Last Updated on 05/08/2026 by Armands Sprogis
Planning a small wedding doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, that’s exactly why so many couples choose Edinburgh City Chambers. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony with just two witnesses or celebrating with your closest family and friends, Edinburgh City Chambers is the perfect venue for small weddings. If you’re still exploring options, you can find my small wedding photography in Edinburgh page here.
I’ve photographed weddings at Edinburgh City Chambers for several years, both in the original building and the current City Chambers. After each of those small weddings, we always spent some time taking wedding portraits around the Royal Mile, Parliament Square and Edinburgh’s Old Town, so I know exactly how to make the most of your photography time after the ceremony.
In this guide, I’ll share what to expect on the day, my favourite photo locations, how much photography coverage you really need and a few tips that I hope will make planning your wedding a little easier.
Why Choose Edinburgh City Chambers?
There are many beautiful wedding venues across Scotland, but City Chambers offers something different.
It’s simple, relaxed and perfectly suited to couples who want to focus on what really matters rather than organising a huge event.
One of the biggest advantages is the location. As soon as you step outside after your ceremony, you’re surrounded by some of Edinburgh’s most iconic streets and landmarks. Within just a few minutes’ walk we can photograph you around the Royal Mile, Parliament Square, St Giles’ Cathedral, Victoria Street and many other beautiful locations without needing to travel anywhere.
Small weddings also allow much more flexibility. Without a busy timeline or hundreds of guests waiting, we can take our time, enjoy the city and create natural photographs that tell the story of your day.
My Experience Photographing Edinburgh City Chambers Weddings
I’m going to be completely honest here, and you might agree or disagree with me.
I’ve photographed weddings for well over a decade. During that time I’ve worked at some incredible venues across Scotland, from beautiful castles to luxury hotels, and I’ve photographed weddings with hundreds of guests. I genuinely enjoyed those weddings, but over the years I came to an important realisation.
I simply enjoy small weddings more.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a big traditional wedding if that’s what you’ve always dreamed of. They can be amazing celebrations. But I’ve also seen how stressful they can become. Months of planning, worrying about guest lists, seating plans, decorations, suppliers, timelines and trying to make sure everyone has a great day. Sometimes couples are so busy organising the wedding that they barely get a chance to enjoy it themselves.
My wife and I wanted to avoid this altogether. Our families naturally expected us to organise a big celebration. Instead, we decided to do the complete opposite. We got married at City Chambers with just two close friends as our witnesses.
It was one of the best decisions we ever made.
The day was exactly what we wanted. No pressure, no complicated planning and no worrying about entertaining lots of guests. We simply turned up, made our promises to each other, exchanged rings and spent the rest of the day together. Rather than spending a large amount of money on one day, we used it on things that were more important to us, including travelling together afterwards.
That experience has stayed with me ever since.
It’s one of the reasons I now specialise in small weddings and intimate celebrations. I understand why couples choose this type of wedding because I chose it myself. I know that for many people, the wedding isn’t about putting on a huge event—it’s about making a commitment to each other and celebrating it in a way that feels right for them.
As your photographer, my job isn’t just to create beautiful photographs. It’s to help you enjoy the day, keep things relaxed and make the most of your time together. I genuinely believe that the best wedding photographs happen when couples are simply enjoying the moment, and that’s exactly what small weddings allow.
Ceremony Rooms
Edinburgh City Chambers offers several ceremony rooms, making it suitable for everything from ceremonies with just two witnesses to larger gatherings with family and friends.
The process is refreshingly straightforward. You arrive shortly before your ceremony, check in with the registrars and are shown to your ceremony room. Before long you’ll be exchanging vows and celebrating with your loved ones.
Whatever size ceremony you’re planning, one thing remains the same — once you step outside, some of Edinburgh’s best photography locations are only a few minutes away.
Best Photo Locations Near Edinburgh City Chambers
One of the reasons I love photographing weddings at City Chambers is that we don’t have to travel far to create an amazing gallery.
