2025 Micro-wedding Guide to Edinburgh City Chambers

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A couple stands in front of a vintage blue car parked by a historic building.

Micro-wedding Guide

Welcome to our micro-wedding guide to Edinburgh City Chambers. A fresh, no‑fluff roadmap for loved‑up couples who want big feels in a small package.

Our wealth of experience as a top candid wedding photographer means we have lots of insider tips and info to share with you!

If you’re looking for micro-wedding photography in Edinburgh we’d love to hear from you and have a chat about your big day!

A bride in a white dress raises her bouquet joyfully while standing next to a groom in a grey jacket and tartan kilt on a stone walkway.
An older couple stands embracing under a stone archway, illuminated by sunlight, with a large window behind them on the building’s wall.

Why a micro‑wedding?

Because you’d rather spend your hard-earned money on quality over quantity, a micro‑wedding (under 20 guests) keeps the focus on the two of you, trims the family politics, and leaves room in the budget for killer photos, a cheeky dram or two, and that honeymoon on Skye.

A couple stands facing each other under the arches in front of the entrance to a stone building labeled "City Chambers." The area is paved with cobblestones, and bicycles are parked nearby.

As your Edinburgh City Chambers micro-wedding photographer, we promise to create fabulous photos of you on your wedding day, but don’t just take our word for it:

Zoe and BillyZoe and Billywouldn’t ever trust anyone else to capture our special celebrations and moments!

Jonathon and Claire are the loviest couple.. from our very first communication they made us feel special and were so interested in who we are as people! They tailored everything just for us, and had they not radiated such beauty and kindness, we wouldn’t have even known they were there… and for two people like us who HATE getting photos taken, we had a great time and felt so comfortable!

We got married on 31st December, and they gave up their own celebrations with their families to help us capture ours...

We truly hit the jackpot, and wouldn’t ever trust anyone else to capture our special celebrations and moments!

Please don’t pass up the opportunity on having these two look after your special day! Very trustworthy and fantastic value for money.

Helen and DanielHelen and Danielfrom start to finish it has been a dream to work with you both!

Jonathon and Claire - we cannot thank you both enough for being the best photographer and videographer - from start to finish it has been a dream to work with you both! If you are reading this and considering booking Love Wedding - DO IT!!

Thank you both SO MUCH for everything, we absolutely love our wedding pictures and how beautifully you have captured our day and the memories we’ll have forever - we are still so blown away by how perfectly everything turned out and on an absolute high!

We also wanted to say how grateful we are to have had you both at our wedding, you were just such a joy to be around and put us both at ease. You got us and the vibe of the day so perfectly and our family and friends have also said how brilliant you both were! thank you so much!!!

Helen & Daniel xxx

City Chambers at a glance

The Short Version
LocationRight off the Royal Mile – a few steps from St Giles’ Cathedral and a haggis‑throw from the castle at 253 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ.
Ceremony slotsEvery 45 min, 7 days a week – great for last‑minute elopers
Room optionsAlexander Suite (up to 30), European Room (up to 70), Wee Neuk (4 inc. bride and groom) – same building, wildly different vibes
Registrar fees 2025£ 155 – £ 615 depending on room, day & time
My photographyFrom £ 350 (1 hour “Essence Collection”) with free witness & 48 hour sneak‑peek
micro-wedding guide to Edinburgh City Chambers: A bride and groom kiss outside at their wedding in Edinburgh as guests celebrate by throwing confetti; people are smiling and dressed in formal attire.

The good bits (Pros)

Three rooms, three moods. Go classic with the Alexander Suite, airy and vintage chic in the European Room, or opt for basic and simple (and easiest on the wallet) in the Wee Neuk.

Wallet‑friendly. A registrar’s office ceremony is hands‑down the cheapest legal ‘I do’ in town.

Walk‑to‑everything. Cobblestones, closes, and castle backdrops are literally outside the door – no taxi meter running.

Short‑notice friendly. Because ceremonies run all day, you can often secure a date just 4 weeks in advance.

And the not‑so‑good (Cons)

Tourist traffic. It’s the Royal Mile; expect onlookers snapping shots of you on their phone.

Strict timing. You get 45 minutes; lateness = stress.

Registrar roulette. You meet your officiant on the day – no chance to pick a personality that suits you (though to be fair, all the Registrars are excellent at what they do).

A newlywed couple smiles and walks through a crowd of people throwing confetti. The groom wears a gray suit and the bride holds a bouquet and wears a light blue dress.


(Not sure? Let’s chat – I’ll be honest if City Chambers isn’t right for you.)

2025 pricing & packages

Edinburgh City Chambers summer elopement - a couple, dressed formally, stands in front of the City Chambers building entrance, with the woman holding a bouquet of flowers.

