European Room winter elopement photo of a bride in a beaded white dress and veil holds a bouquet, smiling at the groom in a green suit with a buttonhole. They stand hand in hand indoors, in front of a wooden staircase and stained glass window, looking happily at each other.

European Room Winter Elopement: An Intimate Celebration

ByJonathon Fowler Updated

Laura and Martin’s European Room winter elopement was an intimate celebration at Edinburgh City Chambers, with just the two of them and two close friends joining them as witnesses.

They were married in the European Room before heading out onto the Royal Mile for relaxed winter photographs around the Old Town, including the historic streets and closes around St Giles’ Cathedral.

We’ve photographed 166 weddings at Edinburgh City Chambers, so if you’re considering the European Room for your own celebration, our Edinburgh City Chambers wedding photography guide covers the ceremony rooms, photography prices, realistic timelines, nearby photo locations and everything we’ve learned from photographing weddings there over the years.

Check Our Availability For Your European Room Winter Elopement

Laura & Martin’s European Room Winter Elopement

Laura and Martin kept their wedding wonderfully intimate, with just the two of them and two close friends joining them as witnesses at Edinburgh City Chambers.

The smaller celebration kept the day relaxed from start to finish. After the ceremony, there was no complicated schedule to follow — just time to enjoy being married and head out into the Old Town for a short winter walk and some photographs.

An Intimate Ceremony in the European Room

Laura and Martin were married in the European Room, surrounded by the room’s dark wood panelling, large historic paintings and chandeliers.

With only four people in the room, the ceremony felt incredibly personal. We photographed it quietly and unobtrusively, focusing on the vows, reactions and small moments between them and their witnesses.

The scale of the European Room gave the photographs a strong sense of place without taking attention away from the people at the centre of the ceremony.

A Relaxed Winter Walk Around the Royal Mile

Once the ceremony and paperwork were finished, we headed outside for a short walk around the Old Town.

We photographed Laura and Martin around the Royal Mile and the historic streets and closes behind St Giles’ Cathedral, choosing locations based on the winter light and how busy the area was.

Because it was such a small wedding, we didn’t need to organise transport or move a large group around the city. We could simply walk, stop wherever the light looked good and keep everything relaxed.

Winter Wedding Photos Around St Giles’ Cathedral

The stone steps, archways and historic streets around St Giles’ Cathedral gave us a completely different look from the European Room.

The lower winter light worked beautifully with the Old Town’s stonework, and the quieter streets made it easier to create a varied set of photographs without taking Laura and Martin away for long.

Laura & Martin’s European Room Winter Elopement Photos

Here are some of our favourite photographs from Laura and Martin’s European Room winter elopement, from their intimate ceremony at Edinburgh City Chambers to relaxed winter portraits around the Royal Mile and St Giles’ Cathedral.

