Wedding at Eric Ericsonhallen

A wedding at Eric Ericsonhallen places your ceremony in one of Stockholm’s most distinctive rooms. The concert hall sits on Skeppsholmen, a short walk from Gamla Stan and Grand Hôtel, and occupies a former naval church built in 1842 and inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The dome, the arched windows and the 600 square metre main hall give weddings held here a scale and presence that few Stockholm venues can match.

Eric Ericsonhallen is best known in Stockholm as the home of the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir and as a concert hall with remarkable acoustics. For weddings, that same acoustic quality makes it one of the best venues in the city for live music during the ceremony. String quartets, choirs, solo pianists and full ensembles all sound exactly as they should in this room.

The concert hall on Skeppsholmen

Eric Ericsonhallen sits on Skeppsholmen, the island in central Stockholm that also houses Moderna Museet and several of the city’s most significant cultural institutions. The hall was built as a naval church in 1842, served that role for over a century, and has been repurposed as a concert hall and event venue since its deconsecration. The Pantheon-inspired dome remains the defining architectural feature.

The location gives weddings held here a central Stockholm address without the hotel-ballroom feel. Guests walk from Grand Hôtel (200 metres away) or the NK area across the bridge from the Nationalmuseum. For couples combining a Stockholm City Hall ceremony with an evening reception, Eric Ericsonhallen is a 5-minute taxi ride from the Stadshuset.

Capacity and room options

The main hall is the space most couples imagine when they picture a wedding at Eric Ericsonhallen. The 600 square metre room with its Pantheon-inspired dome seats up to 400 guests for a seated dinner and takes up to 430 guests theatre-style for a ceremony. For mid-sized weddings between 50 and 150 guests, the adjacent rooms provide a more intimate atmosphere while still giving access to the main hall for the ceremony or a cocktail hour.

Food and drink: working with Skeppsholmsgruppen

Eric Ericsonhallen works with Skeppsholmsgruppen (a Stockholm-based event and catering group that manages several venues on Skeppsholmen) as the sole food and drink provider. External catering is not permitted. Own drinks are not permitted. This is standard for most Stockholm cultural venues and simplifies planning: once you have agreed the menu and wine list with Skeppsholmsgruppen, the service, setup and pacing are all handled by one team.

Menus range from seasonal Nordic tasting menus to more traditional Swedish wedding dinners. Plan to taste the wines and menu during a planning visit. Dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, allergies, religious) are handled without friction if communicated at least 4 weeks before the wedding. For couples with international guests, the kitchen is experienced with halal, kosher and gluten-free requirements.

Pricing

Pricing depends on the size of your event, the choice of room and the season. A full evening in the main hall during high season (May through September) is a significant investment, while smaller rooms and weekday bookings are more accessible. All quotes come directly from Skeppsholmsgruppen. Ask for a written quote including VAT, staffing costs and any overtime before committing. Budget in the range of 1,500 to 2,500 SEK per person for food and drinks, plus venue hire, with significant variation depending on format.

Accommodation near Eric Ericsonhallen

Eric Ericsonhallen does not have accommodation on site. Stockholm has strong hotel options within walking distance. Grand Hôtel is the closest at 200 metres, followed by Hotel Skeppsholmen on the same island (a 5-minute walk along the quay) and the boutique properties in the Gamla Stan area across the bridge. For couples with many out-of-town guests, block-booking a single hotel for the weekend simplifies logistics and lets guests gather naturally before and after the wedding.

History: from naval church to concert hall

The building was constructed in 1842 as a naval church for the Swedish fleet stationed at Skeppsholmen. Designed by Fredrik Blom, the architect responsible for many of Stockholm’s neoclassical military buildings, it drew direct inspiration from the Pantheon in Rome. The circular plan, the dome, the central oculus (the opening at the top of the dome that lets light fall into the centre of the hall) and the surrounding columns are all Pantheon-style features adapted for a Swedish 19th century congregation.

