Jackie & Aldo - Timberyard Elopement in Edinburgh

Jackie and Aldo travelled all the way from Mexico to fulfil their dream of getting married in Edinburgh. And I was the super lucky one to have been chosen as their Edinburgh wedding photographer to capture their beautiful elopement memories.

They started planning their elopement in 2020, and that was also when they first got in touch with me. No one knew that a global pandemic was approaching back then to ruin their plans! So of course that meant postponement of their wedding plans. But it finally happened last month!

Elopement ceremony at Timberyard Restaurant in Edinburgh

Jackie and Aldo’s city elopement at Timberyard was inspired by two themes: rustic atmosphere and dark academia. As fellow Harry Potter fans and lovers of everything Scottish, they loved the idea of their elopement being dark, moody and most of all – romantic.

The rustic setting of Edinburgh’s Timberyard restaurant was perfect for their taste and needs. Timberyard’s rustic interiors, dark wood, candlelit wedding breakfast make up for incredibly stylish surroundings of a micro-wedding. When we were saying our goodbyes, they mentioned they they couldn’t have imagines a more beautiful venue for their tiny celebration. And more suited for their needs!

I can’t tell you how many things I absolutely loved about their Timberyard elopement. First of all, we were incredibly lucky to get beautiful, soft light that September Sunday morning.

Second of all, I loved that they incorporated an unbreakable vow in their elopement ceremony. Just like vows that witches and wizards have made, it cannot be broken.

Also, I loved that they brought chocolate coins from Gringott’s Bank in London to include in their wedding breakfast decor at Timberyard.

Additionally, I loved that Jackie was more than happy to run around Edinburgh’s cobblestone streets in her iconic green Manolos!

Finally, I loved how filled with love, emotions and happiness this unique city elopement was.

This is what Jackie and Aldo said about me working with them on the day.

Our wedding photoshoot was amazing. Since we are from Mexico and we have never been to Edinburgh or Scotland, the day of the photoshoot with Natalia was only our second day there.

We started planning our wedding in 2020. At that time we were researching photographers in Edinburgh and that’s how we discovered Natalia’s work and we loved it. So we contacted her and immediately agreed that she would be our elopement photographer. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we postponed our plan until 2022.

We are so grateful for Natalia’s help. First of all, she waited for us to finally be able to go ahead with our plans 2 years later. Secondly, she recommended us the best locations for photos, best venue for the ceremony and even where to get a bouquet. In addition, we didn’t know how to pose and we were afraid of not looking our best in the photos. So we asked her for help and it felt very easy, she helped us in each of the shots. She always made us feel very comfortable and confident. And the result are the most beautiful photos that we could imagine, we can’t stop looking at them and we always smile when we see them. During the session, she was also happy to take photos we had an idea for – like the ones where we are running and those of our matching tattoos.

We thought that we would only have enough time for a few photos before the wedding ceremony, but Natalia was the best at directing us and very time efficient – we now have more than 300 spectacular photos of that day. She captured the most important moments of our wedding perfectly – including every kiss, hug and even every tear of happiness. Our wedding in Edinburgh was spectacular and thanks to Natalia’s photos, we will remember those moments with all their details forever.

We are so happy that we hope that one day, not too far from today, Natalia will take more photos of us together. But now all over the Scottish Highlands!

Elopement suppliers:

Venue: Timberyard

Flowers: Narcissus Flowers

Cake: Lovecrumbs

Humanist celebrant: Gillian Robertson

Elopement ceremony at Timberyard, Edinburgh

There were quite a few elements of Jackie and Aldo’s wedding ceremony. Conducted by the brilliant Gillian Roberston, the ceremony included handfasting and some more traditional elements as well. Every single one out of 5 wedding guests had a little role to play during the ceremony. It included breaking the bread, lighting candles and incense and pouring wine into two cups. For instance Jackie’s mum was helping the bride and groom with handfasting cords and Aldo’s father was responsible for filling glasses with wine to share.

Handfasting ceremony was a symbol of further binding their promises, their love and commitment for each other. So they tied the knot, following this beautiful Celtic tradition dating back to 7000 BC.

Today you are holding the hands of your best friend, young and strong, and full of love for you. As promise to love each other forever.

Small weddings in Edinburgh – Edinburgh elopement photographer

I have been living in Edinburgh for 5 years now and I’ve photographed at least a hundred tiny weddings in the Scottish capital since I moved here. Every single one was unique and beautiful in its own way.

If you’re planning a small wedding in the Scottish capital, please check out my Edinburgh small wedding and elopement guide for inspiration, venue and supplier recommendations. My guide will definitely help you shape your elopement plans super quickly!