Why You Should Plan a Pre-Wedding or Engagement Photoshoot in Edinburgh
Scotland based Edinburgh editorial wedding photographer who offers a pre-wedding & engagement photoshoots digitally and on 35mm film for modern and nostalgia feel.
For couples who want to slow down, connect and capture this once in a lifetime chapter beautifully.
If you are engaged and planning a wedding in Edinburgh or elsewhere in Scotland, a pre-wedding or engagement shoot might not be the first thing on your checklist. But for many couples I work with, especially those flying in from abroad or organising a Scottish destination wedding, it turns out to be one of the most meaningful parts of the entire experience.
Here is why you should consider having your engagement photos taken in Edinburgh and why this city is truly a dream setting for it.
1. IT’S A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE THIS SEASON OF YOUR LIFE.
The wedding day can move quickly. A pre-wedding or engagement session allows you to slow down and honour the in between moments before the guests list, before the schedules, before the whirlwind.
It’s a quiet celebration of who you are together now, before everything begins.
2. YOU WILL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA.
Even if you are not camera shy, a session ahead of the wedding helps ease any nerves and builds trust with your photographer. You will get a feel for how I work and I will get to know your natural rhythm as a couple. How you move, laugh and connect.
This makes your wedding day photography feel far more relaxed, effortless and authentic.
3. EDINBURGH IS THE PERFECT BACKDROP.
From the cobbled closes of the Old Town to the romantic gardens at Dean Village, Edinburgh is filled with cinematic corners that make engagement photos feel like a love story unfolding.
Whether you prefer something iconic like Calton Hill or something understated like a quiet Georgian streets at golden hour, the city has a way of elevating every moment, especially for couples visiting Scotland for the first time.
4. YOU CAN USE THE IMAGES IN MEANINGFUL WAYS.
Beyond the memories themselves, engagement portraits are perfect for:
Save the date
Wedding website
Guest book or welcome sign
Albums and gifts for family
Or simply something personal to hold onto
They add context to your love story and can beautifully complement your wedding day collection.
5. IT’S A DAY THAT’S ENTIRELY ABOUT YOU.
No timelines. No pressure. Just the two of you, the light, the location and space to be yourselves. So many couples tell me this was the first time they had been truly present together since getting engaged.
You can dress up or stay casual, stroll through your favourite part of the town or take a drive to the Highlands, whatever feels most ‘'you’.
6. BONUS FOR DESTINATION COUPLES.
If you are travelling to Scotland for a venue visit or planning trip, scheduling your pre-wedding shoot during your stay is a wonderful way to make the most of your time here. It’s also a chance to explore your wedding venue and the city through fresh eyes with all the excitement and romance of what’s to come.
That is exactly what Sarah & Patrick did during their visit from the U.S. while in Scotland for a food and wine tasting at their wedding venue, the stunning Winton Castle. They chose to make time for a pre-wedding photoshoot. Between the joy and the soft autumn light, we created something timeless on digital and romantic nostalgia feel on 35mm film camera true to them. It’s became one of their favourite parts of the whole planning journey and gave them space to slow down and connect, just two of them.
planning your edinburgh engagement photoshoot?
Whether you are local or visiting from abroad, I will help you plan a session that feels beautifully effortless and entirely your own. From location ideas to wardrobe styling and weather advice (this is Scotland, after all), you will feel taken care of from beginning to end.
INTERESTED IN BOOKING A PRE-WEDDING SHOOT IN EDINBURGH OR ANYWHERE IN SCOTLAND?
