easy breezy wedding day
Chicago’s City Hall has witnessed couples commit to each other for over 100 years, and true to its history, is a classic location for weddings, elopements, and civil unions for locals and out-of-towners! Me personally, I adore city hall weddings. It’s intimate - there’s a cap on party size - but at the same time, it can feel like a community event, especially when you’re waiting in line on a Saturday with numbers of other couples also looking to get married. And often, an affordable ceremony downtown opens up room in the wedding budget for other priorities.
Whether you’re getting married abroad and need to secure your marriage license first, or have a less conventional vision for your wedding, getting married at city hall might be for you.
C+D (below) decided to go the route of getting married at city hall in the morning, surrounded by immediate family, followed by an intimate DIY wedding reception, held at a Vrbo in the suburbs. While masking up for safety, they were still able to celebrate their big day in a way that meant everything to both the couple and their invited loved ones. And this photographer was there to capture it all, on film!
Or, you could follow K+R's example (further below), and pop into a nearby establishment (there are so many to choose from in downtown Chicago!) like the Chicago Cultural Center for some portraits before your courthouse celebration, and finish things off with a delicious meal nearby. Because let's be honest, no celebration is complete without some food!
Steps to getting married at city hall
01.
get your marriage license
Obtaining your marriage license can be done almost entirely online. You can start your application for it here, but you’ll both need to present your official identification documents in person. Acceptable forms of identification include: state ID, passport, or driver’s license. Note, you’ll also need to obtain your license at least one day before your appointment or desired wedding date.
02.
Pick a date
Virtual (zoom) appointments are available by request, just call 312-603-5660. In-person marriage court is available Tuesday through Friday, from 9am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm without an appointment. If you're interested in tying the knot on a Saturday, you’ll need an appointment. Marriage court is open from 9am - 12pm on Saturdays.
When you make your Saturday appointment, you’ll likely be given a 9am or 9:30am appointment time. This doesn’t mean your turn in front of the judge will actually happen at this time, so be prepared to wait! I highly recommend arriving as early as you can to secure your spot in line.
Please note - city hall will be closed Sundays and on federal holidays. For extra certainty, you can reference their official list of legal holidays here.
03.
Plan your ceremony
You can expect your actual ceremony to last anywhere between 3-5 minutes. If you have rings or vows you’d like to exchange, you can easily incorporate it - as a matter of fact, the judge will likely ask you if you have either. Don’t forget to bring along $10 in cash to pay your ceremony fee!
Guests are allowed into marriage court with you, but be warned, it’s a small room and a tight fit if you take advantage of the 15 guest count total. Cameras are allowed, and I would say, highly recommended ;)
04.
Making your city hall wedding ~yours~
The rules for getting married at City Hall are simple, which is perfect for couples looking for a low/no-fuss wedding, which means you can really make it what you want. Want to rock up in sweatsuits? Yes, please. Or maybe a glitz-and-glam ballgown or tux? Let’s do it. The vibe at marriage court is far more relaxed than your typical full wedding day, so lean into it and have fun!
