Wedding photography at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh - classic city venue. A groom in traditional attire embraces a bride in a white dress as they stand by a window.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Wedding Photographer

ByJonathon Fowler Updated

12 Weddings at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh — and Counting

Looking for an experienced Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh wedding photographer with genuine first-hand knowledge of the venue? We’ve photographed 12 weddings at the College, giving us experience of ceremonies, receptions and portraits throughout its historic Queen Street rooms and gardens.

The Royal College is a very different kind of Edinburgh wedding venue, combining the grand Victorian Great Hall and New Library with the lighter Georgian Cullen Suite, all within the same city-centre building.

Having photographed weddings here over several years, we know how the different rooms behave photographically, how to make the most of the grand staircase and historic interiors, and how to use the private Queen Street Gardens efficiently without taking you away from your guests for long.

Our approach is relaxed and unobtrusive, combining genuine documentary moments with natural portraits that make use of the College’s architecture and character without turning your wedding day into a lengthy photoshoot.

12 Weddings

Photographed at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

20 Years

Photographing weddings since 2006

Last Updated

August 2026

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Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Wedding Photos

Here are some of our favourite photographs from the 12 weddings we’ve photographed at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, including ceremonies in the New Library, celebrations in the Cullen Suite and Great Hall, portraits on the grand staircase and photographs in the private Queen Street Gardens.

