adventure elopement couple in foggy holyrood park, Edinburgh

Edinburgh city elopement, Scotland | Kait & Phil

Have you ever thought about running away, just the two of you, and eloping somewhere beautiful? That’s exactly what Kait & Phil did. (Including a true Edinburgh adventure!)

Travelling all the way from California, USA they eloped on the stunning Isle of Skye where they shared an intimate ceremony with a small handful of their closest friends. However, this isn’t the story I’m telling here… (my friend Natalia Swiader was the creative eye who captured that particular one). I’m here to tell you about the story of their after-ceremony session in Edinburgh.

Why shoot in one beautiful Scottish spot when you can shoot in two? (It’s also an absolutely wonderful excuse to put your wedding outfits back on and extend those happy-marriage-feels.)

Our hopes for a beautiful Edinburgh summer evening were slightly dashed by a (characteristically-Scottish) torrential all-day downpour. But this was nothing to dampen the spirits of Kait & Phil.

Lucky for them, I am well-versed in rainy Scottish days and come prepared for wet-weather sessions.

Where to shoot on a rainy-day adventure in Edinburgh (for the bravest of adventure couples)

Stop 1 – The Vennel

Edinburgh is full of tight alleyways between tall buildings, which provides a small degree of shelter from the rain. The Vennel, though slightly more exposed than your usual Edinburgh close, is worth braving in the rain for the unparalleled view of the castle alone.

Stop 2 – Victoria Street

As needs must in a Scottish downpour with a wedding dress, we hopped in the car for the VERY short drive to Victoria Street. This colourful curved street is an iconic Edinburgh location and supposedly the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Time for a quick dance.

Stop 3 – Victoria Terrace

At the top of Victoria Street is a beautiful balcony terrace which overlooks the street. It has lots of doorways and sheltered areas to hide in between shots. 

Stop 4 – Playfair Library & Parliament Square

The rain was not letting up, in fact it seemed to be getting worse. It was time for something drastic. It was after-hours and most of my indoor options were closed. We headed towards Parliament Square to take some refuge under the arches but not before a quick dance on the mile with a Scottish bagpiper. After that, I spy that the lights are on in the magnificent Playfair Library.

I’ve never shot in the Playfair Library but I know it’s one of Edinburgh’s finest buildings – it was time to put on my big girl pants and see if I can blag my way in. Lucky for me the manager is feeling generous and takes pity on our sad wet faces and allows me to shoot in a library room. And afterward we still took refuge in the arches and as we ran back to the car, we couldn’t resist a wee jump on the Heart of Midlothian – for good luck!

Stop 5 – Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Park

No shoot in Edinburgh with me would complete without incorporating some of Edinburgh’s doorstep nature spots. Holyrood Park is a treasured spot to shoot in and a rainy day always makes Arthur’s Seat look wonderfully atmospheric. The haar fog rolls in and suddenly you feel like you are in the Highlands.

Stop 6 – The pub! Montpeliers

And after an adventure of that scale, it’s worth drying off in a cosy Edinburgh pub. Montpeliers in Bruntsfield does great food and has a wonderful atmosphere. Perfect way to end a shoot!

Extra Tips

  • Kait was super-prepared with a clear umbrella which is a MUST for a wet-weather backup
  • Know where the shelter spots are in case of torrential downpour
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help or a dry place to shoot, you never know what will happen!
  • Make distance between shooting spots short or use a mode of (sheltered) transport to assist…

Are you thinking you’d like to give your wedding wear another spin outside? Whether you are getting married in the future and considering an after-marriage session or been married for a while, let’s give those garments another adventure, whether in Edinburgh or further afield. Contact me for more information.


