Most courthouses don’t post a strict dress code, so you can wear what feels like you on your wedding day. Cobb County’s Magistrate Court, for example, says casual or formal attire is acceptable for its wedding ceremonies. So, what should you wear to a courthouse wedding? A white or ivory midi dress, a short wedding dress, a simple gown, a jumpsuit or a tailored suit all work beautifully, as long as you can move easily through security, up courthouse steps and around town for portraits.
We’ve photographed courthouse weddings and elopements around Atlanta since 2008, from county courtrooms to historic courthouses and garden ceremonies. This guide shares what we’ve seen photograph well, outfit ideas for couples and guests, what to wear in each Atlanta season and how to dress for the setting you choose.
Table of Contents
What to Wear to a Courthouse Wedding: The Quick Answer
- Choose an outfit you love that fits the feel of your day: a white or ivory midi dress, a short wedding dress, a simple floor-length gown, a jumpsuit or a suit.
- Pick a silhouette that’s easy to move in. You’ll walk through security, stand for the ceremony and climb steps for portraits.
- Partners look great in a well-fitted suit in navy, charcoal, gray, burgundy or black, or a tuxedo for a dressier look.
- Dress for the season: breathable fabrics for Atlanta summers, a wrap or coat for winter.
- Bring comfortable shoes, your photo IDs and marriage license, and a small bag that moves easily through screening.
- Guests can dress as they would for a nice dinner and follow the couple’s lead.
Is There a Dress Code for a Courthouse Wedding?
Most Georgia courts don’t publish a specific dress code for wedding ceremonies. Cobb County’s Magistrate Court answers the question directly on its wedding ceremony page: casual or formal attire is acceptable. Courthouses are still working government buildings, so dress the way you would for any important appointment, and keep your bag and accessories simple so security goes quickly.
Rules vary by county and by court, so check your court’s current guidelines for attire, guests and photography before your date. In Fulton County, for example, bringing a photographer into a Magistrate Court wedding requires a Rule 11 approval form signed by the judge ahead of time. Our Fulton County courthouse wedding guide walks through it.
Do You Have to Wear a Wedding Dress to Get Married at the Courthouse?
No. You can wear a full wedding gown, a short white dress, a dress in your favorite color or a suit, and you’ll be just as married. Many of the couples we photograph choose something that feels special and simple: a midi or tea-length dress in ivory, champagne or blush, often with a bouquet and a veil to make it feel bridal.
If you’ve always pictured yourself in a full gown, wear it. Courthouse halls and front steps make a striking backdrop for a long dress, and we’ll help you arrange the skirt and train for portraits. Just give yourself a little extra time for the walk in and the security line.
Courthouse Wedding Outfit Ideas for Brides
- Midi or tea-length dress: easy to walk in, dressy enough for portraits and comfortable through a wait.
- Short white dress: playful and modern, and a great fit for a quick ceremony followed by a celebration dinner.
- Simple gown: a sheath, slip or A-line gown with a short train moves easily through hallways and up steps.
- Jumpsuit or bridal suit: polished and practical, especially for a weekday ceremony.
- Color: champagne, blush, sage, dusty blue or a bold jewel tone all photograph beautifully.
- Sleeves and layers: a cropped jacket, cape or long sleeves add style and keep you comfortable in air-conditioned buildings.
Whatever you choose, sit, walk and climb a few stairs in it at home. If it feels good for all three, it will feel good on your wedding day.
What Grooms and Partners Wear to a Courthouse Wedding
A well-fitted suit is the classic choice for a courthouse wedding. Navy, charcoal and gray look polished against marble, brick and wood, and a burgundy or green suit adds personality. A tuxedo is a great fit for an evening ceremony or a dressier celebration afterward.
Fit is what shows most in photos. A quick visit to a tailor for sleeve and hem length makes a big difference when you’re standing side by side. A tie or bow tie and a boutonniere that echoes the bouquet tie the two of you together in every portrait.
Want to coordinate? Pick one shared accent color, like a tie that picks up the flowers or a pocket square in the same shade as a dress. A shared accent looks effortless in photos.
Colors and Fabrics That Photograph Well
Courthouse interiors range from grand marble halls to rooms that feel more like offices, and the light inside is often a mix of windows and overhead fixtures. Here’s what we’ve seen work best:
- Solid colors and soft textures like lace, crepe, satin and wool look rich in photos and keep the focus on your faces.
- White, ivory and champagne glow against stone and brick, and a darker suit beside them creates a classic contrast.
- Small, busy patterns can look distracting in photos. If you love pattern, choose a bold, simple print.
- Wrinkle-resistant fabrics help if you’ll drive between the courthouse and your portrait locations.
- Large logos and graphics pull attention in every photo, so save them for another day.
Planning engagement photos too? Our outfit ideas for couple photos have more color and style ideas.
What to Wear to a Courthouse Wedding in Each Season
Atlanta weather changes a lot through the year, and most courthouse weddings include some time outdoors, whether that’s the walk from the parking deck or portraits on the steps afterward. Dress for the forecast and you’ll look and feel your best.
Spring
Spring brings mild temperatures, blooming trees and plenty of pollen. Light fabrics, a dress with a little movement and a cardigan or cropped jacket for cool mornings all work well. Pastels, florals and soft greens look lovely with spring color in the background, and a lint roller in your bag takes care of pollen on dark suits.
