Planning to take DeKalb County Courthouse wedding photos? You’re in the right place. We’ve photographed courthouse weddings in Decatur since 2008, and over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of couples navigate the process – whether it’s a quick legal ceremony or a beautifully planned micro wedding.
Many couples initially consider having their ceremony photographed inside the DeKalb County Courthouse – but once they get a sense of the environment, they often realize it may not align with their vision. The interior is practical and serves its purpose well, but it reflects the functional nature of a working government building rather than the ornate, traditional courthouse aesthetic some couples have in mind.
That said, if capturing your ceremony inside the courthouse is meaningful to you, we’re absolutely happy to be there! And if you’re looking for more photogenic alternatives for your DeKalb County Courthouse wedding photos, we’ve got great nearby options to consider.
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How to Apply for a DeKalb County Marriage License
Obtaining a marriage license through the DeKalb County Probate Court is a two-step process. First, both applicants must complete the online marriage license application. After submitting the application, save the order number shown on the confirmation page and use it to schedule an appointment with the Probate Court.
Both applicants must attend the appointment and bring the required identification and supporting documents. The court also requires proof of the scheduled appointment before applicants can enter the building for marriage-license processing.
The DeKalb County Probate Court is located at 556 North McDonough Street in Decatur. Because the court’s official pages currently show different room and afternoon-hour information, follow the location and arrival instructions provided in your appointment confirmation rather than relying on an older room number or schedule.
Does DeKalb County Offer Courthouse Wedding Ceremonies?
A marriage-license appointment and a wedding ceremony are two different things. The Probate Court’s official website documents appointment-based special ceremony events, including its Valentine’s wedding program. For those events, couples must obtain their marriage license in advance and bring both the license and proof of their ceremony appointment.
As of September 5, 2026, the court’s official website does not clearly publish a standing, year-round courthouse wedding ceremony schedule. If you are planning to have your legal ceremony inside the active DeKalb County Courthouse, review the court’s current ceremony information before finalizing your photography timeline.
Guest and Photography Policies
The court’s official website does not currently publish a general guest limit or a specific camera and photography policy for courthouse wedding ceremonies. Requirements may depend on the particular ceremony or special event.
Based on our experience photographing courthouse weddings in Decatur, timing inside the active courthouse can be unpredictable. We generally recommend allowing at least two hours when your plans include both ceremony coverage and portraits, even when you have a confirmed appointment.
Things to Consider with Photos Inside the Dekalb County Courthouse
The Dekalb County Courthouse interior, while designed to be efficient and functional, tends to feature clean lines, neutral tones, and practical lighting that supports the day-to-day work of a government building. It can also experience a steady flow of people throughout the day, which may impact privacy and timing.
If you’re investing in professional photography, we want your Dekalb County Courthouse wedding photos to reflect the beauty, significance, and emotion of your day. While we’re always happy to photograph your ceremony inside the courthouse, many of our clients choose nearby locations that offer more visual interest and privacy. Some even opt to hold their ceremony next door at the Historic Dekalb Courthouse for its timeless charm and more intimate setting.
Best Places for Courthouse Wedding Portraits in Decatur
1. The Historic DeKalb Courthouse
Right next door to the modern courthouse is its older, far more photogenic sibling: The Historic DeKalb Courthouse. This is what people imagine when they think of a classic courthouse wedding.
NOTE: The Historic DeKalb Courthouse is a separately operated event venue and portrait location – not the active Probate Court office where couples process their marriage licenses.
Marble floors, soaring ceilings, and elegant architectural details make it the perfect backdrop for wedding portraits—or even the ceremony itself! Couples love the private rental option, which includes a bridal suite, a separate holding room for the groom, and full access to the space. Seating for guests is also available as part of their elopement package, if you’re planning to have attendees.
It’s an ideal alternative for:
Couples who want to avoid the busy lobby of the main DeKalb County Courthouse
Portraits in case of rain or extreme heat
Those who want to bring their own officiant and personalize their ceremony
They offer packages for elopements and micro weddings, and the weekday hourly rental rate for photo-only sessions is often quite reasonable. (For the most up-to-date pricing, reach out directly to the Historic DeKalb Courthouse.)
2. Downtown Decatur
Just steps from both courthouses, Downtown Decatur offers charming urban backdrops with greenery, brick, and plenty of character. It’s a fantastic location for wedding portraits near DeKalb County Courthouse before or after your ceremony.
