Chicago City Hall Wedding: A Guide to Getting Married in the Windy City

2021-05-27

wedding

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. If you're considering a Chicago City Hall wedding, there are a few things you need to know to make sure your big day goes smoothly.

Getting married at Chicago City Hall is a popular option for couples who want a simple and affordable wedding. The process is relatively straightforward, and the venue is beautiful and historic.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about getting married at Chicago City Hall, from the legal requirements to the ceremony itself.

Chicago City Hall Wedding

Here are 9 important things to know about getting married at Chicago City Hall:

Legal requirements: You must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk's Office.
Ceremony fee: The fee for a civil ceremony is $55.
Witnesses: You must have two witnesses present at your ceremony.
Ceremony location: Ceremonies are held in the City Council Chambers.
Ceremony length: Ceremonies are typically 15 minutes long.
Photography: Photography is allowed during the ceremony.
Parking: There is limited street parking available near City Hall.
Accessibility: City Hall is wheelchair accessible.
Appointments: Appointments are required for all ceremonies.

For more information, please visit the Chicago City Clerk's website.

Legal requirements: You must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk's Office.

To obtain a marriage license in Cook County, you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years old.
Not be related by blood.
Not be married to anyone else.

You will also need to provide the following documents:

A valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport.
Your Social Security number.
$60 in cash for the marriage license fee.

You can apply for a marriage license in person at the Cook County Clerk's Office. The office is located at 69 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. You can also apply for a marriage license online.

Once you have obtained your marriage license, you must present it to the officiant who will perform your ceremony. The officiant will then file the marriage license with the Cook County Clerk's Office.

For more information, please visit the Cook County Clerk's website.

Ceremony fee: The fee for a civil ceremony is $55.

The fee for a civil ceremony at Chicago City Hall is $55. This fee includes the following:

Officiant fee: The officiant fee is $35.
Ceremony fee: The ceremony fee is $20.

The ceremony fee is non-refundable. You must pay the ceremony fee in cash or by money order. You can pay the ceremony fee at the City Clerk's Office or on the day of your ceremony.

Witnesses: You must have two witnesses present at your ceremony.

The two witnesses must be at least 18 years old and must be able to understand the significance of the ceremony. The witnesses can be friends, family members, or anyone else who is not a party to the marriage.

The witnesses will be asked to sign the marriage license after the ceremony. The witnesses' signatures are required to make the marriage legal.

If you do not have two witnesses, you can ask the officiant to provide witnesses for you. However, there may be an additional fee for this service.

It is important to choose witnesses who are reliable and who will be able to attend your ceremony on time.

Ceremony location: Ceremonies are held in the City Council Chambers.

Ceremonies at Chicago City Hall are held in the City Council Chambers. The City Council Chambers is a beautiful and historic room that is located on the second floor of City Hall.

Capacity: The City Council Chambers can accommodate up to 50 guests.
Seating: The City Council Chambers has pews that can seat up to 50 guests.
Accessibility: The City Council Chambers is wheelchair accessible.
Decorations: You are not allowed to decorate the City Council Chambers for your ceremony.

The City Council Chambers is a popular location for weddings, so it is important to book your ceremony in advance. You can book your ceremony by calling the City Clerk's Office at (312) 744-4900.

Ceremony length: Ceremonies are typically 15 minutes long.

Ceremonies at Chicago City Hall are typically 15 minutes long. This includes the time for the officiant to read the ceremony script, for the couple to exchange vows, and for the couple to sign the marriage license.

If you would like a longer ceremony, you can ask the officiant to add additional readings or music. However, the ceremony cannot be longer than 30 minutes.

It is important to keep your ceremony length in mind when planning your wedding. You will want to make sure that you have enough time to exchange vows and sign the marriage license, but you also want to make sure that your guests do not get bored.

Here is a sample timeline for a 15-minute ceremony:

Officiant reads the ceremony script (5 minutes)
Couple exchanges vows (5 minutes)
Couple signs the marriage license (3 minutes)
Officiant pronounces the couple married (2 minutes)

Photography: Photography is allowed during the ceremony.

Photography is allowed during the ceremony at Chicago City Hall. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

No flash photography: Flash photography is not allowed during the ceremony. This is because the flash can be distracting to the couple and the officiant.
Be respectful of the other guests: When taking photos, please be respectful of the other guests. Do not block their view of the ceremony.
Do not use a tripod: Tripods are not allowed in the City Council Chambers.

If you are planning to hire a photographer to photograph your ceremony, be sure to let them know about the photography restrictions at Chicago City Hall.

In addition to the above restrictions, the following photography services are also available at Chicago City Hall:

Official City Hall photographer: The City of Chicago offers a photography service for weddings at City Hall. The official City Hall photographer can take photos of your ceremony and provide you with a CD of the photos.
Private photographer: You can also hire a private photographer to take photos of your ceremony. However, you must obtain a permit from the City Clerk's Office before hiring a private photographer.

