These Courthouse Weddings Are Taking Over The Internet

On TikTok, couples are giving us peeks into their courthouse weddings, and let’s be real, they’re serving looks and undeniable love.

Folks online, Black folks, especially, are saying “nah” to over-the-top weddings, whether it’s the looming shadow of a recession or just a vibe shift away from those one-day extravagant splurges. Sure, seeing a couple strut down a church aisle still warms the soul, but there’s a definite uptick in smaller, more intimate “I do’s.”

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On TikTok, couples are giving us peeks into their courthouse weddings, and let’s be real, they’re serving looks and undeniable love. The comments section is always lit with folks pointing out how those courthouse marriages often go the distance, inspiring others to think small. We’re sending all the good vibes and wishes for long, happy unions to these couples as we dive into their beautiful, intimate celebrations.

Radiating with Excitement:

@dommthedatenightguru

I married the love of my life @Gary Stello Clark II and it was PERFECT. 🥹 #courthousewedding #2023bride #fyp #newlyweds #marriedlife

♬ Snooze X We Belong Together – lonely xo

This couple could not contain their excitement at their courthouse wedding. The bride’s beaded dress is a very elegant moment. In the comments, folks were nothing but supportive of this couple and the idea of a small ceremony:

“Congratulations, we did the same 33 years ago. Bought a house instead, sold that one, and bought another one 10 years ago. It don’t take much to be happy,” wrote one user.

Another user said, “We got married after church one Sunday, saved money… and now, it’s 16 years later and still in Love.”

Courthouse Couture:

Screenshot: TikTok (@itsmrsjamestoyou)

A small wedding doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a big dress and veil, either. This couple dazzled in the center of their court aisle. Folks in the comments saw the intimate ceremony as inspiration for their own.

“So beautiful. Congratulations y’all! I feel like I keep seeing signs to do a micro/courthouse wedding,” added one user.

A Resourceful Bride:

Screenshot: TikTok (@jenkinsx3)

You don’t have to break the bank to look like the bride of your dreams. This gorgeous newlywed was resourceful in creating the shoes she wanted to wear and finding her dress, and the comments didn’t hesitate to tell her how incredible she looked.

“Love it you looked like a Barbie,” wrote one user in the comments.

“Woot Woot! I had a tinyyyyy wedding (8 guests) and we literally only paid for brunch haha,” added another.

Escalator Love:

Even the escalators can look romantic when you’re climbing up to your courthouse wedding! This couple managed to capture everything that love is: just happy as long as you’re together.

Inspiring People To Do Courthouse Weddings:

The rise of this TikTok trend has sparked a new excitement for smaller ceremonies, with one creator noting how it makes the prospect of marriage more appealing.

“It’s just gonna be me, my wife, and god, and that’s it. We won’t have to worry about frontin’ the bill for nobody that played no parts in us coming together, and we won’t have to begin our lives as newlyweds in a deficit… The anticipation of knowing all the fun is to come right after the wedding? Sign me up, ’cause that is perfect.”

In the comments of the video, couples shared pictures from their courthouse weddings and recommended a smaller service to anyone who is considering doing one.

Puppy Love:

@iamdamyaa

Courthouse wedding are so unserious yet so intimate 😂😂😂

♬ som original – 𝓐𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓵

This chic couple’s courthouse ceremony proves that love, youth, and style can all go hand-in-hand. Their elegant choice of attire resonated deeply with observers, who flooded the comments section with an outpouring of support and sagely advice for the happy newlyweds.

“Y’all are so cute. I got married at 20, and he was 23 this Nov 1st makes 13 years married,” wrote one user.

“Me and my hubby married at 21 and 23,” added another.

Wedding Fit For Royals:

You might hear the word elope and think of a Las Vegas ceremony, but this couple’s courthouse wedding looked like a royal nuptial. The video even had married couples wishing they could elope too.

“I’m already married and wanna elope just for these pictures,” wrote one user.

“If I had to do it all over again, I’d elope. Congratulations,” added another.

Courthouse Photoshoot:

Screenshot: TikTok (@viceventsnyc)

Some newlyweds decide to mix a courthouse ceremony with a larger wedding reception later, and this couple had the photos from their ceremony displayed on the walls of their reception. It’s a great idea so that you’re family and friends can also experience your nuptials.

Runway Newlyweds:

With possibly some of the cutest wedding pictures ever, this couple ran up and down the empty corridors of the courthouse. Their intimate ceremony shows that the big day doesn’t have to be overly serious or boring and can be less stressful for the bride and groom.

In the comments, this couple inspired many to hire photographers for their own ceremonies.

“I’m having a civil wedding and I’m convinced now I need an elopement photographer,” wrote one user.

“Never really thought about how I would want my civil wedding pictures, but now I know. Congratulations,” added another.

Celebrity Courtroom:

Screenshot: TikTok (@terynparker)

Even the queen of gymnastics had a courtroom wedding. Sure, it was before her bigger reception, but when the love is there and cannot be contained, the courtroom will support you.

Is A Big Wedding Worth It?:

Creators are asking if big weddings are worth all the hassle and the cost? By having a smaller, intimate ceremony, newlyweds can focus on saving up for other expenses, such as an extended honeymoon or a house to start their new lives.

Folks in the comments debated on the pros and cons of both styles.

“I’m not spending all that money for people that don’t really like me like that for real to come out and low-key pray on our downfall. COURTHOUSE AND HONEYMOON ME PLEASE,” added one user.

“A wedding will last if the 2 ppl want it to last, no matter what they spent. My wedding is $50k, and I’ll spend another $50k on cars, a house, and a 3-week honeymoon right after,” wrote another.

Wedding First Look:

@amandakorina

we didn’t plan to do a first look and I’m so grateful our photographer nudged us to. It wasn’t until I got my phone back at the end of the day where I noticed our son was watching the entire moment 🥺 #civilwedding #nycwedding #nycelopement #courthousewedding #bridal

♬ Godspeed – James Blake

Even if a bride chooses a courtroom ceremony over a traditional long-aisle walk, a touching “first look” for both the bride and groom is still possible. In fact, the intimacy of such a moment could make it even more special.

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