If an intimate, fuss-free wedding is what you have in mind for tying the knot, then an Ottawa City Hall wedding with your closest people may be the way to go. It can be a simple, elegant way to get married without the stress of planning a large-scale, elaborate affair.
About Ottawa City Hall Weddings
Ottawa City Hall Weddings – known as Civil Marriage Ceremonies – are a simple, solemn way to tie the knot. It’s a way for couples to legally commit to each other without the pomp and circumstance – and oftentimes huge price tag – that can come with traditional wedding celebrations. And they’re definitely gaining in popularity!
Cynthia & Yves have been together for a while. They chose an Ottawa City Hall Wedding to officially tie the knot. They celebrated behind closed doors with their children and parents and arranged a portrait session with me for afterwards.
Ottawa City Hall Weddings – Location and Timings
French and English Civil Marriage Ceremonies are available at Ottawa City Hall at 110 Laurier. Ceremonies are 20 minutes long and can be booked weekdays on the hour starting at 9am. Fridays also have later timeslots like 5pm and 6pm. Additionally, Saturday ceremonies are available 1 – 3pm. Ample parking is available on site and on the surrounding streets of Ottawa City Hall.
What you Need for Your Ceremony
The minimum age requirement for an Ottawa Civil Marriage is 18 without parental consent.
Ceremonies must be booked in person at the Client Service Centre in advance of the date you’d like your Civil Marriage to take place. The fee is $200 – $300 depending on the day of the week you book and is due upon booking.
On the day of your Ottawa City Hall Wedding, you’ll need a valid Ontario marriage licence, two witnesses and government-issued photo id for each partner.
Rings are optional.
Only 10 people maximum are allowed for your ceremony. Those numbers include your officiant, witnesses and guests.
For the most up-to-date information about eligibility, licenses and booking it’s best to visit the Ottawa City Hall’s official website.
The Grounds of Ottawa City Hall + Photography Opportunities
Couples don’t have to fear that their photos will look dull and boring with an Ottawa City Hall Wedding. The grounds of Ottawa City Hall are quite beautiful. Outdoors, there are gardens and stone backdrops that make perfect settings for family photos and couples’ photos. Indoors, the vibe is museum-like, with artwork and sculptures lining the walls and hallways. There is lots of natural light and architectural details that can be creatively included in photos.
These boulders are in the courtyard of Ottawa City Hall and can give a creative, editorial look to wedding photos – making it look like you were in a rocky canyon and not downtown Ottawa!
Additionally, for a different look, there are lots of photography locations within a short walking distance from Ottawa City Hall. Some favourites are:
- National Arts Centre (NAC) – the public spaces are available for photography
- Major’s Hill Park
- The Chateau Laurier (outdoors)
- National Capital Commission (NCC) underpass and locks
- Senate Building (outdoors)
Cynthia and Yves took advantage of the NCC and the Senate Building following their Ottawa City Hall wedding!
Ideas for Celebrating after Afterwards
An intimate supper at one of the many downtown Ottawa restaurants is a fitting way to celebrate after your Ottawa City Hall wedding. Cynthia & Yves arranged to have their family meet them at Milestone’s near the Chateau Laurier where we ended their portrait session, but other downtown favourites near Ottawa City Hall are:
- Parlour
- Starling Restaurant
- Giulia
- North & Navy
- Beckta
- Sidedoor
Ottawa City Hall Weddings
Ottawa City Hall Weddings can be small in size but not in impact. Yes, they became quite popular during Covid because of numbers restrictions, BUT they continue to REMAIN popular outside of Covid because they truly are an intimate way for couples to come together and celebrate with their closest people.
If you are considering a City Hall Wedding and are looking for a quality photographer to capture your moments, look no further than my experience and my portfolio. Don’t hesitate to reach out to find out how I can capture YOUR intimate day! Contact me HERE.
Looking for a Downtown Ottawa Wedding Venue with a small room to host your intimate wedding? Try:
Sala San Marco Weddings | Italian Banquet Hall or Lago Weddings | Ottawa Lakeside Wedding Venue
or even National Arts Centre Weddings – Downtown Ottawa Wedding Venue
