Keeping it simple but still want the magic? These 19 courthouse wedding ideas prove that small ceremonies can be just as stylish, sentimental, and unforgettable as any big-day bash.
Courthouse Wedding Ideas We’re Loving in 2025
Small in scale but big on style—courthouse weddings are having a serious moment. Chic, intimate, and beautifully unfussy, these celebrations prove that less really can be more. It’s all about meaningful details, standout fashion, and a vibe that feels personal and effortlessly cool.
Whether you’re going for classic elegance or modern minimalism, these 19 courthouse wedding ideas bring inspiration for making your day feel just as special as any grand affair—only with way more charm.
1. The Power Suit Moment
I’m obsessed with how courthouse weddings let you rewrite the rules — and this look? Total main character energy. A white tailored suit, classic pumps, and a bundle of blooms that feels low-key luxe. No veil necessary when your lapels are this sharp.
The whole vibe is timeless but cool, like a bridal editorial meets city hall chic. His all-black fit matches her vibe perfectly — it’s giving “modern romance, but make it architectural.”
Bold, polished, and perfectly them.
2. The License to Love Setup
I’ve never had so much fun styling something so… bureaucratic.
Tucked between file cabinets and the “Marriage Licenses” sign, we created a little pocket of romance. The goal? Vintage charm with a touch of moody elegance. I brought in café-style chairs, candlesticks, and that jewel-toned rug to give it a “meet me at the county clerk — but make it Parisian bistro” vibe.
It felt grounded, intimate, and completely unpretentious — like two people carving out beauty right in the middle of the paperwork.
3. The Sun-Drenched Stroll
If I had to bottle up that golden, just-married feeling, it would look exactly like this. A soft lace gown trailing behind, wild garden blooms in hand, and the kind of light that makes everything glow.
Captured by @jennifertrinidadphotography, this Santa Barbara courthouse moment feels like a postcard from a European elopement — grand architecture, palm trees swaying, and all the newlywed magic.
Classic. Romantic. Completely effortless.
4. The City Steps Ceremony
We wanted this moment to feel like a quiet kind of grand — elegant without being overdone. So we paired a crisp white aisle with creamy florals and soft candlelight, letting the gold courthouse doors do the talking.
The acrylic arch brought in that sleek, modern edge, while full urns and lanterns grounded the space in warmth. It’s intimate, elevated, and exactly how a courthouse elopement should feel.
Timeless with a tailored twist.
5. The Grand Staircase Scene
Not to be dramatic, but I fully considered renewing my own vows after this one.
There was something so regal about those columns, I knew we had to go soft and romantic to meet the moment — blush tufted chairs, a petal-pink rug, and that floral arch that practically floated above the scene. The “Official Ceremony” sign was our little wink to the setting, and I love how it brought just enough charm to ground the whole design.
It felt like a courthouse turned castle — and yes, the bride made an entrance that gave major royal energy.
6. The Grand Entrance
If you ever wondered whether a courthouse wedding could feel like a royal affair, this is your answer. That sweeping train, the cathedral light, the way they look at each other — it’s giving full fairytale with a modern twist.
@kristin.smith.photography captured this moment inside San Francisco City Hall, where the architecture alone feels like a vow. And that floral appliqué veil trailing across marble? I can’t stop staring.
Opulence. Romance. City hall, but make it cinematic.
7. The Courtroom Turned Chapel
This setup was all about contrast — old-world formality meets soft romance. We leaned into the classic wood paneling with blush florals, delicate greenery, and a clean white aisle to balance the weight of the space.
The oversized urns brought a touch of grandeur, while floral clusters down the aisle kept it intimate and welcoming. And that little sign? Just the right hint of whimsy in a room built for seriousness.
Justice of the peace, meet just married.
8. The Pampas-Perfect
I mean… who said a courthouse elopement couldn’t be a moment? We went all in with the pampas and roses for this one — I wanted it to feel like a Vogue shoot and a celebration at the same time.
The balloons? A little whimsy. The gold table? A little glam. And the floral install? Honestly, I still dream about it.
Soft drama, courthouse edition.
9. The Reception Room
There’s something so satisfying about walking into a space that feels just right — warm wood floors, soaring ceilings, and soft lighting that makes everyone look like they’re glowing.
@eventstoremembr nailed the balance of elegant and inviting here. Pale blue napkins drape effortlessly across white linen, and those gold chiavari chairs? Always a yes. It’s giving romantic city soirée without being overdone.
Understated elegance, turned all the way up.
