8 Tips for your Philadelphia City Hall Wedding
Thinking about getting married at Philadelphia City Hall? Looking for an intimate, low-key, and budget-friendly ceremony right in the heart of Philadelphia? City Hall just might be what you are looking for.
While planning your special day, here are a few things to keep in mind for your courthouse wedding:
Logistics for Planning Your Philadelphia City Hall Wedding
Getting your Marriage license in Philadelphia
Before you can book your wedding ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall, you will need to get your marriage license, which you can pick up in person and both applicants must be there. Just a note that once you get your marriage license you will have to wait three days until it is valid and it expires after 60 days, so timing is important here. For all the specifics such as which types of photo ID and secondary ID you need to bring, look here. The location is 1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Room 413 Philadelphia PA 19107. The fee for a regular marriage license is $90.00 and a self-uniting license is just a little bit more at $100.00
Securing your ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall
In order to secure your courtroom ceremony, this is a separate step from getting your marriage license and you need to arrive in person on the specified day to book for the following month. It is best to call City Hall directly to find out which day the books open so you don’t miss it as it can change from month to month. Wedding ceremonies can book quickly oftentimes filling up out the same day the books open! Philadelphia City Hall weddings are held most Tuesdays and Thursdays and there are limited slots on each of these days. Double-check with City Hall to be sure of the day to sign up as it may shift due to holidays and scheduling. It is best to arrive early on the day the schedule opens, especially if you have a specific date in mind.
Your wedding day guest list for your courthouse wedding
At Philadelphia City Hall you are allowed a limited number of guests for the ceremony with the judge. You can invite your closest friends and relatives to be by your side during your ceremony. Of course, you can invite others to join you to celebrate afterward at a reception or meal at one of the many outstanding Philadelphia restaurants in the area. When you book your wedding, confirm the current number of people allowed for the ceremony so that you are prepared on your wedding day.
What to Expect on Your Wedding Day
On your wedding day, you will arrive at the day and time specified to you when you book. You will check in and go to a waiting area where you will be seated with other excited couples who will be getting married that day. Each couple(and limited guests) will be called back to a private chamber with the judge for your ceremony. Their ceremonies are short and sweet, typically about 5 minutes and then you will be officially married!
The City Hall Building & Tour
The structure of Philadelphia City Hall itself is historic and impressive. Its majestic presence lends itself to gorgeous photos both inside and outside. Not every city has such an impressive building as their city hall. I do think Philadelphia’s has to be one of the most interesting. If you want to tour the building before your wedding day, you may want to take a City Hall Tour to learn the history and take in the sites. You can choose from a City Hall Tower Tour in which you head up 548 feet in an elevator for a spectacular view of the city. The City Hall Building Tour is a one-hour tour that is packed with facts and history about this intriguing building where you will learn architecture and history. I went on one of these tours recently and it was very informative and interesting. I just love all the history of Philadelphia!
Mayor’s Reception Room & Conversation Hall Wedding
Did you know that you can rent out rooms in Philadelphia City Hall for your ceremony & reception? There are two beautiful rooms that you can rent out at a very reasonable rate!
The Mayor’s Reception Room and Conversation Hall offer options if you are looking to go a little bigger and still want to be in City Hall. To rent one of these halls, contact The Mayor’s Office to get details and reserve your space.
Wedding Photos at Philadelphia City Hall
It is your wedding day! Truly a day to remember and having a professional photographer will give you beautiful images to remember your day forever. Wedding photos are definitely worth the investment! City Hall is right in the heart of downtown Philadelphia at the intersection of Broad and Market. There are some classic locations for photos just steps from this centrally located building. As a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I have a soft spot for City Hall weddings and would love to photograph your day! You can contact me here to find out more about photography packages, availability, and pricing. I am happy to accommodate smaller micro weddings, elopements, and or even couples photos after your ceremony. I can’t wait to hear from you and talk through your ideas for your day!
Dilworth Plaza
This lively plaza is always festive and vibrant. You never know what events or celebrations will be happening out there, often decorated for the season and bustling with people. In the summer there are bubbling fountains and in the winter there are festive winter decorations including an ice skating rink and a holiday market.
Love Park
Robert Indiana’s famous Love sculpture is a popular stop for photos in Philadelphia – why not on your wedding day? This park is located diagonally across the street from Philadelphia City Hall. They actually offer wedding ceremonies in front of the Love Staure through the Farimount Parks department on many Wednesdays throughout the year. If you want to find out more about these ceremonies check out this blog post Wedding Wednesdays Philadelphia Love Park Ceremony.
Broad Street Wedding Photo on Your Wedding Day
The Broad Street photo is a classic wedding photo location in Philadelphia and it’s just steps from your City Hall wedding. We head right onto the median to create this image and City Hall is in the backdrop featured so nicely! You can actually go to North Broad Street or South Broad Street to get the building in the background. Both are equally as photogenic in my opinion.
The After Party
Your post-wedding celebration can be anything you like. Dinner just the two of you at one of the countless center city restaurants? A Champagne toast and a sweet treat? Or you could go the other way and open up the celebration to others. You could rent out a small room or an entire restaurant and have more friends and family join you for a reception. Some couples choose to do a City Hall ceremony and then plan for a party later on down the road. There is no set way to celebrate, you get to do what is best for you, and most importantly have a good time doing it!
For more inspiration check out these Philadelphia City Hall Wedding Posts:
Here are a few real weddings I have photographed at City Hall. Feel free to click and browse to get a feel for what a courthouse wedding.
Philadelphia City Hall
Considering Another Philadelphia Venue for Your Wedding?
Check out these links below for ideas, guidance, and inspiration for other wedding venue options in Philadelphia for a small, non-traditional and affordable wedding:
Unconventional Philadelphia Wedding Venues
Ultimate Guide for Small Philadelphia Wedding Venues
Affordable Philadelphia Wedding Venues To Add To Your List
These are great tips! I never would have thought about being able to take photos outside with the Christmas decorations, but that’s such a great idea to get beautiful photos!
Great wedding tips for a City Hall Wedding!
Great wedding tips. An interesting blog!
I love Philadelphia City Hall Weddings and I am glad the tips were helpful!