Courthouse weddings used to be performed out of necessity. Couples short on cash or time would head to city hall for a quick and simple civil ceremony.
Recently, Gen Z couples have been flocking to city hall out of personal preference. Keep reading to learn how they’re reclaiming the courthouse wedding and rebranding it as a romantic gesture.
What is a Courthouse Wedding
First things first: a courthouse wedding, also called a civil ceremony or city hall ceremony, is a legal union of two individuals in marriage. They are non-religious ceremonies officiated by a judge or clerk at a government building.
These ceremonies are often short and sweet, but every bit as official (and legally binding!) as a traditional wedding.
Benefits of a Wedding at City Hall
Why the sudden spike in courthouse weddings? Since the pandemic, couples have been increasingly interested in smaller, unique celebrations. Micro weddings and elopements are taking precedence over large weddings due to their intimate nature and cost-effectiveness.
But COVID isn’t the only reason couples are skipping the black tie and ballrooms. Courthouse weddings are:
- Cheap: depending on the city, most civil ceremonies cost less than $200.
- Stress-free: no need to worry about venues, caterers, or guests.
- Flexible: courthouse weddings can be planned in a few short days.
- Quick: legal unions usually take less than 15 minutes.
- Authentic: with no one else around, it’s easier to express yourself and focus on one another.
How to Plan a Courthouse Wedding
Whether you’re trying to save money or looking for an intimate way to say “I do,” a courthouse wedding can help you do both. Here’s how to plan your own civil ceremony.
- Do your research. Every courthouse has its own schedule and guidelines for civil ceremonies. Detroit, for example, only schedules civil ceremonies for Wednesdays while San Francisco conducts them Mondays through Fridays. Visit your city’s official website for a rundown of available appointments, required documents, and fees. This will help you avoid any surprises on the day of.
- Get a marriage license. Like a traditional wedding, you’ll still need to get a marriage license before the ceremony.
- Find a witness. This varies depending on the courthouse, but you will likely need one or two witnesses at your civil ceremony. It’s up to you if you want to invite a family member or friend — you can also ask a stranger or courthouse staff member to be your witness if you want to elope.
- Hire a photographer. Just because it’s low-key doesn’t mean you shouldn’t capture the moment! Data from Pinterest shows that searches for “civil ceremony photography” have jumped 637%, proving that courthouse weddings can be just as photogenic as extravagant venues.
What to Wear at Your Courthouse Wedding
The short answer: whatever you want. If you want to keep it simple, you could wear a tea-length dress, suit, or jumpsuit. You could also have fun with it and go full glam with a floor-length gown, gloves, or a trendy matching bridal set. Some couples even coordinate looks to match their personal styles.
The lack of dress code and audience is part of the appeal — you can wear whatever you want with no fear of judgment. The most important thing is to choose something that’s comfortable and makes you feel confident.
Why Gen Z Couples Love City Hall Ceremonies
The resurgence of courthouse weddings represents a shift in generational values. Gen Z couples care less about impressing guests and spending money than they do about having a meaningful and stress-free celebration. They’re helping to rebrand city hall ceremonies as a chic and personal way to get hitched.
Rachel Kauffman is a Detroit-based content writer, bookworm, and cat mom to two feisty felines.