Other stories to inspire you

Couple eloping in Glen Etive - sunset in Autumn

Emotive Glen Etive elopement

Ingredients for an emotive Glen Etive elopement Two things Marleen and Steffen knew for sure: they wanted a remote Scottish elopement in Glen Etive, and they had to have cake (lots of cake)! They had travelled from Germany to Glencoe before, had their hearts stolen, and knew they wanted to be nearby for their elopement….
Couple standing in library during their ceremony in Edinburgh, Scotland

Romantic winter library elopement Edinburgh

Em and Dec’s cosy library elopement in Edinburgh was only fitting for this self-confessed simple pair, who much prefer a day exploring National Trust Sites and Museums over adrenaline-filled adventures. Dec had visited Scotland several times, but after they enjoyed a trip together for their anniversary, this history-loving couple knew that the city had stolen…
Two brides kiss after their vows at the Quiraing for their elopement on Isle of Skye

Joyful two-day elopement in Edinburgh and Isle of Skye

This joyful elopement in Edinburgh and Isle of Skye is a tale of two halves. Two extraordinary women. Two days. Two journeys. Two wheels. Two hearts. And frankly, two much joy. (Is two even a word anymore?) Katie and Meghan lived and breathed the track life. Fast wheels, intense training, time counters, drug testing and…
Dramatic weather for elopement at Quiraing, Isle of Skye - couple standing holding hands

Soulful vintage elopement on Isle of Skye

This soulful vintage elopement on the Isle of Skye begun at Brother’s Point. It was the perfect elopement location for these two kindred spirits, who dreamt of having a quiet ceremony near the sea. Rebekah and Tom, are self-confessed “not centre of attention people”, and so instead of feeling torn between who to invite or…
Randi & Clay - Secluded Forest Micro-Wedding at Glen Loy - Scotland

Secluded forest micro-wedding in Glen Loy

Tucked away between the pines in a secluded forest, you might have stumbled across a wee micro-wedding in Glen Loy, just as Autumn was beginning to wake. Randi and Clay (a US couple) were never really sold on the idea of a big wedding… They wanted their wedding day to be about them and were…
Couple celebrating at their Nature-based Spiritual Elopement in Glen Etive 

Nature-based spiritual elopement in Glen Etive 

This spiritual elopement in Glen Etive honours two wild hearts. Entangled in love and passion, rooted in the Scottish highland their elopement celebrated the five elements of nature. Scotland has a way of calling to you. A way of making you feel home, even if you’ve never been before. It’s a strange phenomenon and we’ve…
Couple kissing at their Magic Autumnal Cairngorms Elopement at Loch Morlich in Scotland

Autumnal Cairngorms elopement at Loch Morlich

Get lost in the woods for this magical Cairngorms elopement at Loch Morlich. Driving up the A9 To Cairngorms was the exact moment Alison and Chris knew they wanted to elope in Scotland.  They are big fans of the Cairngorms, especially in the Autumn where those beautiful fall colours interrupt the evergreen landscape. It’s hard…
Couple walking on a misty mountain during their Wild Mythical Assynt Elopement in Scotland

Wild mystical Assynt elopement

Chelsea and Mark’s Assynt Elopement took place over two days. And once again proved how spacing your elopement over multiple days can give you the space and time to connect. But first, let me tell you all about how they chose their elopement destination based on eating a damn.good.pie. Picking the perfect location for this…
Spring misty Isle of Skye elopement bride and groom cuddling

Magical misty Isle of Skye elopement

Isle of Skye is a magical place to elope any time of year but it’s especially beautiful on those moody days. This misty Isle of Skye elopement will always have a special place in our hearts for how adventurous and wild it was! Elope to Isle of Skye in Spring Lea + Beau eloped from…
Same-sex couple celebrating getting married in Scotland

Joyful and moody Glencoe elopement for two brides

All you need is love (and an epic Glencoe elopement) Before COVID, Mary + Rosalie were in the throes of planning a big edgy New York wedding in a cool speakeasy bar. Where they ended up couldn’t have been further from their initial vision! Once COVID hit, they quickly realised that their plans would need…

Romantic clifftop elopement at Dunnottar Castle

If your idea of a romantic Scottish elopement includes a clifftop castle ruin then you can’t get much better than Dunnottar Castle. And even more romantic in those snuggly Winter/Spring months. Shying away from planning a big wedding, Evan + Quinn chose to elope so they could spend the day focused solely on each other…
Isle of Mull dancing in the rain - elopement couple

