A Complete Guide to Planning Your Dublin City Hall Wedding
Dublin City Hall was built in the late 1700s and has hosted weddings from 2009. With it’s domed ceiling, marble columns and beautiful Rotunda at the centre it gives wedding ceremonies an elegant and romantic feel and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most sought after ceremony spaces in Dublin. If you’re considering booking this beautiful space for your own wedding ceremony, or are just starting to plan your Dublin City Hall wedding here’s everything you need to know to make sure you have the best day.
Dublin City Hall Wedding Costs & What’s Included
The total ceremony cost is €1,250, including a booking fee of €550 to hold your date. A booking can be made through the City Hall Events Office up to 24 months in advance. The remaining balance of €700 is due one month before your wedding.
Important to note that you’ll need to contact the HSE (Health Service Executive) directly, anywhere from 12 months before your chosen date, to give notice of your intention to marry and book a registrar (a minimum of 3 months notice is required). There is an additional cost of around €300 for the registrar.
Included in your Dublin City Hall wedding booking is 3 hours of exclusive access to the City Hall allowing time before your ceremony, the ceremony itself and time afterwards for photos and possibly a drinks reception. Note that the building will close at 5pm so your ceremony time should be planned accordingly.
Also included is a simple but very elegant set up with seating for your guests, an antique table and chairs for the signing of the register and a PA system for music and readings (City Hall staff are on hand to help with the logistics here).
Dublin City Hall Wedding Timings and Ceremony Options
City Hall hosts both civil and humanist ceremonies. Civil weddings with a registrar take place Monday to Friday, while humanist ceremonies can also be held on Saturdays. Weekend slots are usually scheduled for midday to mid-afternoon, while weekday timings are a more flexible but must finish before the building closes.
A typical timeline might begin with guests arriving around 12:30pm, and ceremony starting at 1pm with group photos and couple portraits to follow. By around 3pm, family and guests are ready to move on to your reception venue and this works especially well if your reception venue is nearby.
The Best Photo Locations Near Dublin City Hall
After making use of the beautiful architecture inside the city hall, step outside and you’re surrounded by even more incredible backdrops for portraits.
Dublin Castle and Parliament Street give lots of drama and history, or head to Temple Bar for cobbled streets, colourful walls and plenty of energy. For something more industrial, the Guinness Storehouse area has cool arches and old brickwork with a modern feel. When you think city centre wedding, a backdrop of lush greenery doesn’t typically come to mind but it’s totally possible in the very pretty Iveagh Gardens.
Things to Consider When Planning a Dublin City Hall Wedding
If your reception venue isn’t within walking distance factor in a wee bit of extra time for guests to travel across the city. Photography is best when there’s plenty of daylight to work with, so as with all weddings, try to avoid late afternoon ceremonies in winter. Weather in Dublin is unpredictable, so it’s always worth having a backup plan (usually a pub!) for portraits. One final thing to be aware of is that Dublin City Hall Rotunda is perfect for medium-sized guest lists, but if you’re planning something larger (eg 150+ guests) it’s best to double check capacity with the Events Office.
Dublin Reception Venues After a City Hall Ceremony
Because City Hall hosts ceremonies only, you’ll need a reception space elsewhere in the city. No. 25 Fitzwilliam Place is a beautifully restored Georgian townhouse with intimate dining rooms that suit smaller guest lists.
Fallon & Byrne is another favourite of mine – not only is the food incredible but the location is very central with so many cool streets nearby for photos. For a more luxurious option go for The Shelbourne Hotel which overlooks St Stephen’s Green and has beautifully grand ballrooms. Other nearby hotels such as The Westbury, The Merrion, and The Morrison also provide elegant wedding reception spaces and accommodation.
Choosing Your Dublin Wedding Photographer
I’m based in Belfast, and love to shoot city centre weddings, regularly traveling to Dublin to photograph weddings including ceremonies at City Hall. My approach is editorial and relaxed, providing wedding photos with a luxury feel that capture the true essence of your day.
If you’re searching for a Dublin Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographers Dublin, or Irish Wedding Photographer, Dublin City Hall is one of the venues I love to shoot at.
Final Word
A Dublin City Hall wedding is romantic, elegant, and so very cool. The photo opportunities are endless, and with the right reception venue it flows into a seamless day. For couples who want history, atmosphere, and cool Dublin City centre energy wrapped into one, it’s the clear choice for your wedding ceremony.
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