Most couples choose to start with family photographs outside the building before taking a relaxed walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Some of my favourite locations include:
Parliament Square – only a minute from City Chambers and perfect for classic Edinburgh wedding portraits with St Giles’ Cathedral in the background.
The Royal Mile – ideal for relaxed walking photographs that capture the atmosphere of Edinburgh.
Cockburn Street – one of my favourite streets in the city, offering beautiful architecture and a quieter feel away from the busiest parts of the Royal Mile.
Victoria Street – famous for its colourful buildings and unique character.
If you’ve booked a little longer, we can also visit Calton Hill, Dean Village or another location that’s meaningful to you. Some couples even head to the beach or another favourite place to continue their celebrations.
That’s one of the things I enjoy most about small weddings. There’s no fixed formula. We simply create a photography plan around what matters most to you.
How Much Photography Coverage Do You Need?
One of the questions I’m asked most often is how many hours of photography couples should book for a City Chambers wedding.
The honest answer is that it depends entirely on your plans, which is why I don’t offer fixed wedding packages.
My minimum coverage is two hours, and for many couples that’s the perfect amount of time. It allows us to photograph your ceremony, family photographs outside City Chambers and a relaxed portrait session around the Royal Mile before you head off to celebrate with your family and friends.
If you’d like to visit additional locations such as Calton Hill or Dean Village, or continue coverage into your drinks reception or meal, you can simply add extra time. Because I charge by the hour, you’re only paying for the photography you actually need.
A Typical City Chambers Wedding Timeline
1:00 pm – Arrive at Edinburgh City Chambers
1:30 pm – Ceremony
2:00 pm – Family photographs outside the venue
2:20 pm – Couple portraits around Parliament Square, St Giles’ Cathedral and the Royal Mile
3:00 pm – Finish photography and head to your reception or celebratory meal
If you’ve booked additional coverage, we can continue to locations such as Victoria Street, Calton Hill or another favourite Edinburgh spot before joining your family and friends later in the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Tips for Your Edinburgh City Chambers Wedding
After photographing weddings at Edinburgh City Chambers over the years, I’ve picked up a few things that can make your day run even more smoothly.
Consider the time of year
Edinburgh is beautiful in every season, but it’s also one of the busiest tourist cities in the UK. If you’re getting married during the Edinburgh Fringe or Christmas period, expect the Royal Mile and surrounding streets to be much busier than usual. That doesn’t mean we can’t create beautiful photographs, but it’s something worth keeping in mind when planning your day.
Think about daylight
If you’re planning a winter wedding, daylight is one of the biggest things to consider. During the colder months it starts getting dark surprisingly early, so I’d always recommend an earlier ceremony if you’d like plenty of outdoor photographs around Edinburgh.
Wear comfortable shoes
Most of the locations around City Chambers are within walking distance, but we’ll be walking over Edinburgh’s famous cobbled streets. Many brides bring a comfortable pair of shoes for walking between locations and then change back into their wedding shoes for photographs.
Be prepared for Scottish weather
Even if the forecast promises sunshine, Scotland can always surprise you. A small clear umbrella is never a bad idea and can actually look lovely in photographs. Fortunately, Edinburgh’s beautiful closes, archways and historic buildings also give us plenty of sheltered spots if we need them.
Leave a little time to enjoy the moment
One of the biggest advantages of a small wedding is that you don’t need to rush. Build a little breathing space into your timeline so you can simply enjoy being together. Those quiet moments often become some of my favourite photographs from the day.
Final Thoughts
Every Edinburgh City Chambers wedding is different, but they all have one thing in common – they’re about celebrating your relationship in a simple, meaningful way.
Whether you’re planning a ceremony with just two witnesses or inviting your closest family and friends, City Chambers is a wonderful place to begin married life together. With Edinburgh’s beautiful streets right on your doorstep, your wedding day doesn’t need to be complicated to feel special.
If you’re looking for a photographer who loves relaxed, natural photography and understands why couples choose intimate weddings, I’d love to hear about your plans. Feel free to get in touch, ask any questions and let’s start planning a wedding day that’s completely personal to you.
