Royal College of Physicians Wedding Ceremony | Gleneagles Townhouse Wedding Reception | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
Royal College of Physicians Wedding Ceremony | Gleneagles Townhouse Wedding Reception | Marissa and Mike | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
Marissa and mike had their wedding ceremony at The Royal College of PHysicians on Queen Street in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Royal College of Physicians is one of the most iconic library’s that you can get married at in all of Edinburgh. They were married in “The New Library”, which is ironically one of the oldest libraries in Edinburgh as well. It is actually still being used as a functional library today for the college. And of course, The New Library is perfect for an intimate wedding ceremony, and Marissa and Mike had just 10 of thier closest friends and family members with them on their wedding day.
Earlier that day, Marissa got ready in a corner suite at The Cheval the Edinburgh Grand on St. Andrew’s Square, which is just around the corner from The Royal College of Physicians. She had the talented Rae Mathieson doing her makeup and the lovely Stacey Deane do everyone’s hair. They also had the talented Emma, of Timeless White wedding planners, there with her in the bridal suite when I arrived, and of course, she was making sure that every detail was taken care of the entire wedding day. Mike and Marissa had a first look in the Games Room on the 4th floor of the Cheval Edinburgh Grand and then afterwards had a private moment to say their vows to each other with no one else in the room. After they were finished we took a few photos by the elevator in the lobby, which is an image that is sentimental to them both.
The team at Timeless White made sure that the bride and groom were driven around during their wedding portraits by the friendliest taxi service in town, Butlers Chauffeur Hire. Once we got in the car, I had already pre planned with the couple over multiple zoom calls and emails about exactly where they would like to take their wedding portraits in Edinburgh. We started on the old town side of the city first, and roamed around the royal mile and vennel lookout point with the edinburgh castle perfectly placed behind the couple. We then drove over to the new town side of town, where The Royal COllege of Physicians is located, and stopped at both Circus lane in Stockbridge as well as the SCottish National POrtrait Gallery on queen street. THe portrait Gallery is one of my favorite spots to take portraits, as there are so many lovely murals and multiple floors of artwork for every couple to find a lovely corner that they appreciate. The Portrait Gallery is also just one block away from The Royal College of Physicians, so we were able to walk over to the wedding venue.
All of the wedding guests arrived to the new Library ceremony space, which is filled with books, floral installations by The Petal Shoppe, live music by the Capella String Quartet, a surrounding balcony, windy staircases and ornate marble ceilings, while the bride and groom were tucked away in a suite. The wonderfully charming celebrant, Andrew Scott, made the ceremony incredibly scottish and heart warming for these two americans, who have heritage in scotland, with all of the scottish traditions that he shared with their loved ones. After the ceremony, the couple were greeted with confetti outside of the royal college of physicians before their guests headed off to the cocktail hour. But before leaving the stunning architecture of this historic wedding venue in the heart of edinburgh, the couple had one more roam around the new library by themselves to take a few more couple photos and have a private first dance with the live musician still playing in the background.
After leaving the Royal COllege of PHysicians, the couple had a taxi take them around the corner to The Gleneagles Townhouse for a few portraits at The Spence bar. The couple was also able to see all of the lovely floral installations and table decor in the courtyard of the spence restaurant before everyone else, and timeless white and The Petal Shoppe did such a wonderful job with everything. There were figs, grapes, and a soft palette of florals that perfectly matched the Spence’s palette of napkins and interior decor. BAck at the lounge tables by the spence bar, the wedding guests were all enjoying drinks and canapés before they were all escorted down to the courtyard for their seated dinner.
