Franklin Dean
Edinburgh has a wide range of venues for wedding receptions, from historic buildings to luxurious hotels. If you're looking for a unique venue with a subtle heritage twist, Dynamic Earth is a great option. For a luxurious wedding in a prominent hotel, The Balmoral Hotel offers breathtaking views of the city's iconic structures. The Signet Library, located in the heart of the historic Old Town, provides a multi-faceted and flexible space. The Glasshouse Hotel and Riddle's Court offer beautiful outdoor spaces, while Norton House is a romantic country manor nestled in stunning grounds near Edinburgh. The city also boasts historic venues like Dundas Castle and The Caves, offering rich history and stunning architecture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | From a few close family members to 220 guests |
| Location | Old Town, Stockbridge, Holyrood, Brunstfield, Lasswade, Ratho, George Street, St Andrew's Square, South Queensferry, etc. |
| Venue type | Hotels, historic buildings, gardens, castles, pubs, etc. |
| Catering | In-house, external, customizable menus, etc. |
| Ceremony type | Civil, religious, humanist, etc. |
| Alcohol | Some venues allow external alcohol for a 'corkage' fee |
| Transport | Vintage vehicles, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Outdoor wedding venues in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a wide range of outdoor wedding venues, from scenic locations to historic buildings. Here are some options for couples looking to tie the knot in the Scottish capital:
Calton Hill
For a ceremony with an iconic view of the Edinburgh skyline, Calton Hill is a perfect choice. The area beside the Observatory House offers a stunning backdrop, including the Dougald Stewart monument. With the ability to sleep up to 14, Observatory House also provides accommodation for the wedding party.
Dunsapie Loch
Located on the east side of Arthur's Seat, Dunsapie Loch offers a mountain-style backdrop for your big day. With permission from the council, you can arrange for wedding cars to bring guests to the site, or it's a short 15-minute walk from Holyrood Park. St Anthony's Chapel, with its ancient castle-like ruins, is also located in Holyrood Park, providing a historic setting for your ceremony.
Dunbar's Close Gardens
Hidden behind the historic Royal Mile, Dunbar's Close Gardens is a romantic, walled garden with stunning landscapes, flowers, and hedges. This quiet spot is a secluded oasis, even during the busy summer months.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
For a historic venue, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is one of the oldest surgical corporations in the world, dating back to 1505. It offers a unique setting for your wedding, with indoor and outdoor spaces available.
The Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens offer a magical setting for an outdoor ceremony under the famous redwood trees, surrounded by incredible flowers. The Victorian Caledonian Hall, overlooking the rock garden, is ideal for indoor ceremonies and receptions, while the John Hope Gateway provides a modern alternative.
The Old Dr Bells Baths
Nestled just outside Edinburgh's city centre, The Old Dr Bells Baths is a listed former bathhouse steeped in Victorian heritage and modern luxury. The gorgeous interior is bathed in natural light, creating a unique atmosphere for your special day.
Carlowrie Castle
Located just 30 minutes from Edinburgh city centre, Carlowrie Castle is Scotland's premier exclusive-use venue. Set within 32 acres of picturesque land, this venue offers a fairytale-like setting for your wedding.
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Hotels for wedding receptions
Edinburgh has a wide range of hotels that can be booked for wedding receptions.
The Glasshouse Hotel and Riddle’s Court, for example, offer beautiful outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions. These scenic settings make for great photography spots. The Balmoral Hotel is another option, located at the convergence of the Old Town and the New Town. It offers breathtaking views of iconic structures, including Edinburgh Castle and Scott Monument. The hotel can accommodate weddings of various sizes, and its central location ensures the party can continue long into the night.
The Sheraton is another luxurious hotel venue in the city, while Norton House is a romantic country manor nestled in stunning grounds near Edinburgh. It can accommodate up to 140 guests for the wedding ceremony and 200 for the reception, with 83 bedrooms for guests to stay overnight. The Signet Library, located in the Old Town, is another unique venue with a breathtaking setting and gorgeous design. The Lower Library is ideal for a ceremony or drinks reception, while the Upper Library can host up to 220 guests and features a large dance floor.
For those seeking a historic venue, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh is a beautiful backdrop for a wedding, with the New Library and Great Hall providing extraordinary spaces. Dynamic Earth is another unique venue with a subtle heritage twist, fully licensed for civil, religious, and humanist ceremonies. It offers a flexible space for up to 150 guests, with stunning views of the Salisbury Crags and neighbouring landmarks.
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Historic buildings for wedding receptions
Edinburgh has a plethora of historic buildings that can serve as the perfect venue for a wedding reception.
One such venue is the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, a historic site situated in the heart of the city. The New Library, with its opulent walls lined with wooden bookcases, and the Great Hall, filled with extraordinary sculptures, offer a beautiful backdrop for your special day. The venue can accommodate up to 150 guests and provides accessible facilities throughout.
For those seeking a unique and historically significant setting, The Caves, located in Edinburgh's Old Town, is an 18th-century structure that once served as the city's secret vaults. Now, it has been transformed into a stunning wedding venue, offering a subtle blend of old-world charm and modern conveniences.
The Signet Library, also nestled in the heart of the Old Town, is another breathtaking option. This unusual venue dates back to the 15th century and offers a multi-faceted space with several rooms to accommodate weddings of any scale. The Lower Library is perfect for an elegant ceremony or drinks reception, while the Upper Library can host up to 220 guests and features a large dance floor.