  • An elegant, empty ceremony room with rows of wooden chairs, blue carpet, large paintings on the walls, chandeliers, and two decorated Christmas trees flanking a wooden lectern with floral arrangements. Tall windows and ornate details complete the room.
  • A black lantern with a lit candle inside sits on a white tablecloth. The lantern is surrounded by a festive wreath of pine branches and red berries. The background is softly blurred, showing hints of wooden furniture and holiday lights.
  • A man with shoulder-length brown hair, glasses, and a beard stands indoors, wearing a green suit with a pale tie. He has a yellow rose and red accent flower pinned to his lapel. The background shows framed artwork and wood panelling out of focus.
  • Two men stand side by side smiling, one in a dark blue suit and the other in a green suit with a buttonhole. They are in a formal room with blue carpet, wooden chairs, floral arrangements, and framed paintings on the walls.
  • A young child wearing a patterned jumper sits on a wooden chair, smiling broadly. Behind them is a decorated Christmas tree with lights, a white tablecloth-covered table, and wood-panelled walls, suggesting a festive indoor setting.
  • A woman in a floral dress sits smiling between two young children—one in a pushchair, the other sitting beside her. Both boys wear matching striped jumpers and tan trousers. They are in a wood-panelled room with ornate brown chairs and gold accents.
  • A man with shoulder-length hair, glasses, and a beard stands in a formal room with rows of empty chairs. He wears a green suit and buttonhole. Large framed paintings and wood panelling decorate the room, which has a blue carpet with a gold pattern.
  • A bride in a white dress and a groom in a suit walk down the aisle together, smiling. They hold hands, and the bride carries a bouquet. Chairs line the aisle, and a person with dark hair is blurred in the foreground. Ornate paintings decorate the walls.
  • A bride in a sparkling white dress holding a bouquet walks arm-in-arm with a smiling groom in a dark suit down the aisle of an ornate room with empty leather chairs, blue carpet, and large classical paintings in golden frames on the walls.
  • A bride with red hair, in a white dress and veil, smiles as she holds a bouquet and links arms with a man in a dark suit and tie. Both wear buttonholes. They walk together in a wood-panelled room with blue carpet and empty chairs.
  • A smiling man in a green suit stands facing a woman in a white wedding dress and veil. He wears glasses and a buttonhole. The scene takes place indoors with wood-panelled walls, a blurred figure in the background, and a painting on the wall.
  • A bride in a white gown and veil faces a groom in a green suit as they stand before an officiant at a wooden lectern. The ceremony is in an ornate room with large framed paintings, wood panelling, and blue carpet with white dots.
  • A bride and groom stand facing each other in a grand, ornate room with large paintings on the walls, chandeliers, and blue carpet. A Christmas tree stands to the left. Only a few people are seated, watching the ceremony.
  • A bride in a beaded gown and veil holds a bouquet, facing a groom in a green suit. They stand in a wood-panelled room with framed paintings, a decorated Christmas tree, and a woman officiating at a lectern, likely during a wedding ceremony.
  • A couple stands before an officiant in a wood-panelled room decorated with flowers and a Christmas tree. Rows of empty chairs line one side, and a young child in striped clothes plays nearby. Large paintings and tall windows add grandeur to the ceremony scene.
  • A groom in a green suit with glasses and long hair smiles at a bride wearing a white dress and veil. They are indoors, possibly at a wedding ceremony, with wooden panelling and framed art in the background. The bride holds a bouquet.
  • A bride in a beaded white dress and veil holds a bouquet, facing a groom in a green suit. They stand before an officiant at a lectern in an elegant room with wood panelling, floral arrangements, and a large classical painting on the wall.
  • A bride in a beaded gown holds a bouquet, standing beside a groom in a green suit. Both face each other, smiling. Behind them, an officiant stands at a wooden lectern, with framed art and floral arrangements in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil holds hands with a groom in a green suit. They face each other, smiling, during a wedding ceremony officiated by a woman standing behind a lectern. Elegant decor and floral arrangements are in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil holds hands with a groom in a suit, facing each other during a wedding ceremony in an ornate room with blue carpet, wood panelling, large paintings, and a woman officiating at a lectern behind them.
  • A bride with red hair, wearing a beaded white dress and veil, smiles softly whilst facing a groom in a dark suit with long hair. They stand indoors, decorated with greenery and lights, suggesting a wedding ceremony.
  • A bride in a sparkling ivory gown and veil exchanges rings with a groom in a green suit and glasses. They face each other, holding hands, while an officiant stands at a lectern behind them. The room has wood panelling, flowers, and a large framed painting.
  • Close-up of two people exchanging rings at a wedding ceremony. One person, in a green suit, holds the hand of another wearing a cream-coloured dress. A tattoo is visible on one wrist. An officiant and wooden lectern appear blurred in the background.
  • A bride with red hair in a beaded, white dress and veil holds hands and faces a groom in a green suit with glasses and a yellow rose buttonhole. They stand before a woman officiant at a wooden lectern in a room with wood panelling and floral decor.
  • Close-up of one person placing a gold ring on another’s finger during a wedding ceremony. The person receiving the ring is wearing a green suit, while the one giving the ring wears a light-coloured, sparkly dress. Background is softly blurred.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil stands facing a groom in a green suit. They are in a decorated room with flowers and a large painting. An officiant stands at a lectern between them, smiling as she leads their wedding ceremony.