There were many heartfelt speeches, and even a few surprises for me personally, as the groom was from a place I never thought I would hear of again, but was from a small town that I used to live at for a few years in middle GA, and his two friends that gave speeches were also from there. The world is a really small place, and wedding days always remind me of that, especially when so many lovely american couples come over to scotland to get married in beautiful and historic venues in Edinburgh. IRonically, I have zero heritage in SCotland or the UK as a whole, as I’m all Mexican (mom’s side) and Norwegian (my dad’s side), via the DNA test that I took, and just in the last few generations had moved over to America and ended up in chicago, where my parents met as kids. but so many americans have british heritage and I love that they love to all come here to experience this culture. With my husband being scottish and us about to have a child in the next few weeks, I know that our child will love exploring all of the different cultures that make up their historical DNA, just as these two sweet gems did on their wedding day in Edinburgh. x
“The Royal College of Physicians has one of the most historic library spaces for anyone to have an intimate wedding ceremony and is conveniently located in the heart of edinburgh, scotland.”
Edinburgh Wedding Venue - The Royal College of Physicians | Destination Scottish Wedding Planners - Timeless White | EDINBURGH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER - MELODY JOY CO. | edinburgh Hair Stylist - Stacey Deane | Makeup Artist - Rae Mathieson | edinburgh Wedding Florist - The Petal Shoppe | Clothing & Fashion - Sophia Grace Couture | Entertainment - Capella String Quartet | edinburgh Officiant - Andrew Scott Celebrant | EDINBURGH COCKTAIL HOUR AND Reception Venue - The Courtyard at Gleneagles Townhouse | COcktail Hour - The Spence | Taxi - Butlers Chauffeur Hire | Getting Ready Bridal Suite - Cheval the Edinburgh Grand
Edinburgh Wedding Venue - The Royal College of Physicians | Destination Scottish Wedding Planners - Timeless White | EDINBURGH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER - MELODY JOY CO. | edinburgh Hair Stylist - Stacey Deane | Makeup Artist - Rae Mathieson | edinburgh Wedding Florist - The Petal Shoppe | Clothing & Fashion - Sophia Grace Couture | Entertainment - Capella String Quartet | edinburgh Officiant - Andrew Scott Celebrant | EDINBURGH COCKTAIL HOUR AND Reception Venue - The Courtyard at Gleneagles Townhouse | COcktail Hour - The Spence | Taxi - Butlers Chauffeur Hire | Getting Ready Bridal Suite - Cheval the Edinburgh Grand
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Wedding | A Beautiful Outdoor and Indoor Wedding Venue in Edinburgh, Scotland | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Wedding | A Beautiful Outdoor and Indoor Wedding Venue in Edinburgh, Scotland | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
A Romantic Garden Wedding at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
There’s something undeniably magical about getting married in Scotland, especially when the setting is as iconic and beautiful as The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. For Katherine and Tyler, their wedding day was a seamless blend of refined elegance, lush botanical beauty, and heartfelt celebration, set against one of the most breathtaking backdrops in the city. With an Edinburgh outdoor ceremony and indoor reception venue that offered the best of both worlds, their day unfolded like a modern fairytale rooted in timeless romance, which is exactly why this sweet family from the states flew to Edinburgh for their wedding day.
Planned to perfection by Lucy Barrowman of Premier Wedding Planning, this unforgettable celebration brought together some of the most sought-after wedding suppliers in Scotland, creating a day that was not only visually stunning but deeply personal from beginning to end.
Morning Preparations at The Caledonian Edinburgh
Katherine began her wedding morning in the luxurious bridal suite at The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton, one of the city’s most iconic hotels and a favourite Edinburgh getting ready hotel bridal suite for couples seeking classic elegance. Natural light poured through the windows as anticipation filled the room, setting the tone for a calm and joyful morning. The windows from the rooms at The Caledonian in Edinburgh also look over the Edinburgh Castle, which is just the perfect view for you and your loved ones on your destination wedding morning in scotland.
Surrounded by her closest loved ones, Katherine’s bridal look came to life with the help of two of Edinburgh’s most talented beauty artists. Pamela Docherty, a distinguished Edinburgh hair stylist, created a soft, romantic hairstyle that felt effortlessly chic yet enduring. Complementing this, Stacey Toner, a sought-after Edinburgh makeup artist, crafted glowing, timeless makeup that enhanced Katherine’s natural beauty without overpowering it. Their work helped foster a sense of calm confidence and joy that carried through the day.
