Black & white photo of a couple having fun on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

Where are the best photo spots in Edinburgh for your city centre wedding?

This handy little photo location guide is here to help with photographs from real weddings and a handy little map of city centre highlights. They are all close to the city centre & perfect to easily explore on your wedding day

Please let me know if you have a favourite place that you think should be added.

  • City Centre Map

    1. St. Giles Cathedral

    2. Edinburgh City Chambers

    3. The Royal Mile

    4. The Edinburgh Festival

    5. Writer’s Museum

    6. Riddles Court

    7. John Knox’s House

    8. Edinburgh Castle

    9. Victoria Street

    10. The Vennel

    11. The Mound

    12. Prince’s Street Gardens

    13. Carlton Hill

    14. Holyrood Park

    15. St. Anthony’s Chapel

    Useful Links

St. Giles Cathedral Wedding Photos

Let’s start at the heart…


  1. St. Giles Cathedral


St. Giles is literally in the heart of Edinburgh, the Heart of Midlothian is a mosaic on the ground outside St. Giles. Although this sounds like a romantic place to stand, beware, it is thought to be good luck to spit on it (apologies for spoiling the romance with a rather yucky start to this guide).

Let’s skip past that part… St. Giles is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic buildings with it’s crown top a prominent part of Edinburgh’s skyline. I love exploring the pretty steps & doorways and I use it as a screen to take you away from the Royal Mile crowds into some of the quieter spaces behind.

Bride & Groom in front of St. Giles Cathedral
Wedding photos at Edinburgh City Chambers, collage photo

2. Edinburgh City Chambers


Edinburgh’s City Chambers is a fantastically placed Registry Office, placed right outside St. Giles the chambers building is beautiful with its courtyard and sheltered arches (which have sheltered many weddings from Scotland’s weather over the years).  

Wedding photographs on the Royal Mile Edinburgh, confetti fun, goorm carrying bride, scottish indian wedding

3. The Royal Mile


Talking about weather, around the city centre there are plenty more sheltered spots to explore around the royal mile, if the weather isn’t optimal. I have photographed in rain and fog around the city and it often just adds to the beauty.

When it rains the sandstone on the buildings darkens and the cobbled streets glisten and colours pop.

In the fog, everything looks old world-y and the diffuse light is beautifully flattering for portraits.

 The Royal Mile links Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and has the majority of the best photo spots in Edinburgh, especially as there are many popular wedding venues on the mile or within walking distance.  

St. Giles and the Chambers are on the high street part of the mile which is the most photographed part but boogle down some of the Close’s and you’ll find hidden gem’s such as Advocate’s Close with it’s brilliant views of the Scott’s Monument or Riddles Court’s with is beautiful courtyard.

Romantic couples portrait on the Royal Mile in black & white
Wedding photograph during the Edinburgh Festival on the Royal Mile

4. The Edinburgh Festival


In the festival Edinburgh fills up and the Royal Mile is packed with crowds, buskers & entertainers. The atmosphere is electric. Walking down the Royal Mile in a wedding dress will always get cheers of friendly congratulations but in the festival, you will be hidden amongst the many crazy outfits of the performers vying for your attention.

Jemma and Alasdair got married during the busiest week of the festival and loved getting amongst the crowds for their photos.

Bride & Groom exploring Edinburgh at the Writers Museum, Lady Stair's House

5. The Writer’s Museum


Continuing up the Royal Mile from the High Street you reach the Lawnmarket which leads up the final stretch to the castle.

Just off the Lawnmarket you find Lady Stair’s House. The 17th century Lady Stair’s House is home to the writer’s museum, I love exploring the peaceful courtyard and the cute lamposts.

Bride & Groom at Riddles Court, one of Edinburgh's Best Photo Spots

6. Riddles Court


Riddles Court is one of my favourite Edinburgh buildings. I love the orange façade & pentice stair. I can imagine the king holding his banquet’s there in the 16th century. It’s tucked away off the lawn market. It’s so hidden, few tourist’s find it so it’s the perfect place for some quiet photos with some stunning unique architecture.

Portrait of Bride at Riddles Court, one of Edinburgh's best photo spots
Romantic portrait of couple outside John Knox's house on the Royal Mile, one of Edinburgh's best photo spots

7. John Knox’s House


Further down the High Street, just before you enter the Cannongate part of the Royal Mile you get to John Knox’s House. Parts of the building date back to the 15th century building and it now houses the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

It’s a little off route and on a busy part of road on the Royal Mile but it is one the oldest buildings in Edinburgh and very picturesque.

