the free company, balerno

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thinking of getting married at

the free company, balerno?

A wedding reception scene with a bride and groom sharing a kiss, surrounded by seated guests, flowers, and rustic stone wall in the background.
A woman holding a tray with multiple champagne glasses at an outdoor gathering.

Here’s my complete guide to getting married at The Free Company wedding venue, just outside Edinburgh.

Woman in a bright green dress holding a glass of beer, smiling outdoors among other people, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
A couple kissing in a garden filled with wildflowers, with the man making a peace sign and the woman wearing a white dress.

The details:

  • The Free company is exclusive use converted barn steadings just outside Edinburgh

  • Caters for weddings of up to 120 people

  • Well known for using the delicious seasonal fresh produce from their working farm and market garden for wedding menus (they also have an onsite restaurant, which is closed during private functions)

  • Laid back, rustic and textural spaces

  • Fields, gardens, log piles, outbuildings and greenhouses as backdrops for photos.

  • understated and relaxed vibes with a strong sustainability ethos

Weddings at The Free Company FAQs

1

What services do The Free Company offer for weddings?

The Free Company offer venue space, food and drinks and on the day event management all inclusive. There are facilities for live music and DJs.

What price is a wedding at The Free Company?

2

3 course meals with canapes start from £65 per head. They also offer drinks packages and extras like oysters, sharing platters and cheese boards. The venue tends to be exclusive use with access prior for decorating and setting up.

Is there accommodation for wedding guests at The Free Company?

3

There isn’t accommodation for wedding guests onsite but nearby you’ll find Hayloft Barn self catering (sleeps 4), East Rigg Lodges (several small wooden lodges, sleep 2 each, adults only), The Balerno Inn (small hotel (5 B&B rooms) and The Dalmahoy Hotel.

Is there parking onsite at The Free Company for guests?

4

Yes, there are spaces available around the site for guests although this is limited for a larger wedding.

Sliced dark bread with a bowl of butter on a wooden table, surrounded by empty wine glasses and a menu.
Close-up of a person's hand with red nail polish and a diamond ring on the ring finger, resting on their blue dress or jacket.

Is confetti allowed at The Free Company?

5

Yes, as long as it is biodegradable natural confetti. Plastic and glitter confetti are not allowed.

Sample wedding menu for The Free Company?

6

Best to contact the venue direct to find this as The Free Company uses fresh seasonal produce from their working farm and market garden. They can offer BBQ style roasts, food truck style small plates or more formal dinner service.

Their starters are often light and clean dishes like heritage tomato gazpacho, main dishes tend to be farm-to-table more hearty affairs of meat or fish with seasonal veg, and they offer delicate and fresh canapes like mini sliders and bonbons.

Their late night snack options can include fries, posh hot dogs, donuts or tacos. They make the best chunky bread and butter for nibbling on during speeches.

The bar offers crafted cocktails, local beer and tea/coffee to compliment your wine package.

A person pouring a drink from a black bottle into a glass, on a wooden table set with utensils, napkins, and small blocks.
A bottle of Mosel Riesling Qualitätswein 2021 trocken wine on a wooden table, surrounded by empty glassware and a white card with handwritten text.

Spaces available for weddings at The Free Company

An outdoor rustic courtyard with wooden buildings, benches, and a tarp shade, surrounded by plants and firewood, under a cloudy sky.

Outdoor covered courtyard

Ceremonies can be conducted with bench seating under the canvas, and this space is often used for drinks receptions and with a fire pit later in the evening as a quieter space.

Long wooden banquet tables set with white flower arrangements, glassware, and place settings in a rustic barn with exposed wooden beams, stone walls, and soft lighting.

Converted milking barn

The main barn space used for larger wedding meals, dancing and can be used for indoor ceremonies. Seats up to 120 people in long wooden trestle tables and bench seating.

This room is ground level with access from the courtyard.

A wedding ceremony in a rustic setting with a bride and groom standing in front of an officiant, surrounded by seated guests, with dried flowers hanging from the ceiling above.

The Hayloft

This space can be used for private dining events for up to 35 people as well as a ceremony space with benches for up to 120 guests.

This area is upstairs with no access for wheelchair users.

A green wooden door with scratches, a horseshoe, and a plaque that reads 'Shothead Balerno'.

Exclusive use bar

The bar area has some bench seating, a handful of tables with chairs and an outdoor area, which isn’t covered but features a couple of wooden picnic tables.

There are also 3 toilets (one accessible) adjacent to this area, one step down to access from courtyard side and flat ground at the other entrance.

A couple in wedding attire kissing inside a greenhouse filled with rows of tomato plants.

Looking for relaxed and artistic photography?

Explore my wedding and elopement photography pages at the link below.

I shoot 35mm, medium format film photography and digital. Over 12 (yikes!) years experience as a full-time photographer and artist.

I’ve shot all over Scotland and beyond but specialise in Edinburgh and East Lothian weddings and elopements. I love little weddings.

Learn more

The Free Company, Balerno

A working farm, restaurant and market garden just outside Edinburgh, easily accessible from the city bypass.

 
A couple is sharing a dance at a wedding reception, surrounded by guests. The woman has dark hair and is wearing a strapless wedding dress, and the man has short hair, tattoos, and is wearing a satin vest.
A couple dressed in wedding attire, standing inside a greenhouse, holding each other and smiling.
A man with platinum blonde hair and a woman with curly red hair and glasses share a kiss at an outdoor event. The man is dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and dark tie, holding a drink in his left hand. A woman with dark hair and a spotted dress stands in the background.
More about the free company here
A group of people dancing and celebrating at a party or wedding in a lively environment.
A smiling groom in a dark suit with tattoos on his hand and a boutonniere, and a happy bride in a white wedding dress, pointing and smiling outdoors during a wedding celebration.

“Oh my god they are bloody unreal!!!
Honestly, we can’t thank you enough for capturing our day as perfectly as you have.
Choosing some to print and frame is going to be tricky!

Much love”

Jade & Jim

❋

weddings at The Free Company

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Edinburgh visual artist and film photographer

weddings at the free company