Parking: There is limited street parking available near City Hall.

There is limited street parking available near Chicago City Hall. The streets around City Hall are metered, so you will need to bring change with you if you plan to park on the street.

There are also a few parking garages located near City Hall. The closest parking garage is the City Hall Parking Garage, which is located at 118 N. Clark Street. The City Hall Parking Garage charges $20 for event parking.

If you are planning to drive to your wedding at City Hall, it is important to arrive early to find a parking spot. You may also want to consider carpooling or taking public transportation.

Here are some tips for finding parking near Chicago City Hall:

Arrive early: The earlier you arrive, the more likely you are to find a parking spot on the street.
Bring change: The streets around City Hall are metered, so you will need to bring change with you if you plan to park on the street.
Consider carpooling or public transportation: Carpooling or taking public transportation can help you avoid the hassle of finding parking.

Accessibility: City Hall is aûû.

Chicago City Hall is accessible to people with disabilities. The building has ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.

In addition, the City of Chicago offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities participate in civic events, including weddings.

Sign language interpreters: The City of Chicago provides sign language interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Assistive listening devices: The City of Chicago provides assistive listening devices for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Wheelchair ramps: The City of Chicago provides wheelchair ramps at all of its public buildings, including City Hall.
Accessible restrooms: The City of Chicago provides accessible restrooms in all of its public buildings, including City Hall.

If you have any questions about accessibility at Chicago City Hall, please contact the City of Chicago's Department of Disability and Human Services at (312) 744-4096.

The City of Chicago is committed to providing equal access to all of its services, including weddings. If you have any questions or need any accommodations, please do not hesitate to contact the City of Chicago's Department of Disability and Human Services.

Appointments: Appointments are required for all ceremonies.

Appointments are required for all ceremonies at Chicago City Hall. You can make an appointment by calling the City Clerk's Office at (312) 744-4900.

When you call to make an appointment, you will need to provide the following information:

Your name
Your partner's name
The date and time you would like to get married
The type of ceremony you would like

The City Clerk's Office will then send you a confirmation email with your appointment details.

It is important to arrive at your appointment on time. If you are late, you may have to reschedule your ceremony.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about getting married at Chicago City Hall:

Question 1: What are the legal requirements to get married at Chicago City Hall?
Answer 1: You must be at least 18 years old, not related by blood, and not married to anyone else. You will also need to obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk's Office.

Question 2: How much does it cost to get married at Chicago City Hall?
Answer 2: The fee for a civil ceremony is $55. This fee includes the officiant fee and the ceremony fee.

Question 3: How long do ceremonies typically last?
Answer 3: Ceremonies at Chicago City Hall typically last 15 minutes.

Question 4: Can I have a religious ceremony at Chicago City Hall?
Answer 4: No, religious ceremonies are not allowed at Chicago City Hall.

Question 5: Can I bring my own officiant?
Answer 5: No, you cannot bring your own officiant. The officiant must be a judge, magistrate, or other person authorized to perform marriages in the State of Illinois.

Question 6: Can I get married at Chicago City Hall on the weekend?
Answer 6: No, ceremonies are not performed on weekends at Chicago City Hall.

If you have any other questions about getting married at Chicago City Hall, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (312) 744-4900.

Now that you know all about the legal requirements and procedures for getting married at Chicago City Hall, here are a few tips to help you plan your big day:

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you plan your Chicago City Hall wedding:

Tip 1: Book your ceremony early. Ceremonies at Chicago City Hall are popular, so it is important to book your ceremony as early as possible. You can book your ceremony up to one year in advance.

Tip 2: Arrive early. On the day of your ceremony, it is important to arrive early to allow time for parking and check-in. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before your ceremony is scheduled to begin.

Tip 3: Bring your marriage license. You must bring your marriage license with you to your ceremony. The officiant will need to see your marriage license before they can perform the ceremony.

Tip 4: Be prepared for a short ceremony. Ceremonies at Chicago City Hall are typically 15 minutes long. This is enough time to exchange vows and sign the marriage license, but it is not enough time for a long ceremony.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your Chicago City Hall wedding is a success.

Getting married at Chicago City Hall is a great way to save money and have a simple and beautiful wedding. By following these tips, you can make sure that your big day is everything you dreamed of.

Conclusion

Getting married at Chicago City Hall is a great option for couples who want a simple and affordable wedding. The process is relatively straightforward, and the venue is beautiful and historic.

Here is a summary of the main points to keep in mind:

You must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk's Office.
The fee for a civil ceremony is $55.
You must have two witnesses present at your ceremony.
Ceremonies are held in the City Council Chambers.
Ceremonies are typically 15 minutes long.
Photography is allowed during the ceremony.
There is limited street parking available near City Hall.
City Hall is wheelchair accessible.
Appointments are required for all ceremonies.