Edinburgh City Chambers Weddings
What photographing 60+ ceremonies here has taught me
I photograph Edinburgh City Chambers weddings more than any other venue in Edinburgh - and that still surprises people when I say it.
Because on paper, it’s the same building. The same three rooms. The same Royal Mile backdrop. And yet… no two City Chambers weddings I’ve photographed have ever felt the same.
I’ve shot well over 60 ceremonies here now, and what I love most is how much variety there really is when you know the building, understand the flow of the day, and lean into the city around it. City Chambers weddings can be chic, relaxed, romantic, bold, intimate, quietly emotional, or full of energy - often all at once.
This is one of those venues where experience genuinely makes a difference. And it’s why I absolutely love photographing weddings here.
The three ceremony rooms (and why none of them are limiting)
City Chambers has four ceremony spaces, and couples often come to me with very fixed ideas about which one they “should” have. One of my favourite parts of this job is gently reassuring people that there really isn’t a wrong choice - it’s all about what suits you.
The Alexander Suite
This is the ceremony room used during the week, and it’s also where I got married myself - a wee fun fact that makes it especially close to my heart.
It’s smaller, more intimate, and has a slightly more modern feel. It works beautifully for weekday weddings, elopements, and smaller guest numbers. Because I’ve photographed this room so many times, I know exactly where to stand, how the light behaves, and how to make it feel calm and spacious, even when it’s full.
It’s understated, unfussy, and quietly lovely.
The European Room
The European Room is available on weekends and is very popular - and for good reason. It’s light-filled, art-lined, and has a real sense of occasion without feeling over the top.
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that you need a big guest list to justify this room. You really don’t. I’ve photographed European Room ceremonies that were full to capacity, and I’ve photographed ceremonies with just the couple. Both were equally beautiful. The scale of the room doesn’t overwhelm smaller weddings, it actually gives them space to breathe.
One thing I especially love about ceremonies in the European Room is what happens after. Rather than heading straight back out the way you came in, we often take the scenic route down via the grand staircase. The City Chambers building is huge inside and honestly a bit of a hidden gem - those staircases, corridors, and little in-between moments make for some really beautiful, quietly cinematic images.
It’s one of those things couples don’t always realise is an option, but because I know the building so well, I’ll often suggest it on the day if it fits the flow. Those moments - just after the ceremony, when it all starts to sink in - are always some of my favourites to photograph.
This room works brilliantly for couples who want something elegant, timeless, and very “Edinburgh”, with a bit of drama woven in without trying too hard.
The Wee Neuk
The Wee Neuk is available on certain weekdays and is often chosen for couple-only ceremonies.
A lot of couples opting for this room are eloping or travelling from elsewhere, and for them the ceremony is the legal bit - the formality - before heading straight out into the city for photos. And honestly? That makes so much sense. The real magic often happens once you step outside.
What actually happens on a City Chambers wedding day
Because I’m here so often, I always help couples understand how the day really flows - not just how it looks on paper.
Typically, it goes something like this:
You arrive at City Chambers and are shown where to wait
The ceremony itself usually lasts anywhere from 20–40 minutes
You might spend a few moments inside afterwards (especially in the European Room)
Then we head outside for group photos and confetti on the Royal Mile
From there, we wander
Knowing the rhythm of the building means I can anticipate moments, position myself discreetly, and make sure nothing feels rushed or awkward. It also means I can reassure you when something feels unfamiliar - which is half the job on a wedding day.
The City Chambers two-hour photography option
I offer a two-hour photography option specifically for City Chambers weddings. It’s something I’ve refined over years of shooting here, and for most couples, it’s the sweet spot.
It usually starts around 15 minutes before your ceremony and covers:
arrivals at City Chambers
your ceremony
group photos
confetti on the Royal Mile
a relaxed wander through the city for portraits
It gives you space to enjoy the moment without over-structuring the day, and it works brilliantly whether you’re eloping or celebrating with guests.
That said, everything is always tailored. No two couples move through the city in the same way and that’s the whole point.
Why no two City Chambers galleries ever look the same
Same rooms. Same building. Completely different energy.
What makes City Chambers weddings so special is the people. The fashion choices, the guest count, the way you move through the city, whether you’re popping champagne or sneaking off quietly, it all changes the feel of the photographs.
Some couples want something very city-chic and editorial. Others lean romantic and soft. Some keep things traditional, others do the absolute opposite. And all of it works against this backdrop.
Even the weather changes the story and because I shoot here so often, I always have solid Plan Bs (and Cs) ready. Rain, wind, busy streets - none of it throws me. It’s just part of working in the city.
Wanders, routes, and mixing it up
I do have a “usual loop” I often use for portraits after City Chambers - but it’s never fixed.
Sometimes couples have a dinner reservation to get to, and we build the route around that. Sometimes there’s a special place that means something to them. Sometimes we want greenery, sometimes cobbles, sometimes a mix of both.
And occasionally, we jump in a taxi and head a little further afield.
That’s one of the best things about City Chambers being right in the heart of Edinburgh - everything is on your doorstep, but you’re not limited to it. I genuinely love special requests, because they’re often what makes a gallery feel completely unique.
When couples choose more coverage
While the two-hour option is what I usually recommend, some City Chambers couples choose to extend their coverage.
That’s often because they want:
preparations photographed beforehand
time with guests at their reception
or coverage at a private dining spot afterwards
Popular places for this tend to include venues around St Andrew Square or the Old Town - places like The Edinburgh Grand, Gleneagles Townhouse, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, The Witchery or Cannonball Restaurant. Many couples also get ready in these locations, which makes for a really natural, flowing story and because I work here so often, I’m always happy to talk through what will work best for your plans.
Why I love City Chambers weddings
City Chambers weddings might look simple from the outside - but when you understand the building, the city, and how everything fits together, they’re anything but.
They’re flexible, stylish, deeply personal, and incredibly varied. And after photographing more weddings here than anywhere else in Edinburgh, I can honestly say they never get old.
If you’re planning a City Chambers wedding and want someone who knows the space, the flow, and the city inside out, you’ll be in very safe hands. Let’s chat!
