Click here to download the "Reminders for your wedding ceremony" document.
A valid Marriage Licence. Marriage Licences must be applied for in person at your local municipal office. Visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/getting-married to reach the site How to get the government documents you need if you plan to marry in Ontario. Licences expire after three months. If your plans change and your licence expires, it must be repurchased. A valid Marriage Licence is required for the ceremony to take place.
Two witnesses. By law, you must provide two witnesses for your ceremony. Witnesses can be family, friends or acquaintances. They do not need to be Canadian residents or citizens. I.D. is not required. They will sign documents as part of the ceremony proceedings and their signatures will remain part of your official marriage records. The Wedding Chambers is not responsible for providing witnesses.
A Registered Marriage Officiant. You can book your Officiant through us once you know the date, time and location of your ceremony. Please contact us at 416 363 0316 to book our services.
You may purchase your marriage licence at City Hall or any municipality within the Province of Ontario. You can download an application form or obtain further information from https://www.toronto.ca/marriage to reach the site How to get the government documents you need if you plan to marry in Ontario.
If a divorce has taken place outside Canada, specific requirements must be met before a marriage licence can be issued. Visit the above link or call the Toronto Marriage Licence Office at 416-392-7036 for more details.
Your marriage licence is valid for three months from the date issued. If the licence expires, it is no longer valid and you will need to purchase another licence.
Contact our office Monday through Friday, between 9:00am to 5:00pm at 416 363 0316, or drop by in person. Please note, the non refundable fee of $290.00 is due at the time of booking.
Yes, the fee of $290.00 includes the Chambers and the Marriage Officiant.
For Toronto City Hall weddings, some months are busier than others, with Saturday being our most popular day. Please book as far in advance as possible to secure your preferred time. We can accommodate short notice bookings on most weekdays.
For ceremonies at your location, we suggest you book as soon as you have established the date, time and location for your ceremony.
Call us Monday through Friday, at 416 363 0316 to check our availability.
We allow one change to your City Hall booking date or time. We require two business days notice, if your ceremony is booked Monday-Thursday. We require two weeks notice, if your ceremony is booked on a Friday or Saturday.
A marriage licence is not required when scheduling a date with us; however, a valid marriage licence is required on the day of your wedding ceremony. The marriage cannot take place without a valid marriage licence.
The Wedding Chambers is not responsible for providing witnesses. By law, you must provide two witnesses for your ceremony. Your witnesses can be family, friends or acquaintances. They do not need to be Canadian residents or citizens to be your witnesses.
What if the couple or the witnesses do not speak English? Someone must be present at the ceremony who can translate and it must be someone other than one of the persons being married.
Couples, witnesses and guests should plan ahead to arrive at your ceremony location at least 20 minutes in advance of the ceremony. Traffic congestion and parking availability is influenced by the many cultural and sporting events that are held in our wonderful city each day.
If you arrive late for your scheduled time at City Hall, we will do our best to fit your ceremony into the schedule when an opening occurs. If you arrive late at another location, your ceremony may not be performed, as the Officiant or the room may no longer be available.
City Hall is located at 100 Queen St. W. which is on the North - West corner of Queen St W. & Bay St
The map displays the Chamber location with a star and nearby parking and transit locations.
The Wedding Chambers is on the 3rd floor in the East tower of Toronto City Hall.
Enter City Hall through the wooden doors (North of the Toronto sign) and walk past the security desk. You will see signs that will direct you to the Wedding Chamber elevators.
Follow the signs to the East Elevators. An elevator button specifically for the Wedding Chambers level is indicated, as only elevators 1, 3, & 4 stop on the 3rd floor where the Chambers is located.
The duration of City Hall ceremonies is approximately 12 – 15 minutes followed by the signing of the Register. The remaining time may be spent taking pictures and visiting with family and friends.
For weddings at another location, the duration of the ceremony varies, depending on what you have planned with your Officiant.
Pictures and videos are permitted at any time during the ceremony.
The Toronto City Hall Wedding Chambers provides a modern ambience with fresh flowers. Pictures are available for viewing on the Toronto City Hall page and in our Photo Gallery. You are also welcome to drop by in person to view the space.
We carry a selection of classical music on CD at the Wedding Chambers. You are welcome to bring your own selection of music either in CD format, or on your phone using our auxiliary chord.
We perform a non-religious ceremony at the Toronto City Hall Wedding Chambers.
Our Officiants wear an academic gown when performing ceremonies.
There is no dress code at the Wedding Chambers. Some couples arrive in elaborate, traditional dress, while others arrive in casual dress.
Yes, you may bring your own vows and include readings of your choice; however, we know you will be happy with the ceremony the Officiant provides for you.
This is not a legal requirement. It is your choice.
Each officiant performs their own ceremony, there is not just one version of vows that we can post and confirm will be in your ceremony.
- Once you arrive you will be asked for your Marriage Licence. You will also be asked if you are exchanging rings (which is optional) and whether you would like to make an entrance with music or simply begin at the front.
- The ceremony begins with a few words of welcome and an address to the couple, followed by a reading and/or poem
- The couple is asked if they are free and willing to be married and to join right hands (an expression of intent)
- Vows are exchanged
- Rings are exchanged, accompanied by a reading of the symbolism of the rings
- A reading or poem and good wishes
- Pronouncement and signing of the Marriage Register
To be legally married, a Registered Officiant, clergy or a judge must solemnize the marriage before 2 witnesses. If you are requesting only the legal parts of the ceremony, with no elaboration, this would entail:
- asking if you are free and willing to be married
- the joining of hands
- an exchange of vows
- the Pronouncement/Declaration of marriage and the signing
(The above are expressions of intent and consent)
Following the ceremony, you will receive your Record of Solemnization of Marriage from the Officiant. Your licence will be mailed the same day to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay for registration.
After approximately 8 weeks, you may request a formal Marriage Certificate from the Office of the Registrar General.
A Marriage Certificate is the legal document that proves you are married. It may take 12 weeks or more for your Marriage to be Registered and the Certificate issued.
Click here to reach the provincial Getting Married site to understand how to apply for your Marriage Certificate.
There should be an information sheet regarding a name change included with the information you received at the time you purchased your marriage licence. You may also contact the local Office of the Registrar General at 47 Sheppard Ave. E. at 416-325-8305. Click here to reach the provincial Getting Married site to understand how you may change your name