  • A man in a blue suit with a flower boutonniere stands in front of an ornate fireplace, smiling at the camera.
  • A bride in a white wedding dress sits on stone steps holding a bouquet while smiling at a young girl in a white dress holding a "2017" sign.
  • A bride in a white wedding dress holds a bouquet of flowers and smiles while standing outside a stone building with steps.
  • A bride in a white gown and veil walks up a grand staircase with a young flower girl, both holding hands. The staircase has red carpet and ornate golden railing.
  • A man in traditional Scottish attire hugs a young girl with curly blonde hair during an event.
  • A man in a blue jacket kneels and smiles at a young girl in a white dress holding a wooden heart-shaped ring bearer box with ribbons. Both are about to present or receive something in a formal setting.
  • A bride holding a bouquet and smiling is walked down the aisle by an older man in a kilt, surrounded by standing men in suits inside a wooden-paneled room.
  • A wedding ceremony with the couple standing at the altar is reflected in a large framed mirror. Guests are seated and watching the ceremony, surrounded by wooden bookshelves and a marble fireplace.
  • A bride and groom exchange rings during a wedding ceremony. The groom and another man are dressed in kilts, while seated attendees look on.
  • A close-up of a couple exchanging wedding rings. The person on the left is wearing a dark suit, while the person on the right is wearing a bracelet.
  • Close-up of a couple exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony. The bride is wearing a white dress, and the groom is in a dark suit with gold buttons. The focus is on their hands and the wedding rings.
  • A bride in a white gown and veil kisses a groom in a tartan kilt and dark jacket in front of a marble fireplace.
  • A bride and groom share a kiss. The bride is wearing a lace wedding dress and veil, and the groom is wearing a suit with a boutonniere. Both have closed eyes and look happy.
  • A bride in a white dress and groom in a kilt walk down the aisle, surrounded by applauding guests in a wood-paneled room with bookshelves and ornate decor.
  • A bride in a white gown and a groom in traditional Scottish attire, including a kilt, walk hand in hand down a wood-paneled hallway lined with framed pictures and red leather benches.
  • A large group of people, including a bride and groom, pose on an ornate staircase in a formal building, smiling for a photo.
  • Two women conversing at a gathering. One wears a white lace dress and veil, and the other wears a black and white striped dress, holding a glass. Blurry background with people and framed pictures.
  • A bride and groom smile at each other, standing in front of a marble fireplace with wooden paneling and lights on either side. The bride wears a white dress and veil, and the groom is in a dark suit.
  • A bride and groom share a dance on a wooden floor, captured from above. The bride wears a white dress and headpiece, while the groom is in a dark suit with a boutonnière.
  • A bride and groom share a dance in a wood-paneled library, lit by ornate hanging lights. The groom wears a kilt, and the bride is in a white gown and veil.
  • A couple in wedding attire stands in a wood-paneled room filled with bookshelves and a fireplace. The man wears traditional Scottish dress, and the woman is in a white gown holding a bouquet.
  • A bride in a white wedding dress stands smiling, holding a bouquet in a hall with red chairs and a long table decorated for a reception.
  • Bride and groom sitting on ornate stairs. Bride wears a white gown, groom wears a kilt. Bouquets of flowers are placed beside them. Jenna is leaning into Tom in this moment of shared happiness.
  • A bride in a white wedding dress and a groom in a dark suit stand gazing out of a window in a dimly lit corridor at Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, with the groom holding the bride from behind.
  • Wedding photography at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh - classic city venue. A groom in traditional attire embraces a bride in a white dress as they stand by a window.
  • A young girl with curly blond hair sits on a large red leather armchair, holding a doll and smiling at the camera. She is wearing a white dress.
  • A group of people, predominantly women, are engaged in a casual conversation at a social gathering. Some are holding wine glasses and smiling. The room is brightly lit with large windows in the background.
  • Several people socialize, holding bottled drinks. A man in a black suit and traditional hat points towards the camera while smiling.
  • A man in a dark vest and shirt holds a microphone while speaking at an indoor event. Others seated in the background are dressed formally.
  • A group of people are seated at a formal event. A woman in focus is laughing with her hand covering her mouth, while others around her are smiling.
  • A groom gives a speech holding a microphone and champagne flute, while the bride in a white dress and veil looks at him smiling, sitting at a table with bottles and glasses.
  • Several people sit around a table adorned with wine glasses and bottles, with one person smiling warmly at another during what appears to be a social event in an elegantly decorated venue.
  • People seated at a formal event. A woman at the center is smiling, surrounded by others dressed in business attire. The atmosphere appears to be professional and convivial.
  • A couple in wedding attire walks down a city sidewalk, with buildings, parked cars, and flags in the background.
  • A bride and groom kiss on an urban street, with the bride holding a bouquet and the groom wearing a kilt. A tall monument and historic buildings are visible in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress and a groom in a kilt stand side by side on the steps of an old building with large double doors and stone pillars.
  • A bride and groom in wedding attire smile as they cut a tiered wedding cake decorated with flowers and a "Mr & Mrs" topper. They stand in an ornate room with a column and framed painting in the background.
  • A bride and groom cut into a three-tier wedding cake adorned with flowers and a "Mr & Mrs" topper, standing on a table decorated with foliage and candles.
  • A couple in formal attire shares a first dance in an elegant hall with guests seated at tables in the background.
  • A bride and groom dance in an ornate hall with wooden floors, watched by seated guests. The room features tall columns and framed portraits on the walls.
  • A man and a woman dance together at an event, smiling. Other attendees in formal attire are visible in the background.
  • A bride holds a young girl in her arms while dancing at a wedding reception. Several other guests are also dancing around them.
  • Royal College Of Physicians Edinburgh Wedding - Gill and Iain walking along Queen Street
  • Two smiling men in traditional scottish attire with kilts and tweed jackets, standing arm-in-arm in a library with ornate woodwork and a chandelier.
  • Two women smiling joyfully at one another, both wearing decorative fascinators, in a crowded indoor setting.
  • A young boy lying on a wooden floor, smiling at the camera with his hands on his cheeks.
  • A wedding group sits inside a vintage van. one woman in blue holds a bouquet, accompanied by two women and a man in formal attire, and a young girl smiling at the camera.
  • A vintage white volkswagen bus filled with people dressed in formal attire, parked on a city street on a sunny day.
  • Bride holding a bouquet and sitting beside her father in a vintage car, both smiling, with a "just married" sign in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress walks down a staircase assisted by a man in a kilt, followed by two bridesmaids in blue, inside an ornate building with floral decorations.
  • A bride in a white dress smiling joyfully at a groom in a formal suit during their wedding ceremony in a library with wooden shelves and guests in the background.
  • A bride and groom kiss following their wedding ceremony, the groom wearing a kilt; an officiant and a smiling man are seen in the background.
  • A newlywed couple smiling joyfully, seated with a bouquet of purple flowers beside them, in a library setting.
  • Bride and groom in scottish attire smile as they walk through a clapping crowd in an ornate library setting.
  • Royal College Of Physicians Edinburgh Wedding
  • Royal College Of Physicians Edinburgh Wedding photo of lady smiling at drinks reception
  • A young bride in a headpiece whispers to an elderly woman in a yellow outfit and white fascinator at a wedding.
  • Bride and groom smiling at each other, bride holding a bouquet of purple flowers, in a room with a decorative fireplace.
  • A woman in a pink dress and a stylish black and white hat laughs joyfully at a social event, holding a glass, surrounded by other guests.
  • Royal College Of Physians Edinburgh Wedding posed photo of bride in Queen's Street gardens
  • Royal College Of Physicians Edinburgh Wedding - Gill and Iain in Queen Street Gardens
  • Royal College Of Physicians Edinburgh Wedding posed photo of bride and groom in Queen Street garden
  • posed photo of newlyweds kissing outside wedding venue
  • photo of bride and groom walking into wedding reception
  • A groom giving a speech, holding a microphone, with a smiling bride seated nearby in an ornate room with red walls and a golden column.
  • A couple dancing in a ballroom, the man in a kilt and the woman in a white dress, with a band playing in the background.
  • A man in a kilt and a woman in a white dress share a dance at a lively event with other guests dancing in the background.
  • A bride and groom smiling at each other while dancing in a ballroom, surrounded by guests in formal attire.
  • groom sitting outside the New Library with a couple of children
  • newlyweds kissing in the Cullen Suite
  • newlyweds kissing in the Cullen Suite
  • newlyweds walking east along the road on Queen Street
  • newlyweds standing outside the Royal College Of Physicians Of Edinburgh on Queen Street
  • newlyweds standing at the bottom of the grand staircase in RCPE
  • Royal College Of Physicians Edinburgh wedding Melanie and Alan
  • groom with raised arms during his speech in the Great Hall
  • bridesmaids applaud groom's speech in the Great Hall
  • groom is embraced at the end of his speech
  • newlyweds first dance in the Great Hall
  • guests dancing in the Great Hall
  • groom pre-ceremony preparations at the Royal Terrace Hotel
  • bride in dress profile photo looking out the window of her suite at the Royal Terrace Hotel
  • bride looking at her bouquet profile silhouette
  • bride wearing veil smiling at the camera
  • bridesmaid in red dress holding her bouquet next to the brass nameplate of RCPE
  • Piper Iain Grant outside RCPE
  • bride and father walking up the grand staircase at RCPE
  • bride and father making their way to the New Library
  • New Library processional bride and father
  • New Library processional bride and father
  • newlyweds embrace in the New Library
  • newlyweds signing the marriage schedule in the New Library
  • champagne glasses cheers in the Cullen Suite
  • bride and bridesmaid wearing a red dress standing on the grand staircase
  • bride and groom on Queen Street outside Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
  • newlyweds in the New Library
  • newlyweds in the New Library
  • Royal College Of Physicians Edinburgh wedding Gemma and Callum
  • newlyweds are cheered to the top table in The Great Hall
  • guests raise a toast at the end of the father of the bride speech in the Great Hall
  • Pipe Major Iain Grant announces the speeches in the Great Hall
  • groom's speech in the Great Hall
  • groom's speech in the Great Hall
  • newlyweds in the Great Hall view from low on the floor
  • newlyweds' first dance in the Great Hall
  • newlyweds' first dance in the Great Hall

