Planning Tools, Ideas, & Advice
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For Wedding Pros
Courthouse weddings used to be associated with needing to just have a quick wedding for whatever reason, but becoming increasingly popular, especially among micro wedding couples. If you ask me, this style of wedding feels like a really great option if you’re looking for something totally different, intimate, budget-friendly, and stress-free.
We teamed up with Elizabeth of Gracie May Photography who has photographed hundreds of courthouse weddings. She lent us her expertise to create this comprehensive guide which explores the many benefits of opting for a city hall ceremony for your micro wedding or elopement, such as minimal planning, lower costs, and less stress. We'll also address potential drawbacks, including limited guest lists and the absence of certain wedding traditions. Whether you're considering this option because you just want to dive right into married life, or you’re looking for ways to save money on your big day, we've got you covered.
Elizabeth of Gracie May Photography is Central Florida's busiest micro weddings photographer with over 200 micro weddings and 100+ courthouse weddings under her belt! She's also licensed to officiate and many couples find this helpful when they just want to marry their person easily and have photos done at the same time.
She's done many micro weddings at local spots like Disney Springs, The Hard Rock, Orlando-Apopka Airfield, and the Maitland Art & History Museum. She's at the Orange County Courthouse many times a week and often found shooting courthouse weddings in Tampa.
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Hiring a local photographer who is experienced in courthouse weddings in the area you’re eyeing can help provide guidance and suggestions.
No, and this is one of the things that can make these types of weddings super fun and adventurous. There are some incredible courthouses around the US, you’ll just want to be clear on the requirements before scheduling and showing up. Some have waiting periods, and other rules that could really impact your day if you’re not aware of them.
Pro tip: Elizabeth says, “If you’re really committed to achieving a peak courthouse wedding, don’t restrict yourself to your own local area. Look at what’s available around your whole state and, if you’re really adventurous, the whole country! I have couples who come from all over the world to specifically get married at the Orlando courthouse. One couple planned to get married in NYC and moved their whole thing to Orlando purely because of my work there.”
As we mentioned, each county has different rules so you’ll need to carefully research marriage license requirements in the county where you plan to get married. Some will require proof that you attended a pre-marital course, some need to be obtained a few days before your wedding date, so don’t get caught unaware.
Visit the county’s website for location specific information.
The nature of city hall weddings is that the majority of them are planned at short notice. This may affect your ability to find an appointment and available photographers. The most popular dates are:
In Elizabeth’s experience, “People often choose their date based on seasons, weather, personally meaningful dates, tradition, and even superstitions. When it comes to courthouse weddings, there is no “wedding season”. They’re marrying people all day, every day!”
This will depend on a few factors:
Pro Tip: “If you’re not having luck finding a photographer with late notice availability, or a willingness to accept a very short booking, a photographer who mainly only does micro and courthouse weddings could be what you need. This is because our calendars work differently. While I have a few weddings on my calendar in 2025/26, most of my weddings get on my calendar weeks or days before. So while next week might be full, the week after might be open. This isn’t the case with photographers who book months or years in advance.”
Check out our micro wedding photographer directory for some great options, including Gracie May Photography.
Marriage license expiration periods vary significantly across the United States, with some licenses expiring in as few as 30 days, while others may not expire at all. The expiration period begins from the date the license is issued, and couples must conduct their marriage ceremony within this window for the license to be valid. After the ceremony, the officiant typically has another set of deadlines to submit the license to the county clerk for official recording.
Here are a few examples of states with known expiration periods for their marriage licenses:
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's essential to consult the specific county clerk's office in the state where you plan to get married, as there can be variation even within states, and laws and regulations are subject to change.
Courthouse weddings have previously been associated with eloping versus a micro wedding, but you can do either! The only thing to be aware of is that each courthouse or city hall will have different policies when it comes to how many guests are allowed at the ceremony, but otherwise it's totally up to you!
First, find out if the space allows photographers/videographers. Unfortunately, some don’t so if capturing this portion of your day is important, you’ll want to check on that first.
It’s highly recommended that you choose your photographer/videographer based on their experience with city hall style weddings.
Elizabeth has shot hundreds of courthouse weddings. “As traditional wedding photographers, we become well versed in the rhythm of the day and knowing what to expect next. This means we know where we need to be at any given moment. These weddings have their own unique rhythm and are very quick. They’re over in the blink of an eye so find someone who has shot them before. Also, there are certain rules of decorum that you want your photographer to be familiar with.”
For just the ceremony and photography following, two hours is likely enough, but if you’re having a small reception following and would like that covered as well, or getting ready photos, then you’ll need more time. Your photographer will be able to provide guidance based on your specific needs.
Download My Planner Now!You can go as casual or formal as you want. There are no rules. Elizabeth has seen it all!
Timelines for this style of wedding are commonly shorter than a traditional wedding, but you can choose to make a day of it if you choose. The below timeline will give you an idea of what you can expect the flow of the day to be like.
Just because you're choosing a courthouse wedding doesn't mean you have leave out special details.
A courthouse wedding offers a unique and charming alternative to traditional ceremonies, perfect for couples looking for simplicity, affordability, and intimacy. While there are some limitations, the benefits of reduced stress and cost make it a compelling choice. By personalizing the experience and embracing the meaningful aspects of the day, you can create a memorable and heartfelt celebration. Whether you're drawn to the convenience or the romantic simplicity, a courthouse wedding could be the perfect way to begin your married life together.
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