Katherine’s gown, a sleek and modern creation by Sarah Seven, struck the perfect balance between contemporary design and timeless elegance, which was ideal for both the intimate outdoor ceremony and the refined indoor reception that followed. For shoes, she chose a playful blend of fashion and comfort with Fendi heels for formal portraits and a pair of Golden Goose sneakers for dancing later in the evening.
Tyler’s wedding day style mirrored the refined elegance of the occasion. He wore a custom tux designed by Canali, tailored to perfection and timeless in every sense, paired with elegant Bruno Magli wedding shoes. Together, the couple’s fashion choices were cohesive and expressive, marrying classic sophistication with personal flair.
Wedding Portraits at The Scottish National Portrait Gallery
After being picked up in a taxi from The Caledonian, Katherine and Tyler slipped away before the Botanic garden festivities for a couples portrait session at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in the heart of Edinburgh. Just a short distance from the gardens, this stunning red sandstone landmark, which was designed in the neo-Gothic style by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson in the late 19th century, stands proudly on Queen Street and is one of the city’s most photogenic historic buildings. Inside, the gallery feels like a palace of stories, adorned with intricate murals, sculptural details and the breathtaking Great Hall. The museum is complete with a celestial zodiac ceiling and processional frieze depicting key figures from Scottish history. For couples visiting Edinburgh on their wedding day, the Portrait Gallery offers a remarkable blend of architectural grandeur and cultural heritage. It’s a place where contemporary portraits of modern icons sit alongside depictions of royalty, poets and pioneers, creating a rich and dramatic backdrop that elevates every romantic frame. I always love photographing couples visiting Scotland in this iconic space, as it truly feels like the inside of a castle. their gallery portraits were infused with both the timeless elegance of the city and the intimate connection of the newlyweds, I love that these two were able to have a private moment and have their couples portraits taken before seeing the rest of their wedding guests at their garden celebration.
A Forest Ceremony in John Muir Grove at The Royal Botanic Garden
The wedding ceremony of Katherine and Tyler’s wedding day unfolded beneath cathedrals of nature, under the towering redwoods of John Muir Grove in The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This special area of the garden is one of the most enchanting outdoor ceremony locations in Edinburgh: a circle of giant redwoods (Sequoiadendron giganteum) planted in the 1920s that reach over 24 metres high and create a stunning, cathedral-like canopy for weddings. Named in honour of the Scots born conservation pioneer behind the U.S. national park system, the grove brings a sense of calm, grandeur, and natural splendour to every ceremony held here.
Walking down a petal-lined path, surrounded by towering trees and the soft murmur of nature, Katherine and Tyler exchanged their vows in an intimate outdoor ceremony filled with meaning and emotion. The grove’s atmosphere that was both serene and majestic, allowing their love to feel even more present, rooted deeply in the moment and embraced by nature. Floral accents from Ochre Botanics, one of the most beloved Edinburgh wedding florists, breathed gentle colour into the space without taking away from its organic beauty.
One of the most significant moments of the day came with the exchange of rings. Katherine and Tyler chose a mix of Cartier wedding bands and a treasured family heirloom, which was a beautiful symbol of the couple’s connection to the past even as they embarked on their future together. It was deeply personal to both of them and a perfect reflection of the meaningful day they hand curated.
This remarkable setting is precisely why so many couples choose The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for their outdoor wedding ceremony, and for Katherine and Tyler, it provided a lush, unforgettable backdrop that beautifully reflected their personalities and shared love of nature.
Seamless Coordination by Premier Wedding Planning
Executing a wedding at such a remarkable venue, spanning tranquil outdoor landscapes and historic indoor spaces, requires expert planning and coordination. Lucy Barrowman of Premier Wedding Planning, a leading Edinburgh, Scotland wedding planner, made the entire day feel effortless. From timeline management and vendor coordination to the smallest design details, Lucy ensured that every moment unfolded smoothly, allowing Katherine and Tyler to be fully present for each meaningful moment. Even with their being rain, the entire day was so smooth, ran on time and every guest felt comfortable with umbrellas, as every detail was thought out in advance.
