Planning & Styling
The Loveliest Pets At Weddings
Inspiration
The Balmoral Edinburgh LGBTQI+ Wedding
Photography by
Sophie Alexandria Photography
Photography by
Sophie Alexandria Photography
After over ten years together, the gorgeous Mark and Mark tied the knot at The Balmoral Edinburgh. This wedding oozes classy, chic, "Sex & The City" vibes from start to finish, with custom-made suits, matching Louboutin's, and Cartier wedding bands. A very fashionable couple indeed! Having chosen a venue slap-bang in the heart of Edinburgh, their vision of a sharp, classic theme with a contemporary aesthetic certainly paid off. With minimal stationery, fantastic music choices and an incredibly gorgeous sausage dog, Mark2 lived out their Carrie Bradshaw energies perfectly - and we're so here for it.
Sex & The City meets The Balmoral Edinburgh
Both being called Mark, we have always loved the idea of being married on a ‘matching’ date. After getting engaged in 2017, we had originally thought about 10.10.20. However, when this didn’t come through, 11.11.22 was the next one to come up. Furthermore, this date was Mark Strachans birthday, and he turned 33 – it felt like all the stars were aligned! It was meant to be!
The Balmoral Edinburgh
Mark & Mark had a vision. That vision was a Sex & The City vibe in the centre of Edinburgh city. So what better wedding venue to choose than The Balmoral Edinburgh? The theme centred around sharp, classic with a contemporary twist, and the Balmoral was the perfect backdrop to bring this theme to life. Sleek outfits, flowers and decor, and minimal, chic stationery. The Balmoral Hotel offered great food, fantastic attention to detail, a brilliant location, a stylish interior and magnificent views of Edinburgh. Lest we forget; those rooftop photos!
Music & readings
The couple didn't just have a super-stylish wedding that would make anyone under the sun want an invite. They also had a fantastic lineup of readings and music. Starting off strong, the couple had Marriage by Anon as their reading. This choice tied together the more modern side of their theme. Lighthearted in nature, Marriage is an honest depiction of marriage. It's one that we and guests alike can't help but smile at. Their music choices included Love Again by Dua Lipa, Yours by Ella Henderson, We Found Love by Rihanna, and Firestone by Kygo. Hold my drink - one simply can't resist a dance to these songs.
The M in (both) Mark(s) stands for magnificent. And their wedding was just that!
When booking The Balmoral, one aspect that we had always loved was the ability to get up on to the roof for photographs. This would mean we'd have the full skyline of Edinburgh as the backdrop. On the day of our wedding, there were high winds. This meant that we were unable to get up through the day. Our wedding planner Sofia knew how important this was to us, though. So she continuously checked with the security team for us. Just after dinner, we were allowed up for a short period. This was the most perfect intimate moment for us to share.
We could gaze upon these photos all day. And hey, maybe we will. If you want a similar reaction to your own wedding photos, then having the right photographer is crucial. Luckily for you, our podcast episode on wedding photography will cover all you need to know. If you want to edge up your wedding dessert, then you could do what Mark & Mark did, and go with a cheese tower.
Written by Sasha Kirkham
Photographer:
Sophie Alexandria Photography | Videographer:
Ali Stewart | Entertainment:
Arta String Quartet, Bahookie | Florist:
Planet Flowers | Cake Maker:
Food For Thought Deli | Hair Stylist:
Hendir Hair | Makeup Artist:
Julia Stronach | Bridesmaids Outfits:
Reiss, Good American, Sosander | Grooms Outfits:
Gives & Hawkes, Charles Tyrwhitt, Moss Brothers | Shoes:
Christian Louboutin | Stationery :
Wanderlust Studio UK | Decor & Hire:
Jo Malone London | Celebrant:
Evelyn Robertson at Fuze Ceremonies | Honeymoon Provider :
Gleneagles