Weekdays tend to be quieter, making for a more relaxed and private photo experience. On weekends, the area is much busier—which can mean more time is required for photo sessions due to waiting for clean backgrounds, navigating foot traffic, and having more bystanders present. We can absolutely make it work (we’re pros!), but privacy and efficiency are always easier on a Tuesday morning than a Saturday afternoon.
Tips for Scheduling Your Courthouse Wedding Photos
Weekday vs. Weekend: Weekday sessions are typically less expensive, less crowded, and more private. Weekends bring more foot traffic, which can require extra time for photos and offer less privacy.
Timing: For the best lighting outdoors, we recommend scheduling portraits during golden hour – within a couple hours after sunrise or before sunset. Midday sun (especially near solar noon) creates harsh shadows and limited shade, making it the most challenging time for flattering portraits. If you’re planning for indoor portraits (like inside the Historic DeKalb Courthouse), there’s much more flexibility with timing – it can be scheduled for whenever is most convenient for you, and we bring our own lighting equipment to ensure your images look their best.
Coverage Duration: We offer flexible photography packages, including shorter sessions, half-day, and full-day coverage. For sessions inside the DeKalb County Courthouse, we generally require a 2-hour minimum due to the often unpredictable wait times – even with an appointment. If you’re only booking a short session and it runs long, additional time may be billed if we’re able to stay.
Not sure how much time you need? Reach out! We’re happy to help you build a custom timeline that fits your vision.
Photographing Your Ceremony at the DeKalb County Courthouse
If your ceremony is taking place inside the main DeKalb County Courthouse and you want that moment captured – we are absolutely on board! We’d be honored to document such a meaningful event for you. Every love story is unique, and we’re excited to photograph your wedding in the setting that feels right to you.
While the courthouse interior may not offer traditional wedding aesthetics, with thoughtful planning and professional lighting, we can still create beautiful DeKalb County Courthouse wedding photos that tell your story authentically. We do recommend budgeting for a minimum of 2 hours of coverage for courthouse interior ceremonies, as wait times can vary significantly and sessions are often subject to the courthouse’s schedule, which may shift without notice – even with a confirmed appointment.
Let’s Make Your Wedding Day Unforgettable
Whether you’re envisioning portraits in front of the historic courthouse, a walk through Downtown Decatur, or documenting the exact moment you say “I do” inside the courthouse, we’re here to bring that vision to life.
Ready to Book Your Courthouse Wedding Photographer?
We’d love to help you document your special day in a way that feels authentic and beautiful – whether you’re inside the courthouse, in front of the historic building next door, or wandering through downtown Decatur.
Sooooooo…… there are a lot of Lightroom shortcuts. With there being so many, how do you know which ones are the best to memorize? Which ones will help increase your workflow speed?
Lightroom Tutorial for Beginners
We’ve put together a list of the top 24 Lightroom Shortcuts to memorize – all of them are single letter shortcuts! These are the shortcuts we tend to use the most often in our workflow.
We suggest picking just one a day to memorize and start implementing immediately. You’ll be a Lightroom wiz before you know it!
Samantha & Anthony’s wedding was nothing short of spectacular. We had the best time working with Samantha & Anthony on their wedding day at The Conservatory at Waterstone in Acworth, Georgia! This was a July wedding, and while we did get rain that day, it did not ruin the outdoor ceremony!
We started our day with the guys getting ready. Anthony had gifts for his groomsmen including some awesome Marvel superhero shirts! We also grabbed some fantastic photos of the gentleman as they gathered around the bar where they were getting ready. While the gentlemen were doing their thing downstairs, the ladies were getting ready upstairs. Samantha had an awesome dress, we loved the laces in the back! Once she was ready, our bride took a moment to have a private first look with dad. These moments always get me choked up. When everyone was dressed, we went out behind the Conservatory for the ceremony. The decor was beautiful; from the floral arrangements lining the aisle to the gorgeous arch Samantha & Anthony were married under. It was a very heart warming ceremony. Following the ceremony we got some time to work with the bride and groom around the venue, capturing some of the beautiful scenery the Conservatory has to offer. These creatives turned out amazing!
This first dance was a personal favorite of mine. Midway through the dance, both the bride and groom pulled out lightsabers and started dueling. Then the father of the bride jumped in as well. The whole thing ended in a draw, and Samantha & Anthony concluded their dance.