  • A bride in a beaded white gown and veil kisses a groom in a green suit. They hold hands, standing in front of white flower arrangements and framed paintings on a wood-panelled wall, in what appears to be a formal indoor wedding venue.
  • A woman with long brown hair, wearing sunglasses on her head and a floral dress, smiles and clasps her hands in front of her chest. She stands indoors in a room with wooden panelling, while a child in a striped jumper is blurred in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil holds hands with a groom in a green suit, both smiling at each other during a wedding ceremony indoors. White flowers decorate the background, and a woman stands nearby, holding a mobile.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil sits beside a groom in a dark suit as he signs a document at a table decorated with greenery, candles, and a bouquet. The scene takes place indoors with wooden panelling and framed art in the background.
  • A bride with red hair in a white dress and veil signs a document at a table decorated with greenery, berries, and a lantern. A groom in a green suit with glasses and a buttonhole sits beside her, smiling. The background features ornate wooden panelling and flowers.
  • A bride and groom sit together, smiling at each other, in a wood-panelled room with festive Christmas decor. The bride wears a sparkly white dress and veil; the groom wears glasses and a green suit with a yellow rose buttonhole. A document lies on the table.
  • A bride and groom kiss while seated at a table decorated with greenery and holiday baubles. The bride has red hair and wears a sparkly, beaded gown with a veil. The groom wears glasses and a dark suit with a buttonhole. A Christmas tree is visible in the background.
  • A bride in a sparkly white gown and veil sits beside a groom in a green suit and glasses. They smile lovingly at each other while seated at a table with a marriage document, festive greenery, and a lantern; a decorated Christmas tree is in the background.
  • A joyful bride in a glittery ivory dress and veil sits beside a groom in a green suit with a yellow rose buttonhole. They smile at the camera while seated at a table with a marriage certificate, festive greenery, and a decorated Christmas tree in the background.
  • Four people pose indoors beside a small table with greenery, a lantern, and a document. A red-haired bride in white sits next to a bearded groom in a green suit. Two guests stand behind them. The room is decorated with a Christmas tree and framed art.
  • A smiling bride in a white, beaded gown with a bouquet walks arm-in-arm with a groom in a green suit down an aisle in a wood-panelled room. Large paintings, blue carpet, empty chairs, and a few guests are visible in the elegant setting.
  • A smiling bride in a beaded dress holds a bouquet of orange and green flowers, standing next to a groom in a green suit and tie. They are indoors, surrounded by empty chairs and framed paintings in a formal, decorated room.
  • A couple stands facing each other indoors; the man wears a dark green suit and glasses, the woman wears a shimmery white gown with a veil, holding a large bouquet of green and orange flowers. They stand in a wood-panelled hallway with glass-paned doors.
  • A bride and groom stand at the bottom of a grand, carpeted staircase with stained glass windows and a large wall clock above. The bride holds a bouquet and looks up at the groom. Warm lighting highlights the ornate wooden bannisters and red carpet.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil holds a bouquet and gazes lovingly at the groom, dressed in a dark suit. They stand together on a vintage carpeted staircase near a stained glass window in an elegant, wood-panelled interior.
  • A bride and groom stand together on a curved staircase inside a building, looking up and smiling. The bride wears a white dress and veil, holding a bouquet; the groom is in a dark suit. Stained glass windows and a clock decorate the wood-panelled walls.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil holds a bouquet whilst standing close to a groom in a green suit. They pose on a red-carpeted staircase with wooden bannisters and panelled walls, near a stained glass window, in a warmly lit, elegant setting.
  • A bride in a white dress holding a bouquet walks down a grand staircase beside a groom in a green suit. The staircase has a red and gold carpet, wooden bannister, and stained glass windows in the background, creating an elegant, classic atmosphere.
  • A bride in a white gown holding a bouquet and a groom in a green suit walk down an ornate staircase with red carpet, holding hands and smiling at each other. A stained glass window is visible in the background, adding a warm, elegant atmosphere.
  • A bride in a sparkly white gown and a groom in a green suit stand together smiling at the foot of a grand staircase with red carpet. The bride holds a bouquet of greenery and orange flowers. Behind them, a stained glass window and clock are visible.
  • A smiling bride in a beaded gown holds a bouquet and looks at her groom, who wears a green suit and glasses. They stand hand-in-hand indoors by wooden stairs and a stained glass window, both appearing joyful and ready for their wedding ceremony.
  • European Room winter elopement photo of a bride in a beaded white dress and veil holds a bouquet, smiling at the groom in a green suit with a buttonhole. They stand hand in hand indoors, in front of a wooden staircase and stained glass window, looking happily at each other.
  • A newlywed couple stands under the central arch of a historic stone building labelled "City Chambers." The bride wears a white dress and holds a bouquet; the groom wears a green suit. The setting is an arched colonnade with cobbled pavement.
  • A bride in a sparkling white gown and veil holding a bouquet stands facing a groom in a green suit and yellow tie. They gaze at each other, smiling, outside a stone building with a sign reading "City Chambers" above them.
