There's something about December weddings in Edinburgh that just hits differently. The city wraps itself up in fairy lights, the air is crisp and cold, and there's this quiet magic that settles over everything. When Amy and Chris chose The Balmoral Hotel for their winter wedding, I knew we were in for a special day — and it absolutely delivered.
The Balmoral Hotel: Edinburgh's Most Iconic Wedding Venue
If you've ever stood at the east end of Princes Street and looked up at that famous clock tower, you already know what kind of place The Balmoral is. It's a building that holds its own against the Edinburgh skyline — and that's saying something, given it's sharing the view with a castle. As a wedding venue it's hard to beat; grand enough to feel truly special, but with a warmth and a realness to it that stops it ever feeling stuffy.Amy and Chris were married in the main grand ceremony room, and I genuinely love shooting in there. The natural light is beautiful, the architecture gives you so much to work with, and there's a real sense of occasion the moment you walk in. Watching the two of them exchange vows in that space, surrounded by the people they love most — it's the kind of moment that reminds you why you do this job.
Portraits on the Rooftop
After the ceremony, we headed up to the rooftop — one of my favourite spots for portraits at The Balmoral, and honestly one of my favourite spots in the whole city. On a clear December day, the panoramic views across Edinburgh are just incredible. You've got the castle up on the hill, the Scott Monument, the sweep of Princes Street below you — it's a backdrop that no studio could ever compete with.Amy and Chris were brilliant up there. Yes, it was December, yes it was cold — but that just added to it. There's something really lovely about a couple who laugh through the shivers and just enjoy the moment together. The light in winter has this soft, low quality to it that makes everything look a little cinematic, and we made the most of every bit of it.
Inside the Hotel: The Staircase and Beyond
Once we'd made the most of the rooftop, we headed back inside and worked our way through some of the hotel's most beautiful interior spaces. The staircase at The Balmoral is one of those spots that photographers quietly love — the architecture, the lines, the light. It gives you images that feel timeless without trying too hard, which suits the Kinfolk style down to the ground.There's a relaxed confidence to Amy and Chris as a couple that made moving through the hotel feel completely natural. No awkwardness, no stiff posing — just the two of them, being themselves, in a stunning setting.
The Front Entrance: Festive and Brilliant
We finished the portrait session out at the front of the hotel, and I'm so glad we did. The Balmoral's entrance in December is something else entirely — dressed up in festive decorations, with the grand exterior lit up and the buzz of the city all around you. It's one of those spots that instantly communicates exactly where you are and exactly what time of year it is, and it made for some of my favourite frames of the whole day.There's something genuinely joyful about finishing a portrait session with a couple standing at the front of one of Edinburgh's most iconic buildings, decorated for Christmas, grinning at each other. That's the good stuff.
Thinking About a Winter Wedding at The Balmoral?
If you're planning a wedding at The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh — or anywhere else in the city — I'd love to hear from you. The Balmoral is a venue I never get tired of shooting. The rooms, the light, the rooftop, the interiors — it works beautifully in every season, but there really is something extra special about it in winter.Amy and Chris, thank you so much for having me along on your day. It was a joy from start to finish.
Kinfolk is an Edinburgh-based wedding photographer. If you're planning a wedding in Scotland and would like to chat, get in touch — I'd love to hear about your day.
