What happens when you get married at the court house??

Question

I am 7 months pregnant and we really wanted to have a wedding before the baby, but we just bought a new house and have no extra money. I guess the only other option would be going to the court house. What happens there? Do you just sign papers or do you actually have a little ceremony? Do you dress up for it? I have no idea what to expect.

Answer 1

sign papers and get by married by a judge

Answer 2

no big deal, its the same a wedding. dont dress up. its all paper work.

Answer 3

not really a ceremony.  wear what you want

Answer 4

It's up to you if you want to get dressed or not.  You will need to bring at least one or two witnesses to sign for you.  Check with the courthouse on the minimum you need.  Some people bring more than that along with them so that their close friends and family can witness the marriage.  You will have a short ceremony and then be pronounced husband and wife.  

Answer 5

You sign paperwork (marriage license and all) and stand before a judge or justice of the peace and they marry you. You can either have just a small ceremony with one person to be your witness or you can have family and friends come to watch. You can dress however you like in a gown or casual that is up to you. My cousin did it this way and I was the maid of honor and walked in before her. We had our immediate family and friends there to watch. It is simple and quick and nice.  

Answer 6

First, apply for a marriage license.  See what the laws are in your state.  In some states you need to wait about 3 days from the time you apply for a marriage license until the time you can actually get married.  In some state there is no waiting period....meaning you can apply for the marriage license right before the ceremony.  However, I would still do it about a week before, just to get it out of the way.

Then, make an appointment for a courthouse wedding.

YES, you will have an actual ceremony.  You DO need to say the vows, exchange rings (if you want to...it's not mandatory to have rings), have the kiss....and you are done!

At some courthouses you can have lots of guests....others, just a few.  Check with your courthouse as to their rules and policies.  Also, check about your state guidelines.  In most states you need to have two witnesses over the age of 18 who will sign the marriage certificate as witnesses.  This can be ANYONE who witnesses the wedding.  You don't need to have a maid of honor and best man if you do not want to.

You can dress up....or not!  It's really up to you.  However, since it IS you wedding, I would dress up.  You can wear a simply dress, a semi-formal dress, or an actual wedding dress!  It's all up to you.

Answer 7

My hubby and I got married with a Justice of the Peace.  We went in previously, and filled out the application.  I don't remember if there was paperwork the day of or not!  Anyway, we had our witnesses, and the JP called us into a room, we did the vows and said I DO, and that was it.  Over in about 30 minutes total!  

Answer 8

i got married in a court house. it's a no big deal thing. the judge says his thing and bam that's it.  

Answer 9

They have a very nice little ceremony. They try to make it pleasant for the couple. You can wear an nice dress or cocktail suit and carry a bouquet if you like.

Congratulations. You are doing the right thing.

Answer 10

There is a little ceremony.  Really, it is what you make of it.  If you want to dress up - go for it!  It's your wedding.  Wear a wedding dress if you want, there are no rules!  Have a reception at your house afterwards to celebrate.  Doesn't have to be fancy!

Answer 11

You apply for a marriage license, then you make an apt with the mayor/judge/whoever is licensed to sign your papers. They read you your vows, you kiss, and voila, you're married! I dressed up and so did my hubby and my parents and grandparents came as did his.  

Answer 12

That's exactly what I did. Was pregnant (4 months) and went to the court house. There is a little ceremony, you are going to need 2 witneses and you can invite anyone you want. The judge will talk a little about marriage, for about 5 minutes and then he just marries you. after that you sign the paper and you re ready to go.

Answer 13

You go sign papers and you can have a ceremony if you want one. Normally the couple would bring a few friends/family to sign the papers also. As of dressing up, you could or you could go in normal cloths. if you want to dress up you wouldn't have to go all out and get a wedding gown and everything you could just find a nice sun dress or something. Good luck and congrats!!

Answer 14

How you dress is up to you. Some people just wear casual to actual wedding gown. You meet with the Justice of the Peace sign papers. You all need to bring a witness. It's possible to ask the Justice of the Peace to say something, or even write your own vows to insert during the process.

It's always possible to have and actual formal wedding at a later date. No matter how you all do it, formal or not you guys will be married in the end.

Congratulations on both the upcoming marriage and baby!

Answer 15

It is a very plain and simple ceremony, with no frills.

You can get married, on the cheap like I did without the "court house".

We got married in my in laws back yard. We spent $300 total for the entire ceremony. I picked up the dresses for myself and my bridesmaids at a thrift store. The guys just wore dress slacks with button down shirts and a tie. For flowers we picked up a bouquet at the flower shop and took out flowers for the guys and each girl carried a single flower and the rest were tied up as a ribbon for my bouquet. We borrowed chairs from the school and some folding tables. My mom made us two sheet cakes for the wedding cake and picked up some sandwiches from the local sandwich shop for food. Our music was a mix cd that we made together, It was a very simple but yet very personal ceremony. This was 16 years ago, and I do not regret doing it this way!!

Good luck to you.  

Answer 16

You dress up, but more in your Sunday best, than a 'wedding dress and tuxedo' ... you have a small ceremony in front of a judge, then sign the papers.  You'll need to take two witnesses (at least, but no more than six people total).  You can have this marriage performed and then have a 'big wedding' later, at which you can 'renew your vows' ... just make sure that your dress has some color in it, because you're not a 'virgin' and are already 'married.'  

Answer 17

What happens there?

You stand in front of a judge and he weds you guys.

Do you just sign papers?

You most likely have to to prove you are marrying someone.

Do you actually have a little ceremony?

Not really, he just says a couple things etc.

Do you dress up for it?

Well you're going to a courthouse, so you might as well be dressed formally, like http://www.flickr.com/photos/12820014@N0...

You also need some witnesses to witness your marriage.