Why the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Works So Well for Weddings

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh feels quite different from a conventional hotel wedding venue. Behind its Queen Street entrance are three historic rooms with very different characters, giving couples plenty of flexibility without moving between separate venues.

The Cullen Suite is bright and Georgian, the book-lined New Library feels much more intimate and atmospheric, while the Victorian Great Hall gives larger celebrations a sense of scale and grandeur. All three are licensed for civil, humanist and religious ceremonies.

For standard weddings, couples have exclusive use of the Great Hall, New Library and Cullen Suite. That makes it possible to use different rooms for the ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast and evening celebrations, so the setting naturally changes as the day progresses.

From a photography point of view, that variety is particularly useful. We can move from the grand staircase and darker historic interiors to the much brighter Cullen Suite, then step outside for photographs in Queen Street Gardens without needing to travel elsewhere in Edinburgh.

Wedding bookings also currently include two hours of private access to Queen Street Gardens for photographs, which is a significant advantage for a city-centre venue.

After 12 weddings at the College, we know how to use those different environments efficiently, choosing locations that suit the light and the flow of your day rather than turning the photography into a tour of every room.

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Spaces at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

The College has three main historic wedding spaces — the Cullen Suite, New Library and Great Hall — and each gives a very different feel to the day.

Elegant, pale blue room, the Cullen Suite, with ornate ceiling, wooden floor, a fireplace, classical portraits on the walls, striped and plain chairs lining the walls, tall windows with curtains, lamps, mirrors, and decorative touches creating a refined, historical atmosphere.

Cullen Suite

The Cullen Suite is the lightest and most intimate of the three main rooms.

It can host ceremonies of up to 40 guests, seated dinners for up to 40, and receptions for up to 80. Its large windows and views across Queen Street Gardens often give it a brighter feel than the Victorian rooms elsewhere in the building.