  • A bride in a white, beaded gown and veil holds a bouquet of greenery and berries, standing next to a groom in an olive-green suit with a yellow rose buttonhole. They gaze at each other, smiling, in front of a building sign reading "City Chambers.
  • A bride in a sparkling white dress and veil holds a bouquet, standing beside a groom in a green suit. They gaze at each other, smiling, outside a building with a "City Chambers" sign overhead and notices posted on the stone wall.
  • A joyful bride with red hair, a gold headpiece, and a beaded white dress smiles at a groom with glasses, shoulder-length brown hair, and a green suit with a yellow rose buttonhole. They stand close outside, gazing at each other lovingly.
  • A bride in a white, sparkly gown holds a bouquet and walks hand-in-hand with a groom in an olive green suit outside a stone building with a "City Chambers" sign. The ground is cobblestone, and a red postbox is visible in the background.
  • A couple holding hands walks outdoors on cobblestones. The woman wears a sparkly white wedding dress and holds a bouquet; she has long ginger hair. The man wears a green suit with a buttonhole and glasses. There is a red postbox and stone building in the background.
  • A bride in a sparkling white dress and veil, holding flowers, smiles at a groom in a green suit and glasses. They hold hands and face each other whilst walking outdoors, with stone walls and a red postbox in the background.
  • A couple in wedding attire hold hands and smile at each other outdoors. The bride has long red hair, wears a sparkling white dress, and holds a bouquet. The groom has long brown hair, glasses, a beard, and wears a green suit with a buttonhole.
  • A bride in a white lace dress and holding a bouquet stands beside a groom in a green suit. They pose on stone steps in front of an ornate arched wooden door, set in a stone building with gothic architectural details.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil holds a bouquet and smiles at a groom in a green suit. They stand on stone steps in front of an ornate arched wooden door set into a historic stone building.
  • A bride and groom stand embracing on stone steps in front of an ornate arched wooden door of a historic stone building. The bride wears a white dress with a veil and holds a bouquet; the groom wears a green suit. The setting is grand and romantic.
  • A couple in wedding attire stands on stone steps before an ornate arched wooden door set in a historic stone building. The bride wears a white dress and holds a bouquet; the groom wears a green suit. They gaze lovingly at one another, surrounded by gothic architecture.
  • A smiling bride with red hair in a white dress and veil stands next to a groom with glasses and long brown hair in a green suit. They embrace in front of a dark, ornately carved wooden door, appearing joyful and happy.
  • A bride in a sparkling white dress holding a bouquet walks hand-in-hand with a groom in a green suit under a stone archway, both smiling and looking at each other in an historic corridor with tall columns and arched ceilings.
  • A bride in a sparkling white dress and veil holds a bouquet and smiles, leaning into a groom in a green suit with a buttonhole. They stand hand-in-hand in a stone archway, gazing lovingly at each other.
  • A bride in a white, sequinned gown and veil hugs a groom in a green suit holding a bouquet of flowers. They embrace closely, eyes closed, in an outdoor stone corridor, creating an intimate and affectionate atmosphere.
  • A bride and groom embrace indoors. The bride has long red hair, a jewelled headpiece, and a white dress, holding a bouquet of yellow and orange flowers. The groom wears glasses, a green suit, and has long hair. Both look at the camera, smiling lightly.
  • A bride in a long white dress and veil stands holding hands with a groom in a green suit. They gaze at each other, smiling, under stone arches of a grand, historic building, with a wooden door in the background. The pavement is wet from rain.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil holds a bouquet whilst standing close to a groom in a green suit. They face each other affectionately outside a stone building with a wooden door, standing on wet pavement.
  • A bride in a white gown and veil holds a bouquet while smiling at the camera, her partner in a green suit looks at her as they walk hand in hand under stone arches of an historic building with large wooden doors and rectangular windows.
  • A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet and smiles at a groom in a green suit as they walk hand-in-hand on a wet stone pavement beside an old stone building, suggesting a joyful wedding day scene.
  • A bride in a long white dress and veil sits on stone steps beside a groom in a green suit. They hold hands and smile at each other, with a bouquet in the bride’s lap. Behind them is a large ornate wooden door set in a stone building.
  • A bride in a white lace dress, veil, and trainers sits on stone steps with a bouquet, gazing at a groom in a green suit and brown shoes. They sit close together in front of a dark wooden door, sharing a loving look.
  • A smiling bride in a white dress, veil, and white trainers sits on stone steps beside a groom in a green suit and glasses. They hold hands and she holds a bouquet of orange and green flowers. Both appear happy and relaxed.
  • A bride with red hair, a sparkly white dress, and a veil smiles at a groom in a green suit with glasses and a yellow rose buttonhole. They hold each other in front of pine trees decorated with small yellow fairy lights.
  • A bride with long red hair in a sparkly dress and veil holds a bouquet of flowers. A man in glasses and a green suit stands behind her, both smiling. They pose in front of large evergreen trees decorated with small yellow lights.
  • A bride in a sparkling white gown and a groom in a green suit stand together on a cobbled street. The bride holds a bouquet of yellow and orange flowers, and her long veil flows behind her. Both look at the camera, with an old city street in the background.

