How to Get Married at the Courthouse

It's been 10 years since Kierstin and her husband got courthouse-hitched on a hot August morning—after being checked for weapons of course.

There are like, a million reasons to get married in a courthouse. Maybe you and your future spouse are shy. Maybe you can’t afford a big wedding. Maybe you just like to do things simply. Or maybe you're madly in love and can’t wait another day to be together.

Whatever your reason, eloping to the courthouse is no longer as taboo as it was decades ago. These days, eloping embodies thriftiness as well as the romantic ideal of marrying for love—not the spotlight. And don't worry—there are still plenty of ways to make a courthouse wedding charming, classy, and totally memorable (more on this below).

Getting Started: The Steps to Get to the Courthouse Steps

Before you delve into the details of getting courthouse-hitched, you should know a couple of things. Here's a basic outline of the process:

1. Gather you and your spouse-to-be's driver's licenses or State IDs, birth certificates, and social security numbers to have on hand.
2. Find the phone number of your local circuit court (this is where you apply for the marriage license). You can Google this! Yay, Google!
3. Get information (either by calling or looking online) from the circuit court on how to apply for a marriage license and what you need. Then, apply for it!
4. Find the phone number for your local courthouse. (Google to the rescue again!)
5. Call or get information from the courthouse on the process and requirements for getting married (more on this below). Make a date and a reservation (if needed).
6. Make sure you have everything (and everyone) you need, and then get hitched!

Applying for The Marriage License

In most states, applying for a marriage license is pretty simple. First, you'll need to call your local circuit court and find out what the requirements are for a marriage license application. Finding the number is easy—just Google "Circuit county court phone number [your city here]." A lot of this information is available online as well, so try our friend Google and it may not be necessary to call.

In nearly every state you'll both need a valid driver’s license or state ID, an original birth certificate (not a copy), and cash to pay the application fee.

Once you've applied, you'll be given a day to come back and pick the license up.

Important Questions to Ask When You Call the Circuit Court

• What is the application fee and how should we pay for it?
• What documentation should we bring with us?
• Do we both need to be present to apply?
• Do you require a blood test or premarital counseling? (In most states these are both outdated practices but if you're in Connecticut, Indiana, Mississippi, or Montana, a blood test may be required.
• What is the wait after we apply? (In most states there is a mandatory wait after applying for the marriage license. In Michigan for instance, you must wait three business days after the application is received to actually get married.)
• When does the application expire? (in most states your marriage application will expire after 30 days and you will have to apply for a new one if you don't get married within that period.)

What to Find Out About Your Marriage Licenses

Questions to Ask When You Call the Courthouse

The documents you need to bring and the rules you must abide by vary from state to state, and sometimes even county to county, so it's important to call your local courthouse before the big day to figure out the exact requirements. Like the above, sometimes this information is available online and calling might not be necessary.

By the way, this is not the same as calling the circuit court, which is the governing body—the courthouse is the specific place you'll be getting married. Just FYI!

Questions to Ask When You Call

• What forms of identification do we need to bring?
• Is there a fee we'll need to pay when we get there? How can we pay the fee?
• Are children allowed?
• Is flash photography or any photography allowed inside the courthouse?
• How many guests, if any, may we bring?
• Will the civil ceremony take place at a desk or in a courtroom?
• Should we set up an appointment or can we come in any time? Is there an online reservation system?
• Do we each need to bring a witness?

What to Know About the Courthouse Ceremony

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Did You Lose a Document?

Don't worry! It's fairly easy to get a new copy of your birth certificate and social security card.

Replacing a Birth Certificate

If you've lost your birth certificate you can recover this from the county you were born in, either online or in-person.

Replacing a Social Security Card

For a missing social security card, contact your local social security office and let them know your dilemma. They'll give you a list of what to bring in to replace the card.

What to Bring With You to Get Married

Make sure you have these things on hand when you arrive at the courthouse!

• Marriage license
• Two buddies—a witness each for the bride and groom
• Cash fee to pay the magistrate
• Both of your driver's licenses or state IDs

What to Expect On Your Big Day

1. When you arrive at the courthouse you'll have to go through a quick security checkpoint where you may be inspected with a hand-held metal detector (all part of the charm of the day!).
2. Next, you'll check in and let them know that you're there to get married. You may have to wait either for your turn to come up, or for your pre-scheduled appointment.
3. After your turn comes up you'll either be directed to a small courtroom, an office, or a little cubicle, wherever the magistrate or judge is working.
4. The magistrate may say a few words and then have you, your spouse, and the witnesses sign the license in front of him. Altogether, this takes about one minute.
5. Voila! You're married!

