Make Beautiful Memories with a City Hall Wedding in Chicago
As a Chicago wedding photographer, I get the chance to capture some of the most amazing days! And while every event I experience tends to be pretty wonderful, nothing compares to the intimacy of a private city hall wedding. This is your chance to strip away all the pretenses and simply celebrate your love for your partner. City hall weddings give you the freedom and flexibility you typically cannot find with a larger event. If you have been considering a smaller elopement for your wedding, I would love to help you out! Here’s everything you need to know to plan a city hall wedding in Chicago!
Learn All You Need To Know For Planning A City Hall Wedding In Chicago
Picking Your Date for Your City Hall Wedding in Chicago
The very first thing you want to do when you plan your wedding is pick the date. Do you want a carefully planned wedding, or would you prefer something a little more spontaneous and unexpected? If you don’t feel like booking an appointment ahead of time, you can swing by City Hall Tuesday – Friday from 9 AM-11:30 AM and leave with a brand new spouse (as long as you have the right paperwork, of course!). Just keep in mind the center is closed for court holidays.
If you would prefer a Saturday wedding, you will need an appointment. You can make one up to 2 months in advance and schedule an appointment for either 9 or 9:30. Unfortunately, that appointment doesn’t actually guarantee your wedding time. They typically schedule multiple weddings for the same time slot and will call you one at a time. Normally, you can expect a 1-1.5 hour wait until you are actually exchanging vows.
How and When to Get Your Chicago Marriage License
Okay, now for all the legalese. In order to get your marriage license in Cook County, both people are required to go to one of the Clerk’s offices (there are six in total). While you are there, you have to present a valid ID. If you want to get the process started ahead of time, they let you fill out the application online, but you must still go up in person and present your ID once it is complete.
While it might not save you much time, it’s a great option for those wonderful type-A people who like making sure they have everything in order! You will receive the license that day, and from there, you will bring it with you to get married. Once the vows have been exchanged, the judge will sign it and then return it to City Hall. From there, you can pick it up in 7-10 business days.
While it is technically possible to get your license the same day as your ceremony, it might be a time crunch. I would advise you to get it done ahead of time so it’s one less thing to worry about! The application will stay in the system for up to 15 days.
How Much Does a City Hall Wedding Cost?
The nice thing about a City Hall elopement is that you can control the costs pretty easily. Want to have a low-key ceremony followed by a private dinner at a nearby bistro? You can do that! Would you prefer to get wild and wear a designer gown before meeting up with all your friends for a splashy party? You can do that, too!
There are a few things you will need to budget, though.
- Marriage License: When you apply for your Cook County marriage license, you will pay a $60 fee.
- Ceremony Fee: When you go to reserve your appointment time, they will charge $10, which you must pay IN CASH!
Once you have all that, it’s time to start thinking about all the little details. I know some couples who walk down the aisle with a $300 bouquet from a florist, and I know others who DIY their own with $20 flowers from Trader Joe’s. The one thing I do encourage you to invest in is a photographer. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and you want to make sure you capture every aspect! I would budget $1,500-$5,000 for this.
What to Wear to Your City Hall Wedding in Chicago
Once you have the details worked out, it’s time to start thinking about what you will wear. My first suggestion? Dress for the weather. If you have spent any amount of time in Chicago, you know how cold it can get during winter and how unbearably hot it can get during summer. The good news is that you will be inside for most of it, but you may need to walk to get to the courthouse; plus, you need to be ready for pictures afterward!
From there, it’s just a matter of finding pieces that make you feel great. Again, the beauty of an elopement is getting to customize it however you want. Maybe you want your Liz Lemon moment with a Princess Leia dress, or maybe you want a Cubs jersey to celebrate this city. Be yourselves! If that means designer suits and gowns, go for it! No one gets to define your love story but you.
The Logistics on Your City Hall Wedding Day
There are a few more logistics you need to be aware of. First of all, crowd sizes. This is going to be an incredibly intimate moment, with up to 10 guests allowed. Even with that limit, those rooms will be exceptionally cramped. It is a good idea to only include your closest people.
Next, you need to make sure you enter the right place, especially if you have an appointment. If you are late, they WILL give away your spot, so don’t miss it. The entrance is at 118 N. Clark Street at City Hall. Once you are there, head to the Lower Level, where you will find the Marriage Court. You will need to have everything, including valid IDs, your marriage license, and $10 IN CASH.
Your actual service will be pretty swift. Remember, there are a lot of people waiting to get before the judge, and there’s only a short amount of time. Each wedding lasts around 3-5 minutes long. You can write a few brief words to share. Just be sure to tell the judge ahead of time.
Don’t Forget a Photographer!
City Hall does not have any photographers there to capture your moment, so if you want to remember it, you need to book one yourself. Maybe I am biased, but this is going to be one of the best investments you can make for your day! If you book my services, I can work with you to create a custom package so you can remember every blissful second of this whirlwind romance. You will get around 2-6 hours of coverage, so you can have some pictures both during and after your celebration.
I Hope You Enjoyed Learning About A City Hall Wedding In Chicago
If you want to learn more about booking a photographer for your City Hall wedding in Chicago, let’s connect! I would love to have a thorough conversation so you can know if my style matches yours. Send me a message today to find out more!
