How To Celebrate With Your Family After Your Courthouse Wedding
- Pop up some champagne!
- Have a meal with your most special people in a small and beautiful restaurant
- Have a backyard party
Martha and Charlie had a delicious meal at , where they also stayed! It is a gem very close to St Anthony Main, which allowed us to walk around the area and take photos.
After their courthouse wedding, this couple celebrated at Alma restaurant
Plan Your Wedding Day
A courthouse wedding doesnt have a traditional ceremony, but that doesnt mean that you cant personalize your special day!
- Attire You can wear whatever you like! You can be as formal or as casual as you want.
- Vows You can make the ceremony as formal or casual as you want. You might want to say your vows, exchange rings, etc. and remember to kiss the bride!
- Guests You need at least two witnesses but check with your venue about how many guests you are allowed. These ceremonies usually happen during the week during business hours. Make sure that your guests are available during those times.
- Check with the courthouse whether you can take photos or video during the ceremony.
What Is A Courthouse Wedding
A courthouse wedding is also known as a civil wedding or civil ceremony. It is a nonreligious ceremony that allows you to legally marry your partner. There is less emphasis on the pomp and circumstance of the event. The focus is on the couple joining in matrimony.
With a courthouse wedding, there tend to be less than ten guests. All in all, a courthouse wedding can be done in less than ten minutes.
It also doesnt require any of the customs we usually associate with a wedding. You dont need a sermon, you dont have to say vows, and you dont have to exchange rings. You can of course choose to do whichever of these customs you want to, but they are not legal requirements. Basically, a courthouse wedding can be customized to suit your needs.
Courthouse weddings are presided over by a legal official, such as a judge or court clerk. The Justice of the Peace may say a few words. Then you, your partner, and your witnesses are required to sign the marriage license. After that, youre married!
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What Should You Wear A Courthouse Wedding
The clothing that you and your future spouse decide to wear is totally up to you. You will want to consider that you can be very casual or very dressy, whichever you prefer. The best thing is to make sure that you both will be comfortable and feel like yourselves! Think about the moment and what it means to you, imagine saying your vows and what you will want to be wearing in your memories! This visual exercise helps to me! . Be sure that you think about these things before you make your plans so that you have everything that you need in order to make your day the very best that it can be!
Should You Hire A Photographer Even If You’re Not Having A Full Wedding
Most professional photographers will offer a discount for courthouse weddings, since the time they have to invest is more like one hour, instead of eight. They would also be happy to squeeze in a mid-week shoot as most courthouse marriages take place during the week instead of on the weekend due to government business hours.
Even if the photographer isn’t allowed in the courthouse you can set up a time to meet outside afterward for some quick professional shots, or plan to head out to a pretty location for a post-nuptials photo session.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
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Do We Have To Wait To Get Our Marriage License In Virginia
Nope, not at all. You can walk into any Virginia circuit court with your IDs and $30, and walk out in approximately 20-30 minutes with your marriage license. I often perform many same-day marriages!
Most Virginia Circuit Courts are open Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Please check the courts website for information on closings and holidays to ensure you dont make a long trip only to find that the courthouse is closed.
Where Do We Go When We Arrive
- If you choose to schedule the ceremony, upon arrival you can take the stairwell just inside the building entry to the second floor. There are also elevators to the second floor just beyond the stairwell.
- Whether you take the stairs or elevator to the second floor, youll check-in at the main court counter which is through the double glass doors that are clearly labeled
- While witnesses are not required, you are welcome to have guests. If so, please have your guests wait in our ample hallway that leads to the courtroom so we can best assure social distancing and safety for all.
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Looking To Get Married Schedule A Wedding Ceremony With Judge Steve Seider
- Appointments – Monday-Friday 8:00am 4:30pm — $100 fee
- Walk-in – as available Monday-Friday 8:00am 4:30pm — $100 fee
- Weekends or weekdays after hours fee to be determined and payable in advance.
- Remote locations as available, fee to be determined and payable in advance.
- There are routinely multiple inquiries for dates and times and while walk-ins are welcome, scheduled appointments are always honored.
- If you would like to check on an exact time or would like to schedule a ceremony
- Please feel free to call 904-3042 or
- Email us at
Invite Select Family Or Friends
“Typically at a courthouse wedding, the attendees are either just the bride and groom immediate family,” says Mader. “However, they sometimes extend to honor attendants.” Again, you’ll need to check in with your county courthouse on the specific rules for this , but if you are allowed a few select invites, let your people know so they can coordinate logistics.
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Collect The Essential Documents
On the day of your courthouse wedding, take a packet of all the essential documents with you. This packet should include:
- Your marriage license
- Forms of identification for you and your partner
- Birth certificates for you and your partner
- Your social security numbers
You also need to take the money needed to pay for the marriage ceremony.
Remember, you must have at least two witnesses over the age of 18 one for you, and one for your partner. These people must go with you to the courthouse.
Can You Have Flowers Or A Bouquet In The Courthouse
The answer for me was yes, but it doesn’t hurt to check with your own courthouse, especially in light of tighter restrictions in the past couple of years. If you have the go-ahead, keep in my that you don’t have to adorn eight other girls with flowers, so the options for yourself suddenly get a lot more fun
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Philadelphia City Hall Philadelphia Pennsylvania
A national historic landmark that was once the tallest habitable building in the world, Philadelphia City Hall is an ideal wedding venue for couples with a passion for American history.
To really soak in the historical wonders of this structure, hop on a City Hall Tour a few days before your wedding. Youll gain fascinating insights into the art, architecture, and political background of the city hall, amping up your excitement for your upcoming nuptials at this majestic site.