Courthouse Marriage FAQ

Below are some of the most common questions people who are considering a courthouse ceremony ask along with detailed answers and relevant information.

Can You Have Flowers or a Bouquet in the Courthouse?

The answer for me was yes, but it doesn't hurt to check with your own courthouse, especially in light of tighter restrictions in the past couple of years. If you have the go-ahead, keep in my that you don't have to adorn eight other girls with flowers, so the options for yourself suddenly get a lot more fun (and cheap!)

Can You Dress Up for a Court House Wedding?

Yes, you can. Just because you're skipping the big ceremony doesn't mean you can't make your big day special! If one or both of you wants to wear a dress but you don't want to go all-out with a gown, retailers from ModCloth to Macy's are beginning to catch onto the less-is-more trend when it comes to wedding attire at the right price point. For my own courthouse wedding I had a dress made for me on Etsy, and it cost about the same price as many of the bridesmaid dresses I wore before that.

Can You Have Guests?

Yes, you can. While you may decide to forego bringing your families along, don't assume you have to. Most courthouses allow a small showing of guests for the "ceremony."

Regardless of who's invited, you'll both probably need to bring a witness along to sign the final papers.

Can You Still Have a Reception?

Just because you've chosen to tie the knot quietly, doesn't mean you can't enjoy a post-courthouse party! Spend a fraction of the money you've saved by not having a wedding on a once-in-a-lifetime super-expensive dinner with your closest friends, or order a box of gourmet cupcakes to share with your families on the beach afterward.

Should You Hire a Photographer Even if You're Not Having a Full Wedding?

Most professional photographers (especially if it's the off-season, November-April) will offer a discount for courthouse weddings, since the time they have to invest is more like one hour, instead of eight. They would also be happy to squeeze in a mid-week shoot as most courthouse marriages take place during the week instead of on the weekend due to government business hours.

Even if the photographer isn't allowed in the courthouse you can set up a time to meet outside afterward for some quick professional shots, or plan to head out to a pretty location for a post-nuptials photo session.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Could I get married on the weekend at my local courthouse?

Answer: Since government institutions aren't typically open on weekends, you won't be able to get married on the weekend.

Question: What is the cost of a marriage license in Florida?

Answer: The cost of a marriage license in Florida is just under $100, but you'll receive a small discount if you complete a premarital counseling course. To find out exactly how much your license will cost, and any available discounts you can call your county's courthouse for specific numbers.

Question: What are the vows if you haven't prepared your own when getting married at the courthouse?

Answer: That's a really good question and it's possible that this varies from state to state, but here in Michigan where I was married, the judge just went through a quick ceremonial vow that was pretty similar to the end of every formal wedding ceremony I've ever attended which go something like "By the power invested in me by the state of ___ I now pronounce you husband and wife (or wife and wife or husband and husband)" and then my judge got extra fancy and said "You may now kiss your bride" although I don't know if that's part of the legal thing he had to say.

There was no "I do" stuff though, that I recall. I believe that's more of a church/religious tradition than a legal/state one. For me, I would say it took about 30 seconds for us to become legally married.

Question: Can you take the time to say vows at a courthouse wedding?

Answer: I didn't do this but it's my understanding from other couples' experiences that yes, you can say your own vows at a courthouse wedding. You can always ask beforehand too - either when you get there or by calling the magistrate's office to find out ahead of time.

Question: Do we both have to be present in order to get married?

Answer: Yes, as far as I know, you do. You'll both need to sign the paperwork at the same time with separate witnesses in attendance, with the magistrate present.

Question: Which courthouses are you able to get married at?

Answer: As far as I know, any county courthouse will marry you. If you're in doubt, you should call them up and ask if they perform civil ceremonies, as well as what you should do to prepare for one.

Question: Do we need to bring a witness to the courthouse to get married?

Answer: Yes, you should each plan on bringing a witness to the courthouse! We did. However, if that's an extra hassle for you, it doesn't hurt to call up your local courthouse and find out exactly what their rules are on witnesses.