Bridal party on the Royal Mile near Edinburgh Castle looking at the Camera Obscurer

8. Edinburgh Castle


The temptation is to go the castle for wedding photos but unfortunately if you have a wedding dress on, they won’t let you onto the castle esplanade (unless you are getting married there) but really the best spots are a wee walk away, venture to the Vennel or the Ross Fountain for the perfect castle pic.

Wedding photographs on Victoria Street, one of Edinburgh's Best Photo Spots

9. Victoria Street


Victoria Street is famous as the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. This cute little street has some brilliant little shops and links the Royal Mile to the historic Grassmarket where you can get a brilliant view of Edinburgh Castle.

Bride & Groom portrait on the Vennel Edinburgh, one of Edinburgh's best photo spots

10. The Vennel


Just off the Grassmarket you can climb up the Vennel Steps and get one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle. If you’re really lucky you might get a congratulations from the author Ian Rankin who was passing by during Maria & Rhys’s wedding, we’re waiting to see if they appear as characters in a Rebus novel.

Couple exploring the Mound in Edinburgh, one of Edinburgh's best photo spots

11. The Mound


If you walk down from the Lawnmarket you will get to the Mound and enter into Edinburgh’s New Town.

The architecture completely changes as you enter the straight streets and Georgian architecture of the New Town and see the statement pillars of the galleries.

You’ll be surrounded by the hustle and bustle of shoppers on Princes’ Street. From here you can also explore Prince’s Street gardens and get some great views of Edinburgh Castle.

Couple dancing in Princes Street Gardens, one of Edinburgh's best photo spots

12. Prince’s Street Gardens & Ross’s Fountain


Prince’s Street gardens run along the whole length of Prince’s Street and have some amazing views of the city & the castle. At the east end of the garden’s, you’ll find the Ross Fountain area which is a great place for a pic with Edinburgh Castle.

Wedding photograph with Edinburgh Castle
Wedding photographs on Carlton Hill, one of Edinburgh best photo spots

13. Carlton Hill


Carlton Hill is the best place in Edinburgh to get panoramic views across the city or to enjoy sunrise or sunset. It’s a bit further away from the Old Town so you will need transport to get to there. If you chose to walk, it’s about a 15 minute walk (with a some steep hills) from the High Street on the Royal Mile.

You can see from the River Forth to Arthur’s Seat to Edinburgh Castle. It’s an amazing place to go when the sun is low but it is a good hike to get up to it. Olivia and Tom got a car up the hill and enjoyed the golden evening light at the top of the hill.

Bride & Groom on Carlton Hill, one of Edinburgh's best photo spots
Bride & groom in Holyrood Garden's in the rain

14. Holyrood Park


At the bottom of the Royal Mile you’ll find Holyrood Palace which is the King’s home when he visits Edinburgh.

The palace is next to Holyrood Park, if you want a real adventure with an amazing view you can walk up Arthurs Seat and get some photographs at St. Anthony’s Chapel

Rainy wedding photo taken at St. Anthony's Chapel, one of Edinburgh's best photo spots

15. St. Anthony’s Chapel


St. Anthony’s Chapel is a ruined chapel on the hillside with stunning views over the city.

It takes about 20mins to get up to it and it is rough ground so you need good footwear but it is stunning.

Shauna and Frazer went here to exchange their vows after their wedding in the City Chambers.

Wedding day taxi, Edinburgh

Taxi Adventure


Edinburgh is compact but if you have high heels on a vehicle to get your around is a plan.

You can hire an Edinburgh cab to take you around some of the sights. It’s also a cute vehicle to have in your photos.

Wedding Photo on Red Bus Edinburgh

Red Bus Tours


If you want your guest’s to enjoy the city while you have a more intimate adventure you can hire a Red Bus to take your guests around the city. Companies such as the Red Bus Bistro will do a tour with afternoon tea for your guests.

Red Bus Tour of Edinburgh

Are you planning an Edinburgh wedding?

If you’d like to chat about your plans, check availability or pricing, please get in touch :-)


Useful Links


Couple walking down the steps at St. Giles Edinburgh
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