Wedding at Stockholm City Hall
Getting married at Stockholm City Hall is a choice for couples who want a simple, beautiful and meaningful ceremony in one of the city’s most iconic buildings. A wedding here is more than the legal moment, it is a quiet event with real symbolic weight, surrounded by architecture, history and the view across Riddarfjärden. Stockholm City Hall has long been a popular place for civil ceremonies, both for locals and for couples who travel here to say yes. Whether you arrive as just the two of you or with a small group, the City Hall gives the day a setting that feels both accessible and special.
WEDDING AT STOCKHOLM CITY HALL
A wedding at Stockholm City Hall is a civil ceremony format unlike any other in Sweden. The Stadshuset hosts the Nobel Banquet every December, and its Oval Hall, Prins Eugens Galleri and Gyllene Salen can all be used for wedding ceremonies throughout the year.
How a wedding ceremony at the City Hall works
A wedding at Stockholm City Hall is simple but ceremonial. The ceremony itself takes only a few minutes and is held in the Oval Room, a beautiful space with a view of Riddarfjärden. You are met by an officiant and a host who guide you through the whole process. You can bring witnesses and a small number of guests, but the count is limited. Ceremonies usually take place at fixed times and you book your slot in advance through the City of Stockholm. It is possible to make the ceremony more personal with your own vows, but it is worth checking what is allowed at the time of your booking.
What you need to know before the ceremony
Before you marry at Stockholm City Hall you need to apply for a Certificate of No Impediment (hindersprövning) from the Swedish Tax Agency, which confirms that you are free to marry. Once you have the approval, you can book a ceremony at the City Hall through the City of Stockholm’s website. Available dates are released a couple of months in advance and fill up quickly, especially popular Saturdays in summer. Plan to arrive in good time on the day and bring valid ID. If you want a small wedding in Stockholm, a ceremony at the City Hall is a perfect option.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO MARRY AT THE CITY HALL?
Marrying at Stockholm City Hall is an affordable option for couples who want a civil ceremony in a beautiful setting. The ceremony itself costs 800 SEK (about 73 EUR / 77 USD) if at least one of you is registered as living in Stockholm. For couples who are not registered in the city, the fee is 1,000 SEK (about 91 EUR / 95 USD). The fee is paid at the time of booking and is non-refundable. It covers the ceremony in the Oval Room as well as the host and officiant on site. Any extras, such as flowers or photography, are booked and paid for separately. It is a simple but ceremonial moment where much is already arranged, which makes it easy to plan without breaking the budget.
After the ceremony, ways to keep celebrating in the city
Location: Kungsholmen, central Stockholm
Ceremony fee: SEK 800 (Saturdays, as of 2026)
Duration: Approx. 10 minutes
Capacity: Up to 18 guests in the main ceremony room
Languages: Swedish and English
Official website: stockholm.se
A wedding ceremony at Stockholm City Hall is one of the most distinctive civil-ceremony formats in Sweden. The Stadshuset is the building where the Nobel Banquet is held each December, and its Gyllene Salen (Golden Hall), Prins Eugens Galleri and the Oval Hall are all available for civil wedding ceremonies.
>A wedding at Stockholm City Hall is a beautiful start to something bigger. The ceremony is short and formal, which also creates room to shape the rest of the day exactly the way you want. Many couples surprise their guests with a celebration that is already underway, perhaps a pre-booked bar where friends are waiting with bubbles, or a lunch at a nearby restaurant for a smaller group. Others book a larger wedding celebration straight after, for example at the Nationalmuseum, the Grand Hôtel or another beautiful city venue. It is a way to keep the simplicity of the ceremony and still create a complete experience for the whole day.
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AT STOCKHOLM CITY HALL
Capture the moment with a wedding photographer at the City Hall
Having a photographer with you during the ceremony at the City Hall makes a real difference, even though the ceremony is short. It is often the small, quiet moments that become the most valuable to keep, the look just before you walk in, hands meeting, the relief after the vows. I am happy to follow you through the day, whether you only want a few portraits outside the City Hall or are planning a bigger celebration afterwards. Together we create images that show not only how it looked, but how it felt.
Wedding photographer Karin Lundin
I photograph weddings with a calm, documentary feel, where the focus is on capturing what actually happens. With a background in both sociology and photography, I have learned to see the details that often pass unnoticed. I look for the light, movement and atmosphere that say something about your day in particular. My experience in different parts of the photography world has given me the confidence to work discreetly and attentively in any setting. The goal is not to make perfect pictures, but ones that feel honest and warm, that show not only how it looked but how it really was.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO BOOK A PHOTOGRAPHER?
Want to capture the day on film as well? I often work alongside Nordvér Films, who create cinematic wedding films with the same feeling for light and moments.
A photographer’s perspective on Stockholm City Hall
My name is Karin Lundin and I am a wedding photographer based in Stockholm. I have photographed many ceremonies at Stockholm City Hall. The ceremony itself is short – around ten minutes – which means every second counts. I always position myself to catch the window light from Riddarfjärden, which falls beautifully across the room.
My strongest tip: walk to Riddarholmen immediately after the ceremony. It is five minutes away, quiet, and the water gives you stunning portrait light. The best time is late afternoon when the sun is lower and the reflections from the water soften everything.
For ceremonies at the City Hall I offer shorter photography packages for couples who want to document the most important moments with presence and feeling. The price depends on how much of the day you want covered, perhaps just the ceremony and portraits, or the mingling and detail shots as well.
