Plan The Perfect Wedding
A courthouse wedding is usually a straightforward affair where a bride and groom get legally married. It’s not as expensive or as glamorous an event as a typical venue wedding, which might be a relief for some couples. Either way, there are things you should know to make your courthouse wedding as easy and breezy as possible.
1. Dress How You Want
Before we get into the nitty gritty, take a moment to appreciate how fun a courthouse wedding can be. Just because it’s as traditional as it gets doesn’t mean you have to go with a typical ball gown or tux, unless you want to, that is. Instead, lots of people have been known to hit up courthouse weddings in everything from jumpsuits to vintage dresses.
2. Legal Checklist
Let’s start by getting the boring stuff out of the way! Depending on the state, there may be different legal requirements for a courthouse marriage. For instance, you might need to apply for the license in advance, while in others, you might need to bring a witness. Be sure to get these details ironed out ahead of time.
3. The Right Documents
You’ll also want to make sure you have all the necessary documents to complete the marriage. This could range from IDs to birth certificates. Also, if this is a second or third marriage, you might need to bring divorce documents as well.
4. An Intimate Setting
Courthouses are usually on the smaller side and don’t have the lavish offerings of a typical venue. So, you might want to keep your guest list small, too. Perhaps just you, your partner, and both your parents are enough. Perhaps you’d prefer friends instead.
5. Wear a Veil
A lot of courthouse brides are still rocking the veil, and it’s a very iconic and traditional symbol of the sanctity of marriage. Just because you’re doing everything prim and proper doesn’t mean you can’t throw in a bit of flair. Maybe all your white jumpsuit needs to bring it together is a fun veil.
6. Announce It
Even if only a few people can attend, you should still announce the wedding and share your joy with your friends. This makes it all feel more official and romantic! You could simply post on social media or send a little email announcement to friends. If you’d prefer, you can simply share photos after, or do a surprise reveal at a backyard after-party.
7. Bring a Photographer
Your wedding is worth commemorating, even if it’s at a courthouse! A lot of people may go this route to save money, but you should still get some great photos. If you can’t afford a photographer, be sure to task one of your friends with a good phone to grab pictures.
Noémi Macavei-Katócz on Unsplash
8. Get a Bouquet
Another way to make the courthouse wedding feel like a romantic and heartfelt event is through the little touches. The veil is one thing but consider throwing in a bouquet as well. These little floral details will also make for great photos, and you can have the fun of tossing them.
9. Indulge Your Sweet Tooth
Eating sweets is a great way to celebrate a moment, and your wedding should be no different. Maybe you can’t splurge for a big ole wedding cake, but you can still pass around some cupcakes or make some champagne cookies. Maybe task one of your friends or family members to make a low-stakes dessert.
10. Customize Your Vows
You might not be able to customize your vows depending on the legality of the marriage. But that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate them your way. Perhaps say them in front of your friends and family outside the courthouse, or say them after, during a get-together dinner.
11. Choose a Venue
Just because you’re getting married at a courthouse doesn’t mean you can’t be picky! Not all courthouses are made the same, after all, with some buildings looking dated and dinky, while others are more modern and innovative. Maybe look around and drive a bit further to get married at the courthouse you adore.
12. Consider When
Sometimes getting married is as simple as picking the next available appointment, but you don’t have to be so stringent. Perhaps wait until a time that really means something to you, or a season you particularly adore. Remember, this is going to end up being your anniversary day, so make it count.
13. Be Sentimental
A courthouse might not feel like the right place to cry, but you can still add in some sentimental details. Wear a family heirloom to make it a bigger part of the experience. Or bring in a photo of passed loved ones so they can witness your special day too.
14. Make a Wedding Playlist
You might not be able to play your own music during the exchange, but that doesn’t mean you can’t blast it everywhere else. Your wedding is so much more than the few hours in the courthouse, and you should have fun the entire day. So be sure to play your wedding song in the car as you drive away.
15. Champagne on the Steps
If you want to add a bit of tradition, then you can follow the champagne popping trend. Essentially, couples would open up bottles on the steps of the courthouse, signifying a celebration of their union. Not to mention, this makes for great photos.
16. An Afterparty
A courthouse wedding may feel a bit dull, so be sure to follow it up with an after-party. After all, you now have a lot to celebrate. This could be as simple as returning to your place for drinks or going to a beloved restaurant and treating your guests to dinner. You can easily do something small for a hundred dollars or so.
17. Get Your Makeup Done
It might feel a little silly to get your makeup done professionally for a stint at the courthouse, but remember, it’s your wedding! Which means you should treat it like a real one, because it is a real one. So go all out and look however you want to.
18. Get Emotional
Just because it feels like a stringent and legal affair doesn’t mean it isn’t the happiest day of your life. So, cry your heart out if you need to. Soak in the moment, because a small ceremony is as important as a big wedding.
19. Add Personal Touches
There are lots of other ways to customize your wedding, so it really feels like a celebration of your love. Maybe give a toast to your friends, get your nails done for the special occasion, or hand out invitations. You can even do a matching color scheme if white isn’t your thing.
20. Celebrate Your Way
At the end of the day, it’s important to celebrate your wedding your way. Maybe you want a small courthouse affair, and then you just want to go home and spend the day together. Maybe you want an after-party, or maybe you just want to jump on a plane to the nearest honeymoon hotel. Either way, it’s your life and your marriage, so do what make you happy.
