You would be married and get all the benefits of being married as far as insurance, taxes, property etc. While marriage is great, the act of wedlock can overload your stress markers. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Getting married is a big deal and should be celebrated. WebAs stated by PP's, as an adult you are making a choice and all choices have consequences- Genysis esp pay attention- but there are GOOD consequences and BAD ones. Find wedding inspiration that fits your style with photos from real couples, Sit back and relax with travel info + exclusive deals for the hottest honeymoon destinations, To unblock this content, please click here. I'm curious, too- have plans changed? One partner may file as head of household (HOH) and the other partner files as single. Are you and your significant other looking to get married but arent sure about doing a big party? There are plenty of lovely venues known for hosting beautiful weddings for those interested in a Los Angeles County courthouse wedding. Ultimately, a civil wedding does not have to look radically different from a traditional wedding. Research the city you live in ahead of time and check the cost. A courthouse wedding takes a lot less time to organize but this is not to say that you should not afford yourself enough time in which to finalize the details and make sure of your specific states requirements. (my cousin did this and I never got to feel a part of her wedding because they court housed with the parents, and there has yet to be a party. The cost for a wedding is insane. Saving alot of money! The characters written do not match the verification word. The cost of the marriage license will really depend on where you are located. It is quite important to make an appointment for the impending ceremony way in advance. Web1. Not having to worry about seating arrangements or wedding decorations or any of those types of things means that you can concentrate more on you and your partner on the day where it is all about you two. Con; usually it's after traffic court on a random Tuesday. In some states, this can even prevent or reduce alimony payments. $65 Dollars. I prefer plain wording because it doesn't leave much to interpretation. All you have to do it to go to your local courthouse and apply for a marriage license. Eight Things You Never Knew You Needed on Your Wedding Registry. Ageism 21% of Gen Z identifies as LGBT, compared to 2%-3% of Americans over the Wedding guests Share with your guests to collect your wedding photos Venues The wedding is more intimate and focuses solely on the couple and their nuptials. haha I saw this topic and got out my popcorn before opening it. Any advice would be appreciated. TL;DR; What was the aftermath of a courthouse wedding like for you? You can still wear a beautiful dress if that's what you want, too! Share with your guests to collect your wedding photos. Cons: As you may have guessed, a macro wedding is the most expensive, most big weddings of this size are upward of $30,000. Generally speaking, it CAN be cheaper and less stress, but you can easily drive up the cost and stress too, even with a courthouse wedding. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. My niece has informed the family that she is having a renewal of vows and wants the white dress wedding and sit down dinner next year. You know what I did before I was married? Weddings can get extortionately expensive, after all. Remember that the official process of making a marriage legal varies from state to state. Finding an affordable wedding venue can be hard. Remember to bring at least one witness. Con No. For instance, a huge con for me would be that I would regret it, and I would be sad I did it that way. This witness has to be over 18 years old for the marriage to go ahead. Mary is a wedding blogger with 10 years experience. We are still waiting but most of the money that was going to be used for the wedding plus some is going to medical care for fonzi. For instance, a huge con for me would be that I would regret it, and I would be sad I did it that way. Lots of other prefer and are thrilled they had a courthouse wedding. Generally speaking, it CAN be cheaper and less stress, but you can easily drive up the cost and stress too, even with a courthouse wedding. Dont forget to join our Wedding club for more tips on planning a wedding. Why two weddings? Loud Bride is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. If they want a divorce, they can still what regular married couples are entitled to, but for that, they have to prove they were married or had the intention to do os. In fact, some might say that it takes the idea of marriage back to its simplest form. Couples typically only invite their closest family members and close friends who are part of the wedding, creating a close-knit and small group of people. WebPros. Who's to say it has to all happen on the same day? I know some brides that have even held a wedding bouquet! Remember to Take Photos or A Video of the Ceremony, DIY vs. Professional Wedding Invitations: Pros and Cons. Cohabiting has all the financial benefits of being in a marriage without the legal hassles that come with