Weddings

If you’d like to book a wedding at The Signet Library please contact us at signet@heritageportfolio.co.uk or alternatively call our team on 0131 225 0651. If you are certain that the Signet Library is your dream wedding venue please fill in the booking form and return to our team (please use above contact details).

The maximum number of guests that can be accommodated for your wedding breakfast is 220. If you’re also thinking about having a ceremony in the Lower Library, the maximum number of guests is 150.

Yes. On your wedding day you and your guests have an exclusive use of the Signet Library, except weekday weddings.

Yes. You can have a humanist, religious or civil ceremony. Your ceremony would take place in the Lower Library. The maximum number of guests seated for a ceremony is 150.

Ceremonies can take place any time from 12.00pm however our most popular time is 2.00pm. Please find below a suggested guide to timings based on a 2.00pm ceremony:

• 13:00 Groom, best man and ushers arrive
• 13:30 Piper Begins and guests arrive
• 14:00 Ceremony in the Lower Library
• 14:45 Group photograph on the staircase
• 15:00 Drinks served in the Lower Library
• 16:30 Call for dinner
• 16:45 Wine pour
• 17:00 Dinner service
• 18:30 Speeches
• 19:00 Tea and coffee in Lower Library
• 19:30 Evening guests arrive
• 19:40 Cake cutting in the Lower Library
• 20:00 First Dance in the Upper Library
• 21:45 Band break & evening buffet served (if applicable)
• 23:40 Last orders at Bar
• 00:00 Carriages

Yes, of course. After getting married in your preferred location, we will welcome you and your guests to The Signet Library for a drinks and canapés reception, followed by wedding breakfast and evening reception.

Yes, a menu tasting is included complimentary as part of your wedding planning experience. 

Tastings can usually take place Monday to Friday between 11am and 5pm, subject to availability. We require notice of at least 8 weeks to organise your tasting. We cannot offer menu tastings at weekends.

Is it possible to offer a choice menu for our guests?

We can do a choice menu provided we have your guests choices no later than 21 days prior to your wedding date along with a table plan with their choices. All accompaniments must be the same for each dish.

Unfortunately no, however The Signet Library is located in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre, where you can find a myriad of attracting accommodation options close by, from intimate and elegant suites to large hotels that can cater for your entire guest list.

No, the Signet Library does not have parking but we can allow suppliers dropping off equipment to park and wedding cars, taxi’s and coaches can drop off at the door.

No, the Signet Library does not have a lift or disabled access to the Upper Library.  

No, the main bathrooms are on the lower ground level and a disabled bathroom is located in the Lower Library.

No. Heritage Portfolio are the exclusive caterer of the Signet Library. They continue to impress us and our couples with the quality of their food and service. Their chefs and event designers will not only help you select a perfect menu, but also will match your chosen dishes with delicious wines and refreshments.

Yes, you may provide your own wine for a corkage charge however all drinks after the wedding breakfast must be supplied by ourselves.

We require final numbers 14 days prior to your wedding in order to finalise table plans and arrange catering.

The drink and canapé reception would take place in the Lower Library right after your group photo. After you and your guests have enjoyed the reception, you would go up to the Upper Library for your wedding breakfast.

Unfortunately not. The Signet Library is located just off Royal Mile, near St Giles’ cathedral, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town and due to the nature of its’ location drinks are not allowed outside the building. 

Yes, one of the Heritage Portfolio event managers on the day will do the announcing unless you have someone you wish to MC for you in which case we will act as prompt for them.

No, only LED candles are permitted at Signet Library.

Yes, our clients often choose music bands for the evening part of their day. Bands and DJ’s must bring in their own PA as our PA system is not suitable for live music. 

No, we do have any of these things on site however we can organise them on your behalf through Planet Flowers should you wish.  

We do not include the provision of stationery in our packages however we can certainly provide these things for you for an additional cost.

Our PA system in the Upper Library has one handheld microphone and one lectern.  We suggest using the lectern for your speeches as it is easier to present from and the quality of sound is often better. 

Of course, no wedding is complete without some dancing!

Yes, of course you are, it's not a problem at the Signet Library.

Yes. If you would like suggestions for your all important wedding suppliers, we have a Trusted Wedding Suppliers section which has recommendations for companies who have worked with us here at The Signet Library for many years and who have received fantastic feedback from our past clients. Using one of our preferred suppliers gives you the confidence that they know the venue well and as such can give ideas and suggestions based on their previous knowledge and experience here. 

We cannot guarantee that an event will not be taking place the day before your wedding and as such we cannot promise you will have access to the rooms in advance of your big day.  Any décor etc you’d like to bring in can be left with us to set up along with any instructions.

We require an indication of final numbers 21 days prior to your wedding and confirmed final numbers 14 days before which is when we will send you the full prepayment invoice for your wedding.

We can allow access from12 noon however we suggest you get ready elsewhere as we do not have adequate space for a wedding party to get ready in. 

We include a midnight finish as standard. We can extend the licence until 1.00am for an additional fee of £500.00 plus VAT and require 8 weeks notice of this.