Question: If I get married in a courthouse now, can I have an actual wedding later?

Answer: Oh, absolutely! You would basically just be getting the legalities out of the way. Then when you had your actual wedding, it would be just like any other wedding, except that you wouldn't have to worry about signing a marriage license since that would have been done at the courthouse.

Question: How do I schedule an appointment to get married?

Answer: To schedule an appointment to get married at the courthouse, the first thing you'll want to do is call the courthouse you plan to get married at. Usually, this is just the one in your county.

When you call, let them know why you're calling and they'll direct you to the proper department for scheduling an appointment time. Be prepared, it's probably going to be in the morning and on a weekday since you're working with a government entity.

Question: Can you walk down the aisle when getting married in the courthouse?

Answer: It really just depends on how big the room you get married in is. I've seen it done! And the court room that I was married in left a little bit of room for me to walk down the aisle.

Question: Does it matter if the witness for the bride is from the groom's side?

Answer: No, it shouldn't matter at all how you know the person as long as you each have a separate witness. For my own courthouse wedding, my brother was my witness, and my husband's dad was his witness, but any combination would, as far as I know, have been just fine.

Question: How do I get a marriage license?

Answer: Getting a marriage license is pretty easy. Here's what I remember us doing (keeping in mind that the process may be a little different state to state):

1. Both of us went to the county offices (if you don't know exactly where to go, just Google your county's government building and then call them up and ask specifically where to go and what to bring with you)

2. We both filled out paperwork - this just verified our names, social security numbers and that we were applying to marry each other.

3. About three business days later my fiancé ran into the government building and picked up the marriage license. It was good for 30 days so we have a full month to get married before it expired.

I think in total, the cost of the marriage license was no more than $30.00

Question: What questions at the courthouse do I have to answer before I get married?

Answer: It may differ from state to state, but when I got married, I needed to have a valid ID. There are not any official questions to answer other than the paperwork for the marriage license which included questions like my date of birth, my social security number and my address.

It’s possible I also had to confirm that I wasn’t blood related to my partner, but that was only through the paperwork and not a blood test or any other documentation.

It’s very informal and requires surprisingly little in terms of information.

Question: What are the next steps after getting married in another state?

Answer: Once you get married, whether it's at the courthouse in a civil ceremony or in a big, expensive wedding you'll need to update your info. So, if you plan to change your last name, or hyphenate it after getting married to your partner, you'll need to contact your local social security office to find out what documents and information you must bring to change your last name.

Once you've done that, you'll need to make a formal change on your driver's license or state ID as well.

After that, legally, you should be up to snuff though you might want to update your name and contact at other places like your doctor's office, your insurance companies, etc.

Question: When I get married, how do I change my first name at the same time I change my last?

Answer: To change both your first and last name, you'll need to contact your local courthouse and find out what paperwork and documentation you'll need. You'll probably need to file a formal petition to change your first name.

Question: Can I get married at the courthouse without an appointment?

Answer: No, as far as I know you need to make an appointment in most counties because they're also conducting other legal matters (like criminal and civil court cases) within the building and using the same staff.

© 2013 Kierstin Gunsberg

Comments

Gene Fitch Oliver Jr. on March 06, 2020:

Can I get married on the weekend without a appointment

sammie johnson on November 10, 2019:

Is court house marriages posted in the newspaper?

cecilia on August 14, 2019:

can the bride wak down the aise

Util on July 24, 2019:

You have to make an appointment or you just walking for the ceremony

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on February 05, 2019:

Jennifer, if you're an American citizen then you shouldn't need your passport as some American citizens don't have one. You just need a valid form of ID such as a driver's license or State I.D.

If you're unsure what to bring you can always call up your local courthouse and ask.

Jennifer on February 04, 2019:

Im american citizen do i need to have a passaport to get married

Kenneth Avery on May 21, 2018:

Hi, Kierstin -- no, thank you, good friend, for the kindness. I can say that by the Grace of God, there am I. Going to one of my regular doctor's appointment tomorrow and then have an early dinner then home. The round-trip really wipes me out.

Sorry. I do not feel like giving you any Beach Boys references.

