The Best Spots to Hire for your Wedding in Edinburgh

Selected by a me, a wedding photographer with an eye for aesthetics and an appreciation for the magical options Edinburgh has to offer. The city has many historic buildings asides from churches to host your ceremony and reception, and I’ve curated this list with intention and all the important details in mind. From if they allow candles, to wheelchair accessibility. And of course photo examples so you can envision your own event!

The options are absolutely endless when choosing a venue in Scotland, and even when you narrow it down to just Edinburgh, you’ll still find yourself lost, much like strolling through the closes off the Royal Mile. All beautiful and unique options, you just need the important details up front. When you scroll through this list, you’ll see castles near Edinburgh, stunning city centre concert halls, luxury hotels, and more. All available for you to hire for your wedding!

Once you’ve read up on my favourite Edinburgh spots, please feel free to checkout another of my resourceful posts on traveling to and getting married in Scotland, where I dive deeper into the logistics, especially for travelers hosting a destination wedding.

And as ever, get in touch if you need a wedding photographer, or if you have any questions!

Dundas Castle

Sitting very pretty amongst rolling hills and the most rhododendron bushes I’ve ever seen, is Dundas Castle. An “Exclusive Use” venue (which means not open to the public during your wedding) and very much equipped with everything a good wedding weekend would require.

17 bedrooms, and so many options on where to host each event. Their website has a great list of each space and what they offer, but I will note my favourite amongst them is The Auld Keep where you can find the Armoury (where they recommend a whiskey tasting the eve before your wedding), and the Great Hall, where the light streams in across the 15th century stone while you get married.

Guest count limit: 200 sitting in the Marquee or Courtyard,110 sitting in the Keep.

Parking: Onsite Parking

Catering: In House Catering with Heritage Portfolio

Beverage: In House Beverage, additional Whiskey Tastings and more with recommended suppliers.

Location: 33m (11.4 mi) from Edinburgh city centre, usually taking around 40 minutes drive.

Accessibility: The historic castle does have a lift to the upstairs bedrooms, and a smooth pathway down to the Marquee. The Courtyard does not require any steps if entering from the main drive. The Keep is in a tower that dates back to 1416, and has a narrow spiral staircase up, with no lift options.

Candle Policy: Flames must be covered by hurricane vase or lanterns. Not allowed on the floor level.

Voodoo Rooms

I like to describe the Voodoo Rooms as the best “alt” wedding venue in Edinburgh for cool couples. Not only do they have multiple room options (as the name implies) but the space gives off a rock n roll type atmosphere. Mixed with the location being quite close to Waverly Station, it’s such a great option for an epic party. Set up to host live shows in The Ballroom, with the adjoining bar and bathrooms reserved for your event. The team is quite helpful in fulfilling the need of requests, and can help suggest which space is best suited for your wedding.

Guest count limit: 77 seated,, 160 standing in The Ball Room

Parking: Street parking or nearby lots

Catering: In house catering

Beverage: In house beverage

Location: Off the east end of Princes St.

Accessibility: Non wheelchair accessible, the main venue is up a flight of stairs with no lift available.

Candle Policy: Flames must be covered by hurricane vase or lanterns.

Timberyard

Michelin starred, a beautiful upscale space, and the perfect location for city center weddings in Edinburgh. This is the ultimate foodie spot to get married at, whether you want to host from the ceremony onwards, or just lunch, Timberyard’s team truly goes above and beyond. I particularly love the outdoor space when the weather is nice, but either way, the views are photogenic every which way.

Guest count limit: 75 seated, 150 standing

Parking: Street parking or nearby lots

Catering: In house catering

Beverage: In house beverage

Location: Near The Grassmarket in Edinburgh

Accessibility: Ramped entrance with wheelchair accessible toilets onsite.

Candle Policy: Candles allowed

Prestonfield House

Boasting Accolades from Forbes, Michelin Guide, and many more notable sources, this 7th-century Baroque mansion is probably one of the dreamiest spots I could imagine for a wedding in Edinburgh. Prestonfield House is a hotel and restaurant that offers options for event hires in their historic rooms, or for larger parties, the Stables. Nestled underneath Arthur’s Seat and surrounded by 20 acres of beautiful greenspace, it’s like a serene getaway within the city.

Guest count limit: 500 Standing in Stables

Parking: Onsite Parking

Catering: In House Catering

Beverage: In House Beverage

Location: On the South Edge of Edinburgh's Holyrood Park

Accessibility: Unknown

Candle Policy: Unknown

The Royal College of Physicians

The Royal College of Physicians, or RCPE for short, has become one of my favourites, due to the details throughout the space. Seeping history and grandeur throughout, it just has a romantic element that can’t be beat. Especially when a ceremony can be hosted within the Library, which is a huge reason couples choose RCPE. Book lovers can look no further for a place to get married. And as a photographer, I also love that they have access to Queen St Gardens. So, included in your booking is not only beautiful indoor spaces, but private gardens to take photos in as well.

Guest count limit: 150 total within The Great Hall, 100 total in the Library (80 Seated)

Parking: Street parking or nearby lots

Catering: Choose between two caterers, Pinkerton’s or Salthire

Beverage: The same companies as above will provide drink options

Location: Edinburgh’s New Town

Accessibility: Fully accessible by wheelchair

Candle Policy: Real candles are permitted only on dinner tables, no hurricane vases required as long as candle holders are sturdy.

Carlowrie Castle

A true fairytale surrounding. Carlowrie Castle has it all; a walled garden, a luxurious marquee equipped with crystal chandeliers, and 9 castle bedrooms for overnight guests. The Castle has also been recognized for its high standards of social and environmentally conscious practices. Operating charities, community opportunities and recently a carbon-offsetting project, planting orchards within their 32-acre estate.

Guest count limit: 270 Seated, 450 Standing

Parking: Onsite Parking

Catering: In House Catering

Beverage: In House Beverage

Location: 31m (10.2 mi) from Edinburgh City Centre, usually taking 30 minutes drive.

Accessibility: Unknown

Candle Policy: Unknown

Mansfield Traquair

A gallery surrounds you as you step into “Edinburgh’s Sistine Chapel.” Phoebe Anna Traquair, influenced by Celtic manuscripts and inspired by Italian Renaissance art, was commissioned in 1892 to create the murals covering the space inside. As a wedding guest today, you can be assured that entering Mansfield Traquair would take their breath away.

Guest count limit: 180 Seated at Ceremony, 200 seated for reception

Parking: Street parking or nearby lots

Catering: In House Catering with Heritage Portfolio

Beverage: In House Beverage with Heritage Portfolio

Location: Eastern edge of Edinburgh’s New Town

Accessibility: Fully accessible by wheelchair

Candle Policy: No candles are permitted.

Ready for your Edinburgh Wedding?

I’m Sarah, a Preferred Edinburgh Wedding Photographer by many of these venues!

I would absolutely love to be a part of your day, whichever venue you choose. If you need a wedding photographer to capture all your beautiful moments, fill out my contact form and I’ll get in touch with you shortly. In the meantime, check out more of my wedding galleries!