Wet and wild Isle of Mull couples adventure

Whilst the Outer Hebrides + Isle of Skye tend steal the limelight when it comes to Scottish Islands, don’t overlook the Inner Hebrides – especially the Isle of Mull for your next couples adventure or elopement. This large island is easily reached by a short 45-mins ferry from Oban on the mainland to the quaint…
Wedding couple in Torridon mountains

Winter Torridon elopement adventure inspiration

Colin + Anna had their wee wedding at the Edinburgh City Chambers but retreated to their favourite place in Scotland to enjoy that post-ceremony high. The Wester Ross area of Scotland had captured their hearts over and over – they couldn’t think of a better place to commemorate this special occasion (and with their gorgeous…

Scottish Highlands wilderness elopement

This is a tale from one of the most remote and wild parts of Scotland. Here’s a Scottish Highlands elopement in the deepest, darkest parts of the central North. Scotland gets a lot of attention for places such as Glencoe and Isle of Skye, and more recently the North Coast 500, which is said to…

Summer Edinburgh elopement with a thundershower storm

When Elouise + Aidan were planning their wee summer Edinburgh elopement, they were not preparing for the possibility of a weird weather phenomenon known as a ‘thundershower‘. I always keep a very close eye on the weather forecast in the days running up to a wedding, and the morning of, but seeing ‘thundershower’ was definitely…
Wedding couple at the Hermitage, Dunkeld - woodland elopement in Scotland

Magical woodland wedding anniversary photoshoot

Dima and Sudqi fell head-over-feet in love at a young age – it wasn’t long before they were hurrying down the aisle to be married. When we grow older together, we forget that we change and we grow individually as well as in our love. Being in love over a long period of time means…
Alternative Fairy Glen elopement on Isle of Skye

A stormy Fairy Glen elopement on Isle of Skye

Morgane + Ben, who travelled from Switzerland, experienced the magic of Isle of Skye whilst helping me showcase the beauty of the Isle of Skye in Autumn as a brilliant Scotland elopement destination. In particular, shining a spotlight on what it would be like to have a Fairy Glen elopement. Morgane, a talented elopement photographer…
Romantic scotland elopement - edinburgh nature

Pentland Hills after-wedding adventure session – Edinburgh

Karo + Sam popped their wedding outfits back on to have some after-wedding photos taken in the beautiful Pentland Hills surrounding Edinburgh. It was early Autumn and the very last of the purple heather was lingering. In late summer, the whole of the Pentland Hills lights up purple with the bloom which is an incredible…
Scotland camping elopement - toasting marshmallows

Autumnal woodland camping elopement in Scotland

An elopement in Scotland doesn’t often conjure up images of camping out by the fire… but I’ve often thought that Scotland is a wonderful place for an adventure camping elopement.   Scottish adventure camping elopement inspiration   Alongside a fantastic team of suppliers, headed up by Victoria at The Wandering Event Company, we created an…

Fairytale elopement wedding at a Scottish castle – Dalhousie

A crisp autumn day for Patricia + Diego who ran away to Dalhousie Castle for a romantic fairytale castle elopement filled with beautiful Scottish details combined with their Spanish culture. Sharing a love of travelling together, Patricia + Diego had chosen to elope so they could marry in a magical place, just the two of…
Getting ready at Edinburgh elopement

Edinburgh City Chambers micro-wedding

A joy-filled intimate wedding at the Edinburgh City Chambers for this wonderful same-sex couple, Peter and Shen. Wedding days never go 100% to plan… When I first sat down with Pete + Shen to discuss their wedding they were really keen to spend their wedding morning having a wee wander around Holyrood Park in the…

An adventurous Glencoe elopement | Scotland

Glencoe is truly one of the most magical places in the world to elope. With it’s stunning scenery and dramatic unpredictable weather – it’s just filled with romance and adventure. During Mark and Christie’s autumn Scottish elopement they experienced all the beauty that Glencoe has to offer. If you’re thinking of eloping in Glencoe, then…
devil's pulpit elopement ceremony - handfasting