You stay in touch with me.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on May 21, 2018:

Kenneth, thank you for the update! Though I was upset to hear you were having health issues, I'm glad that you're on the upswing.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on May 21, 2018:

Tom, you can call your court house to find out for sure but when I got married I only paid the marriage license fee. I don't think I had to pay a fee for the quick courthouse ceremony. Though, as I said, you should still call and check since regulations can vary from state to state.

Tom on May 21, 2018:

Just want to get married at the court house license $77.o what is the fee for the court house.

Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on May 04, 2018:

Hi, Kierstin -- as per your nice phrase, "as life goes," in your reply to my comment, I can tell you that in all honesty, (my) "life goes" category can be labeled as "Life/Health Issues."

I have had two strokes and a bout with congestive heart failure and with the Grace of God, (which I say unapologetically and with respect), I am still living.

Of course, I am under the care of a heart specialist and his troupe of nurse practitioners and bookkeepers, etc.

This was and is the truth. I am not as young as I used to be and I know now the value of dreams.

Stay in touch with me and my best to you, Kierstin.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on May 04, 2018:

Hi, Mirta! This I don't know for sure but if you call your county courthouse they should be able to answer the question for you.

Mirta on May 01, 2018:

do they accept birth certificates from foreign contries?

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on February 26, 2018:

Hi, Andrew! Yes, birth certificates can be quite the conundrum. Since retrieving a birth certificate varies from state to state, the first thing you need to do is find the vital records website for the state that you were born in and find out what their requirements for obtaining a new copy are.

Also, call the county that you are planning to get married in and ask what their requirements are because some counties don't even require a birth certificate.

Andrew Richard on February 25, 2018:

My name is Andrew Richard and my ffiancee is getting married in June she has her Social Security and birth certificate driver license. I have social security card state ID but I lost my birth certificate we both have SSI checks and we like to get married she'll be here June 1st or to second and would like to get on our lives in Florida can you help us please we are in love

Christina Teal on February 08, 2018:

Hey y'all my fiance and I will be married on Valentine's day I'm a little nervous because he doesn't have his birth certificate I'd or ss card lol helllllpppppll

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on January 25, 2018:

Helen, I think that's a really fantastic idea! If I had had more forethought, the one thing I would go back and do is hire a photographer.

A few things I can think of to reach your audience is:

- Through Facebook. I know that there are a lot of changes coming to pages and ads on Facebook but I still think it's a good idea. You can utilize specific keywords like "Courthouse Wedding Photographer" in your name to help people locate you in search.

- Local tourist guides, like those ones that sit out in restaurant lobbies and feature a lot of ads. Locals read those (I'm one of them)!

- Word of mouth. You could ask local florists and dress shops if you can leave a stack of cards on their register and tell them you'd be willing to list them as well on your own website.

Good luck, I think it could be a very lucrative niche!

Helen P Cherry on January 25, 2018:

I am a 30 year pro wedding photographer. I want to photograph courthouse wedding during the week. Trying to figure out how to get to these couples to offer my services.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on January 22, 2018:

Wow Roy, it sounds like one of those "When you know, you know" moments! Congratulations!

Roy Dean on January 20, 2018:

We got a court house wedding, We were married July 31 1984 at 5:05 .after three day of knowing each other. We been happy married for 32 years

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on January 15, 2018:

Patricia, I'm glad to hear that you two are still friends and that you can remember your marriage with fondness!

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on January 13, 2018:

In Albany Georgia in the courthouse my future husband and I were remarried. I can remember it now as if it just happened...the date was August 31 1971. I wore a brown and beige dress that was belted at the waist. We remained married for nine years and then parted ways. Many fond memories remain and we are still friends. Angels are on the way this morning ps

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on January 12, 2018:

Sharon, thanks for sharing with me :) It's only been five years for us but I truly don't regret the way we got married. I think it set a relaxed precedence for the rest of our life together.

Sharlee on January 08, 2018:

I so enjoyed your article... My husband and I were married at a courthouse. We have been married 51 years, and still remember our wedding day as a day that was special, and one of the happiest days of our lives. Thank you for stirring a wonderful memory...

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on December 27, 2017:

Hi Lucinda, yes, you will need to make an appointment to get married at the courthouse. You can usually do this just by calling and reserving a time slot.

The other thing you need to make sure you have is a marriage license and in most states there is a waiting period of a few days after filing.

