Opting for a courthouse wedding doesn’t mean you need to skimp! This list of courthouse wedding ideas compiles all the things that will make your day the most special day ever.
Having a courthouse wedding doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the details that would be included in a traditional wedding. There are a lot of pros to having a courthouse wedding, including saving some major bucks.
I originally wanted a courthouse wedding, just to save myself from the overwhelm I had with trying to plan a “big” wedding myself (and the price tag that came with that). If you’re anything like me, you might be suffering from the sticker shock that comes with renting a venue. And saving yourself from that expense means you can allocate the funds to something else!
Whether you are doing a courthouse wedding by choice or by circumstance though, this list of courthouse wedding ideas will give you all the details you need to make sure you have the Best Day Ever.
Courthouse Wedding Ideas
1. Wear What You Want
There are no rules when it comes to what you “should” or “shouldn’t” wear to the courthouse. Remember, this is still your big day and you should be comfortable in wearing whatever makes your heart sing.
I love the idea of a bright pop of color, a large tulle dress, a long veil. If you want to be Extra, definitely be extra! Don’t feel like you have to go with a simple, white midi dress just because you’re going to a government building to get hitched. But if a simple, white midi dress is what speaks to you, go for it!
The most important thing is to still treat yourself with the dress of your dreams. This is still your special day and you should not dull your light! Make this moment A Moment!
(Related Post:11 COURTHOUSE WEDDING DRESS IDEAS TO BE A CITY HALL STUNNER)
2. Get Video
Hiring a photographer is usually the next big ticket item in planning a wedding and if you’re like me, hiring a videographer on top of a photographer isn’t really even a consideration. I definitely couldn’t afford a videographer at my wedding and didn’t care or think I needed one.
A friend had a great idea to buy a Gimbal and record a wedding video with his iphone, and the Gimbal and video was our wedding present. This video ended up being one of my favorite things ever. It was so awesome to have something I could watch.
I think a courthouse wedding would make for an awesome video. If you have it in your budget, go for a videographer, but if you want something a little more DIY, grab a Gimbal and a friend.
If you’re in a major city, take public transportation to the courthouse and have the whole commute recorded. There will be a lot of special moments along the way you’ll want to capture. If you don’t live in a place with public transportation, plan a route through town making stops along the way to the courthouse (the liquor store for a bottle of champagne, the bakery for some cake, etc).
3. Hire a Photographer
Unlike the video where you could go DIY if you wanted, I would prioritize hiring a professional photographer to do proper wedding photos. You’ll want them. Even if you think you can get by on your friends’ iphone pics, you’ll still want at least a couple of professional pics done.
Since the courthouse is.. the courthouse, make sure you think about where you want your photos taken. Unless you want to have a little Gossip Girl moment on the front steps, you can always meet your photographer somewhere else entirely. If you’re having a reception after the courthouse, you could always have the photographer just come by for that portion of your day too.
4. Plan the Day
Having an itinerary for the big day will help to make the courthouse really feel like the “main event”. Much like a traditional wedding ceremony, you should schedule out all the things you’re doing before and after the courthouse.
Are you getting breakfast with your partner in the morning? Or maybe you want to have a First Reveal captured at the courthouse (which would be super cute). How are you getting to the courthouse? Public transportation, walking, renting a fancy vintage car?
And how about after getting hitched? Are you going to a nice dinner? Hosting a party? Celebrating at a bar? Plan it out well in advance, make any necessary reservations, and have the best day ever!
5. Have a Party
If my husband didn’t convince me to have a traditional ceremony and reception, my wedding plan was a courthouse wedding with a party at my favorite bar after.
If you have a courthouse wedding, don’t skimp on the after party! Treat yourself to some kind of reception. If money is tight, this can be as simple as just having your family and friends meet up at your favorite bar. Alternatively, you could rent out a bar/restaurant. If you and your new wife/husband want to go do some Karoake and call it a night, that sounds super fun! Whatever you decide, don’t skip the celebrations!
Those are my top courthouse wedding ideas to make your big day the best day! And remember: a courthouse wedding can come together much faster than planning a traditional wedding. Make sure you think about all the logistics and details of the day as far in advance as you can to avoid any overwhelm and last-minute scrambling.