Marriage court in Abu Dhabi | wedding ceremony and photoshoot

Where the Ceremony Takes Place

Civil marriage ceremonies for foreigners take place at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court — a modern and well-organised government building.
Every day, dozens of couples come here to make their marriage official. The entire process is smooth and fast: you apply online, arrive on your date, sign the documents, and receive your marriage certificate within minutes.

However, because it’s a court and not a wedding venue, certain restrictions apply — especially when it comes to photography.

Photography Rules at the Civil Court (2025 Update)

Over the past year, the court’s policy has changed three times, and the current rules are as follows:
 1. No professional cameras are allowed inside.
Security staff check bags at the entrance and will not allow DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, lenses, flashes or tripods.
 2. Only phone photography is permitted.
You or one of your guests may take photos on a phone — that’s it. Even compact photo cameras are not allowed.
 3. The court has its own approved photographers.
These are usually local male photographers (often Indian nationals) who work inside the building with official permission. They are the only ones allowed to use cameras.
 4. You cannot bring your own photographer with a camera.
Even if you’re willing to sign a waiver or take full responsibility, the security staff will not allow it.
 5. Lighting and equipment are strictly prohibited.
Anything beyond a mobile phone is considered “commercial photography”, which is banned on court premises.

Why the Restrictions Exist

You can ask them by yourself, but i think everything about money…

What You Can Capture Inside

The civil marriage ceremony itself lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. And with all  waitings, document check, a brief hearing with the judge, and the signing of your certificate it will take 40-50 minutes or 1 hour.

You can take photos during the process only on your phone — or I can do it for you. As your photographer in Abu Dhabi, I’m used to these rules and can discreetly capture your ceremony on the phone, focusing on the most emotional and important moments.

Even without a professional camera, the photos turn out warm, natural, and memorable.

How to Get Professional Photos Afterwards

The ideal solution is to separate the day into two parts:
 1. The official ceremony — captured on a phone.
I photograph the ceremony itself, the ring exchange, the signing, and the moment you receive your certificate.
 2. A post-ceremony photoshoot — captured on camera.
Once we leave the court building, we can head to any beautiful location for a proper photoshoot.
That’s where I can use full professional gear — camera, lenses, light and reflectors — to create elegant, cinematic images.

This way, you get everything: genuine emotional photos from your wedding registration, and polished artistic portraits afterwards.

Why You Don’t Need to Worry About the Restrictions

At first, couples often get disappointed when they hear that cameras are not allowed in the court.
But in reality, it doesn’t affect the quality of your memories.
Modern smartphones produce excellent results, and what truly matters is the emotion — not the device.

Then, during the outdoor photoshoot, we can create the kind of imagery you’ll want to frame or use for your announcement — calm, stylish and timeless.

Best Locations for Post-Ceremony Photos in Abu Dhabi

After the court ceremony, many couples choose one of these spots:

• Saadiyat Island — bright tones, sea breeze and elegant minimalism. You should book the hotel or get prepaid permission for this. Locations you can check: Rotana Saadiyat, St.Regis Saadiyat and Jumeirah Saadiat. Also posssible to buy permission on Mamsha beach.
• Umm emarat park — ideal for relaxed couple portraits with trees and soft natural light.
• Desert  — soft golden light and total serenity.
• Hotel you stay — inside the room or in green or beach area. We can do not only couple shoot but also brides morning and preparations

Each of these locations offers its own atmosphere and light, and I’ll help you choose what fits your style best.

Attention! Not allowed to do wedding pictures in Louvre, Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan.

How to Plan Your Day Smoothly

 1. Confirm your ceremony time in advance — the timing affects where and when we can shoot afterwards.
 2. Choose one outfit suitable both for the court and the later photoshoot. There’s rarely time to change.
 3. Discuss your route and preferences — I’ll plan the light and timing for the best results.
 4. Don’t waste time arguing with security. Cameras simply won’t be allowed — better to accept it calmly and move on.

How Long It All Takes

 • Civil ceremony: up to 1 hour
 • Outdoor photoshoot: 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on locations and light.   Ypu can choose the package the best for you.

If you’re preparing for your civil marriage in Abu Dhabi, the current rules are simple:

Inside the Civil Court — phone photography only.
Professional cameras — permitted only for the court’s approved photographers.

Still, this doesn’t mean you have to miss out on beautiful images.
As an experienced photographer in Abu Dhabi, I’ll discreetly capture your ceremony on a phone — respecting all local regulations — and then create a full, elegant photo session outdoors, with professional equipment and artistic precision.

That way, you’ll have it all:
the official memories of your marriage registration,
and the beautiful, timeless portraits that truly tell your story.