We hope you’ll find the information below helpful, but if you require any more information about beautiful weddings at The Signet Library, please contact our wedding planners on 0131 225 0651 or email signet@heritageportfolio.co.uk , we’ll be more than happy to help.
How do I book a wedding at the Signet Library?
What are the maximum numbers of guests?
Will ours be the only wedding at the Signet Library on our wedding day?
Can we get married in the Signet Library?
At what time can I have my wedding?
Can we have our ceremony at a different venue and then have a rest of the day at the Signet Library?
Is it possible to offer a choice menu for our guests?
Is there any on-site accommodation?
Is there a bathroom on the Upper Library level?
Can we provide our own catering?
When do we have to provide exact final numbers?
Where would the drink reception and the wedding breakfast take place?
Are drinks allowed outside the Signet Library?
Are you allowed candles at the Signet Library?
Do you provide centrepieces / candles / candelabra?
Do you provide menus / place cards / table plan?
Do you have a microphone for speeches?
Do you have a list of recommended suppliers?
Will we be able to come in to set things up the day before?
When do you require final numbers?
Can I get ready at the Signet Library?
What time does our wedding day finish?
How do I book a wedding at the Signet Library?
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).
What are the maximum numbers of guests?
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.
Will ours be the only wedding at the Signet Library on our wedding day?
Yes. On your wedding day you and your guests have an exclusive use of the Signet Library, except weekday weddings.
Can we get married in the Signet Library?
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.
At what time can I have my wedding?
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
Can we have our ceremony at a different venue and then have a rest of the day at the Signet Library?
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.
Is there any on-site accommodation?
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.
Is there a bathroom on the Upper Library level?
No, the main bathrooms are on the lower ground level and a disabled bathroom is located in the Lower Library.
Can we provide our own catering?
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.
When do we have to provide exact final numbers?
We require final numbers 14 days prior to your wedding in order to finalise table plans and arrange catering.
Where would the drink reception and the wedding breakfast take place?
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.
Are drinks allowed outside the Signet Library?
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.
Can someone be our Master of Ceremonies?
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.
Are you allowed candles at the Signet Library?
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.
Do you provide centrepieces / candles / candelabra?
No, we do have any of these things on site however we can organise them on your behalf through Planet Flowers should you wish.
Do you provide menus / place cards / table plan?
We do not include the provision of stationery in our packages however we can certainly provide these things for you for an additional cost.
Do you have a microphone for speeches?
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.
Do you have a list of recommended suppliers?
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.
Will we be able to come in to set things up the day before?
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.
When do you require final numbers?
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.
Can I get ready at the Signet Library?
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.
What time does our wedding day finish?
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.
© The WS Society
The Signet Library
Parliament Square
Edinburgh EH1 1RF
+44 0131 225 0651
signet@heritageportfolio.co.uk
colonnades@thesignetlibrary.co.uk
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