Courthouse Wedding Tips/Experiences?

It was just me, H, and our 2 witnesses at the courthouse and we had a BBQ reception in a private room at a local restaurant a while later with our families. I hated wedding planning...it was making me miserable. H said he didn't give a damn how we got married, as long as we got married so we said "fuck it" and went to the courthouse. We have absolutely zero regrets. As long as you properly host your guests with plenty of good catered food and booze, you're good to go. People will still be happy for you and you can still have a great time.

I was a guest at a courthouse wedding and was surprised by how much fun we had. It was really enjoyable to sit in the waiting area and chat with couples that were coming in engaged but leaving married. We heard a lot of great stories! My friend the bride even ran into one of her former interns, who was also there to get married that day!

My best advice is do SOMETHING afterwards, even if your big party is later. We went to a little hole in the wall Russian restaurant (took the subway with my friend still in her gown - such great pics!) and ordered lamb cutlets and chicken kievs and tons of dumplings for the table. The owner sent over shots of his special vodka and we just had an amazing evening. It didn't take anything away from their celebration of marriage later on, and it really made the day for everyone.

I was an attendant at my dads and now ex wife's courthouse wedding. The single biggest advice I have is absolutely do not be late. We were late and had to inturrupt a court hearing because in order to get to the room where they hold marriages, you had to pass through a courtroom. There was literally someone sitting on the stand and all the sudden we walk in, all dressed up, and everybody stopped talking and stared. It was awkward and kind of embarrassing.

Other than that, the wedding itself was short and nice.

Thank you guys, it's helpful hearing other's experiences! We feel totally comfortable with our decision but we're getting a lot of "are you sure you won't regret it" from family and I'm like... how am I supposed to know what I'm going to regret? I sure don't THINK I will.

My sister got married at a courthouse and it was completely beautiful. That courthouse does all their weddings on Friday afternoons, so it was actually really nice even waiting in line because everyone there was either a bride, groom or wedding guest. It was just really happy and everyone was excited. I cried. There's a beautiful park nearby too, so we went and took pictures there. Afterwards we went out to their favorite Indian restaurant and all their friends came after work and it was a great time.

I wish we could do ours on a Friday! The courthouse only does them on Tuesday afternoons, but I think that will still work out just fine.