The Glasshouse wedding - Jo and Al

The Glasshouse Wedding Photographer: Real Weddings & Photos

ByClaire Fowler Updated

We’ve photographed several weddings at The Glasshouse in Edinburgh, giving us first-hand experience of this distinctive city-centre hotel in different weather and across different types of wedding.

One of its biggest photographic advantages is the contrast between the modern hotel interiors and the rooftop garden overlooking the city. When the weather is good, the garden gives couples an outdoor setting without leaving the hotel; when it isn’t, the hotel offers useful indoor options for ceremonies and portraits.

We’ve experienced that flexibility first-hand. At Joanne and Alan’s wedding, heavy rain meant their planned outdoor ceremony moved inside, but we still created a varied set of photographs around the hotel.

The Glasshouse’s central location also makes it a practical option for couples who want an Edinburgh wedding without travelling between multiple venues.

You can compare it with other places we’ve photographed in our guide to the best wedding venues in Edinburgh.

The Glasshouse

photographed first-hand

700+

weddings photographed since 2006

Jonathon & Claire

husband-and-wife photography team

The Glasshouse Wedding Photos

Below are some of our favourite photographs from weddings we’ve photographed at The Glasshouse, including Joanne and Alan’s intimate celebration.

You can also explore more of our wedding photography portfolio.