Summer
Atlanta summers are hot and humid, often in the 90s, and the humidity makes hair frizz, makeup fade and fabric cling within minutes outdoors. Shade softens the light, but the humidity stays. That’s why we recommend an indoor-first plan for summer: your courthouse ceremony, then portraits in an air-conditioned space like the marble halls of the Historic DeKalb Courthouse or one of our favorite indoor portrait locations in Atlanta. If the day turns out pleasant, a few minutes outside is a bonus. For your outfit, choose breathable fabrics like cotton, linen blends and lightweight crepe, a lighter suit fabric for partners, and bring blotting papers for the walk in. Our summer elopement tips explain the indoor-first plan in more detail.
Fall
Fall is one of the most comfortable seasons for a courthouse wedding in Atlanta, though early fall can still feel like summer. Rich colors like burgundy, rust, emerald and navy look beautiful with changing leaves, and a light jacket or wrap helps once the evening cools down.
Winter
Winter days in Atlanta are often in the 40s and 50s, and some mornings start near freezing. Long sleeves, a faux fur wrap, a tailored coat or a cape keep you warm and photograph beautifully. Velvet, wool and heavier satin feel seasonal, and tights or a dressy pantsuit add warmth. Bring a coat for the walk in, and we’ll help you set it aside for portraits. Planning a December date? Our Christmas wedding ideas have more seasonal inspiration.
Dress for Your Setting: Courthouse, Historic Venue or Garden
County Courthouses and Magistrate Courts
Working courthouses move quickly. You’ll pass through security, wait for your turn and often stand for a short ceremony in a courtroom, office or ceremony room. A dress or suit that’s easy to move and sit in works best, and a long train or a very full skirt can be tricky in tight hallways. Our guide to how long a courthouse wedding takes walks through each step of the visit.
Historic Courthouses
Historic courthouses like the Historic DeKalb Courthouse in Decatur and the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville host weddings as event venues, with marble, brick, staircases and tall windows that give you more room to dress up. This is a beautiful place for a full gown, a dramatic veil or a bold suit color.
Courthouse Squares and Downtown Portraits
Many couples take portraits around a courthouse square after the ceremony, like the gazebo and murals around Marietta Square. You’ll walk on brick and pavement, so block heels or dressy flats are a smart choice, and a hem that clears the ground stays clean.
Garden and Outdoor Elopements
Grass, gravel and garden paths call for flats, wedges or block heels. Light, flowing fabrics move beautifully in a breeze, and a shorter hem or a bustle keeps your dress clean. For ideas on where to go, see our guide to places to elope in Atlanta.
Shoes, Accessories and What to Bring
- Comfortable shoes, plus a second pair if you’d like to change for portraits.
- Your marriage license and photo IDs for both of you. Gwinnett County’s ceremony check-in, for example, asks for a valid Georgia marriage license and photo ID for both partners.
- A small bag that moves easily through security.
- A bouquet or a few stems and a boutonniere. Flowers add color to every photo, especially in neutral courthouse rooms.
- A veil, hair accessory or statement earrings for a bridal touch with a simple dress.
- Blotting papers, lip color, bobby pins and a small mirror for touch-ups between the ceremony and portraits.
What to Wear to a Courthouse Wedding as a Guest
Guests can dress as they would for a nice dinner or a daytime event: a dress, a skirt or dressy pants with a nice top, or slacks with a button-down or blazer. Follow the couple’s lead. If they’re wearing a gown and suit, lean dressier. If the day is relaxed, smart casual is perfect.
Leave white and ivory to the couple unless they’ve asked guests to wear it, and wear shoes you can stand in, since you may stand for the ceremony. Courts set their own guest limits, so check with the couple before inviting a plus-one. Our guide to courthouse weddings in Georgia covers how each county works.
Courthouse Wedding Outfit FAQ
Do You Dress Up for a Courthouse Wedding?
Most couples do, at least a little. The ceremony is short, but it’s still your wedding day, and you’ll keep the photos for a lifetime. Dress up as much as feels like you, from a gown and tuxedo to a simple dress and blazer.
Can You Wear Jeans to a Courthouse Wedding?
Cobb County’s Magistrate Court says casual attire is acceptable, so jeans are fine there. Check your own court’s guidelines first. If you love a casual look, pair dark jeans with a crisp white top and a blazer or dressy jacket so your photos still feel like a wedding day.
Can You Wear Black to a Courthouse Wedding?
Yes. A black dress or suit looks elegant and timeless, especially with flowers for a pop of color. Guests can wear black too.
What Color Should You Wear to a Courthouse Wedding?
White, ivory, champagne and blush are the most traditional choices for couples, and any color you love works too. Jewel tones like emerald and burgundy look rich in fall and winter, and soft pastels feel fresh in spring.
What Not to Wear to a Courthouse?
Large bags and lots of metal accessories slow you down at security, and a very long train can be hard to manage in a small courtroom. Shoes you can’t stand in for an hour and fabrics that crease in the car can make the day harder too. Check your court’s rules for anything specific to your county.
What Should You Wear to the Courthouse for a Marriage License?
Wear whatever is comfortable. Getting your license is an administrative visit to the county probate court, and both of you need to be there in person with valid ID. Some couples dress up and take a few photos on the courthouse steps to remember the day.
What Should a Witness Wear to a Courthouse Wedding?
A witness can dress like any other guest, matching the couple’s level of formality. You’ll be standing right beside them in photos, so a solid color that complements their outfits looks great.
Plan Your Courthouse Wedding or Elopement With Us
The best courthouse wedding outfit is the one that feels like you and lets you move easily through the whole day. Choose something that suits your setting and season, plan a layer or two and bring your flowers.
If you’re planning a courthouse wedding or elopement in Atlanta, we’d love to be there. Meet your Atlanta courthouse wedding photographer, see our Atlanta elopement photography, 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.
