Courthouse wedding rec's

Courthouse weddings vary, state to state, sometimes county to county. Some you stand at a table, and reciye 3-4 lines required, in front of two witnesses. No guests allowed, no photos in the area. Others, done in what look like a judges chambers, by a judge, magistrate, or contract JP, who will allow a few guests, and 15 minutes, and a picture or two. And in many states, you have two options, courthouse, or a Justice of the Peace, who may have a office, or come to you, or an open space. Many places an appointed person is in every major city hall.
Check the possibilities for your state, or say what state here, if you want info.

They can still dress up. Just because it's a courthouse wedding doesn't mean they can't make the day special. Wear a nice dress and a suit, if that's what they want! Although some city hall/city clerk/courthouse weddings don't allow photos inside the building, they can still take pictures before and after outside of it. Google courthouse wedding photograpy; you'll find some really beautiful photos of couples standing outside the door holding flowers, holding their marriage license, and dressed fancy. It's a special day and they deserve to be celebrated!

They can definitely dress however they want. If they want to go full formal she could probably get a wedding dress of the rack or online at Azazie. Or a less “weddingy” dress could be amazing. Basically, whatever her and her fiancé want to wear is up to them. I think hiring a photographer is a great idea, they could probably get a package or by the hour to just take family portraits and pics of the ceremony if possible. I would warn that depending on where the wedding is 2 hours of photography could still be a few hundred dollars. I’d also suggest looking into a place to have some sort of reception. Depending on comfort level and what’s open she could maybe look for a private dining room at a restaurant or maybe have immediate family over for a cake or BBQ reception at home. A courthouse (or JOP/city hall) wedding could be as casual or structured as the couple wants. If you’re excited to help plan I would probably help her research what option for ceremony and reception works best for her and her fiancé.

In most states, once you have a license, it can be used at any city hall or courthouse that does marriages. Which means if you want to pick some quaint, or stately old courthouse or city hall, for great pictures, you may do so. Many such buildings are nicely landscaped.