Documenting edinburgh wedding days for couples who fly in from America, always make me so grateful to be an Edinburgh based wedding photographer now. I always strive to photograph Edinburgh wedding days by not only capturing the emotive storytelling and refined imagery, but also the historic element of the architecture and surroundings in the city, that the couples coming here for destination wedding days really chose this historic city to get married in for. I wanted to capture this day exactly as it felt, romantic, intentional, and beautifully organic and to simply photograph it from a documentary perspective. From the natural elegance of the forest ceremony in John Muir Grove to candid moments at the reception, this day had such a timeless visual narrative and was such an unforgettable day.
Cocktail Hour & Reception in Caledonian Hall
After the ceremony, guests made their way to Caledonian Hall, the stunning indoor reception space nestled within The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Originally built in 1843 as the Herbarium and now a beautifully restored Grade B-listed hall, Caledonian Hall is characterised by high ceilings, large windows, and abundant natural light, which makes it the perfect complement to the natural beauty of the outdoor ceremony. Overlooking the Rock Garden and waterfall, this elegant space provides a refined and welcoming environment for reception celebrations.
Guests enjoyed drinks and conversations during cocktail hour in the hall’s spacious interior and adjacent outdoor areas, soaking up every moment of the celebration as the garden’s greenery became part of the evening’s ambience. Catering was provided by The Royal Botanics Edinburgh, whose culinary team delivered a thoughtfully curated menu full of seasonal flavours and beautiful presentation.
Tables were styled with candles, linens, and delicate floral details by Ochre Botanics, weaving together the natural charm of their garden ceremony with the refined aesthetic of the indoor space. As dinner transitioned into dancing, the energy in Caledonian Hall soared. The WooHoo Band, a sought-after Edinburgh, Scotland live reception band, took the stage and kept everyone on their feet well into the night. From classic hits to modern favourites, their performance provided a dynamic soundtrack to the celebration and they also did a classic ceilidh for everyone that had guests of all ages laughing, singing, and dancing.
A Documentary Style Edinburgh Wedding
Katherine and Tyler’s wedding day at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was a masterclass in thoughtful planning, elevated design, and genuine emotion. From the enchantment of their outdoor ceremony in John Muir Grove to the elegance of their reception in Caledonian Hall, every element felt intentional and beautifully connected.
With an extraordinary team of Edinburgh wedding suppliers, expert coordination from Lucy Barrowman of Premier Wedding Planning, I was able to photograph this beautiful wedding day with ease, their celebration was not only breathtaking but deeply personal. For couples dreaming of a refined garden wedding in the heart of Scotland’s capital, this day stands as a beautiful example of what’s possible when love, nature, and expert planning come together. x
Edinburgh Botanic Gardens and Edinburgh City Centre Wedding Suppliers
Edinburgh Outdoor Ceremony + Indoor Reception Venue - The Royal Botanics Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland Wedding Planner - Lucy Barrowman of Premier Wedding Planning
Edinburgh Based Wedding Photographer - Melody Joy Co.
