Philadelphia City Hall Wedding Photographer

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.

wedding couple walking down the staircase inside Philadelphia City Hall

 Philadelphia wedding couple leaning on the banister next to the staircase inside

 

 

Best Photo Locations Around Philadelphia City Hall

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.

  1. Inside staircase – This location has dramatic lines and lovely natural window light
  2. Outside staircases – there are multiple locations around city hall with stairs to showcase a wedding dress and add fun posing possibilities
  3. Dilworth Plaza – You never know what might be happening in this lively Plaza, from fountains in the summer to ice skating in the Winter
  4. The Subway Entrances – There is a retro-looking subway entrance that makes for unique photos
  5. Broad Street Photo – this is a classic Philadelphia wedding photo right in the middle of Broad Street in the median
  6. Love Park – Some wedding couples like to cross the street to Love Park, where there is the recognizable “Love” statue
  7. The Courtyard in the Center of City Hall – This courtyard has beautiful architecture and plenty of space

 

bride and groom on broad street photo by Heidi Roland Photography

 

 

Why Couples are Choosing to Get Married at Philadelphia 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.

 Philadelphia City Hall wedding photos of bride and groom under the Arches

 

 

Why Hire a Professional Photographer For Your City Hall Wedding

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.

 

 

Real Weddings at Philadelphia City Hall

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

Winter City Hall Ceremony

Intimate Philadelphia City Hall Wedding

8 Tips For Your Philadelphia City Hall Wedding

wedding couples on Dilworth Plaza in Philadelphia

bride with spring flowers outside on Dilworth Plaza

 

 

Are You Allowed to Have a Photographer Photograph Your Ceremony in Philadelphia City Hall?

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!

wedding ceremony inside courtroom at Philadelphia City Hall

 

 

Schedule a call

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!

 Philadelphia City Hall wedding photographer

Reply...