Lucinda Garcia on December 27, 2017:

If i wamted gwt arried tomorrow in the couet house do i need to make appointment

psyraubie48 on November 13, 2017:

Silly me...did notknowbeing married in the courthouse was taboo in 1971 when I married my daughter's daddy.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on October 14, 2017:

Hey, Lori! She can absolutely bring her baby! If she wants to call and double check with her local courthouse, that couldn't hurt but I've never heard of that being an issue (and I had a minor, a 7-year-old at my own courthouse wedding).

As far as I know there are no dress requirements, I don't see coming in jeans being an issue at all. They'll probably wand ya down to make sure you're not carrying any contraband (so romantic!) but other than that, it's pretty casual.

Lori on October 13, 2017:

Can you bring your 5 month old baby? My daughter is getting married next week and wants to bring her baby. Also, they want to come in jeans! Any dress requirements?

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on October 03, 2017:

Once you obtain your marriage license you don't have to get married at the court house, Jaqueline. You can use it to have an officiant hold a ceremony. Wherever and whenever you get married, you just must have a marriage license.

Jaqueline Silva on October 03, 2017:

After aply for a martiage license we have to go to the court house or we can get someone oficiat to marry us on a ceremony will be? Thats my question

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on September 26, 2017:

Thanks for reading, Larry! When my husband and I were preparing to get married I had so many questions about how to actually GET married - there's a lot of red tape that can be difficult to find information on, so that's why I wrote this article.

Originally, we were planning a wedding but every aspect of it just felt so stressful that it was like trying to run through mud - it wasn't fun. We called off our wedding, floundered in a weird limbo of being engaged but having no idea how we were going to go about tying the knot and then one day we just looked at each other and said, "This is really stupid. Let's just go get married!" Over five years in I can still say that was an a-plus decision and the best way to start off our marriage - on our OWN terms.

Happy almost-anniversary to you and your wife! 47 years is quite the adventure.

Larry W Fish from Raleigh on September 25, 2017:

This is an excellent article, Kierstin. I know so many people spend a lot of money on a fancy wedding that strains their budget to the max. If two people are in love it doesn't matter if it is a simple wedding in a courthouse or the wedding like they are royalty. As an example I was a young Airmen stationed in the Philippines when I met a young Filipino woman that worked in the Airmen's club on Clark AFB in the Philippines. Naturally we were both struggling for money. So we had a simple wedding at our rented home and was married by a judge. I guess keeping it simple works, my wife and I will be married 47 years in December.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on August 16, 2017:

Hi Melinda! It depends on your county/state. Here in Michigan we had to wait three days. I would just google "Marriage license [your county]" and your county website should come up with the information.

Melinda on August 14, 2017:

Hello after getting the wedding licence how long can you wait to get married? Is there available date pretty close i mean can i get married the next day?

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on August 06, 2017:

Hey Kenneth! I know how life goes - it gets busy :) Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read again though!

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on August 06, 2017:

Karen, I did get married at the court house :) Five years ago on Tuesday, actually!

Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on July 21, 2017:

Hi, Kiersten!

Do you mean that it has been THREE years since I commented on this fine hub?

I have to admit this to you, but " I am so, so sorry. I ask your forgiveness. But there is a solid reason: Life happens in ways that even your talent of writing cannot fathom ."

Again, I am sorry for not responding as much.

Peace.

And keep writing these great pieces.

Karen Hellier from Georgia on July 18, 2017:

Nice hub, and what a great idea too. I love the pictures you included. I found myself wondering if you actually got married at a courthouse?

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on July 12, 2017:

Hey Keith! My husband and I got married in a Michigan court house and my brother was my witness and his dad was his witness. My understanding is that in most states whether you get married in a courthouse or a traditional ceremony, each partner needs to have a witness to sign the marriage certificate. It wouldn't hurt to just ring up the courthouse you plan to get married at and find out for sure, but I feel comfortable giving you a solid yes, you need a witness (two, actually) to get married at the courthouse.

Keith on July 10, 2017:

Do you have to have a witness to get married at court house?