From a photography point of view, the natural daylight makes it particularly useful for smaller ceremonies, family photographs and drinks receptions.

A grand two-storey library, the New Library, with ornate railings, tall bookshelves filled with books, rows of red-cushioned chairs facing forward, and a few people standing at the centre. Large windows and a skylight brighten the elegant, historic room.

New Library

The New Library is one of the College’s most distinctive rooms, with book-lined walls, balconies and fireplaces that create a much more atmospheric setting.

It can host ceremonies of up to 100 guests, with 80 seated and 20 standing, and smaller wedding breakfasts of up to 50 guests.

We’ve photographed several ceremonies here and particularly like the way the room naturally creates a strong aisle and sense of occasion without feeling overwhelmingly large.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh wedding photographer image of Great Hall prepared for wedding breakfast with red and white colour scheme

Great Hall

The Great Hall is the College’s largest wedding space and is usually the main setting for larger wedding breakfasts and evening celebrations.

It can host ceremonies and dinners for up to 150 guests, with up to 30 additional evening guests joining later for the reception.

The room’s scale, crimson walls, columns, and ornate ceiling give photographs here a very different feel from the Cullen Suite and New Library.

Using the Rooms Together

One of the College’s strengths is that couples have exclusive use of all three historic rooms for standard weddings.

That means the day can move naturally from ceremony to drinks reception, dinner and evening celebrations without guests needing to leave the building.

Best Wedding Photo Locations at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

After photographing 12 weddings at the College, we’ve found one of its biggest strengths is the photographic variety available without travelling anywhere else in the city.

Bride and groom sitting on ornate stairs. Bride wears a white gown, groom wears a kilt. Bouquets of flowers are placed beside them. Jenna is leaning into Tom in this moment of shared happiness.

Grand Staircase

The grand staircase is one of the most recognisable parts of the College and works particularly well for portraits.

Its scale, symmetry and architecture give us a very different look from the wedding rooms, and because it is indoors, it is also useful when Edinburgh weather is less cooperative.

A bride and groom smile at each other, standing in front of a marble fireplace with wooden paneling and lights on either side. The bride wears a white dress and veil, and the groom is in a dark suit.

New Library

The New Library is especially strong for atmospheric portraits.

The antique bookcases, balconies, and fireplaces create a distinctive backdrop, and we can usually use the room efficiently without needing a long portrait session.

A bride and groom in a dance pose inside a room with a fireplace and striped chairs, the bride in a long white dress and the groom in a navy suit.

Cullen Suite

The Cullen Suite gives us something much lighter.

Its large windows and natural daylight can be particularly useful for portraits and family photographs, especially when other parts of the building feel darker later in the day.

The Physic Garden

The College’s Physic Garden sits within the building and gives couples a quieter outdoor option without needing to cross Queen Street.

It is particularly useful for a few quick portraits or group photographs when timings are tight, and RCPE currently confirms that wedding photographs can be taken there.

Royal College Of Physicians Edinburgh Wedding posed photo of bride and groom in Queen Street garden

Queen Street Gardens

The private Queen Street Gardens are one of the biggest advantages of getting married at the College.

Standard weddings currently include up to two hours of access for photographs, with the East and Central Gardens providing wooded paths, mature planting and seasonal colour. The gardens also include features such as a Victorian folly that can give photographs a very different feel from those taken inside the College.

We rarely need anything close to two hours purely for portraits. Instead, we normally choose a few locations that look particularly good on the day, create the photographs efficiently and get you back to your guests.

What 12 Weddings at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Have Taught Us

The Rooms Photograph Very Differently

The College gives us a useful mix of light and atmosphere. The Cullen Suite is bright and airy, while the New Library and Great Hall are much richer and darker.

That means we adjust how we photograph each part of the day rather than using the same approach everywhere.

The Staircase Is Best Used Selectively

The grand staircase is an obvious place for portraits, but it works best when we keep things simple.

A short session there can create some of the day’s most striking photographs without turning it into a lengthy posed shoot.

Queen Street Gardens Are Worth Planning Into the Timeline

Having private access to Queen Street Gardens is a real advantage, particularly for a city-centre wedding.

We normally allow enough time to cross Queen Street, create a varied set of portraits and return without making the photography feel like a separate event.

The Physic Garden Is Useful When Time Is Tight

Not every wedding needs a trip into Queen Street Gardens.

If timings are compressed, the Physic Garden gives us an outdoor alternative within the College itself, so we can still create a few natural portraits without taking you far from your guests.

