A courthouse wedding ceremony usually lasts 5 to 20 minutes, but the whole visit takes longer once you count parking, security, check-in, waiting for your turn and photos afterward. So, how long does a courthouse wedding take? Plan on about 1 to 2 hours at the courthouse, and more if you still need your marriage license that day.
We’ve photographed courthouse weddings around Atlanta since 2008, from county courtrooms to historic courthouse squares. Below, we walk through what happens at a courthouse wedding, how long each step takes, what Georgia courts publish about timing and how much photography coverage you need.
How Long Does a Courthouse Wedding Take? The Quick Answer
Here’s how a typical courthouse wedding visit breaks down. Every court runs a little differently, so treat these as planning ranges.
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Parking and walking in | 10 to 20 minutes |
| Security screening | 5 to 20 minutes |
| Check-in and paperwork | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Waiting for your turn | 10 minutes to an hour or more |
| The ceremony | 5 to 20 minutes |
| Signing, hugs and family photos | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Total at the courthouse | About 1 to 2 hours |
Getting your marriage license is usually a separate step at the county probate court, and it can add an hour or more if you do it the same day. Gwinnett County Probate Court, for example, notes that license processing may take over an hour when applications are incomplete.
What Happens at a Courthouse Wedding?
Most courthouse weddings in Georgia follow the same basic order:
- You arrive, park and walk in. Leave time for parking decks, busy lots and finding the right building and floor.
- You go through security. Courthouses screen visitors at the entrance, so expect a line, especially when the building opens and around lunch.
- You check in. The court reviews your marriage license and photo IDs. Gwinnett County, for example, asks for a valid Georgia marriage license and a government-issued photo ID for both partners.
- You wait for your turn. Some courts hold group ceremonies at set times, while others call couples one at a time.
- The ceremony. A judge, magistrate or court officiant leads short vows, and you can usually exchange rings.
- You sign and celebrate. After the paperwork comes time for hugs, family photos and your first portraits as a married couple.
How Long Is a Courthouse Wedding Ceremony?
The ceremony itself is short. Most courthouse ceremonies last 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the officiant, whether you exchange rings or read your own vows, and whether the court marries one couple at a time or holds a group ceremony.
That simplicity is part of the appeal: the focus stays on the two of you and the people standing with you. It also means the big moments happen fast. The vows, the ring exchange and your first kiss can all happen within a few minutes, so we plan where we’ll stand before the ceremony begins. We never use flash during a ceremony, and we follow the court’s guidance on where photographers may stand.
Why Courthouse Weddings Take Longer Than You Expect
The ceremony is quick. Everything around it takes time. These are the delays we plan for at every courthouse wedding:
- Atlanta traffic. A short drive across town can take much longer at rush hour or when there’s an accident on the interstate.
- Parking. Courthouse lots and nearby decks fill up, and some buildings sit a short walk from the closest parking.
- Security. Entrance lines move at their own pace, and everyone in your group goes through screening.
- Paperwork. A missing document or a name that doesn’t match an ID can slow down check-in.
- The court’s schedule. Courts handle other business throughout the day, so ceremonies don’t always start at the posted time.
Build in 15 to 20 minutes of buffer for Atlanta traffic, courthouse security and parking, then arrive by the time your court asks. Your guests need the same buffer: Gwinnett County Probate Court notes that the ceremony may begin without guests who arrive late.
What Georgia Courts Say About Timing
Each county runs its courthouse weddings differently, so check your court’s website before you plan your day. Here are a few examples from metro Atlanta courts’ own websites.
Cobb County
Cobb County Magistrate Court offers free group wedding ceremonies at set times, with evening ceremonies on weekdays and additional midday times on weekends and county holidays. Couples are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time, and the marriage license must come from Cobb County Probate Court. See our Cobb County courthouse wedding guide.
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County Probate Court hosts free wedding ceremonies most Friday afternoons, and reservations are required. The couple and guests should reach the check-in table at least 10 minutes before the ceremony, and the court specifically asks couples to plan for traffic, parking and security delays. It also recommends applying for your marriage license well before the ceremony day. See our Gwinnett County courthouse wedding guide.
Fulton County
Fulton County Magistrate Court uses a Rule 11 form for cameras and recording at weddings, so if you’d like a photographer with you, look into the court’s requirements well ahead of your date. See our Fulton County courthouse wedding guide.
Schedules, reservation systems and requirements change, so confirm the details directly with your court before your date. For a county-by-county look at how courthouse weddings work, see our guide to courthouse weddings in Georgia.