10. The Chicest Little Aisle
I still laugh thinking about how we placed two chairs in the middle of this grand courthouse hall — and somehow, it felt like enough. Ghost chairs, no less. Because why not lean into the drama when you’re getting married in a marble-lined corridor?
The florals were soft and classic, but I loved pairing them with something unexpected and clean. There was this hush in the room right before the ceremony — like even the walls knew something beautiful was about to happen.
Just us, just vows, just right.
11. The Floral Frame-Up
This is exactly what I imagine when someone says “elevated courthouse wedding.” A sculptural gown, a dramatic veil, and florals that feel like they bloomed just for this moment.
@boho_chic_dreams worked their magic with creamy blooms that mirror the bride’s bouquet and soften the stone backdrop of the Santa Barbara Courthouse. It’s romantic, it’s refined, and that archway? A ceremony frame and a forever photo.
Classic with a couture twist.
12. The Petal-Circle Ceremony
I had a full-on storybook moment designing this one.
There was just something about those ornate courthouse doors — they felt like they were meant to be the backdrop for a vow exchange. So I leaned into romance: a classic floral arch, soft ivory bows, and a ring of petals that felt like a quiet promise in bloom. The symmetry made it feel timeless, but the details — like the handwritten welcome sign and scattered blooms — kept it personal.
Traditional at heart, with a little fairytale flair.
13. The Velvet Staircase Moment
Yes, we brought a Persian rug to city hall. No, we don’t regret it.
I wanted this to feel like a little secret garden elopement — but make it vintage glam. That floral arch nearly took my breath away when we finished it, and I’m still not over how the marble banisters framed everything like an old European postcard. We kept it cozy with velvet, roses, and a pastry box on standby because vows deserve cake too.
Formal, floral, and just the right amount of fabulous.
14. The Palm-Lined Exit
Okay but how chic is this? Between the clean white facade, the tropical palms, and her tailored jumpsuit moment — it’s giving “Old Hollywood meets Miami modern.”
Captured by @radredcreative, this Tampa Bay courthouse shot is pure confidence. His tux, her sleek off-shoulder look, and that subtle pop of florals? Obsessed. It feels like they just stepped out of a Vogue editorial — and honestly, they kind of did.
Minimal effort, maximum impact.
15. The City Clerk Stunner
I walked into this room and gasped quietly to myself — it felt like a ballroom dressed in city clerk disguise.
The wood paneling was already doing the most (in the best way), so I softened the edges with layers of garden blooms, classic urns on marble pedestals, and a petal-lined aisle that felt almost too pretty to step on. We kept the palette airy — blush, cream, and whispery greens — to balance the rich, moody backdrop.
It turned a civic space into something that felt sacred and cinematic. And yes, I absolutely lingered here long after setup just to take it all in.
16. The Power Suit Send-Off
This one feels like pure adrenaline in photo form — that just said I do high, bouquet mid-air, and heels clicking on courthouse steps. I love how she went full fashion-forward in a blazer mini and ribbon-tied stilettos. No gown, no rules, just glow.
Shot by California-based @marisaruthphotography, this image is giving modern elopement magic with a side of rom-com credits roll.
Unexpected, unbothered, unforgettable.
17. The Baby’s Breath Aisle
It was giving ethereal meets legal, and I was all in.
I kept things simple here — just cloud-like bunches of baby’s breath, flowing blush tulle, and candlelight to soften the mood. The judge’s bench stayed front and center (can’t move that), so we leaned into the contrast: wood-paneled seriousness meets rom-com softness. It felt sweet, personal, and a little cheeky in the best way.
Courtroom? Check. Ceremony magic? Double check.
18. The Marble Hall
Captured by Betrothed Plan | CT Wedding Planning & Design, this hallway stroll feels like a scene from an old-world romance — all marble columns, soft laughter, and just married energy. Her asymmetrical white dress and soft curls are effortlessly chic, while his deep navy suit and oxblood tie bring a hint of fall formality that still feels fresh.
And that bouquet? Full of texture, a little moody, and completely unforgettable.
Quietly stunning. Effortlessly them.
19. The Rooftop I-Do’s
Okay, but courthouse with a skyline? Say less.
I wanted something modern but cozy, so we kept it clean — white benches, soft candlelight, and a triangle arch that felt like a little wink to tradition. The string lights brought that warm “almost sunset” glow, and the bar cart? Let’s just say it saw some celebratory pours right after the kiss.
Minimal fuss. Maximum vibe.