The Swedish navy left Skeppsholmen in the 1960s and the church was deconsecrated. In 2011 the hall was renovated and reopened under the name Eric Ericsonhallen in honour of Eric Ericson, the Swedish choral conductor who led the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir and shaped 20th-century Swedish choral music. The hall now hosts concerts, weddings, corporate events and recording sessions. Its acoustics are recognised among the best in Sweden, which is one of the reasons live music works so well at weddings held here.

A photographer’s perspective on Eric Ericsonhallen

My name is Karin Lundin and I am a wedding photographer based in Stockholm. Eric Ericsonhallen is one of the most distinctive rooms I photograph in the city. The dome, the arched windows and the natural light falling through the central oculus give every wedding held here a graphic quality that is rare at Stockholm venues. Black-and-white images in particular take on a strong character because of the geometry of the space.

For practical notes: I photograph in natural light wherever possible, and Eric Ericsonhallen gives me plenty. The oculus lets a shaft of light move across the floor through the afternoon, and the arched windows on the upper walls carry that light into every corner. Portraits work well at the back of the hall where the dome rises above and the couple reads as small against the architecture. Ceremony photographs work best from a position slightly above eye level, which gives the dome space in the frame.

A wedding at Eric Ericsonhallen often runs as a formal ceremony followed by a seated dinner in the same room. The transition from ceremony to dinner takes 30 to 45 minutes while staff reset chairs and tables. I use that window for couple portraits on Skeppsholmen itself, usually along the quay facing the Royal Palace, with the water and the Old Town behind. It is one of the best portrait backdrops anywhere in Stockholm.

Want to capture the day on film as well? I often work alongside Nordvér Films. My partner there has a similar documentary approach, and we coordinate so neither of us gets in the way of the other or of the day. Film and photography together tell a more complete story, especially at venues like this where the architecture is as much part of the wedding as the people.

If you are comparing Eric Ericsonhallen with other Stockholm venues, my Stockholm wedding venue guide covers castles, city venues and archipelago options. For couples who also want a civil ceremony, my Stadshuset wedding guide is the natural companion.

Typical wedding day at Eric Ericsonhallen

Skeppsholmen: the island setting

Eric Ericsonhallen is one of several cultural institutions on Skeppsholmen, and the island setting is part of what makes weddings held here memorable. Skeppsholmen is connected to the mainland by a single bridge from the Nationalmuseum side, and the island holds Moderna Museet, Arkitektur- och designcentrum, the Swedish-American Foundation and Hotel Skeppsholmen alongside Eric Ericsonhallen. It is a quieter part of central Stockholm, with water on three sides and views across Strömmen toward Gamla Stan and the Royal Palace.

For couples planning a multi-day wedding weekend, Skeppsholmen itself works as a backdrop. A welcome cocktail on the quay before the rehearsal dinner at Hotel Skeppsholmen, a Saturday ceremony at Eric Ericsonhallen, and a Sunday brunch at Moderna Museet’s restaurant all happen within walking distance. For international guests unfamiliar with Stockholm, the island gives them a concentrated sense of the city without spreading them across multiple neighbourhoods.

Planning a destination wedding at Eric Ericsonhallen

Many weddings at Eric Ericsonhallen are destination weddings for international couples. The central location, the English-speaking staff at Skeppsholmsgruppen and the walking distance to top Stockholm hotels make logistics simpler than at venues further from the city.

For international guests: Stockholm Arlanda Airport is 45 minutes by express train or taxi from central Stockholm. Book hotel blocks at Grand Hôtel or Hotel Skeppsholmen so guests can walk to the ceremony. Include a printed guide in the welcome bag with addresses, phone numbers and walking directions in English.

For Swedish civil ceremonies: A legal civil wedding in Sweden requires hindersprövning (the Swedish Tax Agency’s impediment check). The certificate is valid for four months. Plan to start the paperwork 3 to 4 months before the wedding. Your planner or the Skeppsholmsgruppen coordinator can recommend officiants who conduct English-language civil ceremonies at Eric Ericsonhallen.

