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Playfair Library - Wedding Venue in Edinburgh

March 2020

A wedding venue in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland

If the library is your chosen venue, or if it's in your top favourite venues in Edinburgh, it's a fabulous place for your wedding. The venue is very impressive, and starts with the imposing Old College courtyard, where guests can take in the history of the old buildings and enjoy the architecture. Once you enter the venue (on your left, in the courtyard), there is a large staircase going up to the grand hall. There is also a lift, should some of your guests or family members require assistance. Restrooms are also conveniently located near the entrance of the great hall.

When you walk into the great hall, wow! It's breathtakingly beautiful. Many will stop in their tracks and take photos of the room and fabulous architecture of the room with its columns and amazing ceiling.

Walking down the aisle in the Library - it's an impressive long aisle, where you can take your time until you greet your partner at the front, and they can enjoy you walking down the aisle.

The room is very large which is fantastic for both photographers and videographers alike as we don't "scramble" for space, but have lots of opportunity to set up and take photos during the ceremony. We also don't have to be too stationery during the ceremony, as we can walk back to the room without anyone noticing to take photos of the large room and the ceremony taking place in this grand setting.

Read on to view sample wedding photographs of the Playfair Library in Edinburgh.

Where is the Playfair Library Wedding venue?

The Playfair Library address is: Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

The Playfair Library Edinburgh Luxury Wedding Venue website.

The library is regarded as one of Scotland’s finest public rooms, this grand room plays host to many prestigious concerts, exhibitions, launches and receptions. Up a grand staircase on the first floor of Old College you will find the splendid Playfair Library.  The hall features William Playfair's signature neoclassical barrel-vaulted ceiling which adds an air of elegance to any special event.

The Playfair Library Hall is a flexible Edinburgh first venue, able to accommodate up to 250 delegates theatre-style, 220 for dinner or 450 for a drinks reception. The lower floor of Playfair Library Hall features four additional meeting rooms, making this Edinburgh venue suitable for all manner of celebrations, meetings, large presentations, conferences and exclusive dinners.

Sample Wedding Photographs from the Edinburgh Playfair Library

Ruth & Tom were married at the Playfair Library on a wet November's day. Also the building was wrapped in lots of scaffolding, so it was a challenge to take photos without showing any of the building work.

Wedding party framed by the Library's classic architecture, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
Wedding party framed by the Library's classic architecture.
Wedding car outside the Playfair Library with extra shine from the rain, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
Wedding car outside the Playfair Library with extra shine from the rain.
The grand staircase to the Library Hall. This is also good for take photos of large groups of people, should the weather not be the best outside, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
The grand staircase to the Library Hall. This is also good for take photos of large groups of people, should the weather not be the best outside.
The view from the front of the ceremony towards the seating area, before the wedding ceremony took place, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
The view from the front of the ceremony towards the seating area, before the wedding ceremony took place.
The higher angle emphasises the size and scale of the Playfair Library, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
The higher angle emphasises the size and scale of the Playfair Library.
The bride and her dad, walking down the long aisle in the library, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
The bride and her dad, walking down the long aisle in the library.
As it was raining on Ruth and Tom's wedding day, we took all the family photos and bridal party photographs inside. There are many places in the Playfair Library for this, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
As it was raining on Ruth and Tom's wedding day, we took all the family photos and bridal party photographs inside. There are many places in the Playfair Library for this.
I started taking photos of the couple in the library, waiting for the rain to stop. There are some beautiful backdrops in the great hall, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
I started taking photos of the couple in the library, waiting for the rain to stop. There are some beautiful backdrops in the great hall.
We had about 20 minutes of no rain, so we managed to take a few photos outside in amongst the amazing architecture, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
We had about 20 minutes of no rain, so we managed to take a few photos outside in amongst the amazing architecture.
The sandstone gives the perfect background for skin tones in black and white, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
The sandstone gives the perfect background for skin tones in black and white.
The magic rain brings are enchanting reflections on the wet surfaces, Playfair Library Wedding Venue Edinburgh
The magic rain brings are enchanting reflections on the wet surfaces.

Who is Nadin Dunnigan - Family & Secret Proposal Photographer in Edinburgh

Hey, I am Nadin! (same as "Nadine" - just without the "e"). I am a photographer in Edinburgh, Scotland, specialising in secret engagement proposals in Edinburgh, Scotland and further afield. After 17 years of photographing weddings in Scotland and internationally, my business has changed during the pandemic.

Proposals are so much fun to be part of. I get so excited every single time I see the couple walking to their favourite spot and the most romantic question is imminent!

My blog posts about weddings in Scotland are based on experience and aim to help you plan your dream wedding.

Nadin Dunnigan Photographer