Denver Courthouse Wedding Guide

Everything you need to know about getting married at a courthouse in Denver

So you want to have a courthouse wedding in Denver?

Unfortunately, finding information on the locations, and how to get married in them is hard!! The websites on the county courthouse websites don’t make it super easy to find information on how you actually get married in the courthouse itself. There’s a ton of great information on getting your marriage license, but that’s only the first step of the process. But, don’t worry!! I did the research for you. Below, I’ve got overviews of the Denver Courthouse locations, what photo spots around them work best, and most importantly, how you actually book a courtroom for your wedding!

How to get married at a Denver Courthouse

  1. Get a marriage license from one of the Denver Courthouse locations. Some offer online appointments if you are coming from out of state, and somew ill require that you come in person. Make sure you bring your state issued ID!
  2. Once you have your license, take a look at the list of magistrates who are available to officiate weddings at the Denver County Courthouses. They will each have times where they are available at each of the following courthouse buildings, and you can choose which one you have your wedding at based on your preferred date and time. There’s no better way to kick this off than just emailing the judges and chatting to whomever responds.
    • There are magistrates who (weather depending) will officiate a ceremony on the Denver County Court steps. This is by far the most aesthetically pleasing option as the courtrooms aren’t super cute!
  3. Don’t try and navigate through the county court websites to try and find information about using a courthouse room or the steps for your ceremony. The information just isn’t there, and only the magistrate will be able to book this for you.
  4. Finalize the time, location, and courthouse with the magistrate. Check with them on whether or not they allow fresh flowers, as some of them do not. Also make sure photographers are allowed in the courtroom with you, and whether or not the magistrate has any preferences for where the photographer can move to take photos during the ceremony.
  5. GET MARRIED!!!
Couple silhouetted against a yellow wall near DPAC after their courthouse wedding in Denver.
Couple posed artistically in winter trees outside the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse in Denver

Denver Courthouse Wedding Locations

Byron White

Columns, columns, columns galore!! The front facade of the Byron White Courthouse is a well known spot for wedding portraits and more. I’ve used it for multiple weddings. It has gorgeous ironwork lanterns underneath the awnings that look amazing in perspective photos with the columns. The staircase is gorgeous and super wide!! There is definitely some space for creative shots and iconic Denver shots at Byron White. Only federal judges can perform ceremonies at Byron White.

Nearby

  • 16th St. Mall
  • Stout St. Columns
  • Alleyways and streets for “city shots”
See More about Byron White
Spread of images from a couple at their courthouse wedding in Denver. The bride is wearing a unique white jumpsuit.
A couple just after their wedding ceremony at the Lindsay-Flanigan Courthouse with photos at the Denver Courthouse, and Civic Center Park.

Denver County

This is the “classic courthouse” that you see lit up with holiday lights in the winter, and is across from Civic Center Park. Like Byron White, it has really unique architectural elements and beautiful columns and staircases. The flower gardens at the front make for beautiful portrait spots as well! Plus, it’s super easy to just walk across the street for photos with the state capitol in the background. You can also have your ceremony on the steps depending on the weather, and the magistrate you work with.

Nearby

  • Civic Center Park (sometimes closed for special events)
  • Denver Art Museum (we can photograph inside if you get a ticket to the museum)
  • Colorado State Capitol (free to photograph inside, and very cool architecture if you’re into an inside space)
  • Denver Public Library
See More About the Denver County Court
Spread of images from a couple's courthouse wedding in Denver. They're laughing and kissing in front of colorful walls and murals near the Denver Art Museum.
A couple walking near the Art Museum district, a location that is close enough to Lindsey-Flanigan to use for portraits.

Lindsey-Flanigan

The most modern of the three Denver Courthouses by far! The outside of this building is glass and metal, and there are some really neat scupltures outside. If you like a more clean, modern feel, this is definitely the spot for you! For more in the style of Lindsey-Flanigan, it’s also a short walk over to the Denver Art Museum or over to the Convention Center.

Nearby

  • Denver County Courts
  • Denver Diner
  • Convention Center
  • Denver Performing Arts Complex
More About Lindsey-Flanigan

Denver Courthouse Wedding FAQs

This is totally up to you! The amazing thing about doing a courthouse bash is that you decide what it looks like. You can go all out and buy a huge ballgown wedding dress, or find a cute vintage dress from a consignment store. Here are some of my favorite spots to find some interesting and unique wedding attire.

LULUS

I love this site for casual dresses that are affordable and super cute! They come in all patterns, colors, shapes, and sizes. I highly recommend checking them out.

TUETA MATOSHI

I keep this site bookmarked on my browser just for eye candy sometimes. These are definitely more stylized, formal gowns (and priced accordingly) but if you’re looking for something unique, they’re truly stunning.

H&M

They sell surprisingly cute and cheap formalwear. I don’t expect their suits to hold up in the long run, but if you want a weird random color, or just a one-time-wear kind of piece, check ‘em out! I also rock their dress pants and blazers as my “wedding suits” all the time. So if pant-based-formalwear is your jam, but you need some extra spandex in them like yours truly, check out their options!