If you're dreaming of a fairy-tale wedding, Mansfield Traquair will make your dreams come true. This spectacular venue, located in the historic Old Town, boasts soaring ceilings, intriguing murals, and a carpet of petals lined with candles, creating an enchanting atmosphere for your celebration.
For a more intimate gathering, Norton House, a romantic country manor nestled near Edinburgh, offers a choice of outdoor gardens or grand indoor rooms for up to 140 guests. With 83 bedrooms, your friends and family can also enjoy a leisurely stay and sample the award-winning spa facilities.
These are just a few of the historic gems Edinburgh has to offer for your special day, each providing a rich tapestry of history and architecture to create lasting memories.
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Wedding reception venues in Edinburgh's Old Town
Edinburgh's Old Town is a historic and romantic setting for a wedding reception. The area boasts a range of unique venues, from elegant Georgian architecture to hidden gems and historic wonders.
One popular choice is The Signet Library, a breathtaking and flexible venue located in the heart of the Old Town off the Royal Mile. The Lower Library is perfect for an elegant ceremony and drinks reception, while the Upper Library can accommodate up to 220 guests and features a large dance floor.
For those seeking a more intimate setting, The Caves offers a unique and historically significant experience. Once Edinburgh's Old Town's secret vaults, The Caves have been transformed into a stunning wedding venue, complete with a Georgian reception room and vaulted cellars.
Dynamic Earth is another option for couples looking for a modern and versatile space. Fully licensed to host civil, religious, and humanist ceremonies, Dynamic Earth can accommodate up to 150 guests and offers stunning views of the Salisbury Crags and neighbouring landmarks.
The Glasshouse Hotel and Riddle's Court also offer beautiful outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions, providing scenic settings for memorable photographs.
For a luxurious hotel experience, The Balmoral offers breathtaking views of iconic Edinburgh landmarks and a range of service and reception locations to choose from.
Finally, for a truly magical experience, consider the Botanic Garden, which offers six exquisite venues, including the John Muir Grove, an outdoor space that evokes a cathedral ambience.
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Wedding reception venues near Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a plethora of venues for wedding receptions, from historic buildings to hotels and castles.
If you're looking for a hotel venue, The Balmoral Hotel is a luxurious choice with breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument. The Glasshouse Hotel and Riddle's Court also offer beautiful outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions, with scenic backdrops for photographs. The Sheraton and Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Murrayfield are other hotel venues that can accommodate weddings of various sizes.
For a historic venue, The Signet Library, located in the Old Town, is a unique and elegant choice. The Lower Library is ideal for a ceremony or drinks reception, while the Upper Library can host up to 220 guests and features a large dance floor. Dynamic Earth, a unique venue with a subtle heritage twist, is fully licensed for civil, religious, and humanist ceremonies and partnerships. It offers modern and versatile spaces for up to 150 guests. Dundas Castle, a historic venue with unique spaces like the Auld Keep and the Great Hall, is another option. The Caves, an 18th-century structure in the Old Town, provides a beautiful and historically significant setting for weddings.
For a more natural setting, The Botanic Garden offers six venues within its grounds, including the John Muir Grove for an outdoor ceremony and the John Hope Gateway for a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces. Norton House, a romantic country manor nestled near Edinburgh, also offers the option of an outdoor ceremony in their gardens or Redwood Grove.
Other venues to consider near Edinburgh include Kirknewton House Stables, which can accommodate both indoor and outdoor ceremonies, and SKYBar, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and the city.
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Frequently asked questions
Dynamic Earth is a unique venue with a subtle heritage twist. It is fully licensed to host civil, religious and humanist wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships. The Ozone is a contemporary space with glass surroundings that offer stunning views of the Salisbury Crags, Holyrood House and Scottish Parliament buildings.
Another unique venue is The Caves, an 18th-century structure that once served as Edinburgh’s Old Town’s secret vaults.
Mansfield Traquair is a spectacular venue with soaring ceilings, intriguing murals and a carpet of petals lined with candles.
SKYBar is another unique space with floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor terrace and stunning views of Edinburgh Castle.
The Glasshouse Hotel and Riddle’s Court also offer beautiful outdoor spaces for receptions.
The Signet Library is a unique wedding venue with a breathtaking setting and gorgeous design. The Lower Library is an elegant setting for a ceremony and drinks reception, while the Upper Library hosts up to 220 guests and has a large dance floor.
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh is another historic venue with opulent walls lined with wooden bookcases and a Great Hall filled with extraordinary sculptures.
Dundas Castle is a unique space with the Auld Keep and a magnificent Great Hall.
The Rowantree is a historic tavern visited by Robert Burns.
Cafe Royal is a Victorian pub with retro tiled floors and vivid oil paintings.
The John Muir Grove at the Botanic Garden is an outdoor wedding venue that resembles a cathedral. The John Hope Gateway includes indoor and outdoor rooms with stunning views of the garden.
Norton House is a romantic country manor nestled in stunning grounds near Edinburgh. You can say "I do" outside in the gardens or Redwood Grove.
The Glasshouse Hotel and Riddle’s Court offer beautiful outdoor spaces for receptions.
Kirknewton House Stables is a flexible venue for large or small gatherings, with ceremonies held inside or in the gardens. A marquee can be sited in the courtyard.
Holyrood is an area with outdoor wedding venues surrounded by nature.
