Courthouse Wedding Ideas
Photo by Ardensea
There’s no one-size-fits-all for courthouse weddings. Some people want to do away with a big todo, others want to expedite their engagement tie the knot sooner rather than later. Maybe you want to save money or would prefer a fuss-free, intimate wedding.
Courthouse weddings can be customized to fit the couple getting married. That’s the beauty of this type of non-traditional wedding. No pressure (we hope!), no expectations. Just you and your partner exchanging “I Do’s” in a simple, cost-effective way.
All that said, you might be looking for ways to make this event feel more special. We’ve got 20+ ideas below on how to enhance your courthouse wedding.
Ideas for your Courthouse Wedding
Make a registry. Trust us, people will want to give you gifts for your change in marital status - big wedding or not.
Send out paper invitations. There’s something special about paper wedding invitations. If you are only inviting a few people to join you in-person, you can splurge on more luxurious invites. If you are sending out invitations to join a wedding live stream or another virtual event, be sure to specify that on the invites.
Live stream your wedding. Live streaming a wedding is the perfect way to take a small, intimate courthouse wedding and share it with an unlimited number of people.
Hire a photographer. While live streaming your wedding from the courthouse can open up the guest list to more loved ones, hiring a photographer will ensure you leave with special photos that capture the love and excitement of the day. Best of all - most photographers have hourly rates. You might be able to splurge on a better photographer if you only need them for a few hours, as opposed to booking them for the whole day.
Create a playlist. One of the best parts of creating a wedding playlist for a small wedding is you don’t have to cater to the masses. Choose those weird, random songs that you love. Even if no one else agrees.
*Pro tip: if live streaming your wedding on Facebook Live, Instagram Live or Youtube, be aware that your stream can be shut down if you play copyrighted music. If you live stream with us, you don’t have to worry about that! Read our full live stream wedding comparison article to learn more.
Throw a pre-wedding bash. A bachelorette or bachelor party, or a co-ed bash, are excellent precursors to a courthouse wedding. People want to celebrate with you, even if you’re not having a big in-person wedding.
Put together a wedding party. Just because you’re tying the knot at the courthouse doesn’t mean you can’t have your besties up there with you. Grab a few best friends or siblings, assign coordinating outfits and have a true wedding party.
Head to a destination. When you don’t have to coordinate a big event, you have more freedom to travel further from home. Consider making your courthouse wedding a destination wedding, even if it’s just a few hours away.
Grab some flowers. Flowers make everything more special. Bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages and flower petals to toss are small expenses that will make a big impact.
Get pampered before. Massages, facials, a new hair cut and professional makeup go a long way in making your wedding feel special. Plus, you’ll be glowing in your photos and on your wedding live stream feed!
Put on a special outfit. You have so many options for what to wear to your courthouse wedding, so don’t hold back. You and your partner can go traditional with a full-length wedding dress or a classic tuxedo. You can wear a spunky party outfit. You can even dress up in costumes. Wear something you feel great in.
Take a few minutes aside. Make sure you find a few quiet moments to spend with your partner, either before or after the ceremony. Soak it all in. It’s a big, life-changing day, even if it feels low-key.
Write your vows. Writing your own wedding vows is a great way to make a courthouse wedding feel more intimate and unique.
Do a first look. If you’re following tip number 11, then having a first look is a great way to make the most of your special outfit. Whether that’s privately before the ceremony or having your first look at the ceremony, this option adds an extra layer of excitement.
Walk down the aisle. Walking down the aisle is a classic wedding tradition that can be easily incorporated into your courthouse wedding, even if you don’t have a true aisle.
Make a toast. There’s never a bad time to make a toast, especially at a wedding. Whether you toast to yourselves or ask a close friend or relative to say a few words, raising a glass and toasting really makes the event feel special.
Do a unity ceremony. Whether you have a big wedding or a small one, your wedding day is going to fly by. Just like a wedding live stream gives you a keepsake video, a unity ceremony offers another keepsake to remind you of your special day.
Leave in style. Leave your wedding in a spectacular way. Whether it’s renting a vintage car, being whisked away in a limo, hopping into a horse-drawn carriage or zipping off on some electric scooters, having arranged transportation is a great end to a wedding ceremony.
Have a fancy meal after. Go crazy with your post-wedding meal, especially if it’s just the two of you sneaking off for a private dinner. Remember, you saved a ton of money by opting for a courthouse wedding, so don’t be afraid to go a little more extravagant.
Or, have an after-party. If you want to have a bigger celebration, then have an after-party. Rent out a small space for a handful of your closest friends and family, and party the night away.
Or (again), have a post-wedding reception. A third post-wedding option (if you don’t do all three!) is to have a true reception. You can plan it for the same weekend or for a few months down the road. This allows you to have an intimate ceremony, find your bearings as a married couple and throw a big party for your crew. Plus, delayed receptions are expected to be a 2022 wedding trend, so you’re in good company.
Get a hotel. Why head home when you can head to a fancy suite at a local hotel? While it might not seem necessary, like most of the courthouse wedding ideas above, it makes the whole event feel a little more special and romantic.
Send out announcements (with your registry!). Remember how we told you to make a registry? Well, even post-wedding, that registry will still come in handy. This is especially true for any couples who had a quiet courthouse wedding that wasn’t announced to the masses. Send out announcement cards after your wedding so that everyone knows you’re married and be sure to include a link to your wedding registry so people can shower you in gifts.
Go on a honeymoon. Finally, be sure to plan a honeymoon. This can be an international excursion or a quick weekend to your favorite campsite. But take some time after your wedding to just focus on being married without having to get back to the grind of normal life.
Want to learn more about live streaming your wedding ceremony? Take a look at our wedding live streaming packages or grab some time with our team for a quick chat about your streaming options.
Photo courtesy of Ardensea