WEDDING AT STOCKHOLM CITY HALL

GUIDE

Whether it’s just the two of you or you have a lot of guests, the City Hall is a fantastic place to get married. The ceremony is simple and civil, taking only 2–3 minutes, yet it’s all the more emotional and memorable—especially when captured with elegance.

Book the ceremony at City Hall

Booking 6–12 months in advance is a good idea, as getting married at the City Hall is very popular. However, there are sometimes cancellations, and it’s easier to find available times during the winter. Booking your ceremony at the City Hall is simple and can be done directly on the City Hall’s website.

The fee for a wedding ceremony at the City Hall is 1,200 SEK per couple. Before the ceremony, a certificate of no impediment must have been submitted to the City Hall. You can apply for this certificate through the Swedish Tax Agency’s website. The certificate is valid for 4 months, and the names on it must match the names on your identification documents.

Ceremonies can be held in Swedish or English. If either of you does not speak one of these languages, an interpreter must be booked through the City Hall, free of charge. Weddings usually take place on Saturdays throughout the year, and sometimes also on weekdays.

Book the photographer

Getting married at the City Hall happens so quickly that you’ll barely have time to blink. That’s why it’s extra important to have your moment documented. It’s such a joy to photograph at the City Hall, as there are so many beautiful backdrops. Check out more photos and information about what it’s like to have me as your photographer.

Flowers and Make up artists

There is no dress code at the City Hall, so you can wear whatever you like—whether it’s jeans, a white princess dress, or anything in between. In other words, follow your heart. I recommend avoiding high heels during the winter months.

When it comes to flowers for your City Hall wedding, there are several talented florists to choose from, such as Melody Flowers, Floremija, and Min Blomsteräng.

Ceremony in City Hall

01 PORTRAITS

. We will meet 40-50 minutes before your ceremony at the Arcade, where we’ll take portrait photos and any family or group shots. The portraits can also be taken after the ceremony or split into two parts, depending on your schedule and package. Great outdoor locations include "by the water," the beige walls, and the arches.

02 ENTRANCE

About 15 minutes before the ceremony, we will go into the City Hall tower where a guard is stationed, and you’ll let them know how many people are in your group. A maximum of 10 people, including the photographer, are allowed to enter the City Hall. If you have outerwear or bags larger than a small clutch, they can be left in the supervised cloakroom, as there is a no-bag policy in place

03 ID CHECK

At the entrance, there is a small table where the City Hall staff welcomes the couple. You will go there to identify yourselves, and two witnesses will sign the marriage certificate. If needed, I can stand as a witness.

04 THAT MAGIC STAIRS

Now we have about 10 minutes to capture beautiful indoor portraits. Two great spots for photos are the grand staircase (perhaps the most photographed staircase in Sweden!) and the large window.

The ceremony takes place in the beautiful Oval Room, which usually lasts no more than 2-3 minutes. The officiant will ask if you want to exchange rings, and if so, you place them on a small pillow. You will be asked, "Do you take this person..." and then you say "yes" to each other!

05 THE BIG STEP

06 EXIT- NOW YOU ARE MARRIED

If you have any guests, it can be a great idea to capture the moment when you exit the City Hall, celebrating with joy. It's forbidden to throw rice or rose petals, but soap bubbles are allowed. If we haven’t had time for everything, we can take a few extra photos before you continue with the day's festivities.

CHECK AVALIABILITY

Good to know

NO BAGS

For security reasons, there is a bag restriction, and only bags up to A4 size are allowed in the ceremony hall. There is a supervised cloakroom where you can leave any larger bags.

10 Guests

Only 10 guests, including children and the photographer, are allowed inside the City Hall. Since it is a political building, exceptions are generally not made.

TOALETTER

There is a restroom on the ground floor of the City Hall, to the right of the entrance.

ELEVATOR

If you or your guests need to use the elevator, it should be booked in advance. It is located on the opposite side of the City Hall.

RAIN

There are several beautiful covered backdrops at the City Hall, such as the arcade and the beige walls.

RISE OR SOAP BUBBLES

Since it is not allowed to throw rice or rose petals due to cleaning difficulties, my recommendation is for your guests to blow soap bubbles instead.

ANIMALS

Animals are not allowed inside the City Hall, except for guide dogs.

CITY HALL Seasons

As a wedding photographer at the City Hall, I can confidently say that all times of the day and every season are beautiful in photos. From the morning in May to the sunset in December, there's so much stunning architecture to capture. Here, I’ve put together the conditions you can expect during different season

01 SPRING

It's quite a bright time of the year. In May, you can take photos with the green willow trees, water, and architecture

03 AUTHEM

02 SUMMER

The brightest part of the year allows for photography until around 7:00-8:00 PM. Afternoon and evening light is preferable as it is softer. Great backgrounds include willow trees, water, and architecture

A slightly darker season, but still great opportunities for bright photos. The wild vines are beautiful until the end of October. If you want a larger package, it's also possible to take photos by the yellow trees in Rålambshov Park.

04 WINTER

If you want bright photos, you need to schedule the ceremony during daylight hours—until around 2-3 PM. If you're okay with photos in the dark, it's perfectly fine to photograph with flash in the afternoon/evening.