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Guide to A Chic UK Civil Ceremony: Wedding Style At City Hall

Guide to A Chic UK Civil Ceremony: Wedding Style At City Hall


Alison Hargreaves
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
8th of March 2023

Looking to keep it simple? We fell in love with Carrie Bradshaw and Mr Big's perfectly understated I do's. Especially with those Manolos (swoon). For stylish, forward couples looking to get hitched without all the fuss in the city, turn towards the NY trend for City Hall Weddings this Spring Season. To put the UK spin on this, we're here to shout out to civil ceremonies, town halls and civic elegance. 

Countless couples are embracing the new age freedom of putting all their cards on the table, upping sticks and dashing to get those rings exchanged! You've seen it on TV,  film and read it in books - eloping can be the ultimate statement in the world of romance! 

No Dress Code

City Hall Weddings are oh so very Vogue. Their street style photographers have a field day snapping away at slick looking couples making their way down the steps of famed historical buildings! The first thing we all notice? Flawless dress sense with a non-traditional twist. As we've seen from the streets of New York, where City Hall weddings are concerned, there are no rules. You can accessorise like there's no tomorrow and go for eye-catching, snappy choices as far as your outfit is concerned. 

Killer After-Party 

Where would we go for? In a word, London. With rooftops, quirky bars and fantastic pop-ups, your after-party can be whatever you want it to be. Whether you have a restaurant host a family dinner for you to toast your nuptials, or hunt out the trendiest tucked away, hidden spots on offer - let your party do all the talking! We love the pictures from Ashley and Liam's city reception! 

Couple-focused

First things first: Be sure to read up on the run through of a civil ceremony. We love how you-centric a stint at the Town Hall can be - tradition, formality and all the hassle can go out the window in favour of the couple, your promise to each other and a few key witnesses! Especially as you can choose who's there, in far smaller numbers than filling a church! Grab your best friends, your nearest and dearest, but don't stress - intimacy and togetherness is key. 

Fabulous Features 

Less is more. Minimalism will never go out of style - with a civil ceremony, there doesn't have to be any fuss. The beauty of town halls is that many of them are housed in historical buildings, for example, check out Oxford Town Hall! The centrality of these locations, combined with a city ambience, offers plenty of in-house architecture and backdrops for your wedding photos. There's also a grandness to many city halls up and down the UK, just like their NY counterparts, which offer notable staircases, high ceilings and fabulous carvings. 

Living for the Weekend

See the sights, take a lazy brunch - this kind of wedding is the perfect excuse for a city break mini-moon! You could even go for a weekend wedding, stretching the celebration over a laid-back couple of days. Take your wedding from room-to-room to squeeze in cocktail sessions, impromptu dances and al fresco dining - all to add to the overall experience! 

Feeling inspired?

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Alison Hargreaves

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

Alison is the founder of Guides for Brides and Beyond Weddings. She has extensive knowledge of the most popular wedding and honeymoon destinations in the UK and overseas as well as researching, visiting and experiencing many unique locations for couples looking for something really different, from iconic cruise ships and train journeys to remote eco safari lodges.

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