Let’s be honest—not every wedding needs to be a 200-guest, floral-installation, choreographed-entrance, sparkler-exit production.
Some love stories are simple, sweet, and ready to be made official ASAP.
Enter: The Courthouse Wedding
(aka: Courthouse Quickies 😉)
Short, sweet, efficient, and surprisingly magical—if you know how to make them work in your favor. Whether you’re eloping, avoiding guest-list politics, saving for your dream celebration later, or just ready to be married right now, courthouse weddings can be absolutely perfect.
Here’s how to make your courthouse quickie feel intentional, romantic, and totally “you.”
1. Dress the Part (Whatever That Means for YOU)
The beauty of a courthouse wedding?
Zero rules. Zero expectations.
You can show up in:
- A chic white mini dress
- A killer jumpsuit
- A full ballgown because why not
- A tailored suit
- Jeans and a leather jacket
- Something pink and sparkly. Remember no rules!
Wear what makes you feel confident and excited.
If you want photos that look elevated even in a simple setting, opt for something with texture or movement—lace, satin, bold colors, tulle, or crisp tailoring.
2. Bring Your Hype Crew (or Don’t!)
Courthouse weddings let you set the vibe:
Option A: Just you two and the officiant → quiet, intimate, romantic movie moment.
Option B: Bring your parents, siblings, or besties → instant cheer squad and built-in confetti throwers.
Both are perfectly valid.
Both make great photos.
Both are entirely your choice.
Quickie Tip:
If you bring guests, tell them the courthouse time is earlier than it is. You know why.
3. Make Time for Photos – Before or After
Courthouse buildings are surprisingly photogenic… but the real magic usually happens in the spots nearby.
Think:
- Brick streets
- Local parks
- Waterfronts
- Cute side alleys
- Murals
- Anywhere with pretty light
A quick photo session turns your simple ceremony into a memory that feels full and meaningful.
Quickie Tip: The Annapolis courthouse doesn’t allow ANY photos in the waiting area. So, for about 20 min we can’t do much of anything until we get into the ceremony area. We try not to break the rules, so we are invited back.
4. Add a Tiny Celebration After
Just because it’s a courthouse wedding doesn’t mean the celebration stops at “I now pronounce you…”
Keep the vibe going:
- A champagne pop on the sidewalk
- Brunch with your witnesses
- A fancy dinner for two
- A quick stop for ice cream (always adorable in photos)
- A mini at-home dance party
- Booking a night at a cute boutique hotel ( Annapolis has loads of them)
A small celebration helps the day feel special even without a full reception.
Quickie Tip:
If you want champagne photos at the courthouse, check the rules first. Some courthouses = chill. Others = “Ma’am, absolutely not.
5. Personalize the Tiny Details
The courthouse ceremony itself is short—sometimes shockingly short.
But you can still weave meaning into the moments around it:
- Handwritten vows exchanged privately
- A letter to your partner
- A special bouquet
- Matching accessories
- A family heirloom
- A custom playlist for the car ride there
- A first dance in a parking lot or local park (don’t knock it till you try it)
It doesn’t need to be grand.
It just needs to feel like you.
6. Hire a Photographer Who Knows How to Work Quick + Cute
Courthouse weddings are fast-paced. You need someone who can:
✔ pivot instantly
✔ find flattering light in the middle of the day
✔ navigate courthouse rules – so your photographer doesn’t’ get kicked out
✔ direct casually without stress
✔ make the simple things look cinematic
A seasoned photographer (like me) can turn a 45-minute courthouse window into a gallery filled with personality, joy, and creative portraits. We usually recommend 2 hours for the perfect courthouse quicky.
7. Remember: A Courthouse Wedding Is STILL a Wedding
It counts.
It matters.
It’s real.
It’s beautiful.
Whether you’re eloping quietly or planning a big party later, your courthouse day is still a core memory in your marriage story.
Lean into the simplicity.
Celebrate because you want to.
And enjoy the freedom to do the day your way.
Final Thoughts: Courthouse Quickies Deserve More Love
A courthouse wedding doesn’t mean “less than”—it means simplified, intentional, and beautifully real. It’s the perfect blend of no-pressure and all-heart.
Whether you’re planning a minimalist elopement or using it as the warm-up act for a bigger celebration later, a courthouse quickie can be one of the most meaningful, joyful, and stress-free ways to get married.
And with the right planning (and the right photographer 😉), it can also be pretty darn photogenic.