Sample Courthouse Wedding Timeline
Here’s how a 2-hour courthouse wedding often comes together with us. Your timeline will shift with your court’s schedule, but the shape stays the same.
- First 15 minutes: We meet you outside the courthouse for relaxed portraits and photos with your guests as everyone arrives.
- Next 15 to 30 minutes: Security, check-in and paperwork. We stay with you and capture the moments in between.
- The wait: However long the court takes, we’re there for the nervous wait and the hugs from your people.
- The ceremony: 5 to 20 minutes, photographed quietly from the spots the court allows.
- Right after: Signing, family photos and your first portraits as a married couple.
- Remaining time: Portraits at the courthouse or a nearby spot, like a historic square, a mural or a park.
How Much Photography Coverage Do You Need for a Courthouse Wedding?
Courthouse ceremonies always start at 2 hours of coverage. Courthouses run on their own schedule, and it’s common to wait well past your appointment time. Two hours means we’re there for the whole experience, from the nervous wait to the ceremony to your first portraits as a married couple, without anyone watching the clock or needing to add time on the day.
Plan more time if you’d like getting-ready photos, portraits at a second location or photos at a dinner or celebration afterward. For sample timelines with more coverage, see our elopement timeline guide, and for the bigger planning picture, our step-by-step guide on how to plan an elopement.
Nervous about being photographed in front of a judge and court staff? Here’s how we help camera-shy couples feel at ease.
Tips to Keep Your Courthouse Wedding on Schedule
- Get your marriage license early. Both of you must apply in person at a Georgia probate court, and same-day applications can take longer than expected.
- Bring your documents. Check your court’s list, which usually includes your marriage license and a government-issued photo ID for both of you.
- Arrive early. Add 15 to 20 minutes for traffic, security and parking on top of the arrival time your court gives you.
- Share the plan with your guests. Give them the arrival time, the building entrance and where to park.
- Plan portraits around the light. If you’d like outdoor portraits, talk with us about timing so the light works in your favor.
- Check the court’s photography rules. Some courts have forms or limits for outside photographers, so look into them before your date.
Courthouse Wedding FAQ
Do You Walk Down an Aisle at a Courthouse Wedding?
Usually there’s no formal processional. Many courthouse ceremonies take place in a courtroom, a judge’s chambers or a designated ceremony room, and you step forward when your names are called. Some courts and special ceremony events have a short aisle or an arch, so ask your court what the space looks like.
How Long Is the Process to Get Married at the Courthouse?
Plan for two parts. First, both of you apply in person for a marriage license at a Georgia county probate court; some courts let you start the application online and finish in person. Then the ceremony visit itself usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Afterward, the signed license goes back to the probate court within 30 days of the ceremony, and Georgia notes that the marriage certificate typically arrives by mail within 30 days.
Can You Get Married at the Courthouse in Georgia?
Yes. Several metro Atlanta county courts perform wedding ceremonies, including free group or reserved ceremonies at some magistrate and probate courts. Some counties only issue marriage licenses, so check what your county offers. Our guide to courthouse weddings in Georgia compares the options.
Can You Get Married at the Courthouse the Same Day?
Sometimes. Cobb County, for example, says marriage licenses can be obtained the same day, with applicants reporting to its probate court licensing office by 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Other courts, like Gwinnett, require ceremony reservations and advise against waiting until the ceremony day to apply for your license. Check your court’s rules before you plan a same-day wedding.
How Long Does It Take to Plan a Courthouse Wedding?
It depends on your court. Reservation-based courts fill their calendars, so reserve your ceremony first, then plan photography and any celebration around it. Courthouse weddings can come together quickly, and we’re happy to help with short-notice dates. A few days’ notice is usually too tight for us to plan well, so reach out as soon as you have a date in mind.
What Should You Do After a Courthouse Wedding?
Many couples head out for portraits nearby, then celebrate with a meal or a small party with their guests. Remember the paperwork too: the signed license needs to go back to the probate court within 30 days of the ceremony.
Plan Your Courthouse Wedding With Us
A courthouse wedding takes about 1 to 2 hours from arrival to your first portraits as a married couple, even though the ceremony itself lasts only minutes. Give yourselves a buffer, know your court’s rules and choose photography coverage that lets you enjoy the whole experience.
If you’re planning a courthouse wedding in Atlanta, we’d love to be there. Meet your Atlanta courthouse wedding photographer, compare options in our guide to courthouse weddings in Georgia, or tell us about your plans.
The quickest way to start is to schedule a quick call with Jaimie. We’ll talk through your court, your date and the coverage that fits.
