For couples drawn to elegant, intimate spaces, the New Library at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the candlelit Geddes Room at Riddle’s Court are two of the city’s most characterful ceremony venues.

If you prefer something outdoors, Edinburgh also allows legal ceremonies in beautiful open-air locations, with iconic backdrops such as Calton Hill, Holyrood Park including Arthur’s Seat, Dunsapie Loch and St Anthony’s Chapel ruins or Roslin Glen just outside of the city.

As Edinburgh elopement photographer my favourite Edinburgh venue is RCPE’s New Library, without a doubt.

The cost of an Edinburgh elopement depends on your venue, photography coverage and the suppliers you choose to include. As a realistic example, a refined city elopement might look like:

– 4-hour photography coverage: £2,200
– New Library at the Royal College of Physicians venue hire: £2,450
– Accommodation (2 nights): ~£800
– Professional hair & make-up: ~£400
– Humanist celebrant: ~£600
– Legal fees: ~£100 (Marriage Notice forms £45 per person, plus certificate)

This would bring a thoughtfully planned Edinburgh elopement to approximately £6,500–£7,000, depending on final details.

Of course, every celebration is different. Some couples keep things beautifully simple, while others add floristry, videography or extended coverage. The beauty of an Edinburgh elopement is that it can be shaped entirely around you.

Yes, if you’re choosing a legal ceremony over a symbolic one — then you’ll need two witnesses over 16.

Edinburgh is beautiful year-round, but each season offers a different atmosphere. Winter, early spring and late autumn (November) are often ideal for couples wanting softer light, fewer crowds and a relaxed city feel. Winter elopements can feel especially atmospheric, particularly in historic indoor venues with candlelight and moody architecture.

August is the busiest month in Edinburgh due to the Fringe Festival, meaning higher accommodation prices and busier streets – so I definitely don’t recommend it. The two weeks leading up to Christmas and Hogmanay (Scottish New Year) are also very lively, with increased tourism and very crowded streets, especially given the limited daylight (the sun sets just after 3pm!).

If you’re dreaming of a quieter, more intimate Edinburgh elopement, late autumn, early spring or mid-winter weekdays can feel wonderfully calm and intentional.

And if you’d love peak fall colours, then first two weeks of October will be perfect – busy but absolutely magical & gorgeous.

Rain is part of Edinburgh’s character — and always adds to the atmosphere. The city’s stone architecture and cobbled streets photograph beautifully in soft, moody and dramatic light.

Even a very rainy Edinburgh elopement will feel very romantic and cinematic.

First, choose whether you’d like a civil or humanist ceremony and decide on your venue and date – this can be a historic indoor space or an approved outdoor location.

You’ll need to submit Marriage Notice forms (M10) to the local registrar at least 29 days before your ceremony date. Scotland requires two witnesses over the age of 16, and once your paperwork is approved, you’re legally free to marry. (If you’re planning a symbolic ceremony, the legal paperwork isn’t required.)

From there, I’ll help you shape the day around you by helping you choose meaningful locations, plan a relaxed timeline and allowing space for intimate, nature and architecture-led portraits across Edinburgh.