Since COVID-19, I have noticed couples choosing to have smaller and more intimate weddings, and the Brisbane Marriage Registry Office has become an increasingly popular choice to get married at.

I’ve photographed over 30 weddings there, and it’s fast becoming my favourite venue.

Here is some advice, tips and tricks to help you plan and navigate your wedding at the Brisbane Marriage Registry Office.

You can also find my pricing and packages on my website here.

Getting married at the Brisbane Marriage Registry Office

The Brisbane Marriage Registry Office is located on level 32 in Brisbane City, 180 Ann St.

It’s a beautiful building, and the ceremony rooms have been architecturally designed with panoramic views of the city, mountains and bay.

The ceremony room can accommodate up to 70 guests, including the celebrant and couple.

Brisbane Marriage Registry Office pricing

Choosing to get married at the Brisbane Registry Office is affordable. A ceremony costs the following:

$362.40 (Monday to Friday)
$471.10 (Saturday and Sunday)
$621.20 (Friday and Saturday evenings)

Your ceremony costs only include a standard marriage certificate if you book an evening ceremony.

The cost includes the following:

Your ceremony
A celebrant
The ceremony room
A ceremonial marriage certificate

Brisbane Marriage Registry Office Opening Hours 

The office is open from Monday to Friday, 8.30 am-4.30 pm.

They are closed on public holidays.

Weekday Registry Office weddings & no photography policy

During the week, the building is home to many employees and companies. As such, the Registry Office does not allow photographers to photograph anywhere inside or outside the building grounds except when we are on level 32.

In my experience, they are very strict, and security monitors this closely.

I respect this policy and will always put my cameras down when entering the building until we are on level 32.

Guests can arrive and enter from the Ann St or Turbot St entrance during the week.

There is a security desk in the foyer with attendants who can assist if you have any questions.

Saturday Registry Office weddings

It’s important to note that the building is open only for Brisbane Marriage Registry Weddings, and you can only enter from 180 Turbot St through the single glass doors, not the main revolving door.

Security is always on hand and will allow guests to enter approximately 15 minutes before the ceremony.

They will escort guests to the rear lifts and to level 32, where your celebrant will meet you.

Arrival & parking

During the week, my go-to parking is at 179 Turbot St (basically next door to the Registry Office), accessible from the far right-hand lane.

This car park is very small and windy, though! I drive a KIA Sportage, and if it was any bigger, I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable parking there, to be honest!

It’s a great location, though, and you can book ahead here and save money.

It’s important to note, though, that this carpark is not open on the weekends.

On Saturdays, I have always been able to find street parking on Turbot St.

It is metered, but it’s not expensive. I typically pay anywhere from $5-$10 for Saturday parking.

The train station is also close to Ann St, and a taxi or Uber can drop guests off outside the main entrance on Turbot St.

Other carparks within walking distance of the Registry Office are:

King George Square Car Park

Post Office Square Car Park

Wickham Terrace Car Park

When to arrive for your Registry Office Wedding

The Brisbane Registry Office often has back-to-back wedding bookings, and they operate on a strict time schedule.

They will advise you to arrive 15 minutes before your ceremony and will only allow guests upstairs no sooner than this.

What to expect on level 32

Once we are on level 32 and within the waiting area, it’s quite relaxed, and the celebrants and staff are incredibly helpful.

Your celebrant will take you aside and complete your paperwork in the waiting area, away from your guests.

There is a water filter for guests and a lovely en-suite to freshen up in.

Your celebrant will escort guests into the main ceremony room, and once everyone is in place, your ceremony will begin.

Ceremony

All ceremonies are very quick! If there are no extra vows, it’s typically about 5 minutes.

You will have the room for a total of 30 mins.

I find this enough time to photograph the ceremony, group and family photos, and bride and groom portraits.

If there are no weddings after yours, the staff are generally pretty relaxed, allowing an extra 5-10 mins.

Other guests

Because weddings are often booked back to back, you may encounter other guests at different weddings.

The staff are very competent and discreet when moving groups of guests out of the waiting area.

Portrait photos afterwards

I LOVE photographing couples in front of the large window between the two ceremony rooms and using a few favourite spots in the foyer and rooms.

If you’d like to take extra time for photos away from the Brisbane Registry Office, I’d highly recommend Roma St Parklands or the Botanical Gardens.

Both of these locations offer a good variety of images.

Some other locations in and around the city are:

Brisbane Botanical Gardens
Riparian Plaza
Brisbane Riverwalk
Roma St Parklands
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Brisbane Powerhouse
Old Government House
Teneriffe Woolstores
GOMA
Fortitude Valley
Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens
New Farm Park
Great Court, UQ, St Lucia

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!