Raleigh Courthouse Weddings


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Raleigh Courthouse Weddings: How to Get Married at the Courthouse

Getting married at the Raleigh courthouse is a simple, meaningful way to begin your marriage without the pressure of a traditional wedding day. For many couples, it’s an intentional choice. Quiet, efficient, and focused on what actually matters.

We photograph courthouse weddings in Raleigh regularly, and this page is designed to walk you through what to expect, how the process works, and how to make the day feel personal and well documented.

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Couple’s hands reaching toward each other in front of a classical painting at the North Carolina Museum of Art, photographed during an NCMA engagement session.
Black and white wedding photo at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh featuring a close, intimate moment between a couple during their ceremony, highlighting elegant details, emotion, and timeless NCMA wedding photography.
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Step 1: Apply for a Marriage License

Marriage licenses in North Carolina are issued by the county. Both partners must apply together and bring valid identification.

There is no waiting period in North Carolina. Once issued, your license is valid for 60 days.

Step by Step: How to Get Married at the Raleigh Courthouse

Step 2: Plan the Courthouse Ceremony

Courthouse ceremonies are brief and straightforward. A magistrate performs the ceremony, and the focus is on making the marriage legal and official.

Guest numbers are typically limited, and ceremonies move quickly. Because of this, it helps to arrive early and keep expectations simple.

Step 3: Decide What Comes After

Many couples choose to treat the courthouse ceremony as the start of their day rather than the entire celebration.

After the ceremony, couples often:

  • Take portraits nearby

  • Walk through downtown Raleigh

  • Meet friends or family for lunch or dinner

  • Celebrate later with a larger gathering

This flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of a courthouse wedding.

Raleigh Courthouse Wedding Photography

 

We approach courthouse weddings with a calm, documentary mindset. Our role is to move efficiently, stay unobtrusive, and know exactly when moments are about to happen.

After the ceremony, we guide you through portraits in a way that feels natural and unrushed. Downtown Raleigh offers a variety of options for photos, including urban streets, greenery, and architectural backdrops.

You don’t need hours of coverage for a courthouse wedding. You need someone who knows how to work quickly and intentionally.

 
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Frequently Asked Questions About Raleigh Courthouse Weddings

  • The ceremony itself is very short, usually just a few minutes.

  • Procedures can vary, so it’s best to confirm with Wake County in advance.

  • Yes. Raleigh courthouse weddings require two witnesses. Beyond the required witnesses, guest numbers are typically limited, so it’s important to confirm current policies ahead of time.

  • Yes, in most cases we’re able to take a few photos inside the courthouse before and immediately after the ceremony, depending on the day and staff on duty. Photography inside is typically brief and respectful of the space.

    Once the ceremony is complete, we step outside and use downtown Raleigh as our playground. From city streets and architectural backdrops to nearby greenery, this is where we have the most flexibility to create relaxed, intentional portraits that feel true to you.

  • Downtown Raleigh offers covered and indoor-adjacent options for portraits. We plan for flexibility.

Raving Reviews

“It’s hard to even put into words how joyful an experience working with Nikki & her team was for our wedding in April 2022. From our engagement photos at the Biltmore, my bridal session, wedding photography planning and then the actual shots captured on wedding day, Nikki over delivered beyond what I could imagine our photos to be. She captured our personal style, which can be a bit shy and composed, in a beautiful way. I would definitely hire Nikki again if I had to plan my wedding all over. One of our hardest decisions in newlywed life is narrowing down all of our amazing shots into a photo album!”

-Abigail

“Courtney photographed our intimate, backyard wedding and we absolutely loved her and Fancy This Photography! Not only were her photos INCREDIBLE, but she was kind and so easy to work with. Courtney and Nikki were an absolute pleasure to work with from the second we met them. They are responsive, thoughtful, and put my mind at ease for our big day. On the day of our wedding, Courtney was professional, punctual, funny, and so easy to work with. My entire family loved working with her and kept commenting how much they liked her. Our photos turned out stunning and we are so pleased Courtney was able to capture our wedding day and we will treasure those photos forever.

-Nell

“I cannot overstate enough how wonderful Fancy This is! We communicated with Nikki throughout our entire process from booking to our wedding day, worked with Sarah M for our engagement shoot, and both Sarah M and Sarah G for our wedding. They are all so friendly, helpful, and organized. Sarah M was especially great at helping us feel comfortable in front of the camera and both Sarahs were the perfect energy for our wedding day. We could not be happier with all of our pictures and would definitely recommend them to anyone!!”

-Mike

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Raleigh Courthouse Wedding Photographer

If you’re planning a courthouse wedding in Raleigh and want photos that feel calm, thoughtful, and true to the moment, we’d love to document it for you.

We approach courthouse weddings with care, efficiency, and an understanding of how meaningful these quiet days can be.

Contact Fancy This Photography to inquire about Raleigh Courthouse wedding photography availability.