
Are you looking for a Philadelphia City Hall Wedding Photographer to document your courthouse wedding? Well, you have found one!
I photographed my first City Hall wedding in 2013, and I have been loving it ever since. With over 10 years of experience photographing this specific niche within the photography world, I have gained much experience and a great love for micro weddings and elopements at City Hall. There is something so sweet and classic about a courthouse wedding. No matter the size of the guest list, one thing is for sure: you’re stepping into a new chapter in your life, and it is worth documenting this life-changing moment with photographs you will cherish forever.
Over the years, I have learned tips about city hall weddings, top locations for photos in and around City Hall, and things to keep in mind when planning your courthouse wedding. This blog post will share some of these pro tips and helpful hints.


One of the reasons I love photographing a Philadelphia City Hall wedding is the easy access to iconic wedding photo locations. Here a a list of my favorite places for photos around the city hall.

Philadelphia City Hall continues to be a popular location to get married for countless couples. Here are a few reasons it is popular:
1. Low-Stress and Relaxed
Many choose a city hall wedding because they are not interested in all the bells and whistles(and the expense) of a traditional big wedding day. A courthouse wedding allows you to slim it down and get married without all the fuss. Of course, many couples who go with city hall weddings end up adding some special details to celebrate in their own unique way, whether it be a top-notch family dinner at one of the many exceptional Philadelphia restaurants or a champagne toast at a meaningful location.
2. Central Location
There is something special about getting married right in the heart of the city, and Philadelphia City Hall is smack dab in the middle of Broad Street and Market Street in the Downtown area. This makes it convenient for hotels and restaurants to celebrate afterwards.
3. Wedding Photo
Philadelphia City Hall is a destination for wedding photos, and many couples who are getting married at other wedding venues will stop by City Hall to get some iconic images with beautiful architecture. Getting married in City Hall also allows you access to the staircase inside City Hall, which is a sought-after place for wedding photos.
4. Affordability
There is a fee for the marriage license, but there is no fee for the ceremony. This makes a City Hall Wedding in Philadelphia very budget-friendly. It is a multi-step process to book a ceremony, and there is limited availability, so planning ahead is key. You can call (215) 686-2233 to reach the marriage license department in the city directly and get more info on how to book.
5. Intimate
You are only allowed a limited number of guests to witness the actual ceremony at a City Hall wedding in Philadelphia. This will naturally keep your guest list small for this part of the day. If you are looking for something intimate, a courthouse wedding in Philadelphia may be just your thing!
To learn more about Philadelphia City Hall, including tours of the building, check out this website. To find out more information about getting a marriage license in Philadelphia City Hall visit the city’s website here.

Having a photographer who knows the lay of the land is a huge advantage. I am very familiar with the City Hall area, and I can lead you around to all of my favorite spots! I offer special packages for courthouse weddings that can be customized to your wedding day vision. I have had some couples who want to have as little as one hour of photography for an elopement, covering the ceremony itself and then the couple’s photos to follow. I have also photographed City Hall weddings where the couples wanted getting-ready photos in a hotel nearby, ceremony photography, couples photos at multiple locations, and then reception coverage at a restaurant. Whether you are thinking about one hour or six hours of photography, I can craft a photo package for you.
Having professional photos on your wedding day is a gift to yourself and to the generations to come. It helps you remember this precious time. Wedding days, no matter the size, will feel like a whirlwind. Having photos from this pivotal moment will help you bask in the sweet memory.
I have had the honor of photographing many weddings at Philadelphia City Hall, and here you can browse a few real weddings of couples who had micro weddings or elopements:
City Hall Wedding In Philadelphia, PA
City Hall Micro Wedding Philadelphia
Philadelphia City Hall Wedding Day Portrait Session
Intimate Philadelphia City Hall Wedding
8 Tips For Your Philadelphia City Hall Wedding


Yes! Photographers are allowed to come back into the courtroom where the ceremony is and photograph the actual ceremony. Ceremonies are short and sweet, about 5 minutes long, and then it will be official!

Have questions about photography for your Philadelphia City Hall Wedding? You can schedule a free, no-pressure consultation with me where you can ask all your burning questions and get advice from a local Philadelphia City Hall Wedding Photographer (me!). Just fill out the Contact Form for Heidi Roland Photography, and I will get back to you right away to find a convenient time for a chat. I am looking forward to hearing about your love story and your wedding day!