The Essence Collection

City Chambers Essentials

  • 1 hour mid-week/off-peak coverage
  • One photographer
  • Ceremony coverage
  • Group photos with family/friends
  • Newlywed photos on the Royal Mile
  • 100+ photos
  • Free witness if required
  • Online gallery of high-resolution images + download/sharing
  • (Available Mon-Fri only)

£349

Edinburgh City Chambers wedding. A couple in formal attire joyfully holding hands while walking on the Royal Mile.

The Signature Collection

Just‑Us Adventure

  • Everything in Registry Express plus iconic photo tour (Victoria Street, Vennel/Castle view)
  • 2 hours available any day of the week
  • 250+ photos
  • Download and share images

£649 (Mon-Fri only)

£849 (Sat/Sun/Public Holiday)

Edinburgh City Chambers wedding couple embraces in a dimly lit hallway, with the woman holding a bouquet of white flowers. Both are dressed formally; the man wears a suit, and she is in a white dress, smiling, taken by Edinburgh wedding photographer.

The Prestige Collection

Photo + Mini‑Film

  • Choose either The Essence Collection or Signature Collection plus a multi‑camera ceremony video

Add £200 to the package price

Edinburgh City Chambers Registry office newlywed smiling couple in formal attire, with the woman holding a bouquet of flowers, poses in front of a colourful, flower-adorned building.

Upgrades

Add To Any Package

  • Same‑day 30‑image Insta Reel/Sneak Peek Photos £95
  • An extra hour of photography beyond 2 hours is £245 Monday to Friday, £300 on weekends/public holidays
  • Drone footage £295 (see our free drone upgrade offer below!)

2025 bonus: complimentary drone intro of the Royal Mile and City Chambers (limited-time 2025 free upgrade only included with ‘The Prestige Collection Photo + Mini-Film’):

Edinburgh City Chambers Drone Video 4K UHD. See Edinburgh’s Old Town viewed from the air.

Perfect 2‑hour timeline

Spoiler: you’ll walk less than 1km and still hit five picture-perfect postcard spots.

Time (example based on a 12pm ceremony)What’s happening
12:00Meet outside City Chambers; quick first‑look or arrival shots
12:15Ceremony (Alexander Suite, European Room or Wee Neuk)
12:40Hugs and group photos in the Quadrangle, confetti on the Royal Mile
13:00St Giles steps & Parliament Square portraits
13:20Victoria Street wander
13:40The Vennel Steps – Edinburgh Castle‑view finale
14:00You head for cocktails, I head to the edit cave – first five teasers hit your socials within 48 hours (or 30 same-day if you purchase the add-on above)

Five planning nuggets you’ll thank me for

  • Book your slot first, vendors second. Registrar diaries open 24 months out; prime 2 pm Fridays vanish fastest.
  • Consider weekday mornings. Softer light, fewer tourists, lower registrar fees.
  • Bring a brolly that matches the colour palette. Rain = romance, but a neon golf umbrella? Not so much.
  • Make sure to mute your phone when you arrive. Trust me on this one!
  • Pack comfy shoes. The Royal Mile and Old Town streets are steep and cobbled; heels can wait in a tote till photos.

Top photo spots within a 5-minute walk

  1. Quadrangle at City Chambers – the architecture, lighting and accessibility at City Chambers are a part of the joy of photographing there.
  2. Royal Mile – Edinburgh’s most famous street is great for a photo opportunity of newlyweds walking together.
  3. St Giles’ Cathedral – Ancient steps and Gothic door frames are great for beautifully framing the two of you.
  4. Parliament Square – Fabulous arches are perfect for dreamy photos (and shelter if it’s raining), and the cobbled square is pure Edinburgh.
  5. Cockburn Street – A historic, bustling, meandering street (also a great place for coffee shops, ice cream and boutique shops).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can we bring?

Up to 30 in the Alexander Suite, 70 in the European Room, 4 in the Wee Neuk (couple + 2 guests).

Can we bring the dog?

Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed in any of the rooms at City Chambers, except for assistance dogs.

What if it rains?

We embrace it! Bring an umbrella for cover as we head to hidden closes for shelter.

Do you act as a witness?

Absolutely — I sign for free and can also arrange a second witness. Contact me to discuss.

When do we get our photos?

Preview ‘sneak peek’ within 48 hours, complete set usually in less than 4 weeks, often less than 1 week.

Ready to make it official?

Pop over to my City Chambers portfolio, then hit the contact button. Let’s pencil in your date before someone else does.

Cheers, Jonathon – Edinburgh micro‑wedding addict, confetti master, and your City Chambers photography expert!

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