17 Unique Courthouse Wedding Ideas For The Big Day

Planning a traditional wedding isn’t for everyone. From the massive party hall to all that decor, many couples see it as a huge headache…So why not go for a courthouse wedding instead? It’s just as official and it’s finished in less than an hour! Courthouse weddings do have one downside: they can feel impersonal on what should be one of the biggest days of your lives. So how about letting Peerspace give you a hand with a few of our unique courthouse wedding ideas for the big day?

1. Have a small first-look ceremony

Many couples simply drive together right up to the courthouse but you can make the day a little more special with a first-look ceremony. Even if it means getting ready in separate parts of the house, only to see each other for the first time that day before driving to the courthouse. Doing so adds a little traditional romance to the day that is sometimes lacking in a courthouse wedding!

2. Throw an after-party for friends and family

Courthouse weddings are over and done in less than 30 minutes. There isn’t much time for getting a large guest list seated and organized. So why not throw an after-party for friends and family at a venue of your choosing afterward? Many couples elect to book a restaurant, rooftop lounge, or party hall and throw a celebration like a traditional wedding reception.

You can find hundreds of wedding reception venues near you by browning the massive online collection of spaces Peerspace has to offer! This art gallery and bar in Seattle, WA, is just one of the many stylish venues we have for a courthouse wedding after-party!

3. Hire a professional photographer

Just because a courthouse wedding does away with the pomp doesn’t mean you won’t want images to remember the day with. A professional photographer is easier to book because the ceremony is shorter and you may not need them for a grand party afterward. The photos that come from the two of you leaving the courthouse as newlyweds will be especially striking if your courthouse is known for having stunning architecture! 

4. Live stream the ceremony for friends and family

Most courthouse weddings are low-key affairs but that doesn’t mean that family and friends don’t want to be a part of it. Why not set up a live stream of the ceremony from within the courthouse using a laptop and webcam? That way, everyone who wishes to be a part of the day can, no matter how far they are from you!

Planning in a hurry? Don’t fret; simply let these last-minute wedding ideas guide you to the perfect day!

5. Bring your dog as a witness

In six US states, a witness is needed for a wedding ceremony to be official. Did you know that in many regions, a pet can serve as that witness? They will need some help to sign with a paw print but it’s entirely legal! Most other states don’t require a witness for a courthouse wedding but you can choose to bring your dogs or cats along anyway.

6. Go big on clothes and accessories

A courthouse wedding is a great way to save money to get legally married officially without spending thousands on a venue. So why not take some of that cash and buy the wedding dress of your dreams? Have your hair and makeup done in the way you’ve always dreamed of since you were a little girl, with an absolutely grand bouquet. You will still come out on top financially compared to a traditional wedding ceremony and reception! 

7. Make your own wedding playlist

One nice perk of planning a smaller-scale wedding is that you don’t have to please a huge guest list. So make your wedding playlist truly your own with a few tunes to play during the ceremony that hold significance to just the two of you. It adds that personal touch that courthouse wedding ideas often lack. 

8. Have a spa day before the wedding

A courthouse wedding is a quick and efficient ceremony but you still want the time leading up to it to feel special. Many couples opt for a spa day before the wedding to relax, talk about their dreams, and get pampered. You’ll have a lot of money on hand that a traditional wedding would normally swallow up so why not spend it on getting a massage and enjoying some wellness drinks at a luxury spa resort?

9. Enjoy a nice meal afterwards

Once you’re officially married you’ll likely want to do something together as a couple to celebrate. Why not make a reservation for your favorite restaurant? It could be the place where you two went on your first date. Or it might be a Michelin-star luxury restaurant that you’ve had your eye on for a few years! 

10. Plan a staycation for afterwards

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime affair, no matter how large or small the ceremony is. If you want to stick to a low-key flavor, plan a staycation with your partner after the ceremony! Staycation venues should traditionally be within a day’s drive of your home. You can book a hotel suite, a few days at a luxury resort, or a similar space. Peerspace venues like this waterfront home in Miami, FL, offer a cozy retreat from your usual life while you celebrate your honeymoon together!

11. Make a keepsake with a DIY crafts session 

How about a little memorabilia to immortalize your courtyard wedding with? Once you’re married the first thing to do as a couple is head to your local DIY crafts studio. Work together on a piece of pottery, paint a canvas, or create some other artwork that symbolizes this new phase in your life. Once complete, hang the painting, pottery, or other item in a prominent place inside of your home!

12. Show up at the courthouse in style

We want a courthouse wedding to have a little of the elegance and timelessness of a traditional wedding. You don’t have to be efficient and casual about every element, so why not hire a limousine, horse-drawn carriage, or classic car to take you to the steps of the courthouse? If you’ve already booked a wedding photographer, then they should be there ahead of you, waiting to capture memorable images of you both as you get ready for life as newlyweds!

Check out these romantic pre-wedding photoshoot ideas so that your photographer captures every special moment leading up to your I dos!

13. Write your own wedding vows

At a typical courthouse wedding, the judge or other officiant will read secular vows for you to recite. But how about embracing a truly unique courthouse wedding idea by bringing your own vows to read? As long as you don’t divert too much time from the schedule (remember that there will likely be other couples waiting to be married soon), the officiant will likely take no issue with custom vows! 

14. Pick up blessing stones for guests

Choosing unique courthouse wedding ideas is difficult because the entire affair is designed to be streamlined and efficient. Even so, you can still make it a little more personalized by including a quick unity ceremony! Something short and simple, like picking up blessing stones adds a lot of meaning to the event! Guests reach into a box as they enter and select a blessing stone to hold during the ceremony as they wish you well. The blessing stones are returned to the box afterward, to be incorporated into a work of art, like a vase to be displayed in your home!

15. Pick a non-traditional outfit

One of the best parts about having a courthouse wedding is that there is a lot more leeway in choosing your outfits. Courthouse wedding dresses range from traditional to chic in style, with short and efficient cuts with little to no train being way more popular here! Get creative at your upcoming courthouse wedding with a style that truly matches your vision. 

16. Warm the rings unity ceremony

Warming the ring is another unity ceremony that is easy to incorporate as a courthouse wedding idea! As the ceremony progresses and vows are being received, have guests pass around the rings. Each guest holds the ring and imparts their well wishes on the newlyweds. The rings then get collected and placed as normal for the ceremony! 

17. Take a vacation together

Now that you’re happily married, celebrate in style with a luxurious vacation! Use some of those funds you saved by not opting for a traditional wedding and take the grandest honeymoon you can plan. Fly to Hawaii, rent a beach house, or visit your large family who couldn’t fit into a small courthouse space.

Courthouse wedding ideas: conclusion

As you can see, with the right courthouse wedding ideas you can have a ceremony that’s personalized and meaningful! We hope you’ll use a few of our ideas for your upcoming courthouse wedding. And while you’re here, think about browsing our collection of wedding reception venues near you for the after-party!

Find unique event venues for your wedding needs on Peerspace