The Balmoral Hotel wedding venue is one of Edinburgh’s finest. Located at 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ, this multiple award-winning 5-star hotel has been an Edinburgh landmark since 1902.
We love this unique wedding venue as we’ve met many clients and photographed and filmed many weddings and receptions here since 2006. The Balmoral Hotel offers everything – the finest service, delicious food, fantastic attention to detail, an excellent location, exquisite interior and magnificent views across Edinburgh.
Situated next to Waverley Railway Station, The Balmoral Hotel was originally, and for most of the 20th century, called The North British Station Hotel, or ‘N.B.’ for short, and was acclaimed as one of the great railway hotels in the United Kingdom.
In 1991, a major refurbishment of the hotel was completed, and Sir Sean Connery re-opened the newly-named ‘The Balmoral Hotel’.
Balmoral is Gaelic for ‘majestic dwelling’. The perfect name for such a beautiful building. Finished to the highest standards, the hotel has many features, making it an enticing wedding venue.
The Balmoral Hotel has many differently sized event rooms, allowing it to cater to everything from small, intimate weddings to grand weddings with up to 280 guests!
The generously proportioned rooms and suites are ideal for the pre-ceremony photos of the Bridal Party or the Groom and Groomsmen.
All of the event rooms offer brilliant views of Edinburgh, looking west towards Edinburgh Castle. With large Victorian-era windows, plenty of natural light allows photography of your wedding without the distracting use of flash on even the dullest winter day.
Due to its city centre location, the hotel doesn’t have grounds or gardens of its own, but that doesn’t mean it lacks beautiful backdrops and spaces for creating beautiful wedding photos. If the Scottish weather stays fair and you do fancy a bit of greenery in your newlywed photos, you’re conveniently located only a short walk from Calton Hill and Princes Street Gardens.
The red-carpeted main entrance of the hotel is an excellent place to begin the newly-wed photos – make sure to bring your Piper if you’d like to have them in one of your pictures!
A must-have backdrop for all newly-wed photos is the grand staircase. It features a beautiful stained glass window, a baby grand piano, gorgeous light and space, and one of my favourite spots in the hotel for newlywed photos!
Book your wedding at The Balmoral Hotel and benefit from one of the best views of Edinburgh’s unique cityscape by having a few photos taken up on the roof! Escorted by your Master Of Ceremonies, let’s benefit from a beautiful sunset or the instantly recognisable clock tower to create a unique and rare photo of the two of you.
The photo of Andrew and Jenna and the Red Arrows was the most popular wedding photo of the year – find out more on my blog post here.
Remember that there are many exquisite wedding venues across Scotland, and in my years as a photographer, I’ve photographed many weddings and events at many of them. What strikes me about this beautiful wedding venue is the staff’s consistently high level of service whether I’m meeting clients at Palm Court (the hotel’s award-winning afternoon tea is fantastic), photographing a Balmoral Hotel wedding, or enjoying a birthday dram at the hotel’s Whisky Bar (aptly called ‘Scotch’!), the service and attention to detail set The Balmoral apart from other venues.
Some of the rooms and suites at The Balmoral Hotel that I’ve enjoyed photographing:
Sir Walter Scott Suite
The Sir Walter Scott Suite is the most spacious of the ten suites at the hotel. For larger weddings, this grand suite can accommodate up to 280 guests. Beautiful floor-to-ceiling pillars surround the large wooden dance floor. Located on the ground floor and offers magnificent views of Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument.
Holyrood Suite and Waverley Suite
Situated on the hotel’s ground floor, The Holyrood Suite is essentially a smaller version of the Sir Walter Scott Suite, offering space for up to 130 guests. It features beautiful floor-to-ceiling pillars, magnificent views across Edinburgh Castle, and the bonus of views across the Old Town.
The Waverley Suite is adjacent to the Holyrood Suite. It offers a spacious reception area for your guests to enjoy a canape and drink before being invited into the Holyrood Suite.
Beauly Suite, Annan Suite and Esk Suite
The Beauly Suite, Annan Suite and Esk Suite are perfect for smaller, intimate weddings. Located on the second floor of The Balmoral Hotel, the Suites offer unrivalled views across Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street. Featuring open fireplaces, the Beauly Suite, Annan Suite and Esk Suite offer comfort in beautiful surroundings.
The Balmoral Hotel Wedding Venue Photos
Here are a few photos of our favourite weddings at The Balmoral Hotel. Click on the images below to view real wedding photos taken at key locations in and around (and on top of!) the hotel building.