  • A bride in an elegant lace wedding dress looking out a window, holding a bouquet of white flowers, with a gentle smile.
  • A bride wearing a vintage-inspired birdcage veil looks contemplatively out a window, her hair in an elegant updo.
  • A bride in a lace dress holds a bouquet of white roses and peonies.
  • A bride in a white dress and birdcage veil gazes out a window, natural light illuminating her thoughtful expression.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil stands next to an older woman in a beige outfit, both smiling indoors.
  • Three women in formal attire posing indoors, one in a wedding dress with a bouquet, flanked by two others in dresses, one holding red flowers.
  • Three women at a wedding smiling and talking, with the bride in the center holding a bouquet of white roses and the other two holding red roses.
  • A bride holding a bouquet of white flowers smiles at her bridesmaid with red flowers in her hair, as an older woman in a white dress looks on indoors.
  • A woman in a blue dress with a pearl necklace, smiling at the camera, her hair styled with red flowers.
  • Profile view of a smiling woman with an elegant updo hairstyle adorned with red roses and green leaves.
  • Three men in suits with boutonnieres walk and talk together across a grassy area with modern chairs in the background.
  • Three men in suits walking confidently across a lawn, with a modern pergola and red chairs in the background.
  • Three men in suits and boutonnieres walking across a lawn, smiling, with modern outdoor furniture in the background.
  • A man in a suit with a boutonniere sits on a couch beside a tabletop fire pit in a stylish, dimly lit lounge.
  • Two men shaking hands at a business event, surrounded by other attendees in a warmly lit room.
  • A man and a woman smiling at the camera, dressed formally in a dimly lit indoor setting.
  • A man in a suit with a striped tie and red boutonniere engaged in conversation at a social event, facing another man whose back is to the camera.
  • A man and a woman smiling at the camera in a room with a framed sketch on the wall behind them.
  • A man in a suit and a woman in a beige cardigan smiling together in a room with dark walls.
  • A smiling couple dressed in formal attire posing together at an indoor event, with a man wearing a gray suit and striped tie, and a woman in a white dress with a curly hairstyle.
  • Three men in suits at a wedding ceremony, standing in front of seated guests, each wearing a different colored tie and boutonniere.
  • Low-angle view of a red carpet aisle in a wedding venue with rows of white chair covers and decorative bows.
  • Two wedding rings, one encrusted with tiny diamonds and the other a smooth, dark metal, on a reflective surface with a blurred white background.
  • Elegant floral arrangement featuring white hydrangeas, tall snapdragons, and tropical palm leaves in a clear vase, set against a window with curtains.
  • Three men standing at the front of a wedding ceremony room filled with seated guests, one glancing upward with anticipation.
  • A couple walking down the aisle at a wedding ceremony, guests standing along the sides, with a red carpet pathway.
  • A bride in a purple dress holding a red bouquet walks down the aisle, smiling at the groom who stands at the end, surrounded by guests in a decorated room.
  • A woman in a purple dress and floral hair accessory holds a red bouquet at a wedding ceremony, surrounded by guests.
  • A bride walking down the aisle, holding a bouquet, receives smiles from guests during a wedding ceremony indoors.
  • A bride in a white dress and a man in a suit walk down an aisle, smiling, with guests on either side in a wedding hall.
  • A bride in a white dress with a bouquet walks down the aisle, smiling, accompanied by an older man in a suit, with guests watching.
  • A bride and groom holding hands and facing each other at their wedding ceremony, surrounded by guests in a well-lit indoor setting.
  • A wedding ceremony indoors with the couple standing at the altar facing the officiant, guests seated around, and large windows in the background.
  • A wedding ceremony in a room with large windows, featuring a bride and a groom facing each other, an officiant reading, and guests watching.
  • A bride and groom exchange vows at a wedding ceremony indoors, surrounded by guests and decorated with tall floral arrangements.
  • A bride and groom hold hands during a wedding ceremony, viewed from a low angle along a red carpet aisle, surrounded by guests standing.
  • A bride and groom holding hands at their wedding ceremony, standing on a red carpet with an officiant and guests surrounding them.
  • Wedding ceremony in a well-lit room with large windows, where a couple exchanges vows in front of guests.
  • A couple exchanges rings during a wedding ceremony, officiated by a woman, in a room with large windows and a floral arrangement.
  • Bride and groom exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony, officiated by a woman, in a room with large windows overlooking greenery.
  • A bride and groom hold hands while exchanging vows, with an officiant holding a book in the background at an indoor wedding venue.
  • A bride and groom exchange rings during their wedding ceremony, with an officiant watching in the background.
  • A bride and groom kissing at a wedding reception, surrounded by guests and large windows overlooking trees.
  • A bride and groom embrace lovingly at their wedding ceremony indoors, with large windows and elegant floral decorations in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress and a woman in a blue dress smiling at each other during a wedding ceremony, with an officiant standing by.
  • A bride sitting and smiling at the camera as the groom signs a document at a table during a wedding ceremony, with large windows and greenery outside.
  • A wedding group indoors with a bride sitting and four others standing, smiling; three men in suits and a woman in a blue dress.
  • A bride and groom seated at a table with a wedding certificate, flanked by three guests in formal attire, in a room with large windows.
  • A bride and groom smiling and gazing at each other, with the bride wearing a veil and the groom a red rose boutonniere, indoors by a window.
  • A newlywed couple smiling at the camera while signing their marriage certificate, seated at a table with a floral bouquet in the foreground.
  • A bride and groom kissing at a table with a bouquet of white roses, in a room with large windows overlooking greenery.
  • A man in traditional scottish attire, including a kilt and sporran, playing the bagpipes indoors.
  • A bride and groom standing at the end of a red carpet in a wedding ceremony, with guests seated around them in a room with large windows and curtains.
  • A bride and groom walking down the aisle, applauded by guests, in a well-lit room with large windows and floral decorations.
  • Bride and groom walking down the aisle together, surrounded by seated guests in a well-lit hall with large windows and decorative plants.
  • A bride and groom walk down a red carpet, smiling as they exit their wedding ceremony, surrounded by applauding guests.
  • Bride and groom walking down the aisle, surrounded by applauding guests in an indoor wedding venue.
  • A bride in a white dress with a floral hairpiece and a groom in a suit toast with wine glasses, smiling at each other, with a man observing in the background.
  • A bride in a lace gown receives a kiss on the cheek from an older man while a smiling man watches nearby at an indoor venue.
  • A wedding scene with guests in formal attire chatting indoors; a bride in a lace gown is seen from the back.
  • A bride and groom embracing and smiling at each other amidst guests at a wedding reception.
  • Two individuals warmly embracing at a formal gathering, surrounded by several guests in a well-lit room.
  • A bride and groom posing with a bagpiper in traditional scottish attire at an indoor wedding venue surrounded by windows and floral decorations.
  • A wedding group indoors, featuring a bride and groom kissing, surrounded by smiling family members of various ages, dressed in formal attire.
  • A wedding group standing indoors with five adults--three women and two men--smiling and chatting, surrounded by large windows and floral arrangements.
  • Two women at a wedding ceremony, one in a white bridal gown and the other in a dark blue dress, holding bouquets and standing in a room with large windows and city view.
  • Two men smiling and holding hands at a wedding ceremony indoors, with large windows and greenery outside.
  • A bride and groom posing happily with three friends in formal attire at an indoor wedding venue with large windows and greenery outside.
  • A bride and groom sitting closely on a brown sofa, smiling subtly, in a room with gray walls and framed artwork.
  • A newlywed couple sitting closely on a sofa, lovingly gazing at each other, the man in a suit and the woman in a white wedding dress.
  • A newlywed couple embracing on a sofa, the groom in a dark suit and the bride in a white gown, both looking directly at the camera.
  • A bride in a white gown and a groom in a suit pose by large windows in a room with wooden floors.
  • A newlywed couple embracing by a large window, with the woman in a white dress leaning against the man in a suit, overlooking a city street.
  • A newlywed couple posing affectionately in front of a large window with street views, the bride in an elegant lace gown and the groom in a black suit with a red boutonniere.
  • A bride and groom smiling and embracing each other by a window, with the bride wearing a veil and the groom in a gray suit and striped tie.
  • A newlywed couple shares an intimate moment in an art gallery, standing next to a sparkling chandelier with artwork in the background.
  • A bride and groom standing together in a museum, with a modern chandelier in the foreground and paintings in the background.
  • A bride and groom share a kiss on a spiral staircase, viewed from above.
  • A newlywed couple holding hands while ascending a spiral staircase, looking upwards towards the camera.
  • A bride and groom walking out of a church entrance, smiling and holding hands, with topiary plants lining the pathway.
  • The Glasshouse wedding - Jo and Al
  • A bride in a white lace dress with a bouquet stands between two men in suits, one in a tuxedo, against a dark backdrop.
  • Three adults dressed in formal attire smiling for a photo against a gray textured backdrop.
  • Two couples posing together, one in wedding attire and the other in formal wear, in front of a dark backdrop.
  • A group of seven adults and one toddler posing at a wedding, smiling in formal and semi-formal attire.
  • A bride and groom entering a wedding reception hall, where guests are seated at tables with white chairs and tablecloths.
  • A bride and groom entering a wedding reception as guests applaud, decorated tables and chairs around them.
  • A bride in a white gown walking through a busy wedding reception hall filled with guests and adorned tables.
  • A bride and groom walking through a crowded reception hall with guests around tables adorned with red floral arrangements.
  • Diverse group of people dining in an elegant, elongated Calton Suite at The Glasshouse, with large windows and patterned decor.
  • Guests seated at a wedding reception, engaged in conversation and dining, in an elegantly decorated venue with large windows.