marriage. However, planning a wedding can be stressful and even overwhelming, primarily because of how much it costs. Courthouse weddings last up to 10 minutes max. Financially, a courthouse wedding with a small reception afterwards, or even a church wedding (if you attend the church they may let you use it as a venue for free) would be the cheapest option. I'm not sure about everything you had planned for your big day, but if you planned to do it all on that day all of your vendors and venue has to be paid off and such. Religious weddings take place in a church, chapel, temple, mosque, and other religious venues. With some creativity and panache, you can craft a personalized wedding even one with a more extensive guest list. If you want to learn more about cheap and simple weddings, check my article about anti-weddings, and if youre already in the process of planning a last-minute wedding, heres my article on how to plan one in just a few months or days. Also, gay marriage licenses, higher income taxes in some circumstances, and decreases in overhead for government benefit programs all result in increased government revenue. It's a great way to lower your wedding day anxiety. So I want to do a celebration. Cons: Not all courthouses are pretty, may not feel as BIG of a day as a full-day wedding. The other most important thing is that NONE OF IT MATTERS! Short engagement with A Courthouse Wedding. So, how do you choose between a courthouse wedding vs. traditional wedding? Leah Weinberg, owner of Color Pop Just don't tell anyone and do it like a normal wedding. Civil ceremonies tend to be more intimate, even while quick and inexpensive. My niece and her spouse are living with his parents because they can,t afford the apartment they were renting because of their impending child and payments on two new cars. Cons- You might regret it later (you might not), *********not enough time to realize you should wait to be getting married.*********. I think courthouse weddings can be just as beautiful, without all the stress and added expense. The size of the guest list and length of the ceremony make up some of the most significant differences between a courthouse wedding vs. traditional wedding. If you feel overwhelmed about committing to a life with your partner in front of 200 guests, getting married before the big occasion may be the best option for you. Your email address will not be published. As you can see, planning a courthouse wedding revolves more around paperwork and available appointments than financial concerns or guests availability. What Is a Domestic Asset Protection Trust? The best way to do this? A religious ceremony will tend to be more expensive than a civil ceremony, and couples often invite a large group of friends and relatives. Courthouse weddings consist of various pros and cons and these should be carefully considered before you decide to have a huge elaborate wedding or an intimate courthouse wedding. Flashback time! You can check out my free budget guide if you sign up for my newsletter. There is a lot of different angles to view this from. It also does not mean that you are not allowed to walk into the courtroom with your Bermudas and sneakers. Latest activity by Christiann, on March 8, 2023 at 7:41 AM, Whether you're shopping for yourself or a special couple, a "just married", Scheduling this intimate photo shoot before your special day is a sexy surprise, If you're thinking about adding these paper products to your big day, here are, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control, 29 Christmas Ornaments for Your First Holiday as a Married, What's a Bridal Boudoir Sessionand Why Should You Consider, 15 Wedding Program Ideas to Outline All the Ceremony Details. 8 Ways to Plan A Spa Bridal Shower At Home, Wedding Planning from The Brides Perspective. Courthouse Weddings: The Good and The Bad, Planning A Courthouse Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide, 1. Coast Designs LLC also participates in affiliate programs with CJ and other sites. It will just be you, your significant other, and a handful of close family and friends. You can do all sorts of things to begin joining your finances now. You mentioned you lost your job, leading up to your wedding day you are supposed to buy your gown, your FH is supposed to be getting his suit and you are supposed to be making payments to your vendors. Often, couples choose close friends or relatives to officiate their wedding; in many states, becoming an ordained minister is relatively straightforward. If this is a worry I recommend a local elopement--officiant, pretty venue (like a park or something cheaper) and a photographer. Consider the following pros and cons to determine if a court clerk career is right for you. A lot of courthouses still have COVID limits in places, so you might be limited to just a handful of people. Your email address will not be published. We just didn't tell anyone, no particular reason, it was spur of the moment. Wow your wedding guests with these go-the-extra-mile ideas. Unfortunately, not many courthouses operate on a weekend so a Saturday courthouse wedding will be quite hard to secure. Anything after that is a vow