Dinner was equally unique and exciting. Each table had a different Disney movie theme. The arrangements were spectacular! They brought out the inner child in everyone.
Following dinner was cake, a bouquet and garter toss, and lots of dancing. The night wrapped up with a sparkler & bubble send off. We had a blast that day, we are so glad we got to be a part of it!
Atlanta Wedding Photographers | Jaimie Dee Photography with Jaimie Dee & Kyle Holmes
Wedding Planner | Susan with The Conservatory at Waterstone
Ceremony & Reception Venue | The Conservatory at Waterstone
Catering | The Conservatory at Waterstone
DJ | Andre Peterson “DJ Dre”
Below are a few highlights from their special day photographed at the Conservatory at Waterstone.
Star Wars are technically Disney movies now, did you know?
Anthony & the officiant practicing for the ceremony!
Because it was July, it was also really hot! Anthony & Samantha were prepared and had fans readily availably for their family & friends.
A Rooftop Wedding with the Best Views in Atlanta, GA
If you are looking for a rooftop wedding venue with the best views in Atlanta, GA – The Peachtree Club has you covered! With arguably the best view in the entire city, Katie & Ben’s wedding was one for the books, and one we will remember for a long time to come. As Atlanta wedding photographers, we get SO excited every time we get to include the city skyline in our backdrop!
Atlanta Rooftop Weddings with a View
This wedding was in early November, on one of the coldest days that month. The day kicked off with the guys and gals getting ready at Loews Atlanta Hotel. Gifts were exchanged, drinks were drank, and music was danced to as both sides of the bridal party got dressed to the tens. The Atlanta City skyline was a huge photographic inspiration for the day. We took advantage of the rooftop where the guys were getting ready to photograph some awesome creatives with Atlanta in the background. We absolutely loved the red & burgundy bridesmaids dresses! Each bridesmaid wore a dress of a different cut and shade of red. The ceremony was held at Redeemer Lutheren Church. This is a beautiful downtown Atlanta church. After the ceremony, we took some photos in front of the Federal Reserve Building. The architecture of the Federal Reserve Building made a phenomenal backdrop for these creative wedding photos. The night wrapped up at one of our favorite Atlanta rooftop reception venues, the Peachtree Club Atlanta. Katie & Ben had their first dance on the rooftop, the city of Atlanta behind them. The evening proceeded with an out of this world dinner! You have to check out how they plated the salad! The decor was beautiful, Atlanta themed, with lots of greenery. Following dinner were some hilarious toasts, a cake cutting, lots of dancing, and a fun pompom send off! The party at the Peachtree Club was spectacular! The view from the rooftop venue is always a treat. It’s weddings like this that make us love being Atlanta Wedding Photographers.
Atlanta Wedding Photographers | Jaimie Dee Photography with Jaimie Dee & Kyle Holmes
Wedding Planner | Molly Heacock with Caroline A. Events
Ceremony Venue | Kathy Vogel with Redeemer Lutheren Church
Officiant | Pastor Steve Winemiller
Reception Venue | Megan Partington with The Peachtree Club
Videographer | Jonathan Nye with Cre8tive Cinema
Band | Jon Robinson with Nice Entertainment
Dress Boutique | Kelly with the White Magnolia
Florist | Kali Jones with Adaptation Floral Design
Catering | The Peachtree Club
Cake | Jojo with Sweet Cheats
Makeup Artist | Kelly Anne with Brides by Kelly Anne
We couldn’t be happier at the thought of working with an amazing couple like these two! As an Atlanta wedding photography studio, we had such a wonderful time with these Piedmont Park Engagement Photos with this fun couple!
Below is a quick interview with the bride & groom along with a couple highlights from their engagement session!
How did you meet?
Bride: I think my friends and/or family would have rightfully had me committed if I had said I was in love with a guy I had just met but there was definitely something about him that I couldn’t, and didn’t want to, walk away from. I knew of him through mutual friends but I had never really met him until everyone was in Tallahassee for a reunion football game, FSU vs Clemson. One thing I will never forget is the moment I saw him… he had this beaming smile and these big brown eyes that just melted me, then he turned around and I saw that great butt of his… game over. Coincidentally, FSU will play Clemson on our wedding day.
