TL;DR: A courthouse wedding typically costs $25–$150 for the marriage license and ceremony fees, takes 10–30 minutes, and happens inside the clerk's or civil ceremony room at your county courthouse. Book your license appointment 1–4 weeks ahead, confirm the guest cap (usually 4–20 people), and decide whether you want a second "celebration" venue afterward.
H1 matching exact intent
This guide covers the courthouse itself as your wedding venue — how the space actually works, what it costs, who can come, and when you should add a second location for photos or dinner.
Direct answer
Your "venue" for a courthouse wedding is the civil ceremony room operated by the county clerk, city clerk, or a judge's chambers. You don't tour it, you don't negotiate it, and you don't decorate it. You book a time slot, show up with ID and witnesses, and get married in 10–30 minutes.
What this means practically:
- Total venue cost: $25–$150 in most U.S. counties (license + ceremony fee combined). A handful of major cities run higher — NYC is about $35 license + $25 ceremony; LA County is roughly $91 license + $35 ceremony.
- Guest capacity: Most ceremony rooms cap between 4 and 20 guests. Some counties only allow the couple plus two witnesses.
- Decor and music: Usually not allowed, or extremely limited. Assume bare walls and fluorescent lighting.
- Photography: Permitted in most courthouses, but flash and tripods are often restricted. A professional photographer is allowed in the ceremony room in most jurisdictions.
- Attire: No dress code. Guests wear anything from a white gown to jeans.
Practical sections
Step 1: Pick the right courthouse
You generally must get married in the county (or sometimes state) where you obtained the license. Check:
- Same-day vs. waiting period: Some states (CA, TX, FL) issue licenses same-day; others (NY, IL, WI) impose a 1–6 day waiting period.
- Residency requirement: Most counties don't require you to live there. You can pick a courthouse with a nicer ceremony room — the SF City Hall rotunda, the Beverly Hills courthouse, and the Manhattan Marriage Bureau are popular for exactly this reason.
- Appointment vs. walk-in: Large metros require online appointments booked 2–6 weeks out. Smaller counties take walk-ins.
Step 2: Understand the real cost
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $25–$115 |
| Civil ceremony fee | $0–$90 |
| Witness (if courthouse provides one) | $0–$40 |
| Certified copy of certificate | $15–$30 each |
| Total | $40–$275 |
That's before any celebration after. A post-ceremony restaurant dinner for 10 typically runs $500–$1,500 — still a fraction of a traditional reception.
Step 3: Decide if you need a second venue
The courthouse handles the legal part. Most couples add one of three things for the actual celebration:
- Restaurant private room ($500–$3,000 for 10–30 guests, often with a food-and-beverage minimum instead of a rental fee).
- Home or backyard reception (near-zero venue cost; plan for $50–$150 per person on catering).
- Nothing — just the ceremony, photos on the courthouse steps, and a casual meal.
If you want a "real" venue experience without a full wedding, consider booking a photographer for 1–2 hours ($400–$1,200) and a dinner reservation. That combination tends to feel complete.
Step 4: Logistics the day of
- Arrive 30 minutes early. Security lines at major courthouses are unpredictable.
- Bring: government photo ID, marriage license, rings (optional), and any required witnesses.
- Dress: anything you like, but skip oversized bouquets — most ceremony rooms are small.
- Plan photos in advance. Courthouse exteriors and steps are usually the best backdrop; interiors may prohibit photography outside the ceremony room itself.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the courthouse provides witnesses. Many don't. Bring your own.
- Booking the license without checking the ceremony wait. In some counties, the license desk and ceremony desk are separate appointments.
- Overbooking guests. Exceeding the room cap gets people turned away at the door.
- Skipping the certified copy. You'll need one to change your name, update insurance, or file taxes jointly.
Embedded or linked tool CTA
Not sure whether a courthouse-plus-dinner setup fits your budget and guest list? Build a realistic plan in a few minutes with the WeddingBot planner — it'll model costs, timeline, and guest logistics around a courthouse ceremony.
Related pages
- Wedding Venue Guide
- Wedding Venue Comparison
- Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue
- Wedding Venue Mistakes to Avoid
- Wedding Budget Guide
FAQ
Can I have a courthouse wedding with more than 20 guests?
Usually not in the ceremony room itself — most cap between 4 and 20. A few large courthouses (SF City Hall, for example) allow larger groups in their rotunda for a higher fee ($1,000+ for a one-hour reservation). If you need more than 20 guests, plan the legal ceremony at the courthouse with immediate family only, then host everyone at a second location.
Do I need an appointment or can I just walk in?
It depends on the county. Major metros (Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston) require online appointments booked 2–6 weeks in advance. Smaller and rural counties typically take walk-ins during business hours. Always check the county clerk's website — the rules change and same-day availability is rarely guaranteed in large cities.
How much does a courthouse wedding actually cost?
Plan on $40–$275 total for the legal portion: $25–$115 for the license, $0–$90 for the civil ceremony, and $15–$30 per certified copy. Add a photographer ($400–$1,200) and a restaurant dinner ($500–$1,500 for 10 guests) and you're still usually under $3,000 all-in.
Can we write our own vows at the courthouse?
Sometimes, but the officiant controls the format and most ceremonies are scripted and short (2–5 minutes of spoken content). Some courthouses allow a brief personal exchange if you ask in advance; others stick strictly to the civil script. If personalized vows matter to you, have a separate vow-exchange moment at dinner or during photos afterward.
Is a courthouse wedding legally the same as a traditional wedding?
Yes. A marriage license signed by an authorized officiant and filed with the county is legally identical whether the ceremony happened at a courthouse, a church, or a beach. The certificate you receive is the same document and is recognized in all 50 states and internationally.
What should guests wear to a courthouse wedding?
There's no dress code, so it ranges widely. Couples commonly wear anything from a suit and white dress to jeans; guests tend to match the couple's formality. If you're inviting guests, tell them what you're wearing so they can calibrate — "we're dressing up, feel free to as well" or "keep it casual" works fine.
Can we take photos inside the courthouse?
Most courthouses allow photography inside the ceremony room during the ceremony, often with restrictions on flash, tripods, and video. Hallways and lobbies are usually off-limits for posed photos due to security and privacy rules. The exterior steps and plaza are almost always fair game and typically make the best photos anyway.
Sources
- The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study
- National Center for Health Statistics — Marriage License Data
- County Clerk fee schedules (Los Angeles County, NYC City Clerk, Cook County, Harris County)
- WeddingWire Cost Guide 2024
Get started
Map out your courthouse ceremony, post-ceremony dinner, and total budget in one place — free, no credit card. create_free_account