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on June 19, 2017:

Amber, that's NOT a silly question and it's also one I don't have a solid answer to because laws seem to vary by state. From my general understanding a witness will need to be 21 years of age and in some places has to be a non-relative. However, in Michigan I was the witness (I was 21) for my sister when she got married so your best bet is to call the courthouse you plan to get married at and get the official word from them so you can plan :)

Amber on June 18, 2017:

I know this is a silly question, but how old can a witness be? My sister is 17 and getting married in July and I want her to be my witness when I get married at the courthouse in October.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on January 26, 2017:

Absolutely, Gabrielle. I can understand that. In many courthouses you actually can walk down a little aisle - like between the rows of chairs. Getting married at the courthouse is definitely not for everyone though, especially if you feel you'll regret some of the details of a bigger celebration.

Gabrielle on January 26, 2017:

The only thing I don't like about having a courthouse wedding is my dad won't be able to walk me down the aisle. This is only thing that's keeping me from doing this.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on December 14, 2016:

Hey Roxanne, I don't have clear answers for your situation but I hope that everything worked out. I would guess that he would need a valid ID (doesn't have to be a driver's license, it could most likely also be a State ID) and no warrants out. The courthouse is not somewhere that one can easily hide those sorts of circumstances.

Best of luck.

roxanne on October 22, 2016:

What if your spouse doest have an id... Also.... warrant for his Arrest. ?? Plz help I'm so worried but really want to get married !!

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on June 14, 2016:

O my...courthouse wedding...I hope you loved it as much as it sounds like you might.

I was married at the courthouse in Albany, GA, in 1972. (We had 9+ pretty good years together). Our marriage came off with no fanfare but it was perfect for us at the time.

Angels are on the way to you this evening. ps

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on May 18, 2016:

Hey JH, we didn't say vows. The day we were set to get married the magistrate was conveniently gone (boo!) but they scrambled to find a judge and he was so excited to not be on trial that he wanted to make it special so he said a few words and ended it with "you may now kiss your bride!" but typically you'll just meet with the magistrate and sign the marriage license. No vows!

JH on May 14, 2016:

when you get married in the courthouse do you have to say vows? or do they just sign and your done?

Sukhneet Kaur Bhatti from India on March 14, 2016:

interesting hub

Alicia Bell from Farmington, Maine on January 21, 2016:

I love this!! My husband and I were married at our Town Office and had a wonderful time- just the two of us. I think this article on the Courthouse wedding is absolutely wonderful and filled with great information.

ChinaSimmonds on December 30, 2015:

I am nervous about getting hitched at the courthouse, I do wish to hold a real ceremony in Vegas at one of their wedding chapels. But it will be just the two of us and I am not asking for any of my friends or family to be our witness, being that we would have to pay for their flight and food so wish us luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenneth hatmaker on August 24, 2015:

Me and my girl are gettin marryed in a week and i cant wait

Emily Solorzano from Chino, California on August 16, 2015:

Thanks so much for this! I've been toying with this idea for a while and think I finally decided it's what I want, and seeing all this really helps me form a better idea!

Jonas Rodrigo on July 27, 2015:

Funny title and very informative content. Great job on this hub, Kierstin!

luckyinlove on July 08, 2015:

Ur marrying the one u love not ur family or friends so follow ur heart & get married where ever u feel!! I did it too bad it didnt last but it was him not where we married!!

Kayla on October 13, 2014:

Loved reading this! You're on the same page as me. This is exactly how my fiancé and I feel, one week from now we will be doing the same thing!

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on October 07, 2014:

Bravewarrior, I loved my little courthouse wedding! If I could do it all over again though, I would have had a photographer, and a reception afterward. I do regret those two things. That being said, two years and a surprise baby later, we're still really glad for the way our wedding day played out. It was a quiet, lovely day and I don't think I got stressed once (except when the magistrate didn't show up--but the day was saved by a judge who was super excited to "marry" us!)

Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on May 28, 2014:

Hi, Kierstin,

Great read. Wonderful story and presentation. Never read a story about getting hitched at the courthouse, but you nailed it.

Voted up and away--keep up the great work.

I cordially-invite you to read a couple of my hubs and then become one of my followers.

I would love that.

Kenneth Avery/ from northwest Alabama

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on March 15, 2013:

My second husband and I got married at the courthouse. We were planning a simple wedding in a park by the water. When friends started butting in and making it more gradiose than we wanted, we opted for the courthouse. It was just the two of us. I wore a skirt and top I'd picked up at a consignment shop. No flowers, no frills. We had no reception, rather headed to the beach for the weekend.

Six years later we got divorced at the same courthouse!