The essentials captured60 min
For couples who want to focus on the ceremony itself and a few portraits afterwards. We meet just before the ceremony and continue with images outside the City Hall in the setting that suits you best.
PRICE
9,000 SEK (about 815 EUR / 860 USD)
A calmer pace90 min
A short portrait session before the ceremony, the ceremony itself, group photos and a little mingling afterwards, without stress. The extra time means we can move between locations and create variety.
PRICE
12,000 SEK (about 1,090 EUR / 1,150 USD)
A whole little story3 hrs
For couples who want to document more of the day, perhaps from the preparations or the journey to the City Hall, the whole ceremony, portraits and a toast with the guests afterwards.
PRICE
18,000 SEK (about 1,635 EUR / 1,720 USD)
the city hall turns 100!
Stockholm City Hall celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023 and is one of Sweden’s most well known buildings. Designed by the architect Ragnar Östberg and inaugurated on Midsummer’s Eve in 1923, the City Hall has become a symbol of Stockholm, both through its place by Riddarfjärden and through the important events that take place inside it. Among other things, the Nobel Banquet is held here every year, as well as countless civil weddings for couples who choose to say yes in a setting that is both grand and accessible. Marrying at the City Hall is to step into a piece of living history and at the same time add your own story to it.
The history of the City Hall, a place with a strong presence
The building was designed by the architect Ragnar Östberg after a long planning process. The need for a new city hall was already being discussed in the late 1800s, and proper work began in 1903. It took 12 years to build the house, and the inauguration took place on 23 June 1923, on Midsummer’s Eve, exactly 400 years after Gustav Vasa’s entry into Stockholm.
From idea to reality
Stockholm City Hall is not only one of Sweden’s most well known buildings but also a place that carries a strong sense of symbolism, culture and history. It is a house many people associate with celebration and ceremony, but also with politics, everyday work and civil ceremonies. Marrying here means stepping into a setting that is rooted in both the soul of the city and in people’s life stories. The style is inspired by Venetian palace architecture, but with clearly Swedish materials and expression. The facade is made of eight million hand-laid bricks, and the City Hall tower rises 106 metres, crowned by the golden Three Crowns.
A building with many functions
Stockholm City Hall is still used as a workplace for politicians and civil servants. Decisions that affect the city’s residents are made here every day. But the house also holds another side, the ceremonial and symbolic. Most well known is perhaps the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Banquet is held each year, followed by dancing in the Golden Hall with its more than 18 million glass mosaic pieces in the walls.
A place for the big moments in life
For many people, the City Hall is closely connected with weddings. Civil ceremonies take place every week in the bright and beautiful Oval Room. The high ceiling, the marble floor and the view of Riddarfjärden create a ceremonial yet welcoming setting for couples who want to marry simply but with atmosphere. It is a place that works both for the small and the big, where history meets the present in every step through the vaulted hallways.
Read also my guide on how to choose the right wedding venue, with tips for different styles and budgets.
Would you like a photographer who captures the atmosphere at your wedding at the City Hall? Read more about how I work as a wedding photographer in Stockholm.
The ceremony is short. Expect around 10 minutes. It is formal and beautiful, but it goes fast – brief your photographer beforehand.
The light varies. Windows facing Riddarfjärden let in beautiful light, but it changes dramatically between seasons. Winter gives soft, blue tones. Summer gives warm, dramatic light.
Portraits at Riddarholmen. Walk out after the ceremony and take photos by the water – five minutes away and absolutely worth it.
Dinner happens elsewhere. City Hall does not have a reception venue – book a restaurant or event space nearby.
| Ceremony room | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Oval Hall | Up to 30 guests | Intimate civil ceremonies |
| Prins Eugens Galleri | Up to 50 guests | Small and medium ceremonies with harbour view |
| Gyllene Salen (Golden Hall) | Larger ceremonies (rare availability) | Special-occasion civil ceremonies |
After a City Hall ceremony, many couples continue to a nearby reception. My guides to Grand Hôtel, Nationalmuseum and Ett Hem cover the most common continuation venues.
Key takeaways
- Start with guest count and weekend format. That decides which part of the venue suits you.
- Photographer and venue usually book at the same time, 12 to 18 months before peak summer.
- Own-drinks and catering policy vary by venue. Clear this up early in the quote process.
- A rain plan for outdoor ceremonies is almost always necessary in Nordic weather.
- Choose a photographer who has worked at the venue before. The difference shows in the gallery.
For historical context, see Stockholm City Hall on Wikipedia and the official Stadshuset website.
Frequently asked questions about ceremonies at Stockholm City Hall
How do you book a wedding at Stockholm City Hall?
A wedding at Stockholm City Hall is booked through the city’s civil ceremony office. Slots are released on a rolling basis and popular dates fill up quickly, so it is worth booking early.
How many guests can you have at a wedding at the City Hall?
The number of guests depends on which room is booked. The smaller rooms hold a few guests, while the larger halls hold more. Contact the ceremony office for current details.
Are you allowed to take photos during the ceremony at the City Hall?
Yes, photography is allowed during the ceremony. As a wedding photographer in Stockholm I have photographed many ceremonies at the City Hall and I know which angles work best in the different rooms.
MORE WEDDING VENUES
Looking for other options? See the full overview of top wedding venues in Stockholm, or explore other places I photograph regularly:
- Wedding at Grand Hotel Stockholm, Central Stockholm, classic luxury by the water
- Wedding at Nationalmuseum Stockholm, Art museum in central Stockholm, unconventional
- Wedding at Häringe Slott, Castle south of Stockholm, water and park