Enquire About Your European Room Wedding

Planning Your Own European Room Winter Elopement?

If Laura and Martin’s wedding has given you a few ideas for your own intimate celebration in the European Room, we’d love to hear what you’re planning.

We’ve photographed 166 weddings at Edinburgh City Chambers, so we know the European Room, the surrounding Old Town and the practicalities of photographing small weddings here extremely well.

For detailed advice about the ceremony rooms, photography prices, timelines and nearby locations, take a look at our Edinburgh City Chambers wedding photography guide.

And if you’d like us to photograph your wedding, tell us your date and a little about your plans below and we’ll check our availability.

Tell us a little about what you’re planning, and we’ll check our availability, answer any questions and help you work out what suits you best.There’s no pressure or obligation, and we usually reply within 24 hours.

Sometimes our reply gets shy and hides in your junk folder. Leave your number, and we’ll text to let you know we’ve replied—no calls, unless you request one!
Include your venue or location if you know it, anything you’ve planned so far, and any questions you’d like us to answer.

Edinburgh City Chambers Contact Details

City Chambers,
253 High Street,
Edinburgh,
Scotland,
EH1 1YP

Telephone: +44 (0) 131 529 2600
Email: [email protected]

Edinburgh Wedding Photographer & Co-Founder of Jonathon Fowler Photography

About Jonathon Fowler

Jonathon Fowler is an experienced Edinburgh wedding photographer and co-founder of Jonathon Fowler Photography. Together with his wife Claire, he has photographed more than 700 weddings since 2006, including over 500 weddings in Edinburgh.

Jonathon's approach combines natural documentary photography with relaxed editorial portraits, creating vibrant, authentic images without turning your wedding day into a photoshoot. He's particularly experienced at helping couples who don't feel comfortable in front of the camera, offering just enough direction when it helps while keeping everything relaxed and natural.

After photographing hundreds of weddings, Jonathon brings extensive first-hand experience of wedding venues, changing light, unpredictable weather, busy timelines and the practical realities of photographing weddings across Edinburgh and throughout Scotland. From crowded city-centre streets to country estates, castles and intimate ceremonies, that experience helps couples spend less time worrying about photographs and more time enjoying their wedding.

Jonathon also creates many of the practical wedding and venue guides published on this website, sharing advice based on real weddings he and Claire have photographed rather than generic recommendations.

Meet Jonathon & Claire, Our Wedding Photography Team →