A courthouse wedding runs 15 to 45 minutes of actual ceremony time, but plan a 3 to 4 hour window start-to-finish once you add arrival, check-in, the license window, photos, and a meal or toast after. Most courthouses hand you a scheduled time slot — you build your day around theirs, not the other way around.

Direct answer

A typical courthouse wedding day looks like this:

• Arrive 30 minutes early. Most courthouses require check-in 15–30 minutes before your slot.
• Ceremony: 10–20 minutes. The vows themselves are often under 5 minutes. The rest is paperwork.
• Post-ceremony photos: 20–60 minutes. On the steps, in a nearby park, or at a favorite spot.
• Lunch or dinner reception: 1.5–3 hours. Usually a private room at a restaurant for 2–30 guests.

Unlike a traditional wedding, you don't have a "getting ready" block that lasts six hours or a vendor-driven timeline. The courthouse's appointment time is the anchor, and everything else fits around it.

Practical sections

The day-of timeline template

Here's a realistic schedule for a midday courthouse wedding:

• 9:00 AM — Wake up, get ready at home or a hotel
• 11:00 AM — First-look photos with your partner (optional, 20 min)
• 11:30 AM — Travel to courthouse
• 12:00 PM — Arrive, check in, present ID and license
• 12:30 PM — Ceremony slot (15 min)
• 12:45 PM — Sign paperwork, pay any balance
• 1:00 PM — Photos outside the courthouse and nearby
• 2:00 PM — Lunch reception with guests
• 4:00 PM — Day ends, or transition to a bar/second location

Shift earlier or later to match your actual appointment.

What to handle before the wedding day

The timeline starts well before the ceremony. Most couples miss a step here:

• Marriage license: obtain 1–90 days before, depending on your state. California is 90 days; New York has a 24-hour waiting period; Texas has a 72-hour wait.
• Book the ceremony slot: 2–8 weeks ahead. Some courthouses book same-week; popular dates (Valentine's, 10/10, first Friday of the month) fill months out.
• Witnesses: confirm 1–2 people depending on your jurisdiction. Many courthouses provide a witness for a small fee if you don't bring one.
• Reception venue: book 4–8 weeks ahead if you want a private dining room.

Typical courthouse ceremony structure

The ceremony itself is short and scripted. Expect:

1. Greeting and intro by the officiant (1–2 min)
2. Statement of intent — "Do you take…" (1 min)
3. Vows — usually repeat-after-me; personal vows sometimes allowed (2–5 min)
4. Ring exchange if you brought rings (1 min)
5. Pronouncement and kiss (1 min)
6. Signing the license and certificate (5–10 min)

Ask ahead whether you can personalize any portion. Many courthouses allow it; some require the civil script verbatim.

If you're adding a reception

A post-courthouse reception doesn't need a full traditional timeline, but a simple flow helps:

• Arrival and drinks: 30 min
• Lunch or dinner: 60–90 min
• Toasts (2–3 max): 10–15 min
• Cake or dessert: 15 min
• Mingling or first dance: 30–45 min

Three hours is plenty. Guests flew in for you, not for a 12-hour event.

Common timeline mistakes

• Booking photos to start at the ceremony time. Courthouses run early or late. Book your photographer for a 2-hour window starting 15 minutes before your slot.
• Not planning for a delay. If the couple before you runs long, you wait. Don't book your reception reservation for 30 minutes after your slot.
• Forgetting the license pickup trip. In many states you must appear in person at the clerk's office on a separate day to get the license itself.

Build your timeline in 5 minutes

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Related pages

• Wedding Timeline Generator
• Wedding Timeline Guide
• Standard Wedding Timeline
• Wedding Timeline Examples
• How to Build a Wedding Timeline
• Wedding Budget Guide

FAQ

How long does a courthouse wedding actually take?

The ceremony portion is 10–20 minutes, but plan for 45–60 minutes at the courthouse total once you include check-in, paperwork after the ceremony, and getting out. Most couples budget a 3–4 hour window for the ceremony plus photos, and add another 2–3 hours if hosting a reception.

How early should we arrive at the courthouse?

Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled slot. Courthouses typically require you to check in 15–30 minutes early, and you'll need time to find the right floor or office, pass through security, and present your license and IDs. Arriving late usually means rescheduling.

Do we need a marriage license before the ceremony?

Yes. You must obtain the marriage license before your ceremony date, and most states have a waiting period of 24 to 72 hours after issuance before you can marry. A few states (California, Florida, New York with waivers) allow same-day or near-immediate use. Bring the physical license on your wedding day.

Can we do photos at the courthouse?

Most courthouses allow photos in public areas like lobbies, exterior steps, and plazas, but restrict photography inside active courtrooms. Check with the specific courthouse — some require a permit for professional photographers. Plan 20–60 minutes for photos immediately after the ceremony while you're still dressed up.

What's a realistic reception timeline after a courthouse ceremony?

A 1.5 to 3 hour restaurant reception covers it. Budget 30 minutes for arrival drinks, 60–90 minutes for the meal, 10–15 minutes for two or three short toasts, and 30 minutes for cake and mingling. Courthouse weddings rarely need dancing, a DJ, or a full reception program.

How many guests typically attend a courthouse wedding?

Most courthouses limit ceremony attendees to between 2 and 10 people, including the couple and witnesses. Some allow up to 20, and a few have no limit. Check your specific courthouse's policy — guest caps directly shape whether you host a lunch after or a larger restaurant dinner.

Should we write our own vows for a courthouse ceremony?

You can in most jurisdictions, but ask when you book. The default civil ceremony uses a standard script and takes under 5 minutes. If you want personal vows, request it in advance and plan for a 15–20 minute ceremony instead of 10. Keep personal vows to 60–90 seconds each.

Sources

• The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study
• National Center for Health Statistics — marriage license data
• County Clerk offices (Los Angeles, New York, Cook County) — published ceremony scheduling policies

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