How Much Does a Courthouse Wedding Cost in 2026?
A Courthouse Ceremony Costs $50 to $500
That covers the marriage license ($20-$100 depending on your state) and the ceremony fee ($30-$400).
No venue deposit. No catering minimum. No 12-month timeline.
You walk in, say your vows, sign the paperwork, and you are married. Most courthouse ceremonies take 15-30 minutes.
Full Courthouse Wedding Cost Breakdown
The ceremony is cheap. But most couples add a few extras:
| Item | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license | $20-$100 | Varies by county. Cash or card. |
| Ceremony fee | $30-$400 | Some courthouses include this in the license. |
| Rings | $100-$1,000 | Simple bands. You can always upgrade later. |
| Outfit | $50-$500 | Does not need to be a wedding dress. |
| Photographer (1-2 hours) | $200-$800 | Optional, but you will want photos. |
| Flowers (small bouquet) | $30-$100 | A single bouquet is all you need. |
| Dinner after | $100-$500 | Your favorite restaurant. Just the two of you, or close family. |
| Total | $530-$3,400 |
Compare that to the $34,200 national average. You are saving $30,000+.
What Is Included (and What Is Not)
Included at most courthouses:
- An officiant (judge, justice of the peace, or clerk)
- The legal ceremony
- Signing of the marriage certificate
- Usually 2-6 guests allowed in the room
NOT included:
- Music
- Decorations
- Photography (you bring your own or hire someone)
- A reception or dinner
- Vow personalization (most courthouses use a standard script)
Some courthouses let you write your own vows. Ask when you book.
How to Book a Courthouse Wedding
The process is simple but varies by state:
Step 1: Get your marriage license.
Visit your county clerk's office. Bring valid ID for both partners. Some states require both of you to be present. Cost: $20-$100.
Step 2: Check the waiting period.
Some states have a 24-72 hour waiting period between getting the license and the ceremony. Others let you marry the same day.
Step 3: Schedule the ceremony.
Call or visit the courthouse website. Many offer walk-in availability on specific days. Others require appointments 1-4 weeks out.
Step 4: Bring witnesses.
Most states require 1-2 witnesses over age 18. Your friends, family, or even courthouse staff can serve.
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Courthouse Wedding + Dinner: The Budget Sweet Spot
The most popular courthouse wedding formula:
Morning ceremony + nice dinner = under $2,000 total.
Here is how real couples do it:
- 10am courthouse ceremony: $100 (license + fee)
- Photographer for 1 hour at courthouse + nearby park: $300-$600
- Small bouquet + boutonniere: $50-$80
- Lunch or dinner at a great restaurant: $200-$500 for 2-6 people
- Champagne toast: $50
Total: $700-$1,330. Beautiful photos, legal marriage, memorable dinner.
When a Courthouse Wedding Makes Sense
A courthouse wedding is perfect if:
- You want to be legally married now and celebrate later
- Your budget is under $5,000
- You prefer intimate over big events (just you two, or a handful of people)
- You are on a tight timeline (military deployment, insurance reasons, visa deadlines)
- You want to save money for a house, honeymoon, or future celebration
It does NOT mean you cannot celebrate. Many couples do a courthouse ceremony and then host a casual party weeks or months later when the budget allows.
Courthouse Wedding by State (Sample Costs)
| State | License Fee | Ceremony Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $35-$100 | $0-$75 | $35-$175 |
| Texas | $82 | $0-$100 | $82-$182 |
| New York | $35 | $25-$50 | $60-$85 |
| Florida | $61-$93.50 | $30 | $91-$123.50 |
| Illinois | $15-$75 | $0-$50 | $15-$125 |
| Colorado | $30 | $0 (self-solemnization allowed) | $30 |
| Georgia | $16-$56 | $0-$50 | $16-$106 |
Colorado is the cheapest option: they allow self-solemnization, meaning you can legally marry yourselves. No officiant needed. $30 total.
How to Make a Courthouse Wedding Feel Special
A courthouse ceremony can be just as meaningful as a big wedding. A few easy upgrades:
- Write personal vows. Even if the officiant uses a standard script, ask if you can add your own words.
- Dress up. You do not need a $3,000 dress, but wear something you feel great in. A white suit, a cocktail dress, or a simple gown from ASOS or Lulus ($50-$200) works beautifully.
- Hire a photographer for 1-2 hours. Courthouse photos + a nearby park or city backdrop. These become your most treasured images.
- Plan something after. A fancy dinner, a champagne picnic, or even just ice cream. Mark the moment.
The Bottom Line
A courthouse wedding costs $50-$500 for the ceremony and $500-$3,000 all-in with photos, outfits, and dinner.
It is the most budget-friendly way to get married, and thousands of couples choose it every year, not because they cannot afford more, but because they want the marriage, not the production.
If you are planning a courthouse wedding and want to track the few expenses you do have, a simple budget checklist keeps everything organized, even when the total is under $2,000.
Stop Googling. Start Planning.
Get the Complete 27-Step Wedding Planning System
The exact system 527 couples used to plan stunning weddings and save $12,000+ on average. Budget tracker, vendor scripts, checklists, and more.
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MyWeddingKit Team
We planned our own wedding, saved $15,000, and turned our system into a toolkit now used by 527+ couples across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Every article is based on real planning experience and data from hundreds of real weddings.