A simple guide for couples planning an intimate ceremony
City Hall weddings have a quiet kind of magic. No elaborate timelines. No months of planning. Just you, the people who matter most, a small ceremony, and the city waiting outside.
If you're planning a City Hall wedding in Toronto, the process is actually quite simple once you know the steps. This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from getting your marriage licence to booking your ceremony.
Step 1: Apply for Your Marriage Licence
Before you can get married in Toronto, you'll need a marriage licence and the process is easier than it sounds.
You start online, then book a quick in-person appointment to pick it up. The appointment itself usually takes about 15 minutes. Couples each need to bring two pieces of government-issued ID, so it's worth double-checking that before you go.
Appointments are available at Toronto City Hall and North York Civic Centre. You can apply here: Marriage Licence Application
One thing to keep in mind: your licence is valid for 3 months, so once you have it, your ceremony date is on the clock.
Step 2: Choose Where You Want to Get Married
In Toronto, couples typically choose between two iconic locations:
New City Hall - 100 Queen St West
This is the modern curved building at Nathan Phillips Square.
Inside, you'll find the Wedding Chambers, where many intimate civil ceremonies take place. The space is simple, bright, and perfect for small gatherings.
The ceremony space includes the officiant and costs approximately $325 + HST.
Guests are welcome, though seating is limited to around 15 people, making it ideal for a small celebration.
Old City Hall - 60 Queen St West
Just across the street from Nathan Phillips Square, Old City Hall offers a much more historic setting.
With its grand stone architecture, dramatic staircases, and beautiful arched windows, it’s one of the most photogenic civic buildings in Toronto.
Civil ceremonies are occasionally offered here as well, depending on availability through the City of Toronto. If you're drawn to a more classic or historic atmosphere, this is a beautiful option.
Not sure which location is right for you? I've written a full comparison guide, you can read it here.
New City Hall
Old City Hall
Step 3: Book Your Ceremony
Once you have your licence, you can go ahead and book your ceremony. The ceremony itself is short, usually 15 to 20 minutes, but don't let that fool you. In my experience photographing these moments, those 20 minutes can be some of the most emotionally charged of the entire day.
You'll need your marriage licence, two witnesses, and that's really it. Rings are optional, and if you want to include personal vows, you're welcome to. Some couples arrive with handwritten notes. Others say everything in a look.
After that, the day is completely yours.
Step 4: Plan What Happens After
One of my favourite things about City Hall weddings is what happens after the ceremony.
This is when the day becomes truly yours.
Some couples:
• walk through Nathan Phillips Square
• take the subway in their wedding clothes
• visit the place where they had their first date
• grab coffee or champagne nearby
• take the subway in their wedding clothes
• visit the place where they had their first date
• grab coffee or champagne nearby
It’s often these quiet, spontaneous moments that make the photographs feel the most meaningful.
A Small Ceremony, A Big Memory
City Hall weddings are small by design, and that's exactly what makes them so powerful.
When you strip everything back, what's left is just the two of you, the moment, and the decision to start your life together. There's nothing to distract from that.
Sometimes a ceremony, a walk through the city, and a handful of photographs is all you need to remember a day forever.
