Why it’s okay to skip the fancy wedding and have a courthouse wedding🕊
There are a ton of reasons a couple might want to skip out on an elaborate marriage ceremony and have an intimate wedding at the local courthouse.
For some, cost is an obvious reason – the average wedding cost in the US is about $40,000. Or maybe you don’t want to follow the societal norms of a traditional wedding or don’t want a religious ceremony. And honestly, the stress alone of planning the best ceremony could give anyone an ulcer.
I feel like a lot of people just kind of push the thought off considering a courthouse wedding. Most people probably don’t even consider it an option. But here me out, they are great and one of my favorite weddings I have ever shot was at a courthouse. So here me out on why it’s okay to skip the fancy wedding and have a courthouse wedding
Less Expensive
We will start with the most obvious. Cost. Now not all couples who decide to go the intimate elopement route are strapped for cash. Granted, it’s a nice bonus not to have to spend an arm and a leg.
And some people may view couples who elope, as cheap, but it’s not that. Some couples just value different things when it comes to their special day. Like I mentioned before, the average cost of a wedding in the USA is about $40,000. YIKES. Imagine the kind of day you could have for a fraction of that?
Low Stress
Even for couples who decided to go the big wedding route, I’m sure they will admit that there was a significant amount of stress. Hence why engagements tend to be 1-1.5 years. They take SO LONG to plan.
Now courthouse weddings do require some planning if you want, but, way less stressful. Venue/Location? Taken care of. Officiant and witness? Sorted out. Paperwork? Still have to do that, but you can literally pick up your license and get married in the same place. Photographer? Hi, check me out ;)
Best of both worlds
Courthouse weddings truly do give you the best of both worlds.
As an elopement + wedding photographer, I have found that big traditional weddings don’t resonate with everyone, and everyone deserves to have their special day be exactly that. Courthouse weddings are much smaller, more intimate. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate with friends and family.
You can still get ready however you’d like, and you can party afterwards however you want. If you want to spend the day with just your partner, exploring and doing whatever your heart desires. If you want a quiet ceremony and then a REALLY BIG party, do it! It’s truly whatever you make of it.
And there it is! Just a few reasons why courthouse weddings are great. And just because you’re getting married at a courthouse doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a full wedding day. Get your hair and makeup done with your friends, drink a glass of champagne, take all of the photos, marry the love of your life, and then celebrate however you would like.
You deserve it.
It’s your wedding day. It’s the day you are going to look back on for the rest of your life. So let’s celebrate it like it’s more than just an average day.
Want to chat about your courthouse wedding? I’m here!