Why The Glasshouse Works Well for Wedding Photography

The Glasshouse gives couples a useful mix of indoor and outdoor options within one city-centre hotel.

Its rooftop garden is the most distinctive feature for photography. When the weather is good, it gives us greenery, open space and views across Edinburgh without needing to leave the hotel or take couples away from their guests for long.

Inside, the hotel has a much more modern feel, with large windows, contemporary interiors and parts of the original Lady Glenorchy Church façade incorporated into the building. That contrast gives the photographs a different character from the garden outside.

We’ve also experienced how useful the indoor spaces can be when the weather changes. Joanne and Alan had planned to marry outside, but heavy rain meant their ceremony moved indoors. We still photographed the ceremony and created portraits around the hotel without the day feeling compromised.

For us, that flexibility is The Glasshouse’s real strength: couples can have the feel of an outdoor Edinburgh wedding when conditions allow, while still having practical indoor options close at hand.

Wedding Spaces at The Glasshouse

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a kilt hold hands, smiling at each other outdoors. Fairy lights hang above. A bagpiper in traditional Scottish attire plays in the foreground. Wooden benches and greenery are visible in the background of The Roof Garden at The Glasshouse Edinburgh.

The Roof Garden

The rooftop garden is The Glasshouse’s most distinctive wedding space. It gives couples an outdoor ceremony and drinks setting with greenery and views towards Calton Hill, despite being right in Edinburgh city centre.

