This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Jeanny Sánchez Gómez. Find them on Instagram at @jeanny_sanchez. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
For some people, the idea of a big beautiful wedding is something they dream about from a young age. Yet, I hear about a couple who eloped and decided to have a courthouse marriage every day. Social media is full of videos of people having the cutest celebrations, and whether it is in person or online, the couples look as happy as they can be. There are plenty of reasons why courthouse weddings can be better than traditional ones, so here is how to have your own wedding!
Whether you have only dreamed about a big wedding or just haven’t considered getting married at the courthouse, here are some of the most important reasons why some couples elope and why you might want to consider it.
Money
One of the biggest reasons why many couples decide to go this route is because of financial reasons. In 2024, the average wedding cost is about $33,000, with most of that money going toward the venue and catering. Remember that this is just an average, depending on your budget, but it’s still an insane cost for an event that many couples end up feeling stressed about when it is supposed to be their happy day. For many, there are also more considerable expenses they would prefer to spend their money on, be it a house, a honeymoon, or even starting a family. I don’t know about you, but I personally wouldn’t want to spend that much money on a day that ends up being for everyone else. Choosing a pre-owned ring from Twice Loved can be a smart way to save without sacrificing beauty or quality. It allows couples to allocate more of their budget toward experiences and investments that matter most to them.
Intimacy and Simplicity
The biggest reason my partner and I are leaning toward a courthouse wedding is the intimacy of the process. A couple of years ago, I was my sister’s maid of honor, and during the planning process, I saw her make so many sacrifices for what she wanted because of all the accommodations she had to make. More family members were planning on coming, so she had to find a bigger venue that she didn’t love as much. Then, during the day, guests kept coming up to her to complain about the music, food, seating, etc.; between trying to be everywhere, she barely had the opportunity to enjoy the day with her husband.
Courtroom weddings remove the added pressure of ensuring the wedding runs smoothly for everyone to enjoy. It’s a day when it really feels like a special day between you and your partner.
The best part about taking this route with your partner is that you are much more in control of how and what you do for your courthouse wedding.
Planning
The biggest thing to remember is that although courthouse weddings are much simpler to execute, there is still some necessary planning you need to do ahead of time.
Do your Research
Unlike traditional weddings, where ceremonies and venues can be held on the weekends, courthouses are government buildings and, like many other government facilities, are only open on weekdays. If you want to get married at your local courthouse, make sure to look into their availability. While the word elopement gives you the idea that you might do this by the end of the day, many courthouses won’t have appointments that work for you right away. You might have to wait weeks or months or try to get the day off work if you want to do it as soon as possible.
Another thing to consider is that while you are saving money, don’t expect the process to be completely free! While there may be specific dates when the ceremony might be free, like Valentine’s Day, it’s usually not and can cost $100 or more. Similarly, applying for a marriage license is another additional cost that you will have to account for. Depending on where you live, there might be other stipulations, so make sure to look up all the fees that might be necessary in your county!
The last thing you should do is research if any requirements are needed for your wedding, such as a witness, your own officiate, etc. Going back to the marriage license, depending on where you are, they might have an expiration date, so make sure you have all the necessary documents and schedule your ceremony within the correct timeframe! Again, each county is different, but whenever you are ready to apply for your license, make sure to have the following:
- A valid form of government-issued picture ID, such as a driver’s license, naturalization certificate, or passport
- If either party has been divorced: A copy of the final dissolution (also known as divorce papers)
- Payment for your marriage license and any other fees (prices can vary)
- Any other requirement based on your local county requirements.
After planning out the logistics, it’s time to get to the fun stuff. Since the day can be as casual or formal as you want it to be, it opens up a world of possibilities for what you want your wedding day outfit to look like. Grabbing some friends and shopping can create the same excitement that is seen on Say Yes to the Dress.
Next is picking your venue. While this may seem straightforward, go to your local courthouse and do the ceremony, there are some courthouses that are so picturesque that it help you feel like you entered somewhere magical on your wedding day. Nothing is stopping you from going to your favorite and having your ceremony there, although make sure to look at all the requirements beforehand if you are going far.
One of the last things to consider before planning your special day is how you want your loved ones to be involved. Do you want a small group with you at the courthouse or no one? Do you want a sweet, intimate dinner afterward or to throw a rager with as many people as you know? Either way, it’s one of the last things to take into consideration.
Whether my spiel changed your mind about having a courthouse wedding or not, I hope this helped you see why this is the chic new trend for many couples in love.
What are your thoughts on having a courthouse weddings? What are your tips for how to have a courthouse wedding? Let us know in the comments below!
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