiastic ceilidh dancing that saw us and our 75 guests jigging right out of Dougarie Boathouse’s double doors onto the seafront!” laughs Antonia.

“As for the midge bites… well, all I can say is that we knew fine well what we were signing up for by choosing to get married on the west coast of Scotland in the height of summer!” 

The Edinburgh-based couple had regularly holidayed in the Hebrides and loved the thought of introducing their international guests to this part of the world. “We narrowed it down to Arran or Islay, but ultimately settled on the former as travel would be easier for those joining us from further afield.” 

They didn’t want to marry in a castle but loved the idea of finding a waterfront venue.

Online searches led them to Dougarie Boathouse on the west coast of Arran, a Victorian summerhouse that had once belonged to the 11th Duke of Hamilton. “We loved that it had been beautifully restored. There are gorgeous historical features, like the original exposed beams and pitched roofs, but the rest of it is a blank canvas so we could incorporate our own style and ideas,” recalls the bride.   

“We encouraged our guests to get dressed up as we liked the juxtaposition of everyone wearing black tie against the rustic backdrop.”  

This luxe-meets-low-key approach permeated into the food and drink, which was the most important part of the plans for this pair of foodies: “The idea of a relaxed beach barbecue with everyone wearing their wedding finery really appealed to us,” says Antonia.

Indeed, one of the day’s main talking points was live oyster-shucking courtesy of The Oysterman Events. “I will never forget us all enjoying champagne and oysters on the lawn while guitar-and-violin duo Sedona Park performed.” 

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The Boathouse’s staff kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes, including the room turnaround, which Antonia says was done so artfully and quickly that she barely noticed it happening.

“They nailed it,” she says approvingly. “Plaudits to events manager Malin Stewart as well, who was helpful and receptive at every point of our planning journey, despite my many questions. She was full of great suggestions when we needed them too.” 

The couple and most of their guests made a holiday of their time on Arran. “Most of us stayed at Auchrannie Resort on the other side of the island, then we laid on coaches to get everyone to and from the venue,” notes Antonia.

“The weather was mixed, but we had the most stunning sunset on our wedding day – our photogra­pher Meggy Mac captured some amazing shots of me and Alex on the beach as the sun went down. We had such fun doing a line-up photo across stepping stones at Dougarie too.” 

Would the newlyweds change anything about their day? “Just one thing – we’d take more midge repellent!”

Venue Dougarie Boathouse, Arran 
Photography Meggy Mac Photography 
Celebrant Caroline Lambie, Humanist Society Scotland 
Wedding dress Pronovias from My Funny Valentine Bridal 
Bride’s shoes Miu Miu 
Bridesmaid dresses Six Stories 
Hair and makeup Laura Gray, Hair Beauty Bridal  
Nails Polished, Arran 
Wedding rings Tom Coll Jewellery 
Catering Inside Out Catering   
Drinks reception catering The Oysterman Events   
Cake Elie’s Delight Cakes
Flowers and floral decor Tass Floral Studio 
Stationery All DIY using Canva 
Favours DIY bottled mini cocktails  
Ceremony and drinks reception music Sedona Park 
Reception band Grouse Ceilidh Band 
Transport Stagecoach 
Accommodation Auchrannie Resort 

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