Common misconceptions about Eric Ericsonhallen

“It feels too formal for a modern wedding.” The architecture reads formal because of the dome and columns, but the atmosphere depends on how couples decorate and light the room. Soft lighting, low candles on the tables and a more intimate floral scheme turn the hall into a warm space for a relaxed evening. The building allows formality when you want it and steps back when you do not.

“We need a separate reception venue.” Most weddings at Eric Ericsonhallen use the same room for ceremony, dinner and dancing. The team resets the hall in 30 to 45 minutes between ceremony and dinner. For couples who prefer a change of scenery, an outdoor cocktail hour on the Skeppsholmen quay works well in summer.

“Church history makes it unsuitable for non-religious ceremonies.” The building has not been a church since the 1960s. It is a deconsecrated, restored concert hall with no religious function today. Civil ceremonies, symbolic ceremonies and multi-faith celebrations all happen here regularly.

Considering this venue for your wedding? I have photographed here several times and would love to share what I have seen work well. Get in touch and we will take it from there.

Key takeaways

• Former naval church from 1842, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Deconsecrated in the 1960s, now a concert hall and event venue on Skeppsholmen.
• Main hall seats up to 400 guests for a seated dinner, takes 430 theatre-style for a ceremony, holds 600 standing. Smaller rooms suit 40 to 150 guests.
• Exceptional acoustics. Live music during the ceremony is one of the strongest reasons couples choose this venue.
• Skeppsholmsgruppen handles all food and drink. External catering and own drinks are not permitted.
• Central Stockholm location. 200 metres to Grand Hôtel, 5 minutes to Gamla Stan across the bridge.
• No accommodation on site. Book a nearby hotel for the full wedding party.
• The dome, the arched windows and the Skeppsholmen quay make this one of Stockholm’s strongest venues for photography.

Frequently asked questions

How many guests can Eric Ericsonhallen hold?

The main hall seats up to 400 guests for a seated dinner and takes up to 430 guests theatre-style for a ceremony. Adjacent smaller rooms accommodate 40 to 80 guests for more intimate ceremonies or dinners. Standing receptions can hold up to 600.

Can we bring our own wine?

No. Skeppsholmsgruppen handles all food and drink at Eric Ericsonhallen. External catering and outside alcohol are not permitted. The wine list runs from classic Nordic pairings to French and Italian options, and the kitchen is flexible on menu customisation.

Is Eric Ericsonhallen accessible for guests with mobility needs?

Yes. The building was renovated in 2011 with accessibility in mind. Step-free access, accessible toilets and elevator access between levels are all in place. Discuss specific needs with the venue manager during planning.

How far in advance should we book?

12 to 18 months for peak summer (May to September), 6 to 12 months for the shoulder and off-season months. Eric Ericsonhallen is in demand from both weddings and concerts, so the calendar fills quickly. Book the photographer around the same time as the venue.

Can we have live music during the ceremony?

Yes, and it is one of the main reasons couples choose this venue. The acoustics are among the best in Sweden, which makes string quartets, full choirs, solo singers and chamber ensembles sound exceptional. The venue can recommend sound technicians if you need amplification.

Is there parking for guests?

Limited street parking exists on Skeppsholmen but the area is not designed for many cars. Most guests arrive by taxi, walking from a nearby hotel or via public transport (T-bana Kungsträdgården is a 10-minute walk). For larger weddings, consider block-booking a transfer bus from a nearby hotel.

Does Eric Ericsonhallen allow outdoor ceremonies?

The ceremony itself happens indoors, but the Skeppsholmen quay works well for an outdoor cocktail hour or couple portraits. Weather in Stockholm is rarely reliable enough for a fully outdoor ceremony, so most couples hold the ceremony inside and use the outdoor space for photos and mingling.

More wedding venues

See also: Top wedding venues in Stockholm, Nationalmuseum wedding, Stockholm City Hall wedding, Högberga Gård.