renewal. Some states allow you to get married immediately after you have your marriage license, while other states, counties, and cities need to find the available time for your wedding to take place. Id like to know what you decided to do. Im having a tiny courthouse wedding with just my parents and siblings, then the large wedding 3 months later. Nowadays, weddings are elaborate events. Make sure that they are going to be attending and remind them weekly of the impending date. Courthouse wedding: 7 Reasons Why You Should Consider It. Court marriages are definitely simpler and have a smooth procedure rather than having a traditional wedding which is heavy on the pocket and takes a lot of effort and preparation. Not much planning is necessary so this can take away the stress that many brides and grooms experience when trying to organize a big and costly wedding. Lots of other prefer and are thrilled they had a courthouse wedding. If you can tie the knot at City Hall, invite your parents or closest relatives for an intimate celebration; should that not be an option, look into the legalities around virtual ceremonies in your state. If being the center of attention, surrounded by hundreds of people, doesnt sound appealing to you, a small, intimate ceremony at the courthouse will be perfect. Dont let other peoples rules rule your life. If you know your wedding will have a larger guest list, it can seem really daunting to budget for it. Double wedding it is! Yes, because everyone else that gets married the way you properly should is super rich. She lives in New York city with her husband and two children. Also ties back to the money thing. Her father is my brother and he is retiring next year along with his wife so their income will be fixed. This gives to room to splurge in other areas of your wedding, if you so choose. 1. HAHA I was going to say, I don't think Cats are allowed in the courthouse. Yesterday. Youve met the man of your dreams and you want to get married as soon as possible. IF you have the reception the same day/week. The wedding in the courthouse IS your "wedding.". Less cost and pomp are just some of the reasons many couples decide to get married in a courthouse. These weddings last a little longer if you include the waiting time before the official ceremony, which is usually 30 minutes. Pros- Save money, Dont have to deal with family's "ideas", dont have to wait, you really can do what you want. If youre a more chilled person that doesnt want to be bogged down by details, this might be a great option for you. Thats because theres a bureaucratic procedure before the ceremony itself. Con: Restricting guest list can be difficult Youll have to make some difficult, potentially stressful, decisions and risk offending some people who arent invited. You can take some of the pressure off of your wedding being the "perfect day.". This is a non-religious yet legally recognized marriage ceremony. So, what exactly is a courthouse or civil wedding? Open to any idea we have. Need help budgeting for your wedding? Mary, I noticed you're only at 4 stars. Your decision needs to be what the two of you want not what your family or his family wants. Check out this gorgeous wedding: Ryan Zarichnack Photography, Grand Rapids wedding photographer / found on Miranda Schroeders Blog, Patriotic Courthouse Wedding,Green Wedding Shoes(Image credit:Trenholm Photo), Intimate Weddings / Photographer:French Grey Photography. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Typically, a marriage license expires after 90 days so your courthouse wedding needs to happen before the license expires. You dont have to deal with the wrath of any people that were not included on your guest list if you had chosen a traditional wedding. Contact an experienced family law attorney You will regret not having the wedding you want, if you settle for having a court house wedding, for his sake. Every couple is different, so if you want to wear traditional wedding attire, a pretty cocktail dress, or be casual, anything goes. Now, more than ever before, couples have a very good reason to make it official before the celebration: In light of the coronavirus pandemic that's sweeping the globe, couples have been forced to postpone their weddings until later this year or next. The reasons we are thinking of going this direction are money, convenience and we kind of got the wedding experience out of our systems. I'm sorry you feel that way. I need help !!! Struggling with pre-wedding jitters? Make Sure That You Have Done All of Your Research, 4. One con is that the wedding will have to be during Just because youre doing a quick ceremony at the courthouse doesnt mean you cant celebrate! So if you get married now for financial reasons, you're married and you don't get a do-over. This means less time planning and budgeting for a long wedding. It's a great party and if you want to have one, by all means you do you. In Response to : I don't understand what you mean by "consequences." You dont have to throw a huge or elaborate afterparty, but you should celebrate your marriage in some kind of way. Toronto, Ontario L4B 1G2 Pros: cheaper, smaller group, less stress in planning. Cons: Not all courthouses are pretty, may not feel as BIG of a day as a full-day wedding. If this is a worry I recommend a local elopement--officiant, pretty venue (like a park or something cheaper) and a photographer. Bonus: the marriage is just a real and important as anyone else's Can somebody list out the pros and Cons of going to the courthouse to get married? I am one of the few people who are following through with it. Hayley and Robert (and Moko), Raleigh, NC, 10.18.19 #photography #digitalphotography #5dmarkii #wedding #weddingphotography #courthousewedding #weddingceremony #raleigh #raleighnc #northcarolina, A post shared by Kelley Bennett (@kelleyebennett) on Oct 28, 2019 at 7:51pm PDT. Once you have legally tied the knot you may want to throw an afterparty to celebrate with any friends or family that were not able to witness your wedding vows. Copyright 2023 DMCA Policy Privacy Policy Terms of Use Log in. You can implement many traditional wedding elements and personal touches in a courthouse wedding, including groomsmen and bridesmaids, preparing personalized vows, and wearing a one-of-a-kind wedding dress. Then the couple has the opportunity to say their vows (which arent that long). Years later their stories are still romantic. It's a straightforward process, but each state has its own set of rules, and it may be necessary for you to have your legally binding ceremony close to home before heading off to your destination wedding. 1: Your parents may not love it. I think youre idea was great and Im actually now doing the same thing due to the COVID-19 and not wanting to wait to be legally married, Me and My husband had to get married at the courthouse due to having a baby and financial reason but now that we are ok we are finally having our wedding even though Im already married I am bride to me I will have a bachelorette party! No one can dictate your life and tell you what you can and cant do. Micro weddings and elopements are more popular than ever, thanks to the pandemic and changing views, meaning courthouse weddings are extremely acceptable and desirable these days. We also use affiliate links in our blog post which means we can make a commission if you use any of our affiliate links. My pregnant niece and her fianc just got married in a park. Many of the people you love will thus not be present on your big day. Even a backyard wedding. Most courthouses only allow a maximum of six people to attend the wedding. Finances really aren't the issue- it doesn't matter to me because it's none of my business. When Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner got married in Vegas in May of 2019, many people thought that'd be the last of the wedding photos we'd see. When I did, I got completely bashed upon on the only opinion that matters on what should happen is yours, your fiancees, and your families- not random strangers on the internet they are not the ones attending your ceremony. Just wait. How much does it cost to get married at the courthouse? Being declared lawfully single allows the parties to carry on with their lives and feel emotionally separated from a spouse that may have hurt them through infidelity, estrangement, or abuse. If you have been married before then divorce papers are also needed. Thinking about wedding pictures, with city halls being in generally built-up areas you can get some really cool urban wedding pics that arent going to be what everyone else has. We strongly encourage you to still rock a beautiful dress or suit and hire a photographer. Apparently for a woman its extremely stressful. Loud Bride is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you're planning a destination wedding in another state, you'll need to check with your state's requirements for transferring a marriage license from state to state. We are learning towards do it like this and then having a small reception soon after. Bear in mind that there is often a waiting period between the time that the marriage license is issued and when is it active so there is only a certain time frame in which to get officially married. We are including family. To do this you will need to each require some form of identification as well as certified copies of both the bride and grooms birth certificates. Many couples choose to get officially married before the big day, and it's more common than ever in light of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world right now. If you do this, please make sure your guests know you are already married when you have your vow renewal. But after I met FI, and we got serious, we waited to get married when we could do it the way we wanted. This is completely up to you and your fiance. Even though she didn't have the full experience she does not want to do that process over again. You would just modify a few things (e.g. I was wondering how we would go about having our ceremony officiated on our wedding day next year. So, you are not having a princess wedding and you are not going to need a big white wedding dress with all the trimmings. Do whatever makes you comfortable and happy. While small courthouse weddings are extremely common these days, theyre still not what many would call