Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anti M on October 9, 2014 at 5:00pm

A nice dinner after, with the family.  The dress you wear for the courthouse could be worn later (in June) at the rehearsal dinner or other gathering with relatives.  Maybe a nice overnight at a local hotel or B&B.  

Permalink Reply by Sailorswife2716 on October 9, 2014 at 6:37pm

My husband and I got married at a beautiful courthouse last year. We chose the Santa Barbara courthouse in California not too far from where we live because it had beautiful architecture. Our parents and my siblings were there and it was very intimate and nice. We hired a very affordable photographer that I found on Craigslist last minute and let me tell you that I'm so glad I did! It was perfect. We all had dinner at a cute italian restaurant afterwards. We planned on having a "official" wedding ceremony this year since we didn't exchange vows, but now we're leaning toward waiting a few years. Weddings are expensive! Haha. Our little ceremony last year was perfect though. I highly suggest hiring a photographer :) congrats!

Permalink Reply by Sailorswife2716 on October 9, 2014 at 6:38pm

Oh and my mom bought me a cute little bouquet and a little bootineer(spellcheck lol) for my husband. Having it intimate made it a little more special

Permalink Reply by Emily-aaronsgirl11 on October 9, 2014 at 9:03pm

My courthouse wedding means the world to me. We plan to have a ceremony later, even if it's not until our 5th anniversary, but just because we signed papers and said our vows at the courthouse didn't make it any less special. 

I wore a white sundress and he wore his dress blues. My sister in law and best friend were there as our witnesses, and my best friend took lots of pictures for us. We still exchanged rings, even though they didn't quite fit yet, and we still had our first kiss. After the ceremony was over, we took more pictures including some with our witnesses. Once we were done, we went out for dinner (at the same restaurant he proposed the year before!) and celebrated later that night at his apartment with more friends and lots of alcohol. It's a day I'll absolutely never forget, and even though it was at the courthouse, it was still the most special event to me. 

In the end, it's the marriage that counts, not necessarily how many people are there to celebrate with you, what you ate for dinner, or where you were. :)

Permalink Reply by Eva on October 13, 2014 at 4:39pm

You can do a lot of things. Go out and buy a cute little white dress, make a pretty bouquet of flowers, just have fun. My husband and I did the courthouse thing in July of this year, just the two of us. His family didn't really approve so it was better to just have it be between us. I just wore a cute lace dress I got at H&M. It was obviously special because now were married but it also only lasted about a minute. So, I'm actually glad we didn't make it a big deal. I would have been disapointed. We're having a commitment ceremony in November back home with our families and friends. Thats the part were really excited about. I have my engagement ring a small band from the first ceremony and then we have another small band for the second ceremony and my husband has his ring. I think I'm going to get it engraved for the second ceremony.

Things always change. We didn't think we would be able to have a real ceremony/reception at all. At least not any time soon. But it turns out he was put on hold for 4 months so we were able to throw it all together it it should be a blast! 

My only advice is don't let other people tell you how to have YOUR wedding. Do what makes you and your husband-to-be happy first. :)