Islay Wedding and Elopement Planning by Mari
Planning a wedding anywhere takes a lot of time and effort. Planning one on Islay from the other side of the world — or even just the other side of the country — comes with a unique set of challenges. Mari Denby, an Islay Wedding planner, can take care of that for you!
Which venues actually work for a group of thirty? How do you know the caterer is as good as their website suggests? Where can crockery come from and how does it get here at the right time? That's where I come in. I'm Mari, and with years of experience in event management and catering, I know exactly what you will need to acquire in order to make your day run smoothly. I also know this wonderful island of Islay, inside out and can completely understand why you would want to share your most special day, with your most special people right here. My job is to be your eyes, ears, and local contact on the ground — handling every detail so that by the time you step off the ferry or plane, all you need to do is enjoy it.
Elopement Planning
Full elopement planning service
You've decided to elope to Islay. Brilliant decision. Now let me handle everything else.
From our first conversation to the moment you say your vows on a windswept beach (or a distillery courtyard, or a clifftop — your call), I'll be managing every detail behind the scenes. That means sourcing your celebrant, coordinating accommodation, liaising with florists and caterers, navigating ferry and flight logistics for you and any small group of guests, and making sure everyone knows exactly where they need to be and when.
On the day itself, I'll be with you for approximately four hours — there to set the scene, keep things running smoothly, and disappear into the background the moment your ceremony begins.
I never take commission from any supplier I recommend so every suggestion is based on genuine experience working with Islay's best and who I think suits you most— not on who's paying me to say so.
Time on the day - 4-6 hours
Price £1999
Full Wedding Planning
Full planning service
Planning a wedding on a remote Scottish island from a distance is a logistical puzzle. Accommodation across multiple villages, ferry bookings for fifty guests, a venue that works for both ceremony and reception, a caterer who knows how to feed a crowd using the best local ingredients. It's a lot to coordinate — and that's before you've chosen your flowers, arranged a piper and booked the band.
This is my most comprehensive service, designed for couples who want to hand the whole thing over and actually enjoy their engagement. I'll work with you from the very beginning: helping you find the right venue, building your supplier team, managing your budget, handling all correspondence, and keeping everything on track through to the big day.
On the day, I'll be with you for 10–12 hours — from the first delivery arriving at the venue to the last guest hitting the dancefloor. You won't need to think about a single logistics question. That's my job.
As with all my services, I don't accept commissions from suppliers. Any recommendation I make, I make because I trust them with your wedding — full stop.
Time on the day - 10-12 hours
Price £3999
Wedding Co-ordination
On the Day Co-ordination - Full Day
I know that you've spent months — maybe years — planning this day. The last thing you want is to spend it chasing suppliers and answering questions from your venue. That is where I come in.
This service is for couples who want to do their own planning but need a confident, experienced pair of hands to take over in the final stretch and run the day itself. I'll get thoroughly briefed on everything you've arranged, create a detailed timeline, communicate your schedule to all your suppliers, and be your single point of contact from the moment things kick off in the morning to the end of the evening celebrations.
10–12 hours on the day. Every supplier managed. Every detail overseen. You just get to be the couple getting married.
Price £1499
Islay Wedding Planning FAQ’s
Is this service connected to My Islay Wedding?
No, though it's a fair question! My Islay Wedding is Ben Shakespeare's wedding photography business, and Ben is a brilliant photographer who I work alongside regularly. This is a separate, independent wedding planning service. If you're looking for photography, Ben is your man. If you need someone to handle the logistics, the suppliers, and the coordination of your Islay wedding, that's where I come in.
Do I actually need a wedding planner for an Islay wedding?
Not always, but it depends on what you're taking on. If you're planning an intimate elopement, are comfortable making calls and coordinating details yourself, and have plenty of time to research suppliers from a distance, you may well manage on your own. Islay's wedding community is small and friendly, and local suppliers are used to helping couples find their feet.
Where a planner really earns its keep is when you're organising for larger groups, coordinating accommodation across the island, working from overseas, or simply don't have the time or headspace to manage the back and forth. Getting to Islay requires planning even before you've thought about flowers or catering. Ferry bookings, accommodation spread across multiple villages, suppliers who may not have slick websites but are absolutely brilliant at what they do. Knowing who to call and when is most of the job.
What's the difference between your planning packages and your coordination packages?
Planning means I'm with you from the beginning. We'll work together on everything from choosing your venue and building your supplier team, through to the day itself. Coordination means you've done the planning, and you want a calm, experienced pair of hands to take over in the final stretch and run the day for you.
Both are valuable, just at different stages. If you're at the very start of your planning and feeling overwhelmed, full planning is probably what you need. If you've got most things sorted but want someone on the ground on the day so you can actually enjoy it, coordination is the one.
Do you take commission from the suppliers you recommend?
No. Every supplier I recommend, I recommend because I've seen them do good work on Islay and I trust them with your wedding. I don't accept referral fees or commissions from anyone, which means you're getting an honest opinion rather than a commercial one.
How far in advance should we book?
For Islay specifically, earlier than you might expect. The island has a limited pool of quality suppliers, and the best ones book up fast, particularly for peak season between June and September. If you're planning a summer wedding, 12 to 18 months ahead is ideal. Spring, autumn, or winter weddings offer a bit more flexibility, though I'd still encourage you not to leave it too late.
The same applies to accommodation. For larger groups, you'll want to start thinking about where guests are staying as soon as you've settled on a date and rough numbers.