Your Leeds Civic Hall wedding, told honestly

The legal ceremony is usually 15 to 20 minutes, but the registrars allocate a 45-minute slot in total. That covers guests being seated and your pre-ceremony legal interview, so there’s more breathing room in the day than the ceremony length alone suggests.

You can have a traditional reveal at the aisle instead of seeing each other beforehand. All three rooms have separate waiting areas to make this possible.
Just let the registrars and the Civic Hall know well before the date, since they don’t allow it every day of the week. Usually it’s Saturday weddings only, since they allocate extra time for it.
Keep us in the loop with what you decide, too. That way we can help coordinate the timings on the day, so you and your partner don’t accidentally bump into each other at the same entrance.

Yes, all three ceremony rooms are set up for it. They ask you to pick nine songs prior to your event. But normally you’ll need three tracks: one to walk in, one for signing the register, one to walk out as newlyweds. Delegate the playlist to someone reliable. Make sure to download the songs on to your phone prior to the event!

You’ll usually come in through the main entrance on Millennium Square. If there’s a big event on that day, like the summer concerts or the Christmas markets, you might be asked to use the rear entrance instead. Don’t worry if that happens. We actually prefer taking photos back there anyway, thanks to the trees. We know these streets and these crowds, and your day will go smoothly.

Yes, confetti’s allowed outside Leeds Civic Hall. The front steps are the classic spot for a confetti tunnel, though you’ll need to bring your own biodegradable confetti or dried petals. Ceremonies often run back to back on busy days, so you’ll usually have a 10 to 15 minute window to get everyone organised and capture the moment. Hand the confetti to a bridesmaid or groomsman beforehand so they can line people up quickly. If the front steps are blocked off for a city event, the trees at the rear entrance make a good backup spot. We also give everyone a quick pre-confetti-throwing rundown to make sure you and your guests get the best from the moment.

Leeds Civic Hall works well for an intimate ceremony. If you’re planning a small elopement, your “guests” could just be us. We’ve photographed micro weddings where it’s only the couple and us in the room. Even without a guest list, the registrars keep things relaxed and centred on the two of you.

There are a few standard legal declarations you’ll need to say to make things official, but the registrars at Leeds Civic Hall are open to you personalising the rest. You can include your own written vows, promises, or a short reading. You’ll just need to run your planned words past the registry team beforehand, since civil ceremonies can’t include religious content. Hearing couples say their own words to each other tends to make for the best photographs. If you are doing your own vows, remember to print them rather than have photos of you looking at your phone in your wedding service.

You need two witnesses for your ceremony. They can be friends or family, but if you’re planning a secret elopement or a small wedding with no guests, you can use us. We work as a photography duo, so we’re glad to put our cameras down for a moment and act as your two official witnesses. We’ve done this for several couples before, and it’s a privilege to be part of your day in that way

This is Yorkshire, so it is always a good idea to bring along some brollies you quite like the look of! Whatever the weather decides to do, we will absolutely get your shots. We know all the best spots to move you and your guests to, ensuring you still get the gorgeous photos and memories you want.