Idaho Courthouse Wedding Guide
Why have a Courthouse Wedding?
First and foremost one of the most important aspects to getting married is that you are doing it the way YOU want to do it. There are so many different ways to get married in whatever way feels right to you and your partner. Courthouse weddings can make getting married much simpler than having a big planned event. Not that there is any right or wrong way, but if you're not thrilled about having a big wedding then I’m here to say you don’t have too. If keeping it simple and easy feels like the route you would like to go then by all means, have the courthouse wedding!
There’s also something so special about having a personal ceremony to yourselves. It’s taking the focus away from everything else and keeping your wedding completely between you and your partner. There really is so much value in that choice.
How to have a Courthouse Wedding?
Okay so you’ve decided to do the darn thing! While a courthouse wedding is simple, there are still a couple small steps to the planning process. Not to worry because I am going to help guide you through them.
Step 1: Set a Date
First step is super easy. Pick a date you’d like to get married on. Now getting married in a courthouse can have a bit of influence as to the fact they are not always open on weekends and are closed during holidays. So your date may have to be a weekday. Check with your local Courthouse to see their hours of operation.
Step 2: Schedule your Appointment
After you’ve chosen a date it’s time to lock it in. Head to your local courthouse website and schedule your appointment for your ceremony with a judge. This means you will be picking a date and time that you’ll head to the courthouse, get married, and make it legally official.
Step 3: Planning
This is a fun part of the process as this is where you can really shape your day to look however you’d like it too. Pick out what you're going to wear! This can be as grand or simple as you’d like. I always recommend choosing what feels best to you. Find a Bouquet to compliment your outfit and it is something you can save for later to remember the day by.
Another totally optional, but one I will always recommend, is booking your photographer to capture this special memory. This is something you're going to want to remember and good memories are something you will always cherish having captured. Get in contact with me and let's start chatting about your courthouse wedding!
Plan out the whole day! Your wedding doesn't have to start and stop at the courthouse. Take some time afterwards for your photos. Trust me this is the time where your photographer can really capture some magical photos of you, and they will hands down be some of your favorites to remember the day. Finish the day off with a good dinner at your favorite restaurant. This is such a special way to end the day and is also a part where you can include family and friends to celebrate with you!
What to wear for your Courthouse Wedding?
While it would be easy to just wear a sweater and jeans to the courthouse, it’s fun to make this occasion feel special for yourselves, add to your experience, and honestly why not!? Courthouse weddings can be less traditional to regular weddings. Some ideas to think of when choosing your outfits for the day are business casual or semi-formal. Cocktail length dresses and a simple suite would be an elegant option providing a formal look but also keeping things comfortable and relaxed. As for colors, going with a traditional white dress and black suit is always a classic go to, however, if that's not your vibe and you want to jazz it up with some colors or maybe even some patterns. By all means wear what feels good to you!
What else should you plan for your wedding day?
Adding extra activities into the day can help make the day feel a little more exciting and special than just a simple ceremony. Again the great thing about your day is this can look however you want it too. However, here are some ideas to give you inspiration for how you can plan other activities into your day.
Make a reservation for dinner afterwards.
Include your family and friends with dinner afterwards.
Save time a couple hours after your ceremony for more photos.
Have a little date night afterwards and have your photographer capture it!
Keep it casual. Change into your sweats, get a pizza and drive to somewhere with a view. (and bring your photographer with you for some photos because this is so cute!)
Have a little party at home afterwards with family and friends.
Have a private party with you and your partner! Make dinner and have a romantic evening!
Go do your favorite activity together! Golfing, hiking, swimming, boating, etc.!
Maybe you want to do something bold like go skydiving the day of your ceremony.
Make an experience out of your whole day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to schedule an appointment to get our marriage license?
No, you’ll only need to schedule an appointment for your ceremony with a judge. You can go down anytime to pick up your marriage license before your ceremony date or even right before your ceremony.
Do we need a permit to have photos captured at the courthouse or capitol building?
No permits required. However, it would be polite for either you or the photographer to ask the judge if they are alright with photos being taken during the ceremony. They will most likely say yes, but it’s just for courtesy.
How much does a marriage license cost?
$30 dollars in cash
Can our family and friends come to our courthouse wedding?
Of course! This is up to you on who, how many, or even if you’d like to have family and friends there. But yes family and close friends are always encouraged to be a part of your day.
Can we go to other locations for photos besides the courthouse or capitol build?
Yes! We can go wherever you’d like for photos afterwards. The mountains, the desert, the lake, downtown, anywhere!
Can you follow us around for more photos throughout the day?
Yes! I am here to capture everything you want! If you’d like moments from your whole day captured, I am here for anything!
Book Your Elopement
Ready to book your Elopement? I’d love to hear from you! Click the inquiry link below and let’s start planning!
Hi there, I’m Taylor
Hey there I’m Taylor, but I also go by T! I’m a photographer based out of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest who specializes in capturing Elopements, Intimate (micro) weddings, couples, and portraits. Something I value tremendously about life is that we are living our own stories. Life is a constant wave of the high and lows, but also the now! No matter where we are in our timelines I believe it is so special to have your moments captured. Not only for the now, but for the later too! Nothing beats looking at photos from your life and getting that nostalgic feeling all over again.
No matter what you need captured from an elopement in the mountains to a fun carefree couples session, I am here to help plan your day and photograph all the moments as they come.