Planning a courthouse wedding can feel a little mysterious if you’ve never done it before. Here’s what couples can generally expect when getting married at the Old Orange County Courthouse — plus tips from a local courthouse wedding photographer.

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Arrival & Check-In

Most couples arrive about 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment time. This allows time for parking, meeting up with loved ones or your photographer,

You’ll typically:

• Check in with the clerk
• Verify paperwork
• Wait briefly before being called

I find the best timing for couples to be Monday-Thursday weekday mornings. There are fewer people, less appointments, smaller crowds, and often times my couple and their loved ones are the only ones there. Which makes the process go quickly and smoothly.

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The Ceremony

Ceremonies are usually:

• Short and sweet
• Approximately 5-10 minutes in length.
• Limited to around 20 guests total, including your photographer.

Even though it’s brief, the moment itself is incredibly meaningful — and I’m there to capture it discreetly and respectfully.

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Photos After the Ceremony

This is where the magic really happens.

After the ceremony, we:

• Take portraits inside
• Photograph the iconic front staircase
• Walk the courthouse grounds
• Capture group shots and candid moments with your family and friends.

Typically if my couples get there 30 minutes before their appointment time, we can do all their family/friends photos first. Then I go with the couple and their witnesses (if doing a public marriage license) into the office to do the paperwork/oath. From there, the ceremony happens almost immediately after. Usually we get a couple group shots after the ceremony, then the family/friends are free to go head to lunch or whatever you have planned after. Then I go and take the couple around the courthouse to al my favorite spots! We get all the beautiful and fun photos with my couple officially being MARRIED. So exciting!

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How Long to Book Photography For

Most courthouse weddings photograph beautifully with:

• 1-2 hours of photography coverage.
• Enough time for ceremony + portraits
• No rushed timeline

My couples choose 1 hour of coverage if they are:

• Focused on being budget conscious.
• Okay with getting *just enough* couple’s photos even if that means our time could be potentially rushed.

My couples choose 2 hours of coverage if they are:

• Wanting a slower paced/less rushed day.
• Want to get a bit creative with their photos.
• Love the idea of walking around Downtown and going to get a coffee as a brand new married couple.
• Realize that if they’re already cutting all the other costs of a wedding, that spending a little extra on photos of this special day is 1000% worth it.

I’ll help you decide what coverage makes the most sense for your plans.

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Planning a Santa Ana Courthouse Wedding?

Courthouse weddings are simple — but they’re not insignificant.

If you’re looking for a Santa Ana courthouse wedding photographer who knows the flow, the light, and the location, I’d love to connect.

👉 Inquire here to start planning your courthouse wedding photography.