Wedding Budget for Courthouse

A courthouse wedding typically costs $200 to $3,500 all-in, depending on whether you stop at the ceremony fee or add a small reception after. The license and ceremony itself usually run $35 to $150; everything else — what you wear, who photographs it, where you eat afterward — is where your budget actually lives.

Direct answer

For a courthouse wedding, plan on one of three realistic tiers:

Bare-bones ($200–$500): Marriage license, ceremony fee, two witnesses, and a nice lunch afterward. What you already own covers attire.
Elevated courthouse ($1,500–$3,500): License and ceremony, a photographer for 1–2 hours, a new outfit, flowers, and a restaurant dinner for 8–15 people.
Courthouse + small reception ($5,000–$12,000): Everything above plus a private dining room, a small cake, light decor, and 20–40 guests.

The courthouse portion is fixed and cheap. Your real budget decisions are about the hours around the ceremony.

What the courthouse itself actually costs

These are the only non-negotiable line items:

Marriage license: $35–$115 in most U.S. counties. Some require a 1–6 day waiting period; a few offer same-day.
Civil ceremony fee: $25–$100 if performed by a judge, clerk, or justice of the peace. Some counties include it in the license fee.
Certified copies of the marriage certificate: $5–$25 each. Get 2–3 — you'll need them for name changes and insurance.
Witnesses: Free if you bring your own. Some courthouses offer paid witnesses for $20–$40.

Call your county clerk's office before you budget anything else. Fees, ID requirements, and appointment windows vary more than people expect.

Where couples actually spend money

Once the legal part is handled, these are the categories that move the number:

Attire ($0–$1,500): A nice dress or suit you already own costs nothing. A new dress from a non-bridal retailer runs $150–$600. A real wedding dress or custom suit pushes $800–$1,500.
Photography ($0–$1,200): A friend with a decent camera is free. A professional for a 1-hour "elopement package" runs $400–$1,200 and is the most common splurge — these photos are the only artifact of the day.
Flowers ($0–$250): A grocery-store bouquet is $30–$60. A florist-made bridal bouquet and boutonniere is $150–$250.
Rings ($200–$4,000+): Huge range, separate from the wedding itself.
Reception meal ($100–$4,000): Lunch for two at a nice spot vs. a private dining room for 20 at a steakhouse.
Transportation, hair and makeup, a small cake: $0–$800 combined if you want them.

Sample courthouse budgets

Two-person, $350 total: - License + ceremony: $150 - Lunch for two: $120 - Bouquet from Trader Joe's: $30 - Certified copies: $50

Small ceremony + dinner for 10, $2,800 total: - License + ceremony: $150 - Photographer (1 hour): $650 - New dress + alterations: $450 - Groom's suit: $300 - Bouquet + boutonniere: $180 - Private dinner at a restaurant: $1,000 - Certified copies and misc: $70

Courthouse + 30-guest reception, $8,500 total: - License + ceremony: $150 - Photographer (3 hours): $1,500 - Attire for both: $1,200 - Flowers: $400 - Restaurant buy-out or private room with food/drink: $4,500 - Cake: $250 - Hair and makeup: $400 - Misc: $100

How to decide what to include

Ask these three questions in order:

Do you want photos you'd frame? If yes, hire a professional for one hour. It's the single highest-ROI spend of a courthouse wedding.
How many people are coming to dinner after? Under 8, a restaurant reservation works. Over 15, you need a private room or a buyout, which shifts the whole budget.
What are you wearing? Decide this before you book anything else. It sets the tone of the photos and the restaurant.

Skip what doesn't earn its keep: favors, programs, DJs, transportation, big floral arrangements. A courthouse wedding's whole appeal is that these aren't expected.

Build your actual number

Use the Wedding Budget Calculator to plug in your guest count and the categories you care about. It'll give you a realistic total and let you swap pieces in and out before you commit.

FAQ

How much does a courthouse wedding really cost?

The ceremony itself is $60–$250 depending on your county's license and civil ceremony fees. Most couples spend $500–$3,000 total once they add photography, attire, flowers, and a meal afterward. You can do it for under $300 if you skip the extras.

Can you have a courthouse wedding for under $500?

Yes. Budget $150 for the license and ceremony, $50 for a bouquet, $100–$200 for a nice lunch, and $50 for certified copies. Wear something you already own and ask the courthouse for walk-in witnesses or bring two friends.

Is it worth hiring a photographer for a courthouse wedding?

For most couples, yes. A 1-hour elopement package runs $400–$1,200, and it's the only lasting artifact of a day that's otherwise over in 20 minutes. Many photographers offer courthouse-specific mini packages — ask directly.

How many people can you invite to a courthouse wedding?

Most courthouse ceremony rooms hold 6–20 people, and some limit it to 2 witnesses plus the couple. Call ahead to confirm capacity. If you want more guests, plan the legal ceremony small and host a larger dinner or reception after.

Do you need to tip at a courthouse wedding?

You don't tip the judge, clerk, or officiant performing a civil ceremony — they're government employees and can't accept tips. You should tip your photographer (10–20% if you loved the work), hair and makeup artists (15–20%), and restaurant staff normally.

What's the difference between a courthouse wedding and an elopement?

A courthouse wedding is one form of elopement — a civil ceremony at a government building with minimal guests. "Elopement" more broadly includes small ceremonies anywhere (a park, a mountaintop, a backyard) with 0–20 guests. Budgets overlap heavily; courthouse is typically the cheapest version.

Can you have a reception after a courthouse wedding?

Absolutely, and most couples do. Options range from a restaurant dinner for 10 ($500–$1,500) to a private room for 30 ($3,000–$6,000) to a full backyard party later that month ($3,000–$10,000+). The courthouse handles the legal piece; the celebration is separate.

Sources

The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study
WeddingWire Newlywed Report
U.S. county clerk marriage license fee schedules (aggregated)
Zola Wedding Cost Guide

Get started

Plug in your guest count, attire budget, and whether you want a photographer — the calculator will give you a realistic courthouse total in under two minutes. create_free_account

Next step

Create my free account