Planning a Courthouse or Micro-Wedding in Raleigh - Durham
(Last Updated June 13, 2022)
HOW TO PLAN A COURTHOUSE WEDDING IN THE TRIANGLE.
Thinking of getting married at the courthouse?
Over the last few years, courthouse weddings are becoming one of my most popular packages. It’s an easy, stress free way to tie the knot, that allows you to make the day completely your own. In this post I’m going to go over the three main courthouses that I shoot at in the Triangle and the process for getting married there.
Civil ceremonies are only performed on WEEKDAYS at the Durham Courthouse, Raleigh Courthouse, or the Orange County Courthouse. (I'm sure other counties courthouses are open but these are the ones I shoot at most frequently, please consult local regulations for their policies)
I offer a 2 hour package that allows me to capture the moments that matter the most including:
Ceremony, Family Photos, and Portraits
There is usually a 15 minute buffer time for travel, details, or reception photos.
If you're planning on getting married at an out of state courthouse, or in Asheville travel fees do apply with this package. Thinking about getting hitched at the Wake County Courthouse, Wake County Detention Center, Durham County Courthouse, or Orange County Courthouse?
If so, this blog is for you. It basically walks you through the in's and outs of getting married at the courthouse in the middle of a pandemic. With every changing rules and not super straightforward information, I've compiled what I've seen to get hitched at a courthouse in the Triangle in 2020.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT MY COURTHOUSE PAGE HERE!
WAKE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
UPDATE: JUNE 13, 2022
The Wake County Courthouse is OPEN for Civil Ceremonies. First come first serve, between the hours of 9:30 - 2:00 (Please call and confirm with courthouse is hours have changed and they only do half-days on Fridays)
NOTE THE WAKE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER IS NO LONGER DOING WEEKEND WEDDINGS.
Once you have your marriage license which you can register for online here. you will enter the building and head to the second floor to pay your magistrate fee. After you get your receipt, you and your party will head to the 9th floor and wait your turn to be married. Please check the courthouse to see if a processing or other wedding is taking place and quietly wait outside until it is your turn. As of June 2022 they are not capping guest count but are requesting you don’t “fill up the courtroom.” I would say 20 people is about the maximum.
Since the magistrate is handling processing as well as marriages there might be a wait. The line on Friday’s tend to be the longest so I suggest arriving a few minutes before ceremonies begin to ensure a spot.
The fee is $50. While they have preferred cash in the past I believe you can pay with a card now.
Once inside the courthouse, you and your two witnesses will approach the bench to fill out the necessary paperwork. They will ask you if you’re interested in exchanging rings. No personal vows are usually exchanged during these ceremonies and the whole event itself usually takes around 7-10 minutes (its very very fast). I have had couples in the past exchange personal vows either before or after their ceremony during their portrait session. After the session is over, we usually walk over to Nash Square for family portraits.
EUNAE & LAWRENCE
LINDSAY & ROB
try a Micro-Wedding Alternative.
when presented with this option a lot of my Raleigh clients tend to choose hiring an officiant and having a mirco-wedding. This is a gathering of you and your partner, two witnesses or a few close family members, and a pretty space. All you need for this is your marriage license from the Registrar of Deeds office and an officiant.
Here are a list of some of my favorite officiants in the Triangle:
Ingrid at Carolina Weddings USA
Kathie Mcutcheon
Magical Weddings by Carly
Since most weddings are quite small there is no need for a permit or special event request. Some of the most used locations in Raleigh thus far have been Fred Fletcher Park, Dorothea Dix Park, Downtown Parking Decks, and the Raleigh Rose Garden.
Here are a few micro-weddings I’ve had in Raleigh over the last few months… feel free to click on the link below the photo to see the whole gallery.
Kara & Brian
Fred Fletcher Park
Karyn & Will
Latasha & Collin
DURHAM COUNTY COURTHOUSE WEDDING
At the moment a Durham Courthouse Wedding is the least popular option as the Durham Courthouse IS taking civil ceremonies by appointment only. Please contact or call the Durham County Courthouse for exact times and regulations. This is per their website
The Durham County Register Office will issue in person Marriage Licenses by Appointment Only.
Our office will not accept any walk-in applicants without a previously scheduled appointment.
All applicants are required to complete the online application in advance before an appointment will be scheduled.
On scheduled appointments, only applicants should appear in the office. No additional guest(s).
Upon entering the building, please remember the following precautions and adhere to the CDC Guidelines to minimize the transmission of COVID-19:
Mask are required to enter all public places in Durham, North Carolina.
Maintain social distance - six feet requirement.
Wash/sanitize hands regularly.
Please call our office at 919-560-0493 for additional information.
The most up-to-date information I can find is located here - but it doesn’t even give you all the information you need on making these appointments…. which is why a lot of my couples in Durham have opted to forgo the courthouse and head straight to the micro-wedding stage.
North Gate Park has been a popular choice for couples getting hitched in Durham - as well as Eno River.
Ellese & Blake
North Gate Park
Michael & Jane at The Eno
Rachel & Joseph at North Gate Park
ORANGE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
AS OF SEPTEMBER 1ST 2022 THE ORANGE COUNTY COURTHOUSE WILL NO LONGER ALLOW CEREMONIES TO BE PERFORMED OUTSIDE
Did you know that the Orange County Courthouse is actually in Hillsborough? Even before the Pandemic this had been a hot spot for couples wanting to tie the knot at the courthouse without it feeling like a courthouse because the magistrate lets you get married OUTSIDE, under an amazing oak tree. It’s also been the go-to alternative for Durham county residents who still want to get married at the courthouse. It is truly the most POPULAR COURTHOUSE DESTINATION IN THE TRIANGLE!
Register for your marriage license here - Because of the high demand they are taking a limited number of appointments per day. You can fill out the information online, then schedule an appointment, head to the Registrar of Deeds office behind Weaver Street Market to get your paperwork. After you have a time frame for your license, you have to contact the Orange County magistrate in Hillsborough - 919-245-2935 during office hours 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The fee is $20.00.
Once you arrive at the courthouse, you’ll head inside and pay your fee - Then head to the magistrates office around the corner, go inside the waiting room, hit the Call button, and someone will be out with you shortly. Your witnesses will fill out all the paperwork, then you’ll go across the street to the oak tree and get hitched.
Here are some examples of weddings I’ve captured there.
Clara & Vivek
GRACE & JAVIER
Anna & Jordan
Here are a few key things to remember no matter where you decide to get hitched:
Before you get married you must apply for and receive a marriage license. Marriage licenses are obtained from the Register of Deeds office of the county where the marriage is to take place (people can get married anywhere in NC with a marriage license).
Don’t forget you need TWO witnesses to sign your license (and no your officiant doesn’t count, BUT your photographer does!)
You must marry within 60 days of the license being issued or the license expires.
If you have any additional questions or even additional information that you think would be helpful for other couples tying the knot this year in the Triangle please send it my way.
Also don’t forget to check out my other blog on How to Plan a Socially Distanced Elopement or Micro-Wedding.