Hidden beneath the South Bridge in Edinburgh’s Old Town, The Caves offers a wedding setting that feels immersive, dramatic, and completely unlike any conventional venue. Built into a series of interconnected vaults dating back to the eighteenth century, it is a space defined by stone, scale, and atmosphere. For couples looking for a wedding that feels theatrical, memorable, and deeply rooted in the fabric of the city, The Caves provides a powerful backdrop.

The venue’s layout allows for both intimacy and scale. Daytime weddings typically accommodate between 70 and 150 guests, with evening celebrations expanding significantly, creating an energetic transition from ceremony to party. Each vault has its own character and story, from spaces that once served as stables for the French Cavalry to areas incorporating the remains of buildings that existed before the South Bridge itself. This layered history gives the venue a narrative richness that translates beautifully into photography.

From a photographer’s point of view, The Caves is all about texture and contrast. Rough stone walls, arched ceilings, and shadowed recesses are balanced by discreet, modern lighting and contemporary facilities. This blend of old and new allows for images that feel moody and cinematic without losing clarity or comfort. Understanding how the light behaves in each space is crucial here, and experience makes a real difference to how the venue is portrayed on camera.

One of the strengths of The Caves is its sense of enclosure. Once inside, the outside world falls away entirely, creating an exclusive, self-contained environment where guests can fully immerse themselves in the celebration. This is particularly effective in the evening, when the venue transforms into a lively, expansive party space that comfortably accommodates large numbers without feeling impersonal or scattered.



Having photographed weddings at The Caves, I understand both its drama and its subtleties. It is a venue that rewards confidence, sensitivity to light, and an awareness of movement between spaces. My approach as Lee Live: Wedding Photographer is to embrace the atmosphere rather than soften it, capturing a wedding story that reflects the boldness of the setting while keeping the focus firmly on the people and the connections between them.