Chicago couple eloped 3,500 miles to pose in rain and mud for VERY dramatic photos on Isle of Skye

A daring young couple, who wanted their wedding photos to be original, have shared their breath-taking pictures after eloping at the top of a boggy, gale-lashed mountain in Scotland.

James Murata, 33, and his partner Lisa, 31, flew from their home in Chicago to the Isle of Skye for the amazing photo shoot on September 25 after considering locations around the globe.

The couple, who have been together for four years, got in touch with Andrew Rae – a Scottish photographer – on Instagram after viewing his incredible gallery of past images.

However, the pair were hit with strong winds and a barrage of mud as they posed for the pictures.

Lisa said: ‘We anticipated cooler, misty weather similar to that of the Pacific Northwest in the states.

‘Boy, were we in for a surprise. The wind was unreal.

‘The weather in Chicago fluctuates pretty regularly in spring and fall. We could have a week of 70F and have snow the next.

‘We have a fair amount of wind that comes off of Lake Michigan, but nothing like the wind in Skye. I’m sure it was 65F and sunny back home on our wedding day.’

After considering locations around the globe, including France, the loved-up couple settled on the mountainous terrain of the Isle of Skye in beautiful Scotland 

James and Lisa wanted their wedding photos, captured by Scottish photographer Andrew Rae, to reflect their love of the outdoors and adventurous nature

Lisa said the couple took a while to decide on their perfect destination to elope but after spotting pictures of the Isle, their mind was made up.

Lisa added: ‘We wanted a unique wedding experience that was reflective of us.

‘We both love the outdoors and are always up for an adventure.

‘We were interested in a remote area overseas, the idea just seemed more romantic. 

‘Our first destination thought was French countryside, but the more I researched it, the more difficult it seemed to be due to the language barrier.

‘Scotland continually came up as an elopement destination and neither of us had been before so we just kind of went with it.

‘Photographs of Skye really solidified it as the perfect place for us.’

‘Scotland continually came up as an elopement destination and neither of us had been before so we just kind of went with it. ‘Photographs of Skye really solidified it as the perfect place for us,’ said Lisa

The couple prepared for the weather conditions and Lisa said she didn’t mind getting her wedding dress covered in mud. She commented: ‘It was expected. I searched for the perfect dress that could pack well and was lightweight for hiking around for this purpose’

Some of the photos capture the bride traipsing through muddy bogs in her stunning white wedding dress with her bridal hair whipped up by gale force winds. Others portray the groom in the stark landscape, his neatly tailored wedding suit soaked through by sheets of rain lashing the crags

Despite the weather, the results of the couple’s bold choice of venue are a series of stunning images that capture both the raw beauty of the wilderness setting and their love for each other.

Some capture the bride traipsing through muddy bogs in her stunning white wedding dress with her bridal hair whipped up by gale force winds.

Others portray the groom in the stark landscape, his neatly tailored wedding suit soaked through by sheets of rain lashing the crags.

‘We knew of each other in high school but connected well after college at a neighbourhood bar. We now own a home in the same neighborhood we grew up in,’ said Lisa

We’re pretty boring,’ commented the bride who said she’d recommend a similar shoot to anyone who wants incredible wedding photographs’

The weather was a far cry from their native Chicago. ‘The weather [there] fluctuates pretty regularly in spring and fall. We could have a week of 70F and have snow the next,’ said Lisa

The couple prepared for the weather conditions and Lisa said she didn’t mind getting her wedding dress covered in mud.

She added: ‘It was expected. I searched for the perfect dress that could pack well and was lightweight for hiking around for this purpose. We wanted to end up in the fairy pools, but due to the weather we never made it. I’ve been dreaming of Skye every day since.’

The newlyweds grew up just half a mile away from each other. ‘We knew of each other in high school but connected well after college at a neighbourhood bar. We now own a home in the same neighborhood we grew up in. We’re pretty boring,’ commented Lisa who said she’d recommend a similar shoot to anyone who wants incredible wedding photographs.

The couple couldn’t have imagined quite how dramatic the weather would be. Lisa said: ‘We anticipated cooler, misty, weather similar to that of the Pacific Northwest in the states. Boy, were we in for a surprise. The wind was unreal

‘We planned to marry at Loch Coruisk but could not make the trip due to bad weather. We chose to marry at Honeycomb Rock, an area near the pier to travel to Loch Coruisk,’ said Lisa

‘We planned to marry at Loch Coruisk but could not make the trip due to bad weather. We chose to marry at Honeycomb Rock, an area near the pier to travel to Loch Coruisk.

‘Andrew’s photography skills are truly an art form. I never imagined I would look at such a beautiful photograph and see myself in it.

‘We had such a wonderful experience, everyone was so warm and welcoming.

‘The people really made the trip. For those interested, expect the worst with the weather and embrace it,’ said Lisa who had just one more word of advice for anyone visiting the stunning area. ‘Please, leave Skye as beautiful as you found it.’ 

‘Andrew’s photography skills are truly an art form. I never imagined I would look at such a beautiful photograph and see myself in it,’ remarked Lisa

‘The people really made the trip. For those interested, expect the worst with the weather and embrace it,’ said Lisa who had just one more word of advice for anyone visiting the stunning area. ‘Please, leave Skye as beautiful as you found it’