Groom: Technically, we first met when I was back in Tallahassee visiting during law school. However, we really “met” during a reunion game in 2014 when a large group of mutual friends were in town, including me. I’ll never forget how gorgeous she looked in that blue dress and I could tell there was something special about her and something great about the two of us together.
How/ when did you start dating?
Bride: At first we didn’t live in the same town so it was a lot of texting and phone calls for a few weeks. Our first date was about as close to “a sign” as you could get. [He] and I met up at a brewery, I hate beer but decided to just go with it, and when I sat down I believe his exact words were “the hard cider here is dank.” I smiled because that was the only drink on the menu I liked (and who still uses the word “dank”) and I could just relax and be myself. One of the things I love most about [him] is, by just looking at me, he has the ability to calm me, not once have I been nervous around him.
Groom: We started dating several weeks after that first meeting but we had been texting non-stop during the interim. At the time I lived in Tampa and she lived in Tallahassee and our first date was after she came down for a potential job interview. I love so many things about [her], when you really make her laugh its infectious and adorable but her eyes and smile are what always draw me in.
Tell me about your relationship
Bride: I think what was so different was how effortless it all was, we just fit perfectly. [He] will probably say he said “I love you” first but that’s a lie… we have just agreed to disagree on this subject. In the end it doesn’t matter who said it first but that we both felt it and still feel it every day. I was excited to have [him] meet my crazy family, I knew he could handle it, and with no surprise he fit in seamlessly.
Groom: There isn’t one thing alone that makes [her] different, but everything that makes “us” different. While we don’t always finish each others’ sentences or anything weird, we just share a connection that I haven’t felt before. The way she listens to, looks at and laughs with me always makes me feel truly loved. She’s an amazing girl and I’ve never been nervous to introduce her to anyone, I knew my family would love her. I said “I love you” first but to be fair, we were both going to say it that night and I think we both knew we were in it for the long haul before speaking those words.
When did you know this person was the one?
Bride: I think everyone around me realized it before I did. My ridiculously adorable grandfather told me he liked [him] when he hadn’t even met him yet because of how happy he could see [he] made me. I knew [he] was the real deal because he supports and loves me for who I truly am, whether that is freaking out up the side of a mountain, grabbing his butt in public or obsessing over the two cutest dogs in the world, Enzo and Tally.
Groom: There have been so many times its hard to pick just one, it was more of something I knew all along but realized slowly as we got to know and live together. However, one of the first times I really thought that we’d go the distance was during her first visit to Atlanta. She agreed to hike Stone Mountain with me despite never hiking before and being terrified. She did great and made it to the top without ever complaining and I didn’t even know she was scared till later in the weekend. To me, being willing to face your fears because you trust your partner says a LOT about a couple’s relationship.
Piedmont Park Engagement Photos at Sunset
How did the engagement happen?
Bride: [He] faked me out pretty good, he had me convinced that the Grand Canyon would be too expected and that I would NEVER see the proposal coming. When I was standing in front of one of the most amazing sights I had ever seen, I would never have imagined there could be anything better until I turned around and saw [him] on one knee. I was so surprised and caught off guard that I may have said some words my mom and dad might not be proud of but my answer was “hell yes!”
Groom: I wanted somewhere truly timeless, that will never change and we can always come back to so I picked the Grand Canyon. We headed out west for New Years and after showing her the desert and hiking Sedona the day before, we walked the Grand Canyon rim trail until I found the perfect spot, got down on one knee and the rest is history.
What’s the one thing about each other you couldn’t live without?
Groom: I couldn’t live without her in my life, but I just have to see her smile at least a handful of times every day, preferably after I make her laugh. She’s my one.
Bride: [He] tells me I hug him like a little kid but the reality is that I love having his arms wrap around me, it feels like home to me. He’s my only.
Hi! We're Jaimie & Kyle (+Associates) with Jaimie Dee Photography. We're Atlanta photographers based in the metro area and service clients all over the globe. Jaimie Dee Photography was established in 2008. We're primarily a wedding and portrait studio. Our images are crisp, clean & colorful and strike a balance between classic and candid styled portraits. Aside from the photography, we help you craft the perfect photo experience - from the beginning planning stages to the finished artwork hanging on your walls. When you're in front of our camera, we'll also offer you gentle guidance through a combo of stationary and movement based poses. We'll help bring out your inner diva too - even if you're shy! If you're looking for a photographer in the metro Atlanta area or beyond, we'd love to meet you!