TOP SHOP / TOP MAN

They’re a UK based company, so allow some extra time for shipping, but their suits are amazing. They’re not outrageously expensive or anything, but they are better quality and have that real nice European cut to them. My husband gets all his suits from them, and the pants don’t look too bad on me either 😉 They also have plenty of fun, fresh, funky looks from overalls, to giant puffy cropped jackets, and fur accent pieces. I just went to check out their androgynous style suits and whoo boy, there is some fun in there. They also have some gorgeous vintage-styled occasionwear dresses that I adore.

THE GROOMSAN SUIT

Now, I know the name is all full of gender, BUT this company is one of the few where you can order a tailor fit suit for any body type! I absolutely love the women’s tuxedos they offer. They are great quality and the one’s I’ve seen couples rock look amazing. While the colors might not touch the options from Top Man for suits, the cuts are clean, flattering, and you’ll be able to wear the suit for years to come! Better yet, if your dog is coming to your wedding, they have a dog suit, too!

Think about who you want there to make the day more special. You already have an officiant, but how about some flowers? A mini cake? Or, cough cough maybe a photographer!! This is totally up to you, and what’s most important is that you love your wedding and how you celebrate it!! But, if it’s helpful to just a see a list of other vendors (and stuff people bring) for courthouse weddings, here you go!

  • Photographer
  • Videographer
  • Florist
  • Baker (Beyond cake! Bite size desserts can be fun too)
  • Picnic Basket/Catering Nibbles Tray
  • Champagne
  • Planner
  • Invitations
  • Custom Ring Boxes

I talk to a lot of couples who head to their favorite brewery or cocktail bar after the ceremony to celebrate a little bit! If that’s not your style, how about heading to the mountains for a mini honeymoon? There are also a handful of nearby locations that have small room rentals or private dining rooms for you to gather with your guests afterwards. If that’s part of your plan, check out…

The beautiful thing about planning a courthouse wedding is the freedom to do whatever you want to celebrate! I have photographed courthouse weddings that needed 45 minutes of time, and ones where we hung out for 4 hours visiting different locations for photos and capturing a mini-reception for family and friends.

If you’re just looking for photos of the ceremony and some posed photos of yourselves and family, I recommend 60-90 minutes. If You want to visit secondary locations for photos, consider bumping your time up to 2 hours. As soon as any kind of event documentation is part of what you’re looking for (reception, drinks afterwards, etc.) it makes sense to consider 4+ hours.

Courthouse Wedding Photography Pricing & Packages

Want a photographer for your courthouse wedding?

Just because you’re not having a “big wedding” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a photographer there to make the most of your memories!!

Wedding photographers will often have elopement and intimate wedding packages that are more accessible than their full wedding pacakges. Definitely ask around once you find a photographer that you like to see if they offer a discounted rate for a shorter package. If you’re having your wedding on a weekday, your odds of finding a photographer for a smaller package will infinitely improve!! You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000-$5,000 for a photographer to document your elopement or courthouse wedding depending on the photographer and the length of time you want photographed.

Typically, you can expect your photographer to deliver an online gallery of your photos, and either give you a digital download or a USB drive with your final edited images. Editing times can vary from 4 weeks to 8 weeks for a full gallery to be edited and delivered to you! Some photographers offer a personal printing release for your images, whereas some may require you use their online printing services. Make sure you fully understand what you’re deliverables are, and that the delivery time frame is written into your contract, before hiring someone to photograph your elopement!

My Pricing for Courthouse Weddings

Because I often work intimate weddings and elopements, I just offer a no-minimum hourly rate for Denver courthouse weddings. Most of my couples wind up booking a 2-3 hour block of time, which runs about $1,000-$1,500. You can check out more detailed information about my pricing here, or check out my Courthouse Special package below!

Pricing & Packages
  • 45 MINUTES OF PHOTOS
  • NEARBY LOCATIONS FOR PORTRAITS
  • 4 WEEK DELIVERY + A SNEAK PEEK
BOOK IT NOW!

book your photos with Kate

The Courthouse Special

You’re trying to keep it simple with this whole courthouse wedding thing, right?? If you just want a few photos to prove it happened, with some cute shots to hang up on the wall, this is for you!!

My Courthouse Special includes 45 minutes of photos which covers the ceremony, and about 20-30 minutes of photos afterwards. We’ll stay close to the courthouse to maximize photo time!

You’ll get 50+ edited photos delivered 4 weeks after your courthouse elopement, and a sneak peek delivered the same week of your elopement so you can share with friends and family!!

Is it too good to be true?? NO. I live 7 minutes from the courthouse, and LOVE being present for this little slice of your life and love. I just want to make it easy for you to document this special moment on something other than an iPhone.

$600 Total

$250 required to book

AVAILABLE WEEKDAYS ONLY

“Does everyone look at their wedding photos every day since getting them back or is that me? Kate did an absolutely stunning job and I can’t get over it!”

Real Courthouse Weddings & Other Planning Resources