Planning to get married in the capital of Scotland? Edinburgh is a wonderful destination city for couples planning their wedding. Whether it’s a small ceremony, an elopement, or a great big knees up, there are so many amazing locations you can utilise to tie the knot. Whether you want an Edinburgh wedding venue with views of the castle, or one with lots of character, there’s something here for you. It’s not surprising that this is a popular city for locals and international couples planning to tie the knot. Same-sex weddings have been legal in Scotland for almost ten years, making it great for LGBTQ+ couples too.

The question is, which venue do you choose for your wedding in Edinburgh? Don’t worry, I’ve put together this guide to help you. It’s entirely based on personal experience as a wedding photographer. No bribes, honest!

Royal Botanic Gardens

This is a stunning location for a wedding, with lots of options for weddings from small to large. You can exchange nuptials with a small wedding at the Chinese Pavilion, or enjoy a treetop cathedral in the redwoods of the John Muir Grove. With a range of stylish buildings, offering a contemporary backdrop or a traditional building, you can get married here with options for 25 to 300 guests. This is a wheelchair friendly location as well. While the grounds remain open to the public during the daytime, it’s private to you and your guests in the evening.

Want to see more? I have some photos from a wedding at the John Muir Grove and Caledonian Hall at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh

Edinburgh City Chambers

Want to get married in Edinburgh? The City Chambers is the OG of Edinburgh wedding venues. This is more than just your average city hall for your wedding. They offer a range of rooms to accommodate your guests, so you can book the Alexander Suite if it’s up to 36 guests; the European Room for up to 70 guests; or they have a private room for elopements too. Afterwards, they can also host your canapes or afternoon tea or a banquet for your guests to celebrate. You can have photographs taken outside in the courtyard, and you’re right in the heart of the city on the Royal Mile.

Have a look at this wedding I photographed at Edinburgh City Chambers.

Website: https://www.edinburghcitychambers.co.uk/ceremony-suites-in-the-city-chambers

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

The Apex Grassmarket Hotel is based in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. This is a historic part of the city, and a popular hub with visitors. This is a contemporary hotel with a panoramic view of the nearby castle from it’s top floor during your ceremony. The different areas for your wedding are split between different floors, with lifts and staircases for guests. It has private parking as well for residents. The hotel offers lots of rooms for your wedding party to stay over.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy city square below, you feel enveloped in your own wedding bubble. It’s also incredibly handy for photographs taking in some of the most iconic sights of the city. This is a brilliant Edinburgh wedding venue for couples to consider for their wedding vows. Click on this blog post to see more photos of a wedding at Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh.

Website: https://www.apexhotels.co.uk/weddings/weddings-in-edinburgh/

Thomas Morton Hall at Leith Theatre, Leith

If you’re looking for a blank canvas venue for a quirky DIY wedding, then this is the Edinburgh wedding venue for you. Ok, so technically it’s Leith rather than Edinburgh, but I’m slotting it into this Edinburgh wedding venue guide. An old renovated theatre, bright daylit halls and a quirky old ticket office, it’s a less traditional wedding venue. This wedding venue is perfect if you love the idea of being in an old Edinburgh industrial area, with cobbled streets and red brick walls. You can use the Thomas Morton Hall for your meal and dancing, while the Crush Foyer is the perfect setting for your ceremony. Of course I also have a blog post about a wedding at Thomas Morton Hall.

Website: https://www.leiththeatre.co.uk/

Mansfield Traquair

Referred to as Edinburgh’s Sistene Chapel, this is a stunning wedding venue in Edinburgh. The murals on the walls and ceiling are jaw dropping for wedding guests. It has beautiful lighting too. If you’re looking for a venue that is atmospheric and requires very little dressing up, this is the venue for you. Located near the top of Leith Walk and a short distance from Waverley Station, it’s ideal as a show-stopping wedding venue in Edinburgh. I have a blog post featuring a range of photos from a wedding at Mansfield Traquair.

Website: https://www.mansfieldtraquair.co.uk/weddings/

Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel

This incredible hotel is situated on the corner of Princes Street, and if you’re looking for an elegant and glitzy venue, this is the one for you. This prestigious Edinburgh wedding venue opened in 1903, and has guest rooms and suites for you and your wedding party to enjoy the day. This hotel can host your wedding for up to 180 guests, and has 231 bedrooms. Overlooking the castle, and offering parking onsite, it’s the perfect venue for a luxury wedding in Edinburgh. Have a look at a wedding on my blog from the Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Website: https://inspiredevents.hilton.com/en_gb/occasions/weddings/hotels/waldorf-astoria-edinburgh-the-caledonian/

Edinburgh Wedding Venue Photographer

Looking for a photographer for your Edinburgh wedding? (Me. I mean me). Well drop me a line. I would love to hear from you. Edinburgh is a wonderful city and I love photographing weddings and exploring my old stomping ground! I know lots of great spots for photos to make the most of your wedding. At Struve Photography I love a good city wedding in Edinburgh!