LGBT Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh wedding

I was over the moon when Sophie and Daphne got in touch, asking if I could photograph their spring micro-wedding at the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh.

Edinburgh itself holds a special place in their hearts – it’s where they got engaged and the city they’ve come to adore for its welcoming spirit, rich history, and all-around romantic charm. As an Edinburgh wedding photographer who loves everything about this breathtaking venue, I couldn’t wait to capture every heartfelt moment of their LGBT wedding celebration.

Elegant LGBT wedding at Edinburgh New Library at Royal College of Physicians

Sophie and Daphne’s LGBT wedding day was simply breathtaking – in a classy and elegant type of way.

They each have a remarkable sense of style, which shone through in every aspect of their intimate celebration. From their choice of attire to the stunning floral arrangements, every detail reflected the couple’s warm personalities and love for classic but moody elegance.

I had previously photographed their engagement session (you can click here to see their engagement photos from last year), and it was an absolute joy to capture their big day as well. The romantic atmosphere of the New Library provided a perfect backdrop for their heartfelt vows, and the entire celebration was filled with genuine happiness and laughter, filled with so much style!

Finding the perfect dresses

Sophie, who describes herself as a plus-size bride, was initially worried about trying on gowns that might not fit. That all changed when she discovered Heart Aflutter Bridal Boutique. From the moment she stepped through the doors, body positivity was front and center, and the boutique made her feel beautiful, confident, and right at home.

She finally said “yes” to a dreamy Aesling dress named Sistine, chosen for its architectural inspiration, statement sleeves, and dramatic open square back. Topping off her bridal look were shoes from Rainbow Club and sparkling accessories from Botias Accessories.

Meanwhile, Daphne had her heart set on a short wedding dress from day one. She headed straight to Cutting Edge Brides – specialists in tea-length and shorter bridal gowns – where she tried on every style she had saved on her phone (and then some!). In true wedding-shopping fashion, the dress she fell in love with turned out to be totally different from what she’d initially envisioned. But with the help of the team, especially Suzanne, who offered sincere and supportive feedback, Daphne ended up with the perfect design.

The ceremony: personal touches & a dash of Scottish tradition

Sophie and Daphne chose to walk down the aisle one after the other, each enjoying her own moment in the spotlight. They skipped the tradition of having someone give them away – opting instead for a more personal and modern approach.

Their bridesmaids, dressed in various styles but within the same color palette, set the scene by walking in to a violin cover of “Auld Lang Syne.” Daphne then followed to the tune of “Moonlight Serenade” by Glenn Miller, and Sophie made her entrance to Haley Reinhart’s hauntingly beautiful cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

Because Sophie is French and Daphne is Dutch, they decided not to squeeze in every tradition from their home countries. Instead, they embraced Scotland’s inclusive spirit with a quaich ceremony, sharing a sip of whisky from the same cup – a Scottish symbol of unity. They plan to toast from the same bottle each year on their anniversary. One particularly amusing moment was when they included a recording of Robert Burns’ “Ae Fond Kiss,” sung by Hozier. Their celebrant briefly thought the real Hozier might be performing live (if only!)

Embracing the dark academia vibe

From the get-go, Sophie and Daphne were drawn to the New Library at the Royal College of Physicians. Dark wooden paneling, antique books lining the walls, and centuries of history in every corner – it was exactly the dark academia aesthetic they’d been dreaming of.

Imagining a cosy evening spent studying in an old library, complete with the comforting thud of rain and the subtle glow of flickering candlelight – that’s the vibe they aimed to create, and the result was spot on.

They kept additional décor minimal with some wilted-style flowers on the mantelpiece and a few candles here and there, letting the venue’s marvelous features speak for themselves. Branch and Bramble crafted the florals, striking the perfect balance between romantic and moody. Hair and makeup by AMM Team tied everything together, giving each bride a look that was both timeless and effortlessly chic.

A wedding cake (almost) too beautiful to eat

In Sophie’s eyes, no Scottish wedding cake designer could top Butter and Bodoni. After indulging in multiple tasting boxes (purely for research, of course!), they settled on a two-flavor marvel: London fog for the bottom tiers and lemon & raspberry for the top. They gave Lauren at Butter and Bodoni almost total creative control to design something structural yet artistic, and the end result was stunning (and delicious).

Words of wedded wisdom – and a perfect photographer

Sophie and Daphne’s biggest piece of advice? Hire suppliers you genuinely trust.

You’re bringing these talented people on board not just for their creativity, but also for the support they bring to every step of your wedding day. And while their micro-wedding ran smoothly, they mention that having a day-of wedding planner could provide an extra layer of peace of mind.

In their own words, they couldn’t say enough wonderful things about having me as their photographer. I love capturing a mix of moody portraits, candids nobody else would think to snap, and even a few flash-lit modern shots. For Sophie and Daphne, the day felt easy and natural – and that made for photographs brimming with authenticity.

Their advice to other couples? Snag my earliest availability ;)

Edinburgh – where all love is welcome

Edinburgh and Scotland in general are famous for celebrating LGBTQ+ weddings with open arms. Since legalising same-sex marriage in 2014, Scotland has become a beacon of inclusivity, drawing couples from across the globe.

At venues like the Royal College of Physicians, you’ll find staff who are not just accommodating but genuinely enthusiastic about hosting ceremonies that celebrate every form of love. It’s one of the many reasons Sophie and Daphne knew Scotland was the perfect place to say I do.

Ready to plan your own Scottish micro-wedding?

If Sophie and Daphne’s elegant, dark academia-inspired celebration makes your heart skip a beat, I’d love to help capture all the laughter, love, and unscripted moments of your own wedding day in Edinburgh.

Wherever you choose to tie the knot in Scotland, rest assured you’ll find a warm welcome for all the beautiful ways love can be shared. And if you’re ever in doubt – well, there’s always whisky in a quaich to ease any wedding-day nerves. So cheers to love in every form!

And to explore a variety of diverse Edinburgh celebrations – dive into My Edinburgh weddings section – and don’t forget to drop me a line once you’ve been inspired!