How to have a courthouse wedding in your hometown

Many couples in Michigan want to have a courthouse wedding but quickly discover that can be harder than they think. Many counties in Michigan no longer offer courthouse wedding's or if they do they have a 3 month or more wait list! So, if you called your courthouse to schedule a wedding and learned this news, don't fret, I am here to teach you how to have a courthouse wedding outside the courthouse. 

You may have wanted a courthouse wedding for the simplicity, low cost and speed in which you thought a courthouse wedding could provide. You can still accomplish all of those things and even more by simply hiring a wedding Officiant to marry you. Many wedding officiants offer services in small packages for just this reason, a courthouse wedding is no longer available. 

For example, I offer couples a few options that are very similar to courthouse weddings. One offering is an "elopement ceremony" for this service you would gather your closest 15ish family and friends find a venue that suits your needs and I would perform a simple and sweet marriage ceremony. Venues can range from your favorite restaurant to a free park or even your local greenhouse...ooh think of all the lovely pictures you could take. 

I also offer an even smaller service called a simple signing. For this service I meet with the two of you, your two witnesses and we simply sign the license to make it legal, there is no formal ceremony, I do however ask you if you promise to continue to love and then pronounce you married and you can even seal your simple signing with a kiss. 

Tips and tricks for your off site courthouse wedding: 

1. Hire a wonderful officiant who will personalize the ceremony to suit your needs. 
2. Hire a photographer, it's worth it! Get those pictures of your wedding day. 
3. Have it your way! Outdoors, inside, over dinner or brunch, you get to decide what you want for your courthouse wedding. 

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