From a photography point of view, it offers a very different look from the contemporary interiors, and it lets couples take outdoor portraits without leaving the hotel.

Diverse group of people dining in an elegant, elongated Calton Suite at The Glasshouse, with large windows and patterned decor.

The Calton Suite

The Calton Suite overlooks the garden and is used for weddings and larger celebrations. Its large windows bring in plenty of natural light, while the views towards Calton Hill help retain a strong sense of Edinburgh, even when the day takes place indoors.

A bride and groom sitting closely on a brown sofa, smiling subtly, in a room with gray walls and framed artwork.

Indoor Spaces

The Glasshouse also has indoor spaces that can be useful when the weather changes. We experienced this at Joanne and Alan’s wedding when heavy rain moved their planned outdoor ceremony inside.

The bar, staircase, and upper landing then gave us additional photo locations, allowing the day to continue without needing to travel elsewhere.

Because room use and wedding arrangements can change, couples should confirm their current plans directly with The Glasshouse.

Wedding Portraits at The Glasshouse

Joanne and Alan sitting together inside The Glasshouse in Edinburgh on their wedding day.

One advantage of The Glasshouse is that couples can create a varied set of portraits without leaving the hotel.

When the rooftop garden is available, it offers greenery, open sky, and views across Edinburgh within a few minutes of the main wedding spaces. That means couples can step away briefly for photographs without turning the portrait session into a long part of the day.

Inside, the staircase, upper landing, bar and contemporary interiors give a very different look and become especially useful in poor weather.

At Joanne and Alan’s wedding, heavy rain meant we relied entirely on the indoor spaces, but we still created a varied set of portraits without needing to travel elsewhere.

A Real Wedding at The Glasshouse: Joanne & Alan

Joanne and Alan planned an intimate wedding at The Glasshouse, originally intending to hold their ceremony in the rooftop garden.

Heavy rain moved the ceremony indoors, which gave us a great example of how the hotel works when the weather changes. Their Humanist ceremony still felt relaxed and personal, and we used several indoor areas afterwards for portraits.

The bar area, with its open fire, gave us a quieter setting for a few photographs, while the staircase and upper landing added a completely different look. Parts of the original church façade are incorporated into the modern building, giving the interior character beyond the more contemporary hotel spaces.

Even without the rooftop garden, we created a varied set of photographs without taking Joanne and Alan away from the hotel.

Congratulations again to Joanne and Alan — it was a pleasure photographing their wedding at The Glasshouse.

A bride and groom walking out of a church entrance, smiling and holding hands, with topiary plants lining the pathway at the entrance to The Glasshouse, Edinburgh.

Planning a Wedding at The Glasshouse?

We’re Claire and Jonathon, a husband-and-wife photography team with more than 700 weddings of experience since 2006, including several weddings at The Glasshouse.

If you’re planning your wedding here and our mix of natural documentary photography and relaxed editorial portraits feels right for you, we’d love to hear what you’re planning.

You can also read more about our editorial and documentary wedding photography.

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.

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Edinburgh Wedding Photographer, Editor & Co-Founder of Jonathon Fowler Photography

About Claire Fowler

Claire Fowler is an experienced Edinburgh wedding photographer and one half of the husband-and-wife team behind Jonathon Fowler Photography. Together with Jonathon, she has photographed more than 700 weddings since 2006, including over 500 weddings in Edinburgh.

Claire's relaxed, unobtrusive approach combines natural documentary photography with beautifully composed portraits. She's particularly experienced at helping camera-shy couples feel comfortable, organising family photographs without fuss and quietly adapting when weather, timings or wedding-day plans don't go quite as expected.

After photographing hundreds of weddings, Claire 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 city-centre celebrations to country estates, castles and intimate ceremonies, she knows how to keep the photography calm, efficient and enjoyable throughout the day.

Claire is also responsible for much of the meticulous editing behind our finished wedding galleries, helping ensure the photographs from each wedding feel consistent, polished and true to the day. Alongside Jonathon, she also helps couples plan their photography in advance so everything feels relaxed and straightforward before the wedding day arrives.

Meet Claire & Jonathon, Our Wedding Photography Team →