You Don’t Need a Long Portrait Session Here

With the staircase, historic rooms, Physic Garden, and Queen Street Gardens all close together, you don’t need to disappear for an hour just to create variety.

After 12 weddings at the College, we’ve found that shorter, well-timed portrait sessions usually fit the venue — and the wedding day — much better.

What Our Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Couples Say

After photographing 12 weddings at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, we’ve been fortunate to receive some lovely feedback from couples whose weddings we photographed here.

  • A bride and groom kiss under a translucent veil in a library with wood-paneled walls and bookshelves in the background.
    My husband and I loved Jonathon from the moment we met him. We called and left a message as it was a Sunday afternoon and he very quickly called us back which was totally unexpected. He came to our home a few days later with his sample albums which we loved, lots of beautiful pictures and a selection of different options which was fantastic. Jonathon spent a great deal of time with us on the first meeting, we didn’t feel that he was looking at his watch to make a dash! He talked us through everything we wanted to know (I had a list of questions to ask which I’d spotted in a wedding mag) and gave us great advice. Jonathon sent us a contract to look over which set out everything we needed to know. We booked him immediately and paid our deposit, settling the final balance a few weeks before our wedding. If we ever had any question to ask Jonathon always replied very quickly which is excellent as weddings get a bit stressful at times. We had access to our wedding album online whilst we were still on honeymoon (and we went straight away), no waiting around for months on end like we know some people have done. The photos are absolutely gorgeous, the colours are so vibrant and every picture is sharp, capturing our special day. We went for a digital package as we like to display our photos in our home but I can say that the albums Jonathon produces are absolutely beautiful. He has also put us in touch with a company that do some fabulous printing options so we just need to pick our favourites now which is going to be hard!! We have just got our disc and it is beautifully presented (I thought it would be a plain CD case but its not!!). We will be booking Jonathon later this year for my PhD graduation and if/when we have little ones. Jonathon is an absolutely lovely man to work with, very professional and we would have no hesitation in recommending him.
    Gemma and Callum
  • Royal College Of Physicians Edinburgh wedding Melanie and Alan
    Hi Jonathon, Thanks for taking so many great photos! Alan and I got back from our honeymoon yesterday and spent the evening looking through the photos. The photos are excellent! Our parent’s have been commenting on how nice the photos are so thanks again!
    Melanie and Alan

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Wedding Photographer FAQs

How many guests can the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh accommodate?

The Great Hall can accommodate up to 150 guests for a ceremony or seated dinner, with up to 30 additional guests joining for the evening reception. The New Library can host ceremonies for up to 100 guests, while the Cullen Suite suits smaller ceremonies for up to 40 guests.

Will ours be the only wedding at the College?

Yes. RCPE currently provides wedding couples with exclusive use of the Great Hall, New Library and Cullen Suite. A conference may occasionally take place elsewhere in the building, using a separate entrance, and College staff may use some corridors on weekdays.

Can we have wedding photographs in Queen Street Gardens?

Yes. Standard RCPE weddings currently include two hours for photographs in Queen Street Gardens, by prior arrangement. The gardens give us a valuable outdoor option without needing to travel elsewhere in Edinburgh.

What happens if it rains on our wedding day?

There are plenty of strong indoor photography locations, including the grand staircase, New Library, Cullen Suite and Great Hall, so rain doesn’t mean we need to leave the College or abandon portraits. If the weather improves later, we can also use a short window outside rather than committing to one long portrait session.

Is the Royal College of Physicians wheelchair accessible?

Yes. RCPE states that all of its historic rooms are wheelchair accessible, with an accessible toilet and lift access. The venue asks couples to tell their coordinator in advance so they can prepare the pavement-level stair lift.

Do we need to leave the Royal College for wedding photographs?

No. Between the historic interiors, staircase, Physic Garden and Queen Street Gardens, there is plenty of variety within and immediately around the venue.
After 12 weddings here, we normally prefer a few carefully chosen locations rather than taking couples away for a lengthy city-centre photoshoot.

Planning Your Wedding at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh?

Having photographed 12 weddings at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, we know the main ceremony and reception rooms, the best indoor portrait locations and how to make the most of the private Queen Street Gardens without taking you away from your guests for too long.

Tell us your wedding date, which spaces you’re considering 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.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Wedding Enquiries

For current wedding availability, room options, guest capacities and venue arrangements, contact the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Venue Team directly.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
9–11 Queen Street
Edinburgh
EH2 1JQ

Telephone: +44 (0)131 247 3603
Email: [email protected]

Visit the official Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh weddings page

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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 →