Edinburgh wedding

[AMsmamma]

Hi there.

I'm looking for wedding venue recommendations for Edinburgh City centre.

I've been to some beautiful weddings, but the traditional all day wedding is not what we want out of our 'big day'. Our dream wedding would be a small, winter, intimate wedding; ceremony at 5pm then straight into a party with music, hot buffet food and drinks. We don't want speeches, or a sit down meal or a long pause between ceremony and celebrations. We just want it to be a celebration/party with our closest friends and family. Ceremony and party must be at the same location. Approx 40/50 guests.

Has anyone had a similar wedding experience to what I have described?
I'm worried that I'm not going to be able to find a venue that I love in Edinburgh City centre that will offer such a wedding (I may be wrong but I worry that the sort of wedding we want may not offer a big enough profit for the hosting venue).

So far, we love The Scotsman hotel. I know they offer 'wee weddings' for 30 guests with the opportunity to add on extra guests, but the package includes the whole 'all day wedding' experience. I will obviously enquire further when they reopen. Has anyone had or been to a wedding here that could share their experiences please?

Thanks in advance xx

The Botanical Gardens. The weddings there always look dreamy.

We went to a later in the day wedding at the Caves. It was a fun night.

We got married in Our Dynamic Earth and it was absolutely amazing. We also looked at The Caves which we probably would have done if it wasn't summer

I worked in Event planning for a long time, and lived in beautiful Edinburgh, just to say don't worry at all about the time of day, its not at all unusual and venues will be so desperate for any business that they certainly won't turn you down!

I went to a reception at the botanic gardens which was just a reception (they got married the day before with just immediate family), it was drinks on arrival, BBQ buffet (it was summer, i'm sure there will be a winter indoor option), sit where ever you like and a dancefloor. I think there was a very brief speech by the groom before the dancing started but that was all and it was lovely.
@Groovee has reminded me that i also went to an evening reception at the caves although they'd got married there (I think) and had a sit down dinner in the afternoon.
What about Riddle's Court?

I've been to a smallish wedding in the Balmoral but that was a long time ago. We had our evening do in the Royal Overseas League on Princes street but that's been closed down now.

Edinburgh Castle?

I went to an evening one at the zoo and a small one at the Balmoral. Both were perfect.

Summerhall

Prestonfield House great for small weddings. If not central enough, the Witchery would be magical. Hotel du Vin also good - haven’t been wedding but small function similar number superb. If restaurant only an option Dine with Stuart Muir do functions and food and hospitality fantastic.

I was at a wedding almost exactly as you describe at The Caves a few years ago. Only difference is the ceremony was in India Buildings and we walked over, but no reason why it couldn't be on site.

Thanks you all so much for your replies. You have all given us a lot to think about! It's reassuring to know that there are options out there xx

Got married years ago, had our reception at The Police Club on York Place in the New Town. Small venue. DFIL is retired from the police force so we were able to get a booking that way.

It's now known as 28 York Place. Very memorable venue and central location for guests arriving in different directions. It was small and intimate.

From memory we had around 75 guests at evening reception.

The Caves. We had all day there with ceremony, meal and a band at night

I know you were after a location not a photographer, but check out Blue Sky Photography. They did our Edinburgh wedding and the photos still make me happy many years later. Great city to get married in!

I badly want to get married at The Hermitage at Braid. I've still not worked out who you contact to book it, but it's stunning.