Adventurous rock’n’roll elopement in the Devil’s Pulpit, Scotland

A true adventure: rock-climbing to your elopement location… Called the Devil’s Pulpit because of the deep red sandstone and ethereal feel, Finnich Glen is quite a special place to explore. Poorly signposted and without any real parking whatsoever, this hidden gem really does feel off-the-beaten path. Getting down to the beathtaking gorge takes a fair…
Romantic handfasting in Glencoe during wedding anniversary photoshoot in Scottish Highlands

Adventurous (and wet!) wedding anniversary handfasting in Glencoe

Like many of my couples visiting Scotland, Alison and Aaron initially came to me wanting a “quick photoshoot” to mark their time in Scotland (also their wedding anniversary). Little did they know that this would lead to an incredible all-day adventure session in Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands. And being part of some of Scotland’s…
Eloping couple roaming the glen in the Scottish highlands

Scotland elopement inspiration in epic Glen Etive

James Bond is a man of famously excellent taste, so there’s a reason that Glen Etive was chosen as the backdrop to Skyfall! It’s a beautiful single track road that weaves through the Scottish Highlands, providing the world’s most stunning backdrops as far as the eye can see. Plus, it’s usually not too busy, which…
Bohemian celtic elopement at the Secret Herb Garden

Celtic elopement inspiration at the Secret Herb Garden

Today’s styled elopement inspiration is a collaboration with Natalia Swiader, and is one of my favourites to date, not least because of the gorgeous setting: The Secret Herb Garden! The Secret Herb Garden is one of Edinburgh (and Scotland)’s most unique wedding venues, and one of my favourites. It’s a herbery and greenhouse – not…
Epic dramatic Glencoe elopement by local Scottish photographer

Adventure experience in Glencoe, Scottish Highlands | Amber + Coenraad (Part 3)

Day 2: Amber + Coenraad celebrated their engagement over the course of a 2-day adventure experience whilst visiting the Scottish Highlands. We spent a couple of wonderful days exploring Scotland and on our last day we were adventuring in Glencoe and Glen Etive. This lovely pair travelled from the Netherlands to adventure in Scotland. Recently…
Handfasting cord in Glencoe by kilted celebrant - elopement commitment ceremony

Scottish Highlands foggy handfasting ceremony in Glencoe | Amber + Coenraad (Part 2)

Amber + Coenraad celebrated their engagement during a beautiful foggy handfasting ceremony in the Scottish Highlands. We spent a couple of wonderful days adventuring around Glencoe, Loch Awe and Glen Etive. This wonderful pair travelled from the Netherlands to adventure in Scotland. Recently engaged they wanted to celebrate their engagement in a meaningful and memorable…
holyrood park, edinburgh sunset with romantic couple on connection session

Make your couples shoot unique | James & Yzzy

How to get the best out of your couples shoot in Scotland Choosing the right photographer doesn’t just come down to their ability to take beautiful photos. You want those photos to feel authentically YOU. There are lots of ways to make your unique attributes shine in a shoot. Here are some of the suggestions…
Elopement vows on a Scottish beach - vintage boho style

Vintage boho beach elopement in Ayr, Scotland

Elopements don’t have to be just the two of you – they can also include a small group of your most loved friends and family to be part of the experience too. So, speaking of small groups of amazing people… I was thrilled to be asked by Julie McLaren to collaborate on this bohemian elopement…

Elemental elopement inspiration on a Scottish beach – water | Giulia + Justine

The element of water represents feminine energy, creativity, strength and shaping your own path. No element more perfect for these two women during their elemental session together. The ocean is vast, she is as deadly as she is nurturing. Ebbing and flowing, her immense power slowly shapes the land. “She lapped against the shore, restless…
Cuddling in trees - couples session in the Cairngorms, Scottish Highlands

Highland adventure session in Aviemore, Scottish Highlands | Sara & Robin

Have you explored the Scottish Highlands? They are wildly romantic and our dear friends Sara & Robin feel the same! That’s why they picked Aviemore and the Cairngorms for their adventure session. We spent the night in Aviemore before setting off on a lovely long route which led us, conveniently and quite accidentally to a…

Good read?

Why not pin it to your Pinterest board for later…

adventure elopement couple in foggy holyrood park, Edinburgh