BELFAST CITY HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Belfast City Hall has a number of set time slots each day. You pick your time & will be asked to arrive 15-20 minutes before your ceremony slot. Once you arrive you will be greeted by your Registrar who will ask you both a few quick questions before the ceremony begins. If you want to do a traditional entrance walking down the aisle to music you can, or you can both casually dander into the room together. Once the ceremony begins you will exchange set vows, exchange rings if you wish & do all the bits to make it legal. After your first cheeky kiss as a newly married couple you’ll sign the paperwork. For this bit you need two witnesses. This can either be two of your guests or if you’re eloping I can step in as your photographer to be one of your witnesses. Once the paperwork is signed you’re done. You can make a grand exit to music or simply stroll out into the world as a newly married couple.

A Belfast City Hall ceremony is short & sweet. If you opt for the absolute bare bones you can be in & out within as little as 10 minutes. If you fancy drawing it out a little by adding in a reading or playing a bit of music you can do that too but all in you’ll be legally married in approx 20 minutes.

First off forget the ‘should’ and think about what you’d like to wear. Maybe you fancy a suit, a jumpsuit, a big traditional white wedding dress, a colourful dress, an evening gown, a short dress - YOU DO YOU. Literally anything goes at Belfast City Hall, if you fancy rocking in jeans & t-shirt then do just that.

Luckily for you, Belfast City Hall is a beautiful building. It’s got crazy high ceilings with stunning marble work, dramatic floors & huge stained-glass windows. It’s a busy council building so your time inside is limited but we can head straight to the good spots & grab a couple of quick relaxed portraits before heading out into the grounds. There are lots of photo options within & around the grounds so if you want to stay close we can get it all done at Belfast City Hall. Alternatively if you fancy a stroll through the city or jumping in a taxi I can take you to other iconic Belfast photo locations.

How much photography coverage would you like? Would you like your full day covered from prep until your evening party or do you just want the ceremony documented & a couple of ‘pretty pictures’ or maybe something in between. Let’s chat and figure out what feels like a good fit for your story.

One of the best things about getting married at Belfast City Hall is you’re a stones throw from brilliant bars, restaurants & hotels. Whether you’re eloping & fancy a romantic meal for two or heading to the pub to celebrate with family & friends, the options are endless. Here are a few of my faves:

The Merchant, The Grand Central, Deanes, AMPM, Cafe Parisian & Molly’s Yard.

Your ceremony is about you getting married and it’s important that you are focused on what’s happening in the moment & not distracted by a photographer faffing about. That’s why I hang back & document things as they naturally unfold. After the ceremony we’ll invite your guests to head to the staircase while we hang back to get relaxed photos of you around the stunning Rotunda. Then we’ll head to the staircase before going outside for any family/group photos that you’d like. After these we’ll get your loved ones to head for a drink or to your reception & we’ll have a relaxed stroll around the city hall grounds capturing portraits. If you’re heading to a local venue we’ll stroll that way & make it part of our photo adventure.