Edinburgh Getting Ready Hotel Bridal Suite - The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton
Edinburgh Wedding Florist - Ochre Botanics
Edinburgh Hair Stylist - Pamela Docherty
Edinburgh Makeup Artist - Stacey Toner
Bride’s Wedding Dress - Sarah Seven
Shoes - Fendi and Golden Goose
Groom's Tux designer - Canali
Groom Wedding Shoes - Bruno Magli
Bride + Groom Rings - Cartier and Family Heirloom
Cocktail Hour + Reception Caterer - The Royal Botanics Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland Live Reception Band - WooHoo Band
A Beautiful Edinburgh Wedding | The Scotsman Hotel | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
A Beautiful Edinburgh Wedding | The Scotsman Hotel | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer | Ochre BotanicaL Studios | GRAND CAFE EDINBURGH RESTAURANT
Alana and Les are local to Edinburgh and chose to have their wedding day start and end in the heart of their city, at The Scotsman Hotel. Alana spent her morning in the bridal suite that overlooked the Edinburgh skyline and spent the morning with her daughter and closest family members. She wore a stunning vintage wedding gown and her wedding bouquet was done by the talented Ochre Botanical Studios with silk from Heirloom Silk Ribbons. A cream vintage VW van picked up Alana and her bridal party and took them to the wedding ceremony, at City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, a beautiful church located in a stunning historic hall in the Old Town of Edinburgh. After the ceremony we strolled around one of their favorite gardens in Edinburgh and then headed back to The Scotsman Hotel for the wedding dinner and had speeches overlooking the guests from the balcony of The Grand Cafe. One of the reasons I love the The Grand Cafe is because, since being located within The Scotsman Hotel, it has a stunning view of Edinburgh, as it overlooks The Balmoral, Waverly Station and the New Town skyline. And since Alana and Les had friends from all over the world at their wedding day, and myself still feeling like a tourist after living here for a few years now, the city view from The Grand Cafe really does have such a romantic and magical feeling about it, especially as the skyline lights up as the sun fades into the night. x
Edinburgh Hotel - The Scotsman Hotel | Wedding Dress - Bliss Studio Edinburgh | Wedding Bouquet - Beige Blommer of Ochre Botanical Studios | Floral Designer - Beige Blommer | Floral Company - Root and Branch Flowers | Floral Silk - Heirloom Silk Ribbons | Wedding Reception Dinner - Grand Cafe Edinburgh | Church Wedding Ceremony - City of Edinburgh Methodist Church | Edinburgh Hair - Stefan Hampton of Hamptons Hairdressing Salon | Edinburgh Makeup Artist - Nikki Marshall World | Bridal Headband - Etsy, Design by Hummingbird
Edinburgh Wedding | Ruth + Mark | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
Edinburgh Wedding | Ruth + Mark | Scottish Bride | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer | Scotland Wedding
Edinburgh Weddings are some of my favorite! The architecture in this city is like no other. But truly, my favorite part of this wedding day is that Ruth and Mark are some of our best friends in Scotland and we were honored that they wanted Ross and I to capture their wedding day! Ruth and I actually were introduced by a mutual friend on Instagram telling us to meet at Cairngorm for coffee simply because he “thought we would get along well.” Well, he was completely right, because now she is one of my best friends here in Scotland!
Ruth started her wedding day at The Place Hotel with a morning of drinking mimosas and having a stunning view of the rooftops of Edinburgh. Mark spent his morning with his groomsmen at his home overlooking The Fourth Bridge in South Queensferry. His guys were doing cartwheels in kilts (good thing Ross was there to capture that craziness in person, because of course I couldn’t post all of those) and drinking coffee from The Manna House, their favorite local cafe. Both Ruth and Mark are such laid back individuals and both just wanted relaxing mornings with their best friends. Those are my favorite kind of mornings.
The Place Hotel is right next door to their ceremony location at P’s & G’s Church, so she was able to easily walk down the street and straight down the aisle for her ceremony. Ruth had the entire sanctuary of P’s & G’s transformed into a whimsical space full of nature and the outdoors. I even spent a day walking along the beaches of Scotland collecting sea glass to use as decor with Ruth. If you are looking for endless beautiful sea glass, the shores of the Dalmeny Estate have a lot that get washed up along the shore. In the end, they were able to gather enough blue and green sea glass to hang on all of the branches that they foraged from a local estate. After their ceremony, everyone caravanned down to the cobblestoned waterway of Quay Commons, in Leith, for an afternoon cocktail garden party in the sun! We then strolled through Custom Lane for their bridal portraits. They played a bit a ping pong in front of Williams and Johnson and just relaxed for a while, just the two of them, before greeting a couple hundred of their closest friends and family back at P’s & G’s for a night of Scottish wedding traditions and wedding party!