traditional. or more? Prior to their decision, same-sex marriage was already legal in 37 states and Washington DC, but was banned in the remaining 13. The PP hit the nail on the head. This is not going to go over well. Tell us about it below! Phone a few days before to confirm your appointment at the courthouse. She's 31 and got cold feet with her former fianc and called the wedding off the week of. My girlfriend and I have been bouncing the idea around of getting married at the courthouse. Cons. Different states have different laws: What happens in one state may not be recognized in another. At the end of the day, your wedding day is about you. Well, we won't speculate on the couple's reasoning, but there are a few reasons any couple might consider having two weddings. The court may also charge an additional $20 to $45 for a civil ceremony. They are so many reasons why we love and are fully for courthouse weddings! Instead, you can plan a complete courthouse wedding in a matter of days. Up to six guests are usually allowed to participate in the proceedings. The average wedding in the United States has 125 people so a 300-person wedding is more than Best places for a cheap wedding reception. WebMany laid-back couples (and those on a budget) on the U.S. mainland choose to do most of their wedding planning themselves. And absolutely do not forget to join our newFacebook groupdedicated to brides! Do what is right for you. There is no dress rehearsal, no event planner, no real planning necessary. Pros: cheaper, smaller group, less stress in planning. Plan to spend at least $50 to $100 to legally get married at your local courthouse. My mom found out and she is heartbroken. Plan your wedding wherever and whenever you want on the WeddingWire App. @SeptMrsV said it all. Money and having a solid foundation to start that is a must. But with a smaller affair comes less stress making an overall more enjoyable experience for the two of you. The home affairs office you are getting married in can be dull and dreary. WebPros and Cons of A Courthouse Wedding. Getting married is like losing your virginity - it can only happen once. But it really isn't celebrating anything special that day, in my opinion. My husband and I got married in Dec/2018, and not everyone knows we are married. Everyone knew we had already been married, this was just a day for us to reaffirm our marriage in front of friends and family (to bad he didn't uphold any of it! I did this for my first marriage, but I unfortunately did not get to do the big celebration due to issues with the relationship. This site is owned and operated by Coast Designs LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in New York, USA. its not a reception so what is proper here? So we got married spur of the moment. Also, are you trying to get pregnant? By far, the biggest bonus of saying I do at the courthouse is all the money you save. Before we get started on the reasons why courthouse weddings rock, we wanted you to take the time to like our Facebook Page here! You can even choose to have your honeymoon in the same location if you want to. The 2019 HOH standard deduction is $18,350 while the deduction for filing single is $12,200 for a total of $30,550. But you do you- if you want to throw a party later, go for it- just don't lie to your guests about what it is. And they have amazing memories of their wedding days as well as every day married thereafter. Courthouse weddings seem to get a bad rep in the wedding world. Here are the wedding, 18 Late-Night Wedding Snacks to Keep the Party Going, 15 Ways to Go Above and Beyond for Your Wedding Guests, How Wedding Pros Plan Their Own Weddings (and Ideas You. But big weddings arent for everyone. Its like the fairy godmother of numbers. On average, same-sex weddings cost more than opposite-sex weddings. I want to do the exchange of rings a dress and stuff. How do I word the invitations. I want to have a ceremony because I'm a little sad we didn't have something more special. Time has changed since then. If the social aspects of a wedding are important to you, the smaller scale of an elopement may not deliver on the memories youre hoping to make. Make sure to have all the relevant documentation with you in a folder when you arrive at the courthouse. Pros: cheaper, smaller group, less stress in planning. Once you have everything, you can go ahead and fill out the necessary paper work. You can think of them as setting up an offshore bank account but with less protection and far fewer administrative costs.. Pro: you're just as married as anyone else, but have $10,000 to $40,000 more in your pocket. Do not forget that your marriage license is only valid for a certain period so you should book with the courthouse soon after you obtain your license to wed. We are looking to have an intimate party afterwards. My FH actually just asked about ASR last night! Sometimes it can be overwhelming to have a large amount of guests. Marriage in the courthouse doesnt take much time to join the couples. Kind of coming up fast! Just because you are going to be saving a lot of money by choosing a more intimate courthouse wedding, does not mean that you cannot make it special.