Beautiful film photography from a Wedding at Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh

Struve-Photography-botanic-gardens-edinburgh-wedding_0136

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh is a dream wedding venue to photograph using digital and 35mm analogue film photography. Photographing it in the middle of summer meant that it was a real opportunity for my 35mm camera to shine with the colours and light. I loved how film photography worked so beautifully here with their Edinburgh wedding.

Wren and Christian booked my Senja package, a full-day photography package with 35mm film included. We had chatted extensively about their love for film and mine, a shared passion that I really enjoyed being able to bring into their day. The natural light of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh was a dream setting for me as a film wedding photographer.

Wedding Prep in Edinburgh

Wren and Christian factored in a lot of time for their wedding. This meant I was able to meet with Christian for some casual prep photos before I went to see Wren. They had invited their families and friends from the US to Scotland for this wedding. This wasn’t just about tying the knot, it was a reunion with all the people they loved most. It was wonderful to see all their inner circle gather with them in a casual setting before heading off to their wedding at the Royal Botanic Gardens on a summer’s day in Edinburgh.

a white shirt and a brown suit with a floral green tie, hanging up on a brown wardrobe taken on kodak portra film

A grey and white cat lying on a cushion on a wooden chair

Wren had booked an AirBnB for her bridal prep. This was a basement flat, however, with plenty of light and a neutral decor tone, it created a calm space. The soft natural light worked really well for film photographs for their wedding prep.

wedding dress hanging in a bay window, with a bouquet of flowers on a bench next to it taken on 35mm Kodak portra film

still life of white lace heel shoes, a lace headdress, a vintage bead purse, and a vintage garter taken on Kodak portra film

bride in a champagne wedding dress, looks at herself in the mirror in a white room while she pins up her hair

John Muir Grove Wedding Photography

Christian and Wren tied the knot under the redwood trees at the John Muir Grove at the Royal Botanic Gardens. The redwoods provide a wonderful canopy with a dry red floor for guests to sit under. It is surprisingly sheltered here, and feels like you’ve entered an organic cathedral. This is a secluded spot for an intimate ceremony in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens. With the sun shining, it offered some light shade for guests and perfect conditions to incorporate film photography with this Edinburgh wedding.

The forecast, initially was poor. But true to Scottish form, give it a few days and it’ll change. We had glorious sunshine with only a few light clouds offering breaks from the heat. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh works well for taking group wedding photographs too. There are lots of beautiful locations to frame your formal portraits with friends and family. It has areas of open shade, which, as a photographer, is a dream.

bride and groom embracing in the redwoods at John Muir Grove at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

bride stroking grooms hair in the redwoods at John Muir Grove at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

bride and groom embracing in the redwoods at John Muir Grove at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh taken on kodak portra film

Wedding Photos at The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh is the perfect wedding venue when combined with film photography. As wedding locations in Edinburgh go, I loved working here. Our coordinator on the day was also able to secure use of a buggy after the gardens closed to the public. This meant we were able to explore some of the other hidden gems around the gardens.

Chinese Pavilion Wedding Photography in Edinburgh

I loved taking photos by the Chinese pavillion in the Royal Botanic Gardens. The sun was starting to hide behind the trees, but we had these beautiful shards of light that just filtered through into this secret spot. It felt so serene by the water. This is also a location option if you wanted to book a small wedding at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. I think film photography captured the warmth of the light perfectly, and created beautiful wedding photos in the warm evening light of a Scottish summer.

bride and groom sitting side by side, turning their faces to the light at the Chinese pavilion at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

bride leaning into groom on a bench in the Chinese pavilion at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh taken on Kodak portra film

bride leaning into groom on a bench in the Chinese pavilion at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh taken on 35mm film

black and white image of a groom and bride embracing, backlit by the sunshine

groom and bride embracing, backlit by the sunshine, surrounded by trees and grass, at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

Wedding Photos at the Botanic Cottage at the Royal Botanic Gardens

We also went to the Botanic Cottage. This is a favourite spot of mine, I love the large hedge with the arch walkway that frames the entrance to this area. The cottage gardens are beautiful and in keeping with the 18th Century feel of the building. It’s a little distance from the rest of the wedding area, but absolutely worth a visit for photos. I adore the colour of the soft peach walls with the lavender, and sage shutters on the windows. It really makes you feel transported almost to another time entirely. Likewise, using film photography here made this hidden spot in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh come alive with the colour and light.

bride and groom embracing under the arch of the hedge with the Botanic Cottage behind them at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

bride and groom in the cottage garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, with a large green hedge, garden flowers, and a blue sky

bride and groom against a sage green door, by the Botanic Cottage, surrounded by purple lavender at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

bride and groom dancing on the lawn next to the rock garden Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

bride and groom kissing on a path at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

Caledonian Hall Wedding

Guests enjoyed canapes and drinks afterwards at the Caledonian Hall. This was the setting for their drinks reception. It’s a lovely grade B listed building where the decor fits with the location. A mix of wooden panelling and soft fern green walls, with wooden floors and tall windows and a stunning arched ceiling. The mid-century style chairs and stylish lighting finish this Edinburgh wedding venue with a modern, timeless feel. I was able to use film photography inside for some more stunning wedding photographs for this Edinburgh wedding.

Wren and Christian customised their wedding with apples as wedding favours! These were decorated with simple and elegant leaf shapes with the names of each guest written with calligraphy flourishes.

view of the Rock Garden from the Caledonian Hall, at Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

Entrance to the Caledonian Hall, at Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

analogue camera, wedding shoes, a maroon bag and a yellow bag, hanging on a green wall, taken on kodak portra film

groom looking at bride while giving a speech for a wedding at the Caledonian Hall, at Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

bride giving a speech for a wedding at the Caledonian Hall, at Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

Analogue 35mm Film Wedding Photographer Edinburgh

Are you looking for more information about my film wedding photography? I now include this as part of my wedding photography packages. I photograph weddings throughout Edinburgh and Scotland, and incorporate film photography into your wedding. This gives your final collection of photos an extra essence from your day. You can find out more about my services here or read more about my film photography here.