A courthouse wedding doesn’t have to be a rushed, unplanned ceremony – but getting married at a courthouse can be an intimate, simple way to tie the knot. If you’re considering a Phoenix Courthouse wedding, this guide will walk you through the entire process, so that you can ensure everything is perfect!
Reasons to Have a Phoenix Courthouse Wedding
Courthouse weddings are a great option for couples who are looking for a low-key way to get married. Here are a few reasons to tie the knot at the Phoenix Courthouse.
Simplicity
The ease and simplicity of getting married at a courthouse is what draws a lot of couples to it. With a courthouse wedding, you don’t need to worry about decorations, elaborate guest lists, or all of the bells and whistles.
Cost
A courthouse wedding is much more budget friendly than renting a venue, and it’s totally fine if wanting to save money is a factor in your decision! I still recommend investing in making the day feel special, but you’ll spend a lot less.
Less Planning and Waiting
A courthouse wedding means you can get married in just a few days, without the long time spent planning! If you’re excited to marry the love of your life and can’t wait any longer, having a ceremony at the courthouse is quick and efficient.
How to Get Married at the Phoenix Courthouse
Though a Phoenix courthouse wedding doesn’t require a ton of planning in advance, there are some things you need to know, and some things you need to do before tying the knot!
Get a Marriage License
The first thing you need is a marriage license. You can’t get this at the courthouse, but the Clerk of Court is right across the street. You can also go to any county clerk in the state of Arizona to get your marriage license – so if there’s an office that’s closer to home, that might be easier! You’ll both need to be there, with a photo ID. A marriage license costs $83, and some offices only accept cash, so check this ahead of time!
Once you have the marriage license, there’s no waiting period in Arizona – so you can get married right away, if you want. The license expires after 12 months.
Schedule Your Ceremony at the Phoenix Courthouse
Phoenix Courthouse wedding ceremonies are performed by Justices of the Peace, and while it’s possible to walk in and get married, it’s best to call ahead to schedule a ceremony. Scheduling your ceremony ensures that you won’t have issues with the courthouse being fully booked. Ceremonies take place after 5 PM, so that they don’t interfere with the work day.
Ceremony
When it’s time for your ceremony, get to the courthouse a little early so that you can check in. The ceremony will be performed by a Justice of the Peace, and will be pretty brief, lasting about 10-15 minutes. They’ll guide you through vows and rings, sign the marriage license, and pronounce you married! The marriage license will then be filed with the Maricopa County Clerk’s office, making things official.
One thing to note is that two witnesses are required for weddings in Arizona – one of them can be your photographer.
Photos
When you’re having a Phoenix Courthouse wedding, it’s still important to document the moment! After the ceremony, take some couple’s photos to celebrate. I recommend going to the old courthouse, which is only a block away, and is a gorgeous building with intricate carvings and arched windows – a great backdrop for photos!
Personalizing Your Phoenix Courthouse Wedding
Getting married at the courthouse doesn’t mean you can’t make the wedding your own. Personalizing your ceremony and making it feel special is so important – because this is the day you get married, after all! Here are some ways to make sure your Phoenix Courthouse wedding feels unique to you.
Get Dressed Up
The first way is to get dressed up! Don’t treat this as just another day – make it feel like an event by shopping for a suit or a dress. You can keep it casual if you prefer, for example, buy a white sundress instead of a gown, but the important thing is that you feel good about the way you look on your wedding day!
Write Your Own Vows
Writing your own vows is important for any wedding day – instead of reading off the standard “I dos,” writing your own gives you an opportunity to get vulnerable and really share with your partner what this day means to you. Personalized vows are something you’ll remember forever, and it’s a great way to make your Phoenix Courthouse wedding feel special.
Accessories and Decorations
While you aren’t going to be decorating the whole room in a courthouse, there are a few things you can do to make the wedding your own. You can hire a florist to create a bouquet or boutonniere, which adds a nice personal touch. You can also accessorize, and this can be a good way to incorporate family heirlooms or sentimental pieces.
Invite Guests to Your Phoenix Courthouse Wedding
While a courthouse wedding has to be kept pretty small, you can still invite a few guests, if you want to! Having a few loved ones by your side can make the day even more meaningful for some couples. But, if you want your wedding day to be just the two of you, that’s great too! It’s all about what feels right to you, and each couple is different.
Hire a Photographer
Documenting your wedding day is so important, and hiring a wedding photographer for your Phoenix Courthouse wedding is a must! You’ll absolutely want to remember the day you got married, and to be able to share the photos with people who couldn’t be there.
As a wedding photographer, my job is to support you in planning your dream day. So, no matter what you’re planning, I’ll be your biggest cheerleader. And of course, I’ll be there on the day of to take photos and document these precious memories.
If you’re planning a Phoenix Courthouse wedding, contact me!