Because Philadelphia City Hall is such a coveted venue, its not easy to get on the schedule but its doable. First, you need to call the Marriage License Department at 686-2233 and ask when the appointment book will be open to schedule the ceremony. Then, get in line outside Room 415 on the date provided preferably before it opens at 7:30 am to ensure you get a spot.
Tip: Be sure to snap some photos in front of the buildings north facade on Broad Street after you say I do.
How to Get a Wedding License: You and your partner must both appear in Room 413 to apply for the marriage license. Youre required to present a government-issued ID, social security card , and the $90 fee. The license will be issued three days after you apply, so youll need to apply for it at least three days before your ceremony. It must also be used within 60 days.
You can apply for a license Monday Friday, 8 am 4 pm. Wednesday hours are 8 pm 7:30 pm. You must arrive at least 30 minutes before close.
Bailey Gaddis
How To Get Married In Court
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Getting married in court is a great alternative to the traditional flashy wedding and there are a number of reasons why some couples choose this option. For example, it is less expensive and much easier and faster to plan. To get married in a court, you need to acquire a marriage license, select a date, plan the ceremony, and enjoy the festivities!
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All Ceremonies At The Main Chapel Include
Use of Bride’s Bouquet
Use of Groom’s Boutonniere
Music
Licensed, Certified and Background Screened Officiant
Fully Decorated Chapel
Filing of Marriage License
A Keepsake Certificate
You may ADD up to 50 guests with you to your Ceremony. However, until pandemic guidelines change in Harris County, we will be limiting our guest count to 20 guests. Ceremonies are different from each other based on the number of guests , whether you desire to have a Unity Element and what time or day you choose to have your ceremony performed.
We perform ceremonies 7 days a week based on availability. All our reservations are handled on this website. Any wedding that you would like to schedule after 3pm M-F or on the weekend, please check the AFTER HOURS packages. Choose Simple if you do not desire a Unity element. Choose Sweet if you do.
Only choose one Unity Component for the Sweet Ceremony. eg. Unity Sand, Unity Candle, Jump da Broom.
Short Ceremonies include You, Your Fiance and up to 4 guests. You may schedule these Ceremonies for After -Hours as well.
Weddings by The Fireplace include You, Your Fiance and up to 2 guests
Mobile Minister does not include the above except the Keepsake Certificate and of course and we file the marriage license for you after the ceremony.
Santa Barbara Courthouse Santa Barbara California
The historic Santa Barbara Courthouse was built in 1929 and features a Spanish-Moorish design, four-faced clock tower, and striking terracotta roof. The interior dazzles with hand-painted murals, iron-wrought chandeliers, and spectacular tile work.
Larger wedding ceremonies, with up to 250 people, can be held in the Exterior Gardens that includes the popular Sunken Gardens and Palm Terrace. You can also host a wedding for up to 100 people in the Courthouse Mural Room.
Weddings with 15 or fewer people can be enjoyed in one of the smaller garden areas that face the street, featuring the courthouse as a backdrop.
The Deputy Marriage Commissioner performs small civil wedding ceremonies during regular business hours, Monday Friday.
How to Get a Wedding License: After applying for a online, you and your fiancé must go to the countys Santa Barbara or Santa Maria office to purchase the license. Youll be asked to provide government-issued photo ID, proof of divorce , and the $100 fee. You must obtain your marriage license prior to the ceremony. You do not have to be a resident of the US or California.
Note: The County Clerk office is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Local Regulations:
- You must provide your own officiant for a garden wedding.
- Although chairs are not provided, youre allowed to hand-carry them in.
- Amplified sound is not allowed, but you can have soft acoustic music.
Photo by via Flickr
Local Regulations:
Photo by via Flickr
Local Regulations:
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How To Make A Courthouse Wedding Feel Special
Kierstin said “I Do” over eight years ago in front of her local judge. It was actually pretty romantic.
Tying the knot at the courthouse is a great way to save money while having the wonderful wedding day you always dreamed about.
When you imagine your perfect wedding day, you envision love, sweet memories, and the beginning of a lifetime with your favorite personnot debt, family fights, and months of intense planning.
Realizing how much of these drawbacks to planning a wedding we could avoid, my husband and I decided to forego the wedding and instead ran away to the courthouse one warm August morning and never looked back.
If you’re thinking about courthouse-ing it too , check out these tips for saving money and your sanity when you tie the knot without losing the sentiment of a big to-do.
What To Expect At A Courthouse Wedding
The thing about this kind of ceremony is that not that many people have been to them. Unless a close family member has had one or you work at city hall, its unlikely that youve witnessed one of these special ceremonies. This article is here to help you figure out what to expect for a courthouse wedding.
There are also ways to closely plan the details of your courthouse wedding day. Do you want to do something fun in the morning beforehand? Do you want to wear a fun, non-traditional wedding dress?
What about for dinner that night, or for a honeymoon? All of these aspects of a traditional wedding are still things to keep in mind for a more intimate affair.
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Can We Customize The Dcor
Sometimes you can, but youll have to speak in advance with the magistrate if you have some courthouse wedding ideas in terms of decorations.
Getting married at a courthouse means that youll be focusing only on what matters: you and your loved one.
If you , the photographer will only have you and your spouse insight. Youll also have awesome pics, because most courthouses are historical, beautiful buildings.
If youve decided to at the courthouse, go for it! Its a quick, affordable and discreet experience getting married through the court in the presence of only your friends and loved ones.
You get to focus on what actually really matters: love.
We hope youve learned a thing or two in this article on how to have a courthouse wedding, how to get you started on organizing one, and how to reap the benefits of having one at the max!
