what are the pros and cons of a court house marriage?

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ilikerice

New member
The marriage license and fees that go with it total about $200-$400 depending on what state or county you live in. Then there is the services of an officiant or preacher to marry you is about $100 or more. Then you have to pay to rent the chapel. Then you'd have to consider dress and tux rentals and decorations and food. Your looking at at least $1,000 maybe more depending on how many guests you have and where you have it.
A court house wedding only costs $200-$400 for the marriage license, fees, and judges services .
My husband and I got married at the courthouse. It was awesome. I didn't have to worry about the stresses of planning a wedding or the expenses. You also don't have to worry about the drama involved in picking out a bridal party or any hurt feelings. Also, sometimes people who want to have a small wedding end up having a big one because they are afraid that if they don't invite certain people they will get mad or hurt so they just invite everyone, and what was once 12 guests turns into 100. My husband and I figured, screw all that and went down to the courthouse, just the two of us. My mom threw us a small reception a few weeks later. The best thing of all was that we had a ton of money to spend on our honeymoon. Some people I know say they wish they would have done a court house wedding as the stress and money for a wedding, even a small one, was overrated. Some people I know who have had a courthouse wedding regret not having a church wedding because they didn't have the dresses and all the cool bridal photo's. It all just depends on what you want.
 
Okay so me and my boyfriend are getting married in December. we want our wedding to be small and cheap with just a few family members. because of his and my college tuition fees and other things we dont really have the money for a big wedding therefore he wants to have it at the court house. i was ok with that but now im not, i want to have it at a chapel anywhere BUT the court house. i want to be able to wear a gown and be a little more romantic than a court house. about how much does a small chapel wedding cost? nothing big just very simple. And also i wanted to know what are the pros and cons of getting married in a court house?
 
My husband and I got married at a court house. It was a wonderful thing. We save alot of money and all we hd to spend was $57 for the marriage license. The con part is when family members griped about not being there to see us get married. We told them we were there, it was wonderful and we don't see what the problem is. We showed them our wedding picture, told them to look at it and pretend they were there. That shut them up.
 
I agree with you. I totally believe in the sanctity of marriage and it wouldn't feel right to me to get married in a court house. You can have your wedding in the church with just your witnesses and family or whoever you'd have at the court house with you. I think when you invite God to the wedding it should be in HIS house...........not that God isn't with you wherever you get married, but if you can have the same thing in a nice little church or chapel, I think it would add more to the ceremony. If you pay a clergy to conduct the wedding, most would be willing to let you stand in his church for the ceremony for minimal charge ($150).......if anything!
I think a court house wedding sounds very cold, dry, and impersonal!
 
Court house is just that - place to recite the vows.

Go to a chapel of your choice and ask how much they charge for a small wedding ceremony. Usually on an "off " day (not a Sunday) it's cheap. Have some music (even if it's from a box) and wear a simple dress or gown - he should be in a suit. Then go out to dine.
 
You could find an interfaith minster to perform the weeding in a large house belonging to a friend who'd be invited. Or else, in a huge restaurant buffet with a private room for a party. The wedding can be done in that room in front of all. Catering can be done with friends all chipping in for a huge buffet at home.

Pros of Court house; You can wear a gown, it is cheap and fast, you can have pics taken...Cons; Room of the ceremony is smallish, but not always. Check it out. It is not a religious background, it is a cattle hall outside the room where you are to marry.
 
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