Bonham Hotel Wedding in Edinburgh, Scotland | Eilidh + Ryan | Edinburgh City Chambers Ceremony | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
Eilidh and Ryan had the most beautiful wedding day celebrating in Edinburgh at The Bonham Hotel and had their wedding ceremony at Edinburgh City Chambers. They started their wedding day by getting ready separately, so they could have the first look as Eilidh walked down the aisle. So I met the bride in the courtyard and photographed her entire grand entrance as she walked through the Edinburgh City Chambers courtyard, strolled up the beautiful grand staircase with red carpet and followed her all of the way up to the European Room Suite, which is the loveliest room at the City Chambers. It is filled with large, historic painted murals and elegant cornicing and detail along every inch of the walls and ceiling.
I was then able to angle myself in the front of the ceremony, to capture Ryan watching his soon to be wife stroll down the aisle as he saw her in her stunning wedding dress for the first time. She had the loveliest puff sleeved wedding dress and the most timeless princess cut and neckline that was so incredibly beautiful and flattering. I also loved her headband! After the vows, signing the registry and saying I do, the couple had their first kiss and then we took a few family portraits before we headed back outside for portraits.
We strolled over to the National Galleries of Scotland Portrait Gallery. The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland is one of my favorite places for natural light in an indoor setting of Edinburgh. So whether rain or shine, you can always rely on the Scottish Portrait Gallery to have beautifully lit couples portraits in front of floor to ceiling murals and large ornate windows. I regularly visit The Scottish National Portrait Gallery with my husband to see the latest portrait exhibits and the fact that it's only a few minutes walk away from our home.
After strolling around Edinburgh for wedding portraits, Eilidh and Ryan had their friends and family meet them at The Bonham Hotel, a beautiful boutique hotel located in the stunning West End neighborhood of Edinburgh. I love the Bonham Hotel because of how quaint the interior is, but also the staff is always so hospitable and helpful when catering to your guests. The dining hall of the Bonham hotel has a beautiful bay window overlooking a private garden on Drumsheugh Gardens.
At the end of the day, the couple was able to cut their cake, laugh with their friends and celebrate their wedding day with all of their favorite people, sweetly tucked away in the beautiful interiors of the Bonham Hotel. x
“The Bonham Hotel is a beautiful spot for an intimate wedding day in the west end of Edinburgh, Scotland.”
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