The guests (just a few, 400ish of them) were all greeted with a custom drink and handmade wedding favours, a bar of soap from the Isle of Skye company, Skye Soap. There were dances, speeches, a live band the whole evening and some solid ceilidh dancing! It was just the perfect evening and there is nothing better than walking away from a wedding and not wanting it to end. I’m so happy to have celebrated this wedding day with Ruth and Mark. With every unique wedding I capture, I’m left with memories that I’ll cherish forever and I couldn’t be more grateful for beautiful wedding days like this one.
Just in case you wanted to see Ross and I in action, these above photos show us in our happy place, dancing alongside everyone while capturing the fun happening all the way until the final dance, which is my favorite one! I truly love my job and celebrating the couples I’m documenting!
The images below are from the day-after shoot! We started at Fortitude Coffee and had flat whites before we headed off to roam the streets of the city where these two fell in love.
Edinburgh Wedding Photographer - Melody Joy Co. | Edinburgh Wedding Venues - Ps & Gs Church (ceremony + reception), Cafe Tartine (starter), Papillion (main) + Quay Commons (dessert) | Edinburgh Celebrant - Rev. Michael Mair | Edinburgh Wedding Videographer - Sandy Butler Videography | Edinburgh Wedding Dress - House of Mooshki (bespoke) at Edinburgh Bridal Boutique - Pretty Woman | Jewellery + accessories - Róis Scottish Sea Glass Designs | Bridesmaid outfits - Coast | Scotland Groomswear and kilts - The Kilt Store, Edinburgh | Edinburgh Wedding Florist - Narcissus | Edinburgh Wedding Band Entertainment - Corra | Edinburgh Bridal Make-up - Alicia Avenzzano | Custom Scottish Wedding Favours - Isle of Skye Soap Co. | Edinburgh Set design - Big House Productions
Edinburgh City Chambers Wedding | Scotland, UK
Edinburgh Wedding Photographer | Scotland Wedding Photographer | City Chambers Elopement
This wedding day was filled with so much beauty and stillness.
Victoria and Theo have a beautiful history of love that started when they met in Canada many years ago, then they both eventually ventured down to London to reconnect later in life and are now settled in Edinburgh, Scotland with their incredibly adorable children. I love sweet stories like these. Mainly because no two stories are the same. Every couple inspires me and I am so grateful to be able to not only capture wedding days but to genuinely celebrate their love alongside their family and friends (and maybe, quite possibly, sing and bop around a good bit during the dancing).
And when I mentioned stillness, I meant that, with "The Fringe" happening in Edinburgh, Scotland during the entire month of August, The Royal Mile is completely packed with tourists. But we found the most lovely nooks and alleyways for portraits around St. Giles Cathedral, The Royal Mile and Advocate’s Close, for plenty of quiet spots amongst the noise. It was so fun feeling like we were hidden away when there are thousands of people on the other side of the building. If anyone was concerned about getting married during festival season in Edinburgh because of the tourists, don't be. It was perfect! Their ceremony was also tucked away in the gorgeous hall inside of Edinburgh City Chambers right off of the The Royal Mile.
Victoria and Theo, thank you so much for choosing me to capture your wedding day! It was such an honor to photograph your wedding in the beautifully historic old town of Edinburgh. Wishing you many blessings on the many years ahead of you!
I am officially in love with kids in kilts.
Every dinner table was named after their most memory giving pubs in London.
I'm definitely a fan of men in kilts as well. Especially dancing! Way more entertaining.
Edinburgh Wedding Photographer - Melody Joy Co. | Dress - Charlotte Balbier | Dress Boutique - Kudos Couture Bridal | Shoes - The White Ribbon | Hair - Ceri Sutherland | Makeup - Victoria Watson, Toto Makeup | Groom Kilt & Sporran - Kinloch Anderson | Jackets - Davison Kilt Hire | Shoes - Loake Inverness Brogues | Cufflinks & Tie - Gieves & Hawkes | Ceremony - City Chambers, Edinburgh | Reception - Osteria del Tempo Perso, Edinburgh | Champagne - Alfred Gratien | Flowers - Narcissus Edinburgh